Researchers should do their homework

25th May 2012, 1:00am

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Researchers should do their homework

https://www.tes.com/magazine/archive/researchers-should-do-their-homework

In the TESpro article “Worthwhile exercise or love’s labour’s lost?” (18 May) it is concluded that “parents often see homework as a stressor”, citing an article that has a sample size of...three. Is it relevant that one of the three mothers studied is “working class” and that the others are “middle class”? Can we really make conclusions on how social class affects homework routines after interviewing a total of three mothers? I could have made a more comprehensive study just asking around at parents’ evening. If educational research does not improve in quality and rigour, our profession will merit the reputation that Ofsted chief Sir Michael Wilshaw and co. are building for us: a body of unacademic, poorly performing, ill-qualified childminders.

Fermina Marche, London.

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