Research Methods to Study the Gender Gap in Schools: Our Sociology Students’ First-hand Experience

In today's interconnected world, understanding the complexities of human behaviour and societal structures is more important than ever. This is where the study of sociology comes into play. By examining the relationships and interactions between individuals and their social environments, sociology provides valuable insights into the world around us. Sociologists utilise a variety of quantitative and qualitative research methods to collect data about society. These methods are crucial for sociologists to gather data and analyse societal trends effectively.

Recently, our Year 12 Sociology class embarked on a day trip to our Primary Campus to apply methodologies in real life by conducting primary research. Their mission was to explore the gender gap in school, and they employed various research methods to gain a better understanding of the issue.

“As a Year 12 Sociology class, we met up at the Primary Campus at Jalan Bellamy to spend a day working on applying methodologies in real life by conducting primary research to address the gender gap in school. The first method we put into action was unstructured observations; we were provided the freedom to enter any classroom to carry out the observations and I chose to visit the reception students who spent their morning outside, drawing and playing tea parties. It was refreshing to see the interaction between the 4 year olds - some even came up to us and started introducing themselves! Moving on, we chose to test out structured observations in Years 4,5 and 6. During break and lunchtimes, we went around the campus with iPads, asking students to fill out a questionnaire we crafted to get a better understanding of their opinion on school. Lastly, we were caught up in a PE lesson of Year 1 students and actually ended up participating in the very competitive races - it’s safe to say that the students were a lot fitter than us. 

Our day trip to the Primary campus was nothing short of eventful and filled with heartwarming moments. It was really nostalgic to enter into the classrooms that I used to spend my time in 6 years ago and notice the great many changes and similarities. I believe this day to be really helpful as we were given an insight to the ways in which research methods were carried out, thus deepening my understanding of the Sociology topic, Methods in Context.”

Shao Loo Kua, Year 12

A Day of Insights and Nostalgia

The day trip to the Primary Campus proved to be an eventful and heartwarming experience, filled with nostalgic moments for all our students. They were able to observe firsthand the ways in which research methods were carried out, deepening their understanding of the Sociology topic, Methods in Context. For some, it was also a ‘trip down memory lane’ as they revisited the site of their own Primary education. We know the team of students will put their research to good use to analyse and report on their findings.

The Value of Studying Sociology

This hands-on experience demonstrates the value of studying sociology for our students. By engaging in real-life research, they gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of human behaviour and societal structures. This knowledge not only enriches their academic journey but also prepares them to become informed and engaged citizens in an increasingly diverse and interconnected world.

The study of sociology offers invaluable insights into the human experience. By providing students with opportunities to apply sociological concepts in real-life scenarios, we can help them develop a deeper understanding of the world around them and become more empathetic and engaged citizens.