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Interviews

25 students out of 43 were present for all three interviews. We had expected high attrition rates from the focus group. Even allowing for approximately 30% attrition we did not maintain the sample we had hoped for. Research constraints prevented following up all absentees.

 First interview (start of year 7)Second interview (end of yr 7)Third interview (end of year 8)
Number present413333
Number lost2 absent8 absent, 2 left the school1 absent, I excluded, 8 left the school
% attrition4.65% 23.25% 23.25%

Interviews were conducted by the same researcher every time to develop a familiar relationship. Students were interviewed in pairs or threes to avoid them feeling intimidated and to encourage talk.

The interviews consisted of structured questionnaires. All questions were displayed for the students to read on A4 card in large print, while at the same time being read aloud by the researcher. Pictures were used to illustrate concepts which we thought would not be clear. Many of the FG had EAL backgrounds and/or were weak readers.

(for details of the questionnaires, please click here)

Negative attitudes to mathematics are often a problem for the target group. The questionnaires were designed to find out about the students' views of mathematics lessons, their experiences of mathematics, and their expectations of mathematics. Some questions were repeated in every interview, others adapted and introduced as a response to earlier data.