AQA A Level Sociology - Research Methods (Education: Methods in Context

Researching classroom - Classroom - a closed social setting with clear physical and social boundaries where it is highly controlled. • Behaviour in classroom does not reflect thoughts and feelings and teachers are experienced in controlling thoughts and feelings. • In classroom, there are only two social roles - teachers and pupils. ○ GATEKEEPERS: § Access to a classroom is difficult to obtain as there are many 'gatekeeper' preventing access to the researcher. § This includes headteachers and child protection laws. ○ PEER GROUPS: § May be insecure to their identity and status meaning more sensitivity to peer pressure. § It is necessary to supervise pupils to prevent peer pressure and so group interview shows true attitudes which could be hidden. Researching parents - • They play an important part in the education process which influences education. • Are a difficult group to research as their class, ethnicity and gender can affect willingness of research.