Methods In Context (Experiments In Education

Question 1

What is Harvey and Slatin’s lab experiment on education?

Answer 1

• Examined preconceived ideas based on a pupil’s social class
• Sample of 96 teachers shown 18 photos of children
• Experienced teachers rated WC children less favourably

Question 2

What is Mason’s lab experiment on education?

Answer 2

• Studied impact of negative/positive expectations
• Teachers were given reports on pupils + observed video footage of their examination to predict results
• Negative results had a greater impact

Question 3

What are the ‘Ethical Concerns’ using experiments in education?

Answer 3

• Limited role in educational research with working along young pupils
• Most do not use real pupils to avoid ethical issues

Question 4

Why is there a ‘Narrow Focus’ using experiments in education?

Answer 4

• Examine one aspect of behaviour which allows for a controlled variable
• Results are often too narrow

Question 5

What are the ‘Practical Problems’ using experiments in education?

Answer 5

• Impossible to control all variables

- Certain educational issues can’t be studied in a small lab setting

Question 6

What is Rosenthal and Jacobson’s field experiment on education?

Answer 6

• Research in California primary school to test labelling + SFP
• Covert method to engage pupils
• Easy to repeat, 242 times in 5 years

Question 7

What are the ‘Ethical Problems’ using field experiments in education?

Answer 7

• Experiment today is less likely to be conducted

- Deception is required for field experiments

Question 8

How ‘Reliable’ are field experiments in education?

Answer 8

Difficult to replicate due to differences in teachers + pupils involved

Question 9

Why is there a ‘Broader Focus’ using field experiments in education?

Answer 9

Easy to study numeral factors than a single element in isolation