In 1994, I embarked on a PhD study to examine, for the first time, what happened inside the classroom during history lessons in pre-Second World War Britain. Previous studies had relied largely on a study of textbook content and official curricula guidance, without stopping to ask how and whether such materials were actually used in pre-war…

This paper re-considers some of the evidence for low and declining social mobility in Britain, showing that one study based on a re-analysis of cohort figures appears to have had an impact on policy-makers out of all proportion to its scale and rigor. The study claimed to show that the income of parents and children were more closely related for…

Discusses the limitations of personal construct theory for research that investigates teachers' thinking. Argues that repertory grid studies, which are often a part of personal construct research, are inconsistent with personal construct theory. Outlines an approach more congruent with the personal construct method. (RKM)

Examines Peter Woods' argument for "phase two" ethnographic research which involves"leaps of (theoretical) imagination" and "hypothesis formation and testing." Concludes that current theories are not improved upon and that instead of further research, major reassessment and reconstruction of ethnographic practice must…

Replying to a critique of his "phase two" ethnographic research, Woods states that testing studies in the manner that Hammersley advocates would be inappropriate and counter-productive. More "phase two" work with reflection on existing material rather than investigation of new areas is recommended. Cautions against systematic…

Replying to Woods' analysis of his original critique, Hammersley lists four points of disagreement: (1) what counts as theory development; (2) phases of theory development; (3) the nature of theory testing; and (4) whether theory development and testing is an achievable goal. (GEA)

Notes that problems of measurement in educational research are often addressed by using the terms validity and reliability. Discusses the meaning given to these terms and how they relate to the aims of the measurement process in educational research. (RKM)

Explores the process of ethical decision-making in counseling research and examines to what extent decision-making is based on intuitive thinking. Reviews and considers several models of ethical problem solving. Argues that ethical decisions are reached through intuition, informed by ethical principles, codes of practice, and reference to the laws…

Workers' education (WE) is that sector of adult education which caters to adults in their capacity as workers, and especially as members of workers' organizations. With regard to WE, the usual problems of collecting education are compounded for the following reasons: it has marginal status in the national educational systems; it is delivered by…

Considers some of the pros and cons of using group interviews in educational research. Illustrates some of these issues by examining a recent study in science education. (RKM)

Major literature is reviewed in the course of describing and assessing the role of operations research (OR) in educational administration. Increased use of OR approaches in education and a compounding of the present disagreement about the application and potential of OR are forecast. (MJL)

This critique points out problems in the methodology used by Robinson and Bell in their analysis of societal differences between the United States and England and makes suggestions about future investigations. (EB)

An examination of the technical and theoretical strengths and weaknesses of three British research studies on the effectiveness of selective and nonselective schooling shows that the reorganization of British schools has not produced the lowering of educational standards that politically motivated groups would like people to believe. (RM)

The authors trace and critique various thrusts operative in British educational sociology since its beginnings in the 1950s: structural functionalism, school-level analysis, the interactionalist "New Directions" approach, and the Neo-Marxist perspective. They also comment on the place of educational sociology in teacher training. (SJL)

Posits that a "democratic approach" to defining and evaluating educational quality is necessary, since the concept of quality itself is heavily subjective and value based, and that educational evaluation is best achieved through the involvement of all participants, including practitioners, parents, and children. (MDM)