researching schools

Question 1

large amount of data available due to education system highly marketised

Answer 1

• due to competitions within schools and parents wanting to choose the best school for their children

Question 2

overcoming: large amount of data available due to education system highly marketised

Answer 2

• ensure there are measures put into place to encourage pupils in schools to produce annually so it is reliable

Question 3

law

Answer 3

• younger people required to attend school making them a captive population

Question 4

overcoming law

Answer 4

• law requires them to collect information on pupils attendance, achievement etc

Question 5

gatekeepers and governors

Answer 5

• they have the power to refuse access to the school since research may interfere with work in school or undermine teachers’ authority

Question 6

overcoming: gatekeepers and governors

Answer 6

• creating ‘off limits’ where headteachers would steer research away from sensitive situations
• E.G: teachers having poor control over classroom and pupils

Question 7

schools are formal organisations with rules and hierarchies

Answer 7

• most schools are single sex which can pose problems where the researchers is of a different gender from that of the pupils

Question 8

overcoming: schools are formal organisations with rules and hierarchies

Answer 8

• get the student to be involved in decision making
• E.G: students may see them as teachers while teachers may see them as inspectors (researcher become part of the hierarchy)