Qualitative Research Methods: Overt Observation - Willis

Question 1

Who did Willis conduct his research on?

Answer 1

Working class boys

Question 2

How many boys did Willis study? What was the ethnicity of all of them?

Answer 2

He studied 12 of them, they were all white

Question 3

What form of interviews did Willis use with the Lads?

Answer 3

Unstructured Interviews

Question 4

How immersed into the lives of the boys was Willis?

Answer 4

He was present throughout most of their daily activities

Question 5

Name the 2 Interview techniques Willis used with the Lads

Answer 5

Unstructured Interviews, Focus groups

Question 6

Which other 2 groups of people did Willis speak with in relation to the Lads?

Answer 6

Their teachers and their parents

Question 7

How long did Willis’ study take?

Answer 7

2 years

Question 8

How long did Willis spend with them at school and how long at work?

Answer 8

18 months at school, 6 months at work

Question 9

What was a benefit of Willis’ overt observations?

Answer 9

He was able to immerse himself in the lives of the boys

Question 10

Name 2 things which the boys talked about in the interviews

Answer 10

Fights, Getting into trouble with teachers