Educational Research Methods: Seminars, Case Studies, Sociograms
Seminar
A meeting involving a teacher and students to perform specific, systematic studies previously analyzed. It includes implementing workshop exercises for students, familiarizing them with study staff, equipment, media research, reflection, and philosophical methods. The seminar is primarily a practical exercise.
Objective
To provide training in a particular subject through research and information work.
Features
- The work is implicit and arises from the attendees, who actively participate.
- Participation depends on the general interest in the problem being treated.
- Minimum duration should be two days for effective utilization.
- The location should be chosen carefully, preferably free from distractions, yet comfortable and pleasant.
- Requires competent consultants to facilitate discussions without dominating them.
- Work sessions can be more effective educational tools than conventional techniques, especially when participants are interested and contribute.
Case Study
A method used to study an individual or institution within a specific environment or situation in a unique, intense, and detailed manner. It is a descriptive investigation, outlining the situation at the time of the study.
Case studies offer a unique way to capture information about human behavior for several reasons:
- They focus on a single individual or entity, allowing for close examination and the compilation of extensive, detailed data.
- They encourage using various techniques to gather necessary information, from personal observations to interviews with others.
There is arguably no better way to gain a comprehensive understanding than through a case study. This method is highly recommended for conducting a thorough study of a specific phenomenon.
Sociogram
Sociometry allows discovering interactions and types of associations within groups, including likes, dislikes, and the existence of leaders. The sociometric test is the simplest and most commonly used method. It measures a group’s degree of cohesion and spontaneous organization through attractions and rejections among members.
The sociogram is defined as ‘a means to measure the degree of acceptance of individuals within a group, their relationships, and the group structure.’ It involves several parts:
Parts of a Sociometric Test
Formulating a Question
Individuals express their likes and dislikes (choices).
Formulation of Answers
A table is created reflecting who has chosen whom.
Creating the Sociogram
Table data is transferred to a diagram called a sociogram, which visually represents each individual’s position relative to others.
Analysis and Interpretation
This involves assessing cohesion, relative member positions, comparative analysis, and factor research.
The sociogram provides useful information about known or suspected situations, helping to address issues like rejection or marginalization within a classroom. Its analysis offers:
- Global Vision: Illustrates the group’s overall cohesion and may reveal the presence of multiple leaders and resulting subgroups.
- Relative Positions: Identifies members’ roles (e.g., rejected, outcast, leader).
- Factor Investigation: Explores factors influencing attraction (e.g., towards leaders) or rejection (e.g., based on race or other factors).
- Comparative Analysis: Comparing several sociograms of the same group over time shows the evolution of its structure, cohesion, and individual positions.