Sample questions

Item D15Using observation to investigate student subcultures. Student subcultures can tell sociologists a lot about students attitudes towards education. A subculture is a smaller group with values which are different to the wider group. These can be pro school or aunty school. Observation can be very useful way of understanding subcultures, as it means that you can see how these groups operate in a naturalistic setting. However, participant observation can be problematic as adult researches are going to have problem gaining access to and participation in student subcultures. This could be due to the differences in age and possibly social class and ethnic group.

Applying material from Item D15 and your knowledge of research methods, evaluate the strengths and limitations of using observation to investigate student subcultures.

Some sociologists argue that even though teachers and have a professional duty to treat all people fairly, they often give negative labels to pupils based on the pupils social class, gender and ethnicity. Pupils may respond to these labels in a variety of ways, including forming anti-school subcultures. Sociologists may use experiments to investigate teachers labelling of pupils. One problem is that laboratory experiments are not naturalistic and this can affect the way teachers and pupils act. With covert field experiments, however, the rule purpose of the research is not known and this may help to overcome the Hawthorne effect. Another issue is whether a particular statement or action on the part of the teacher is actually an example of unfairly attaching a label to a pupil. This is very much open to Interpretation by researchers.

Applying material from Item D16 and your knowledge of research methods, evaluate the strengths and limitations of experiments for the study of teachers labelling pupils.

Item D19Some sociologists have pointed out the ease with which traditional gender identities can be reinforced in classroom interaction. Verbal abuse and other more subtle processes such as the ‘male gaze’ can have an impact on gender identity. Sociologist have found that some male teachers me even collude with male pupils in putting down girls. Sociologist me use non participant observation to investigate the ways in which classroom interactions reinforce traditional gender identity. Observing classroom behaviour at first-hand enables researchers to see what actually goes on rather than getting a verbal account after the event. There is also the potential for Greater insight through Direct experience of classroom interaction. However, it is very difficult for the Observer to avoid being noticed and this can affect the behaviour of both teachers and of the pupils.

Applying material from Item D19 and your knowledge of research methods, evaluate the strengths and limitations of non-participant observation for the study of the ways in which classroom interactions reinforce traditional gender identities