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Chapter Two Methodology
The sample
The stages of the work with SCEIN members were as follows:
- The researcher attended a meeting of SCEIN to explain the research, and this was followed by an email from the secretary of the network to ensure that those not attending were aware of the planned contact. (Directors of Education had already given their overall support for the research, including for example the pupil survey)
- Each individual was contacted by phone to arrange a time, and the interview schedule (Appendix 1) and description of the five models of 'recognition' of part-time employment were emailed in advance together with a confirmation of the time for interview, with notes taken at the time of the interview
- Each interview was then analysed under appropriate headings and these findings are recorded in the next chapter.
Methodological issues
As already noted, respondents spoke from a range of background experiences and all were careful to note that they could only advise from their current knowledge of the situation in schools and the authority. They were not able to do further research to check their perceptions of, for example, whether or not part-time work was in any way used in schooling. (Many, however, did say that they would raise the issue at the next meeting of schools in the authority and report on any developments. Nothing more has been forthcoming from this). They also emphasised that they were giving their own impressions of the authority view and that only the Director of Education could give an authoritative view on policy. The findings, therefore, need to be read with this in mind.
Secondly, there are obvious limitations in taking notes at the same time as interviewing. Comments may be missed or mis-interpreted by the researcher. An ideal solution would have been to record and transcribe the interviews but the resources of the research did not allow for this to happen.
And lastly, it should be remembered that these interviews took place between May and July 2004 and reflected the situation then. However, this data is still relevant as it is largely co-temporaneous with the research with pupils and schools.
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