Post-16 physics and chemistry uptake: combining large-scale secondary analysis with in-depth qualitative methods

Quantitative secondary analysis of large-scale data can be combined with in-depth qualitative methods. In this paper, we discuss the role of this combined methods approach in examining the uptake of physics and chemistry in post compulsory schooling for students in England. The secondary data analys...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of research & method in education 2011-11, Vol.34 (3), p.289-307
Main Authors: Hampden-Thompson, Gillian, Lubben, Fred, Bennett, Judith
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Case Studies
Chemistry
combining methods
Correlation
Data Analysis
England
Enrollment
Foreign Countries
Higher Education
Institutional Characteristics
Measures (Individuals)
National Pupil Database
Physics
Qualitative Research
Research Methodology
Role
science uptake
secondary data analysis
Secondary School Students
Statistical Analysis
Student Attitudes
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Summary:Quantitative secondary analysis of large-scale data can be combined with in-depth qualitative methods. In this paper, we discuss the role of this combined methods approach in examining the uptake of physics and chemistry in post compulsory schooling for students in England. The secondary data analysis of the National Pupil Database (NPD) served three distinct purposes in the design of this study. These included (1) determining the number of students in England who went on to take physics and chemistry post 16, (2) examining associations between school-level factors and physics and chemistry uptake, and (3) using the secondary data analysis to construct a sampling frame for the selection of the case study schools. Findings from the analysis of the NPD are presented along with a discussion of the limitations and advantages of using large-scale secondary data analysis in a combined methods study.
ISSN:1743-727X
1743-7288
DOI:10.1080/1743727X.2011.609550