Why do power and status differences affect research on pupils?
Pupils have less power than adults so may not speak openly.
How does the hierarchical structure of schools affect research on pupils?
Teachers can control which pupils are selected.
Why do structured interviews and questionnaires reinforce power differences?
The researcher controls the questions and limits responses.
Why may pupils struggle with sociological research questions?
They may not understand abstract concepts.
Why is informed consent difficult when researching pupils?
Pupils may lack maturity to fully understand the research.
Why are pupils considered ethically vulnerable in research?
They are at greater risk of physical and psychological harm.
Who are the main gatekeepers when researching pupils?
Teachers
Why is access to classrooms difficult for researchers?
Multiple gatekeepers and child protection laws restrict access.
How can peer groups affect classroom research?
Pupils may conform and hide true views.
Why can group interviews reduce validity in classroom research?
Dominant pupils may influence others’ answers.
Why might teachers resist researchers in their classroom?
They see it as their space and may view researchers as intruders.
Why might covert research require a cover role in schools?
To gain access without teachers changing behaviour.
What is impression management?
Controlling how others perceive you.
Who developed the concept of impression management?
Erving Goffman.
What is the difference between front stage and back stage behaviour?
Front stage is public performance; back stage is natural behaviour.
Why might teachers avoid criticising their school in research?
It could damage their career prospects.
Why must official school statistics be treated cautiously?
Schools may manipulate attendance or exam entries.
Why can headteachers limit research access?
To protect reputation or prevent disruption.
How can school organisation affect research?
Timetables and hierarchies limit when research can happen.
Why are parents a difficult group to research?
Class
Why can research on parents become unrepresentative?
Middle-class parents are more likely to respond.
Why is parental permission important in pupil research?
Parents act as gatekeepers for many studies.
How might parents use impression management in research?
They may exaggerate involvement in education.
Why is access to parents difficult?
They are outside school and contact details are not shared.
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new right set18
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functionalism set18
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social class internal factors23
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social class external factors27
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ethnicity factors in edu25
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gender factors in education43
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student idendities28
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WC sucultures18
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marketisation & privatisation policies24
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vocational education12
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social policy 1870-199730
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globalisation and education26
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positivists & interpretivists29
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questionnaire24
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methods in education26
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interactionism set25
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marxism set28
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feminism set23
