PLACID GATERS Flashcards
What does the P stand for, and what does it mean?
Personal characteristics
How could the researcher’s Class, Age, Gender, Ethnicity, etc have an impact on the research/participant? E.g. could it make them uncomfortable or lead to misinterpretation?
What does the L stand for, and what does it mean?
Language
How will the language of the researcher/participants affect the research? E.g. is a translator needed? Could there be misinterpretation because of elaborated vs restricted code? Are children able to fully explain what they mean?
What does the first A stand for, and what does it mean?
Access
What issues are there gaining entry to the info/group? E.g. does the researcher need a DBS?
What does the C stand for, and what does it mean?
Complexity of setting
What practical issues come with the setting? E.g. schools are large with a lot of rooms, students have different ability levels
What does the I stand for, and what does it mean?
Impression management
Might participants change their behaviour? E.g. social desirability, Hawthorne Effect
What does the D stand for, and what does it mean?
Detachment and objectivity
Could the researcher become emotionally attached to their participants and let their opinions affect the research? E.g. taking what they say at face value, or biasing their results
What does the G stand for, and what does it mean?
Gatekeepers
Who could limit access to participants or information? E.g. Headteachers, parents, teachers, local council regulations
What does the second A stand for, and what does it mean?
Age of participants
Could their age affect the research at all? E.g. they may not understand the questions, there could be extra safeguarding needs
What does the T stand for, and what does it mean?
Time
How might the researcher be affected by time restrictions? E.g. strict timetable, teachers/parents not having spare time to do the researcher
What does the E stand for, and what does it mean?
Ethics & Guilty Knowledge
Are there any moral issues raised by the research? E.g. harm to participants, sensitive issues, confidentiality
Could the researcher find out something they have a duty to report which conflicts with them keeping the participant anonymous/confidential? E.g. safety issues, crimes
What does the R stand for, and what does it mean?
Recording data
Is there anything which would make it difficult to record data? E.g. observing a complex scenario, giving a covert researcher’s identity away
What does the S stand for, and what does it mean?
Spatial issues
Will the place in which the study takes place present any problems for the research? E.g. teachers being territorial about their classrooms
How should you use PLACID GATERS for a Methods in Context question?
First read the question
Then read the item, looking for any strengths and weaknesses
Once you can’t find any more in the item, think through each step of PLACID GATERS to see if you can find any more strengths and weaknesses
