Gender Bias in Subject Choice - Closed Questionnaires
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Questions and Answers

What is a key strength of closed questionnaires in studying gender bias in subject choice?

  • They allow for open-ended responses.
  • They eliminate the need for ethical considerations.
  • They ensure high reliability through a standardized format. (correct)
  • They provide in-depth qualitative insights.

Which limitation of closed questionnaires could affect the interpretation of data on gender and subject choices?

  • High response rates leading to biased answers.
  • Ensured anonymity which enhances truthfulness.
  • Ability to accurately assess student comfort levels.
  • Limited response options that do not capture complex motivations. (correct)

How do closed questionnaires help in addressing gender inequality in subject choices?

  • By allowing students to express their feelings in detail.
  • By revealing peer pressure influences on subject choice.
  • By providing in-depth qualitative data.
  • By highlighting quantitative patterns and trends. (correct)

What potential ethical concern is associated with closed questionnaires in educational contexts?

<p>Students might perceive the questionnaires as a test. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What aspect do interpretivist sociologists emphasize that is often lacking in closed questionnaires?

<p>Deeper qualitative insights into motivations. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What advantage do closed questionnaires offer regarding sample accessibility?

<p>They are easier to administer in controlled school environments. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A significant challenge in utilizing closed questionnaires pertains to which factor?

<p>The potential for students to misinterpret questions. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What mixed-method approach can supplement the use of closed questionnaires?

<p>Interviews to garner qualitative data. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one strength of field experiments in the context of teacher labelling?

<p>They enable the collection of quantitative data for identifying patterns. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What limitation is commonly associated with field experiments?

<p>They often require gatekeeper permission and informed consent. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which ethical concern is associated with field experiments?

<p>Participants may not be fully informed about the research purpose. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is an advantage of group interviews when researching class differences?

<p>They can capture diverse perspectives through peer interaction. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which limitation is related to the nature of group interviews?

<p>Peer pressure can influence student responses. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why might small group sizes in interviews affect research findings?

<p>They limit generalizability of findings. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

One criticism of field experiments related to validity is the Hawthorne Effect. What does this refer to?

<p>Participants change their behavior because they are aware of being observed. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the theoretical limitation of variability affect the reliability of group interviews?

<p>Different group dynamics can lead to inconsistent data quality. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential ethical concern in group interviews related to confidentiality?

<p>Sensitive information may be disclosed publicly within the group. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which conclusion can be drawn about the use of mixed methods in sociological research?

<p>They provide a more thorough examination by combining qualitative and quantitative methods. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which element enhances the validity of field experiments conducted in classrooms?

<p>Observing behaviors in familiar, natural settings. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one way ethical issues may arise in field experiments?

<p>Students may face psychological harm from being labeled. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following represents a limitation of group interviews concerning data collection?

<p>The scheduling can conflict with academic responsibilities. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why do interpretivists criticize quantitative approaches like field experiments?

<p>They focus exclusively on observable behaviors. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the strengths of laboratory experiments in studying teacher expectations?

<p>They enable the establishment of cause-effect relationships. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a limitation of using laboratory experiments?

<p>They may alter participants' behaviors due to observation. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What ethical concern is associated with laboratory experiments involving real students?

<p>The potential harm to self-esteem and academic performance. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which research method allows for observing interactions without researcher engagement?

<p>Non-participant observation. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant advantage of using overt non-participant observation?

<p>It allows for capturing authentic behaviors over time. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a drawback of non-participant observation in educational settings?

<p>It may lead to ethical dilemmas when students are involved. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which issue challenges the generalizability of findings from non-participant observations?

<p>The small size of observed groups. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What might be a consequence of the Hawthorne Effect during observations?

<p>Behavior changes due to awareness of observation. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary concern related to the artificiality of laboratory experiments?

<p>They may not capture the complexity of real interactions. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of teacher behaviors may be impacted by the artificial conditions of laboratory experiments?

<p>Socially desirable responses to maintain reputation. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key limitation regarding access in conducting research in schools?

<p>Time-consuming permission processes. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the lack of informed consent from young students raise concerns about?

<p>The potential coercion students may feel. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which method could complement laboratory experiments to provide more authentic educational insights?

<p>Field experiments or mixed-method approaches. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a critical obligation when conducting research with minors?

<p>To protect minors’ confidentiality and emotional well-being. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant ethical concern regarding covert observations?

<p>They may involve deception. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a strength of official statistics?

<p>They offer a broad overview of trends and patterns. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What limitation do interpretivist sociologists highlight about official statistics?

<p>They fail to capture subjective meanings of attendance behaviors. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one practical advantage of using official statistics in research?

<p>They save time as data is pre-collected. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What methodology can help mitigate the limitations of non-participant observation?

<p>Using in-depth interviews or surveys. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a major ethical issue with informed consent in research?

<p>It can influence participants' behavior. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes a potential issue with the validity of official statistics?

<p>Schools may manipulate attendance data. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a drawback of non-participant observation as noted in the evaluation?

<p>It lacks generalizability. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT a common variable explored in official statistics regarding students?

<p>Parental influence (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a criticism often made by positivists regarding non-participant observation?

<p>It lacks reliability and scalability. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is anonymity an ethical advantage of using official statistics?

<p>They protect sensitive student information. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key trade-off when selecting non-participant observation as a research method?

<p>In-depth qualitative insight vs. reliability. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In terms of methodological balance, what is essential for studying educational achievement?

<p>Combining quantitative and qualitative methods. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'verstehen' refer to in the context of interpretivist criticism?

<p>Comprehending the subjective meanings behind actions. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a major ethical concern associated with covert participant observation?

<p>Informed consent from participants (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does reliability in standardized data collection contribute to educational research?

<p>It ensures consistency and comparability across time periods. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What limitation do official statistics have regarding the understanding of educational achievement?

<p>They lack deep insights into cultural differences. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why are official statistics considered valuable for policy development?

<p>They can inform strategies addressing underachievement in specific groups. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a drawback of using participant observation in educational research?

<p>It involves a high degree of researcher subjectivity. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'ethnocentric bias' refer to in the context of official statistics?

<p>Bias in the way ethnicity and achievement are defined. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the strengths of participant observation in researching anti-school subcultures?

<p>It captures the nuances of group interactions. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is the quantitative nature of official statistics seen as a limitation?

<p>It lacks depth in understanding complex issues. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is an important factor in the utility of official statistics for research?

<p>They are subject to manipulation by schools. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do qualitative methods complement quantitative research in educational studies?

<p>They enhance the depth of understanding. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a common challenge faced when conducting covert participant observations in schools?

<p>Limited trust from student groups. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of large datasets in educational research?

<p>They enable identification of significant patterns. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What aspect is often overlooked according to critiques from interpretivist sociologists?

<p>Cultural and social contexts of education. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the practical challenges of participant observation in educational settings?

<p>Time-intensive data collection process. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary advantage of participant observation in studying anti-school subcultures?

<p>It provides access to hard-to-reach groups. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant ethical issue when using covert observation methods?

<p>They raise serious concerns about participant consent. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which limitation specifically affects postal questionnaires?

<p>They often have low response rates. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What advantage do postal questionnaires have in research contexts?

<p>They are cost-effective and can reach large samples. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a common misconception about the reliability of unstructured interviews?

<p>They can generate inconsistent data across different respondents. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what way do unstructured interviews excel compared to other methods?

<p>They give rich, valid data by exploring personal experiences. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a theoretical limitation of postal questionnaires?

<p>Responses may be influenced by social desirability bias. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How can ethical concerns in postal questionnaires be addressed?

<p>By implementing strict data protection measures. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key theoretical strength of using participant observation for research?

<p>It can provide a deeper understanding of behaviors. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a practical strength of unstructured interviews?

<p>They can adapt based on the respondent's needs. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What major challenge does participant observation face concerning reliability?

<p>It may involve researcher bias in data interpretation. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a common strength of both postal questionnaires and participant observation?

<p>Both methods provide ethical anonymity to participants. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of data collection is often enhanced by conducting pilot studies before using postal questionnaires?

<p>Avoiding misunderstandings and offensive wording. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What ethical concern is particularly relevant to vulnerable populations when using unstructured interviews?

<p>Sensitive topics might cause emotional distress. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What impact does material deprivation have on working-class pupils' academic success?

<p>It negatively impacts their educational outcomes. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Sugarman's cultural deprivation theory, which value is emphasized over long-term rewards?

<p>Immediate gratification (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What effect does setting and streaming have on lower set pupils?

<p>They face lower expectations from teachers. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes Paul Willis' study of 'the lads'?

<p>A rejection of academic achievement in favor of rebellion. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is often linked to the negative labeling of working-class pupils in schools?

<p>Their socio-economic background and material deprivation. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which educational policy aims to address out-of-school factors affecting achievement?

<p>Pupil premium funding (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a common criticism of cultural deprivation theory?

<p>It fails to recognize structural inequalities caused by poverty. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do in-school factors interact with out-of-school factors in contributing to educational achievement?

<p>Both types of factors are interconnected and influence each other. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one consequence of pupils forming anti-school subcultures, according to the text?

<p>They often disengage from mainstream education. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key takeaway regarding educational policies like SureStart and free school meals?

<p>They aim to tackle out-of-school factors, yet disparities remain. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of gender does feminist theory highlight in the context of education?

<p>Reinforcement of gender stereotypes (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of feminist is most focused on the effects of patriarchy and structural limitations on girls' opportunities?

<p>Radical feminists (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do Marxists critique the functionalist view of education's role in society?

<p>By claiming it perpetuates capitalist ideology (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the main criticisms of the meritocratic system of education as proposed by Talcott Parsons?

<p>It does not account for social class inequalities (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does secondary socialisation serve according to the functionalist perspective?

<p>To teach societal norms and values (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement reflects a postmodern critique of the education system?

<p>Modern society is fragmented, making a single value consensus irrelevant. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What important change regarding gender identity is suggested for future research in education?

<p>Recognition of non-binary and LGBTQ+ experiences (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following contributes to the argument that education is not purely meritocratic?

<p>Social connections often dictate job access and opportunities (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the practical limitations of unstructured interviews?

<p>They require significant time and resources. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which critique highlights globalization's impact on the education system?

<p>UK imports skilled workers challenging the education system's efficacy (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which ethical concern is frequently associated with conducting unstructured interviews with students?

<p>Participants may not provide fully informed consent. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why might unstructured interviews lack reliability?

<p>Responses are highly individual and unstandardized. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a core aspect of the functionalist perspective on education's economic role?

<p>Education provides individuals with necessary skills for the economy (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What key issue remains prevalent in education regarding gender despite progress?

<p>Gender misconceptions in educational settings (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do unstructured interviews provide advantages in exploring complex topics?

<p>They yield data that is often richer and more nuanced. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following does the functionalist view suggest about education's contribution to social cohesion?

<p>Education promotes social cohesion through shared values (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key criticism of feminist perspectives on education?

<p>They fail to recognize the advancements in gender equality. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one limitation of functionalist views of education in today’s society?

<p>They ignore the diversity of educational settings (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following reflects a limitation of applying feminist ideas to modern education?

<p>They may oversimplify the experiences of diverse student groups. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What issue do feminists highlight regarding the hidden curriculum in education?

<p>It reinforces gender stereotypes and roles. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the concept of 'glass ceiling' refer to in the context of gender in education?

<p>The limitations women face in career progression despite academic success. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which factor contributes to the improvement in girls' educational accomplishments?

<p>Changing social attitudes towards women's independence. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What perspective often argues that the focus on gender inequalities overlooks boys' educational challenges?

<p>Postmodern Feminism (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What aspect is emphasized by positivist criticisms of unstructured interviews?

<p>Their subjective nature undermines reliability. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which is a key argument of feminists regarding secondary socialization in education?

<p>It plays a vital role in perpetuating patriarchal values. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which factor could be considered a potential barrier for researchers conducting unstructured interviews?

<p>The necessity of developing effective interview techniques. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a common outcome of the hidden curriculum according to feminist theories?

<p>It undermines students' achievements based on their gender. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which assertion best reflects the advantages of unstructured interviews in researching sensitive topics?

<p>They facilitate open conversations that reveal deeper insights. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the concept of meritocracy in education?

<p>Success is solely based on individual effort and ability. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Althusser's view describe the role of education?

<p>As an ideological state apparatus supporting capitalism. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Bowles and Gintis' correspondence theory imply?

<p>The structure of schools reflects capitalist workplace norms. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Bourdieu, what is cultural capital?

<p>Knowledge, skills, and cultural competencies favorable in educational settings. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the critique made by Marxists against the cultural deprivation theory?

<p>It fails to address the true role of material deprivation in educational inequality. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In Howard Becker's labelling theory, how do labels affect student performance?

<p>Negative labels can lead to expectations that hinder performance. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What significant factor do functionalists believe education promotes?

<p>Opportunities based on individual ability and talent. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What outcome did Rosenthal and Jacobson’s study demonstrate regarding teacher expectations?

<p>Positive teacher expectations correlate with higher student achievement. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What do postmodernists argue regarding Marxist views on education?

<p>Marxist perspectives are outdated in a diverse educational landscape. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does material deprivation play in educational outcomes according to Marxists?

<p>It is a critical factor contributing to educational inequalities. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do working-class boys in Paul Willis' study perceive education?

<p>As a platform for social rebellion and humor. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In Bernstein’s language codes theory, what is the difference between middle-class and working-class students?

<p>Working-class students use a language code that may hinder academic success. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What do the majority of Marxists believe about the educational system?

<p>It promotes a myth of meritocracy that conceals class privileges. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is often highlighted as a barrier for working-class children in education?

<p>Insufficient access to necessary resources. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Closed Questionnaires for Gender Bias

A research method using pre-set answer choices in questionnaires to study gender bias in subject choices.

Reliability of Closed Questionnaires

Consistency in the way questionnaires are collected, enabling comparison of large datasets.

Closed Questionnaires: Practical Advantages

Ease of completion, quick turnaround, high response rates due to familiarity with written formats in school settings.

Validity Issues in Closed Questionnaires

Limited response options hindering thorough understanding of complex student motivations, and potential researcher bias in question design.

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Interpretation Challenges (Closed Questionnaires)

Limited depth of understanding when using closed questionnaires, failing to reveal the reasons for choice; lacks qualitative insight.

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Mixed-Methods Approach

A research strategy combining quantitative and qualitative methods to gain a comprehensive understanding of a topic.

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Educational Context Concerns (Closed Questionnaires)

Students' perception of the questionnaire as a test, potentially affecting honesty in responses; peer pressure can also affect the responses, especially without proper management.

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Balancing Strengths and Limitations (Closed Questionnaires)

Recognizing the usefulness of closed questionnaires, but acknowledging their limitations in understanding intricate reasons and motivations; mixed methods can help mitigate some limitations.

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Field Experiments in Sociology

Research conducted in real-world settings (like classrooms), controlling some aspects to study cause-and-effect relationships.

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Strengths of Field Experiments

High validity due to natural setting, controlled variables allowing for consistency, quantitative data for patterns/correlations, and potential for replication.

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Limitations of Field Experiments

Access challenges (gatekeepers, permissions, time), ethical concerns (deception, harm, duty of care), validity threats (Hawthorne effect, power dynamics), and practical constraints (small samples).

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Group Interviews in Sociology

Qualitative research method using open-ended questions with multiple participants simultaneously to gain diverse perspectives.

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Strengths of Group Interviews

Encourages peer interaction, is time-efficient, cost-effective, explores nuanced attitudes, and can access specific sampling frames.

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Limitations of Group Interviews

Peer pressure influence, social desirability bias, power imbalances, confidentiality challenges, safeguarding dilemmas, and practical scheduling issues.

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Teacher Labelling

The act of teachers assigning expectations or categorizations to students, which can influence their performance.

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Hawthorne Effect

Participants modify their behavior due to being observed, reducing authenticity of data.

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Social Desirability Bias

Participants answering questions influenced by the need to present themselves positively.

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Validity in Research

The accuracy and appropriateness of research findings related to the studied issue.

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Quantitative Data

Numerical data used to identify patterns, correlations, and potentially cause-effect relationships.

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Qualitative Data

Descriptive data, for example, from interviews, uncovering meanings and experiences.

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Generalizability

The extent to which research findings can be applied to a wider population beyond the study participants.

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Ethical Considerations in Research

Important factors like informed consent, minimizing harm, and maintaining confidentiality in social research.

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Mixed Methods Research

Combining qualitative and quantitative methods to gain a more comprehensive understanding of a complex issue.

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Laboratory Experiments in Education

A quantitative research method where variables are controlled to understand cause-and-effect relationships in education.

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Strengths of Lab Experiments

Controlled environments help find patterns, and cause-and-effect relationships can be established. Provides replicable and reliable data.

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Validity Issues in Lab Experiments

The findings might not reflect real-world complexity because real classrooms are more complex than controlled experiments.

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Ethical Concerns in Lab Experiments

Experiments on students may pose a risk of injuring self-esteem or academic performance. Informed consent is crucial.

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Practical Limitations of Lab Experiments

Access to schools, permission from head teachers, and time/cost constraints can make experiments difficult and costly.

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Non-participant Observation

Research method where the observer watches without interacting, which can be open or hidden.

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Strengths of Non-participant Observation

Provides in-depth understanding of group dynamics; avoids researcher bias; overt observations are ethical.

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Practical Constraints (Observation)

School access, time commitment, limited generalizability due to resource and group size constraints, can be costly.

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Validity Challenges (Observation)

Hawthorne effects, teachers' image management, and altering behavior due to awareness of being watched.

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Researcher Bias

The researcher's personal views or expectations influencing the data collection.

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Ethical Considerations (Research)

Protecting participants' well-being and ensuring informed consent.

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Representativeness

How well a sample reflects the characteristics of the larger population being studied.

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Ecological Validity

The extent to which the findings of a study can be generalized to real-life settings.

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Official Statistics

Quantitative, secondary data collected for administrative purposes, such as school attendance records.

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Reliability (Official Statistics)

Consistent and standardized data collection methods ensure accuracy across different institutions and over time.

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Representativeness (Official Statistics)

Data includes the entire school population, enabling generalizations about national trends.

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Practical Advantages (Official Statistics)

Pre-collected data saves time and resources, bypassing complex research processes.

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Ethical Advantages (Official Statistics)

Data anonymizes student information, protecting privacy and avoiding direct interaction.

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Depth Limitation (Official Statistics)

Lack of qualitative insight into underlying causes behind attendance patterns.

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Data Manipulation (Official Statistics)

Schools might distort attendance data to improve their image.

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Missing Variables (Official Statistics)

Important factors like parental influence or peer groups are often absent from official records.

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Verstehen (Official Statistics)

Interpretivists argue that official statistics fail to capture the subjective meanings behind attendance.

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Bias in Official Statistics

Data reflects the priorities and definitions of those collecting it, such as government or school authorities.

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Mixed-Methods Approach (Official Statistics)

Combining official statistics with qualitative methods to gain a more thorough understanding.

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Official Statistics - Strengths and Limitations

Official statistics offer a broad overview but lack depth and cannot answer specific research questions.

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Practical and Ethical Advantages (Official Statistics)

Compared to interviews or observations, official statistics are more cost-effective and less ethically challenging.

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Official Statistics: Value and Limitations

Official statistics are useful for studying national trends, but they are best combined with qualitative methods for a comprehensive understanding.

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Official Statistics - Conclusion

Official statistics provide valuable information about school attendance, but their limitations necessitate using them alongside qualitative methods for deeper analysis.

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Ethical Considerations (Official Statistics)

Official statistics often use anonymized data to protect student privacy and avoid ethical issues related to direct interaction with individuals.

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Limitations of Official Statistics

Official statistics provide quantitative data, which can't explain the complex reasons behind trends, such as cultural factors.

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Participant Observation

A research method where researchers immerse themselves in a group, observing their behavior and interactions from within.

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Anti-School Subcultures

Groups of students who reject traditional school norms and values, often developing their own rules and behaviors.

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Strengths of Participant Observation

Participant observation offers deeper understanding of the group's beliefs and behaviors, particularly beneficial for studying groups that are difficult to access.

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Ethical Concerns (Participant Observation)

Covert observations raise ethical issues like consent and potential harm to the researchers and participants.

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Practical Challenges (Participant Observation)

Gaining access to schools, maintaining covertness, and managing the time and costs involved are practical hurdles in participant observation.

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Theoretical Weaknesses (Participant Observation)

Findings from participant observation are often subjective and based on small sample sizes, making generalizations difficult.

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Practical vs. Theoretical Trade-off

Choosing research methods involves considering the practical benefits (e.g., access to data) against potential limitations (e.g., depth of understanding).

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Complementary Research Methods

Using different methodologies to gain a more holistic understanding of a topic. Official statistics can inform qualitative studies.

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Covert Observation

Participant observation where the researcher's identity and purpose are concealed from the participants.

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Overt Observation

Participant observation where the researcher's identity and purpose are known to the participants.

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Validity

The extent to which a research method accurately measures what it intends to measure.

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Ethical Concerns

Issues related to moral principles and the potential for harm or exploitation of participants in research.

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Postal Questionnaire

A survey method where written questions are sent to respondents via mail, allowing them to complete and return at their convenience.

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Parental Attitudes

The beliefs, opinions, and behaviors of parents regarding their children's education.

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Cost-Effectiveness

The efficiency of a research method in terms of the resources used and the value of the findings.

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Anonymity

Protecting the identity of participants in research, ensuring confidentiality and reducing potential harm.

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Response Rate

The percentage of people who complete and return a questionnaire or survey.

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Reliability

The consistency and stability of a research method, ensuring comparable results over time.

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Unstructured Interviews

A qualitative research method using open-ended questions and a flexible approach to explore topics in detail.

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Gender Identities

The sense of self as male, female, both, or neither, shaped by individual experiences and social factors.

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Feminist View of Education

Feminists argue that education reflects and reinforces gender inequalities, perpetuating patriarchal values and shaping gender roles.

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Secondary Socialization

The process of learning gender roles and expectations through social interactions outside the family, including school.

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Hidden Curriculum

Unwritten rules, values, and beliefs embedded in school practices that reinforce gender differences, often subtly.

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Stereotyping and Labelling

Teachers making assumptions about students based on their gender, which can affect their learning experiences.

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Marxist and Difference Feminism

These feminist perspectives highlight how girls from working-class or minority ethnic backgrounds face additional challenges due to social class and race.

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Glass Ceiling

An invisible barrier preventing women from reaching top positions in their careers, though they may achieve success.

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Girls' Shifting Attitudes

Girls' priorities have shifted from marriage to career and independence, driven by societal progress and feminist movements.

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Boys' Underachievement

The increasing gap in educational attainment between boys and girls, with boys lagging behind in certain areas.

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Postmodernist Critique of Feminist Ideas

Argues that society is too complex to be explained by a single framework like feminism, as multiple factors influence education.

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Gender Equality Progress

Significant advancements in gender equality in education, including equal access to subjects, girls' sports recognition, and female leadership roles.

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Overemphasis on Patriarchy?

Some argue that focusing solely on patriarchy can oversimplify the complex nature of gender identity in modern society.

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Key Concepts for Understanding Education and Gender

Feminism, patriarchy, gender inequality, secondary socialization, hidden curriculum, stereotyping, and labelling are important for understanding gender issues in education.

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Feminist Ideas: Relevant or Outdated?

Despite progress, feminist ideas remain relevant for understanding ongoing gendered expectations, educational inequalities, and the ways gender is shaped through schooling.

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Unstructured Interviews: Advantages in Context

Unstructured interviews are best suited for exploring sensitive topics like gender identities, allowing for depth and nuance that other methods miss.

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Unstructured Interviews: Challenges to overcome

Researchers must balance ethical sensitivity with practical and theoretical demands, including training interviewers and ensuring informed consent.

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Material Deprivation

Poverty and lack of resources that negatively impact the education of working-class students. This includes limited access to things like private schooling, tutoring, educational resources, and technology.

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Cultural Deprivation Theory

This theory suggests that working-class students have values and attitudes that don't align with the education system, leading to lower achievement. It argues that these values may emphasize immediate gratification over long-term goals.

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Setting and Streaming

Pupils are grouped by perceived ability, which often leads to middle-class students being overrepresented in higher groups, receiving more challenging work and opportunities.

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Labeling

Teachers holding preconceived expectations about students based on their social class background, potentially impacting their performance. This often occurs unconsciously and can lead to self-fulfilling prophecies.

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Interconnection of In-School and Out-of-School Factors

The idea that factors both within and outside of the school environment contribute to educational inequality. For instance, material deprivation can lead to negative labeling, which in turn affects achievement.

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SureStart, Free School Meals, Pupil Premium

These programs attempt to address out-of-school factors like material deprivation by providing resources and support to disadvantaged students.

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Comprehensive Approach to Reducing Inequality

Acknowledging both in-school and out-of-school factors is crucial to effectively tackle educational inequality. This requires addressing material deprivation, cultural deprivation, and in-school factors like labeling, setting/streaming, and subcultures.

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Class-based Educational Disparities

The differences in educational outcomes between students from different social classes, often with those from disadvantaged backgrounds experiencing poorer results.

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Structural Inequalities

The systemic and entrenched inequalities that exist in society, such as poverty, lack of access to resources, and limited opportunities, which contribute to the educational disparities between social classes.

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Meritocracy

The belief that success in life is based on individual effort and ability, regardless of social background.

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Ideological State Apparatus

A concept by Althusser that describes institutions like education that maintain the power of the ruling class by shaping people's beliefs and values.

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Class Inequality

Unequal access to resources and opportunities based on social class.

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What is the Marxist view of Education?

Marxists see education as an ideological state apparatus that perpetuates capitalism by promoting the idea of meritocracy and socializing students into accepting class inequality.

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Correspondence Theory

The structure and norms of schools mirror the capitalist workplace, with similar hierarchies, rules, and expectations.

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Cultural Capital

The advantages middle-class children have in education, such as language skills, knowledge, and values.

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Cultural Mismatch

When working-class children lack the cultural capital needed to succeed in a school system designed for middle-class values.

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Labelling Theory

Teachers' expectations and labels can influence students' academic performance, often favoring middle-class pupils.

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Elaborate Code vs. Restricted Code

Middle-class students use the elaborate code of language, aligning with school expectations, while working-class students use the restricted code, leading to potential disadvantages.

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What is Differential Educational Achievement?

The difference in educational outcomes between students from different social backgrounds, particularly focusing on class, race, and gender.

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What is the debate around in-school and out-of-school factors?

The debate centers around whether differences in student achievement are mainly due to factors within the school (like teacher expectations) or factors outside of school (like poverty or cultural deprivation).

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What is the impact of free school meals on GCSE outcomes?

Studies have shown that students eligible for free school meals generally underperform in GCSE exams compared to their peers, suggesting the impact of material deprivation.

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Social Cohesion

The sense of belonging and unity within a society, achieved through shared values and norms.

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Functionalist View of Education

The idea that education serves essential functions for society, such as transmitting values, allocating roles, and preparing for work.

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Meritocracy in Education

The belief that success in education is based solely on ability and effort, leading to a fair allocation of roles.

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Role Allocation

The process of assigning individuals to different positions or roles in society based on their abilities.

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Marxist Critique of Education

The view that education perpetuates capitalist ideology, favoring the elite class and maintaining social inequality.

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Feminist Critique of Education

The view that education reinforces patriarchal values, perpetuating gender inequality and limiting opportunities for girls.

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Postmodern Critique of Education

The view that modern society is diverse and fragmented, making it impossible for education to promote a single value consensus.

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British Values in Schools

A set of values deemed important for British society, often taught in schools.

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Economic Role of Education

The view that education equips individuals with skills needed for the economy, contributing to economic growth and stability.

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Globalisation Impact on Education

The interconnectedness of the world economy, changing the nature of work and making it harder for education to directly prepare students for the job market.

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Wealth and Privilege in Education

The idea that access to high-quality education is influenced by wealth and social connections, perpetuating social inequality.

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Differential Achievement

The differences in educational outcomes between groups, such as social class or ethnicity, challenging the idea of meritocracy.

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Graduate Underemployment

The situation where graduates are working in jobs that do not require a university degree, questioning the relevance of education for the economy.

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Functionalist Theory: Limitations in Today's Society

Functionalist ideas, while useful in some ways, fail to adequately account for the complex realities of inequality and diversity in modern society.

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Study Notes

Gender Bias in Subject Choice

  • Research Method: Closed questionnaires (predetermined answer options).
  • Strengths: Standardized format for comparison of large datasets, quick completion, high response rates, readily available samples in schools, anonymity.
  • Limitations: Limited response options, potential bias in question design, lack of depth in data, missing qualitative insights.
  • Educational Context: Questionnaires may be perceived as tests, potentially affecting honesty and responses potentially influenced by subtle peer pressure.
  • Practical and Ethical Considerations: Literacy issues, possible misunderstandings of research purpose.
  • Evaluation: Practical and ethical advantages make questionnaires efficient, but limitations in depth are significant.

Teacher Labelling and Student Achievement

  • Research Method: Field experiments in natural settings (classrooms).
  • Strengths: Conducted in familiar environments, controlled classroom variables, identification of patterns and correlations (cause-and-effect), replication possible (e.g., Rosenthal and Jacobson, 1968).
  • Limitations: Access challenges (gatekeepers, DBS checks, consent), ethical concerns (deception, psychological harm, duty of care), validity threats (Hawthorne effect, power dynamics), small, unrepresentative samples.
  • Evaluation: Advantageous for studying cause-and-effect in natural settings, but ethical concerns and validity issues limit deeper understanding of social interactions.

Class Differences in Educational Achievement

  • Research Method: Group interviews (open-ended questions to multiple participants).
  • Strengths: Encourages open discussion, diverse perspectives, time and cost efficiency, access to pre-existing student data.
  • Limitations: Peer pressure and social desirability bias, power dynamics (researcher as authority figure), confidentiality challenges, safeguarding dilemmas, scheduling difficulties.
  • Evaluation: Provides qualitative depth but suffers from validity and ethical challenges.

Teacher Expectations and Student Achievement

  • Research Method: Laboratory experiments (controlled variables).
  • Strengths: Tight control of variables, establishing cause-effect relationships (teacher labeling and achievement), empirical evidence.
  • Limitations: Artificial environment, Hawthorne effect (altered behaviors due to observation), impression management, potential harm to students (ethical concerns).
  • Evaluation: Strengths in control and precision but struggles with validity, ethics and scalability.

Exploring Setting Impacts on Educational Achievement

  • Research Method: Non-participant observation (overt or covert).
  • Strengths: Rich qualitative data, validity in overt observations (no deception), avoids researcher bias in comparison to participant observation.
  • Limitations: Practical constraints (access issues, limited generalizability, time and cost), validity challenges (Hawthorne effect, artificial teacher behavior), ethical concerns (informed consent, confidentiality of covert observations).
  • Evaluation: Captures rich, contextual data but faces practical, ethical, and validity challenges.
  • Research Method: Official statistics (secondary quantitative data).
  • Strengths: Reliability, representativeness, accessibility, cost-effectiveness, anonymity and confidentiality.
  • Limitations: Lack of depth (no qualitative insight), data manipulation possible, unexplorable variables (student-teacher relations, school ethos), inflexible for specific research needs.
  • Evaluation: Valuable for trends but limited for specific research questions; best used with other methods.

Studying Educational Achievement among Ethnic Groups

  • Research Method: Official statistics (secondary quantitative data).
  • Strengths: Pre-collected data, large datasets, representative sampling, standardized method, reliability, ethical advantages (no direct interaction).
  • Limitations: Lack of depth (no explanation of causes), accuracy issues (manipulation possible), mismatches with specific research goals, reductionistic, critiques from interpretivist sociologists.
  • Evaluation: Valuable for trends but insufficient for explanations, better used with qualitative methods.

Investigating Anti-School Subcultures

  • Research Method: Participant observation (overt or covert).
  • Strengths: Access to hard-to-reach groups, validity in observing natural behavior, depth of qualitative data, embedded perspective.
  • Limitations: Ethical concerns (consent, deception, harm), practical challenges (access, time/cost), theoretical weaknesses (reliability, representativeness, data recording).
  • Evaluation: Effective for accessing hard-to-reach groups but limited by ethical and practical issues.

Investigating Parental Attitudes Toward Education

  • Research Method: Postal questionnaires (written surveys).
  • Strengths: Large sample size, cost-effectiveness, anonymity.
  • Limitations: Low response rate (potential for unrepresentative samples), literacy and accessibility issues, validity concerns (depth issues, social desirability bias), non-representativeness (skewing due to particular groups responding more).
  • Evaluation: Valuable for large-scale investigation but needs strategies to increase response rate and address potential biases.

Exploring Gender Identities in Schools

  • Research Method: Unstructured interviews.
  • Strengths: Rich, valid data, flexibility allows exploration of nuances, rapport building, sensitivity.
  • Limitations: Time-consuming and costly, access challenges, safeguarding/confidentiality, reliability/representativeness issues, positivist critique.
  • Evaluation: Well-suited for sensitive topics but requires careful planning and researcher skill.

Functionalist Theories of Education

  • Key Concepts: Functionalism, secondary socialisation, meritocracy.
  • Functionalist Views: Education as a system for secondary socialisation (teaching norms/values) and role allocation (sorting by ability).
  • Criticisms: Marxist, feminist, and postmodernist critiques challenge the idea of universal benefits and question applicability to a diverse society.

Marxist Theories of Education

  • Key Concepts: Ideological state apparatuses, correspondence theory, cultural capital, material deprivation.
  • Marxist Views: Education as an apparatus that perpetuates capitalist ideology, creating a false consciousness through meritocratic ideas.
  • Criticisms: Postmodern critique of outdated views and overlooking societal diversity are raised.

Differential Educational Achievement

  • Key Concepts: Material deprivation, cultural deprivation, labelling theory, cultural capital, subcultures, setting/streaming.
  • Debate: In-school (labelling, cultural capital) and out-of-school (material/cultural deprivation) factors are interconnected and influence each other; a combination of approaches is needed.

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Description

Explore the strengths and limitations of closed questionnaires in studying gender bias in subject choice. This quiz will examine ethical concerns, accessibility, and the interpretivist perspective on data interpretation. Delve into how mixed-method approaches can enhance understanding in this area.

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