Vulliamy, G. and Webb, R. (2001) The social construction of school exclusion rates: Implications for evaluation methodology. Educational Studies, 27 (3). pp. 357-370. ISSN 0305-5698
Abstract
Experience from a three-year Home Office funded evaluation of a project intended to reduce school exclusions is used to explore methodological dilemmas raised by the current emphasis upon 'evidence-based' policy formation. The social construction of school exclusion rates poses problems of reliability and validity, especially when such rates are simultaneously being used for target setting. In principle, the concept of 'evidence-based' can refer to a wide variety of research questions and appropriate research methodologies. Despite this, moves towards interpreting 'evidence-based' as predominantly measurement and outcomes oriented can be found both in government evaluation guidelines and in procedures for systematic reviews of research. Given the complexity of educational innovations, any neglect of research into the processes of change in naturalistic settings will not only lead to a restricted awareness of a project's impact but also to a failure to understand what certain apparent outcomes actually mean.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
---|---|
Authors/Creators: |
|
Dates: |
|
Institution: | The University of York |
Academic Units: | The University of York > Faculty of Social Sciences (York) > Education (York) |
Depositing User: | York RAE Import |
Date Deposited: | 04 Jun 2009 09:59 |
Last Modified: | 04 Jun 2009 09:59 |
Published Version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03055690120076727 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Taylor & Francis |
Identification Number: | 10.1080/03055690120076727 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:6027 |