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

• 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
• ISSN: 1743-727X; 1743-7288
• DOI: 10.1080/1743727X.2011.609550

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.