participant observations to study education

Question 1

validity:

Answer 1

• overcomes status difference between students and teachers due to opportunities of gaining acceptance by pupils
• it would increase validity because pupils are trusting the researcher so they will open up

Question 2

practical issues:

Answer 2

• class observation can be less disruptive than conducting interviews with students due to changes of behaviour

Question 3

ethical:

Answer 3

• classroom observation is overt due to their vulnerability and limited ability to give informed consent
• important to protect the schools identity since harm can be done to pupils/teachers

Question 4

hawthorne effect:

Answer 4

• there are few cover roles the researcher can adopt so it has to be overt research since it will influence change in behaviour