RESEARCH CHARACTERISTICS

RESEARCH CHARACTERISTICS

1. RESEARCHING PUPILS

   • HILL- 3 major differences between studying young people and adults
     • power and status- more difficult for children to state their attitudes as they have less power in society- schools are heirarchial institutions
     • ability and understanding- pupils vocab, self-expression, thinking skills and confidence are more limited than adults- poses problem for researchers
     • vulnerability- young people more vulnerable to physical and psychological harm
     • raise all PET issues

2. RESEARCHING TEACHERS

   • power and status- teachers have more power and status due to their age. Classroom background reinforces power- they see it as 'my classroom.'
   • impression management- manipulating the impression that other people have of us (GOFFMAN)

3. RESEARCHING CLASSROOMS

   • closed social setting with clear physical and social boundaries
   • highly controlled- children don't experience this level of surveillance anywhere else.
   • classroom behaviour research is inaccurate- thoughts, feelings and true behaviour are concealed
   • GAKEKEEPERS
     • access to classroom is controlled ( headteachers, office staff)
     • difficult for researchers to gain access
   • PEER GROUPS
     • more sensitive to peer pressure.
     • may be necessary to supervise children when being researched to avoid other pupils influence

4. RESEARCHING SCHOOLS

   • unrepresentative when using observational methods as there isn't enough time
   • SCHOOLS OWN DATA
     • education system is highly marketised- parental choice and competition
     • great deal of secondary data on schools available
     • 'data rich' places which sociologists can use to their advantage
   • THE LAW
     • requires young people to go to school. Role of school is to educate people so may be reluctant to let research happen due to it being distracting
   • GATEKEEPERS
     • have the power to turn researchers away

5. RESEARCHING PARENTS

   • parents can influence their child's education- upbringing, involvement
   • parents are not an easy group to study- may not always be willing to participate
   • mc parents usually more likely than wc parents.