This collection of specially commissioned articles exposes the practical and personal influences on the process of doing sociology of education. All of the authors have been involved in conducting well know major research projects, and discuss here the pitfalls and problems, conflicts and compromises that went into doing their particular research. A particular feature of the book is that a wide variety of types of research in the sociology of education is covered. The range is from small-scale ethnographic case studies to large-scale postal questionnaire sample surveys and includes studies based on interviews, observation and questionnaires. There are examples of longitudinal work in case studies and in surveys. The collection also includes discussions of action research, the development and influence of theory, and the relationship between research and policy.
Series editor’s Preface. Introduction: The Research Process. Geoffrey Walford. 1. Past, Imperfect, Tense: Reflections on an Ethnographic and Historical Study of Middle Schools Andy Hargreaves. 2. Research Role Conflicts and Compromises in Public Schools Geoffrey Walford. 3. Studying and Restudying Bishop McGregor School Robert G Burgess. 4. Studying Children’s Perspectives – A Collaborative Approach Andrew Pollard. 5. Theory and Practice in Fieldwork Research: Some Personal Observations in Perspective Denis Gleeson and George Mardle. 6. Issues and Dilemmas in Action Research Judith Byrne Whyte. 7. After ‘Teaching Styles and Pupil Progress’: Issues in Dissemination and Theory Development Neville Bennett. 8. Longitudinal Survey Research into Progress in Secondary Schools, Based on the National Child Development Study Jane Steedman. 9. Constructing a Public Account of an Educational System Peter Burnhill, Andrew McPherson, David Raffe and Nils Tomes. 10. No Best Method – Qualitative and Quantitative Research in the Sociology of Education Ronald King. 11. Developing Theory in the Sociology of Education Graham Vulliamy. 12. On Becoming a Feminist in the Sociology of Education Miriam E David. 13. Theory and Practice in Sociology of Education Patricia Broadfoot. A Guide to Further Reading. Notes on Contributors. Index.
Biography
Geoffrey Walford University of Oxford, UK
