6 issues observations are used to investigate in education?
1.Gender & classroom behaviour 2.Teacher expectations & labelling 3.Language codes in the classroom 4.Pupil subcultures 5.Racism 6.Hidden curriculum
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Types of observation?
1.Highly stuctured using pre-categorised observational schedules. Positivists favour=identify/make quant measurements of patterns, usually n/participant 2.Less strucuted, o/e & flexible. Interpretivist favour=understand meanings. Both n/part and part
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Practical issues of structured observational methods?
Observations can easily be converted into quant data by countin number of times each behaviour occurs. Simplicity of structured observational methods like FIAC means theyre quicker, cheaper & require less training than less struct methods
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Reliability with structured observational methods to investigate education?
Likely to be easily replicated. FIAC only uses 10 catergories of classroom interaction, relatively easy for others to apply. Generates quantitative data=easy to compare
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Validity with strucutred observational methods to investigate education?
Interpretivists criticise for lack of validity. Delamon argues simply counting classroom behaviour & classifying into limited number of categories ignores meaning pupils/teachers attatch to it
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Less structured observational methods?
Interpretivists favour thses as they produce qualitiative data that allow access to meanings teachers/pupils give to situations. Use theres more often than structured ones
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Practical issues with less structured observational methods to investigte education?
Schools complex & more time consuming to observe=Lacet took 2 months to familiarise himself with the school. May be easier to get permision to observe lessons rather than to interview pupils/teachers. Limited by school timetable/holidays
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Ethical issues with les structured observational methods to investigate education?
Usually mean covert is not appropriate. Greater vulnerability & limited ability to give informed consent=observation overt. Delamont=Every observer has 'guilty knowledge' which is ethical issue
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Validity with less strucutred observational methods to investgate education?
Interpretivist=Main strength validity as gives authentic understanding of social actors. Important when researching classroom interaction/labelling. Power difference major barrier to uncovering real attitudes/behaviour=false image reducing validity
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Hawthorne effect?
Hard to carry out covert observation in classrooms as few cover roles. Hard to avoid Hawthorne effect. Ronald King=Tried to blend in background of infant school=avoided eye contact/hid in wendy house=hard to reduce effect of presence-undermine validi
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Representativeness with less structured observational methods to investigate education?
Scale of education system vast=huge amount of educational activity. Most observational studies focus on small no of pupils EG Willis. Takes time to gain trust/carry out obesrvations. Limited resources/big size of ed system=not representative data
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Hammersley on representativeness?
Considered data collected in staffroom was more open than his classroom data to sample bias. As many treated him with suspicion, so tended to associate largely with one group=less representative
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Reliability with less structured observtional methods to investigate education?
Participant observation=Lack reliability. Bevause data recording often unsystematic as observing covertly, hard to replicate EG Hamersley found 1 occasion had to write notes on newspaper. Observers age/gender=different pupil reactions
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Other cards in this set
Card 2
Front
Types of observation?
Back
1.Highly stuctured using pre-categorised observational schedules. Positivists favour=identify/make quant measurements of patterns, usually n/participant 2.Less strucuted, o/e & flexible. Interpretivist favour=understand meanings. Both n/part and part
Card 3
Front
Practical issues of structured observational methods?
Back
Card 4
Front
Reliability with structured observational methods to investigate education?
Back
Card 5
Front
Validity with strucutred observational methods to investigate education?
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