Skip to main content
Log in

Research in schools and the case for methodological integration

  • Published:
Quality and Quantity Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In spite of the fact that qualitative/ethnographic research into education has gained in popularity in recent years, its relationship with quantitative research is far from resolved. The authors argue that there are strong arguments for a research strategy which combines the two approaches. A case study of methodological integration is provided in which an ethnographic stance dovetailed with the use of a quantitative technique, viz. the triadic elicitation method. The implications of the research are explored in terms of the advantages that accrue to research into classrooms. In particular, it is argued that a superior over-all account emerges, than that which could be provided by a total reliance on one style of research.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adelman, C., Jenkins, D., and Kemmis, S. (1977) Re-thinking case study: notes from the second Cambridge conference, Cambridge Journal of Education, 6, pp. 139–150.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blease, D. (1978) Teachers' perceptions of slow learning children: An ethnographic study, Research Intelligence, Vol. 4, No. 1, pp. 39–42.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blease, D. (1983) Teacher expectations, their articulation and communication: A comparison of children's classroom experience in relation to the perceptions of their teachers, Unpublished M. Phil. thesis, Loughborough University of Technology, U.K.

  • Bryman, A. (1984) The debate about quantitative and qualitative methodology: A question of method or epistemology? British Journal of Sociology, xxxv, pp. 75–92.

    Google Scholar 

  • Delamont, S. and Atkinson, P. (1980) The two traditions in educational ethnography: Sociology and anthropology compared, British Journal of Sociology of Education, 1, pp. 139–152.

    Google Scholar 

  • Douglas, J.D. (1976) Investigative Social Research. Beverley Hills, Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gans, H.J. (1962) The Urban Villagers. Glencoe, Free Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Garfinkel, H. (1967) Studies in Ethnomethodology. Prentice Hall.

  • Halfpenny, P. (1979) The analysis of qualitative data, Sociological Review, 27, pp. 799–825.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hall, G.E. (1980) Ethnographers and ethnographic data: An iceberg of the first order for the research manager, Education and Urban Society, 12, pp. 349–366.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hammersley, M. (1981) The outsider's advantage: A reply toMcNamara, British Education Research Journal, 7, pp. 167–171.

    Google Scholar 

  • James, J. (1977) Ethnography and social problems, in Weppner, R.S. (ed.) Street Ethnography: Selected Studies of Crime and Drug Use in Natural Settings. Beverley Hills, Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jick, T.D. (1979) Mixing qualitative and quantitative methods: Triangulation in action, Administrative Science Quarterly, 24, pp. 602–611.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kelly, G.A. (1955) The Psychology of Personal Constructs. New York, Norton.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lutz, F.W. and Ramsay, M.A. (1974) The use of anthropological field methods in education, Educational Researcher, 3, pp. 5–9.

    Google Scholar 

  • McNamara, D. (1980) The outsider's arrogance: The failure of participant observers to understand classroom events, British Educational Research Journal, 6, pp. 113–125.

    Google Scholar 

  • Magoon, A.J. (1977) Constructivist approaches in educational research, Review of Educational Research, 47, pp. 651–693.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nash, R. (1973) Classrooms Observed. London, Routledge and Kegan Paul.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nash, R. (1976) Teacher Expectations and Pupil Learning. London, Routledge and Kegan Paul.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nisbet, J. and Watt, J. (1980) Case Study. Rediguide 26, School of Education, University of Nottingham.

  • Rist, R.C. (1977) Overview—on the relations among education research paradigms, Anthropology and Educational Quarterly, 8, pp. 42–49.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stenhouse, L. (1979) The problem of standards in illuminative research, Scottish Educational Review, 11, pp. 5–10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stubbs, M. (1976) Keeping in touch—Some functions of teacher talk, in Stubbs, M. and Delamont, S. Explorations in classroom observation. London, Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, M.T. (1976) Teachers' perceptions of their pupils, Research in Education, 16, pp. 26–35.

    Google Scholar 

  • Webb, E.J., Campbell, D.T., Schwartz, R.D. and Sechrest, L. (1966) Unobtrusive Measures: Nonreactive Research in the Social Sciences. Chicago, Rand McNally.

    Google Scholar 

  • Whyte, W.F. (1976) Research methods for the study of conflict and cooperation, American Sociologist, 11, pp. 208–216.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, S. (1977) The use of ethnographic techniques in educational research, Review of Educational Research, 47, pp. 245–265.

    Google Scholar 

  • Woods, P. (1977) The Ethnography of the School. Milton Keynes, Open University Press.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Blease, D., Bryman, A. Research in schools and the case for methodological integration. Qual Quant 20, 157–168 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00227422

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00227422

Keywords

Navigation