Methodological Approach and Design

Abstract

The methodological approach selected for this study was designed to reveal the classroom practices of effective primary science teachers. The use of an interpretive approach was an attempt “to understand and interpret the world in terms of its actors” (Cohen, Manion, & Morrison, 2007, p. 181), or in this particular case, to understand and interpret the teaching and learning of primary science drawing on the perspectives of teachers and their students. Through this chapter, the choices that were made regarding the methodological approach for this study, the research design, and the selection of research participants are described, as well, the data sources that were used and how the data were analysed. Due to the complexities inherent with educational research, this chapter also discusses the ethical considerations that were addressed and interwoven into the design of the study.