Researching Schools

Researching Schools

1. Due to the large number of schools in the UK. large-scale surveys and official statistics reduce the risk of unrepresentative results

2. Own Data

   • Schools are 'Data-rich' in terms of statistics from results or attendance. However some infomation is confidential and therefore difficult for sociologists to obtain.
   • Schools may falsify otherwise negative results such as truancy or racist incidents. The curriculum may also be changed to give the perception of school improvement

3. The Law

   • Due to the legal requirement to attend school, researchers will know where the students should be.
   • Heads and teachers may see research as interfering with students education.

4. Gatekeepers

   • Headteachers and governors may see research as negative and deny access.
   • Meagan and Harber: Research is denied because
     • Dangerous to have pupils commenting on teachers, Discipline would be affected, bad for classroom relationships and children are not competent to judge teachers.

5. Organisation

   • Researchers may be seen as inspectors and therefore the enemy.
   • Sex of the researcher may draw unwanted attention in a single-sex environment
   • Routines such as holidays and exam periods may restrict researcher access.