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nch, 2009, p5). Interviewing staff members was a choice but considering the different views needed; interviews were out of the question because they produce detailed data but not enough information and different perceptions. A quantitative research was the ideal approach for this study.

A survey was conducted in School X as it is thought to be the most suitable way to collect evidence and acquire information from different people about planning issues. This was done through a questionnaire.“A survey is the most advisable methodology where the research objective is to gather general information about attitudes, opinions or characteristics...” (Fogelman and Comber 2002, cited in Briggs and Coleman, 2002, p128)，Cohen et al (2000, quoted in Briggs and Coleman, 2002, p126) describes surveys as a method to,“Gather data at a particular point in time with the intention of describing the nature of existing conditions can be compared, or determining the relationships that exist between specific events (2000, p169).

While considering the benefits of surveys, one has to note that a survey approach might have led to loss of data because where closed ended question were used, participants could not give reasons for their answer. Oppenheim (1992, cited in Cohen et al, 2000, p248) states that closed ended questions, “Do not enable respondents to add any remarks, qualifications and explanations to the categories.” On the other hand Cohen et al states, that ranking order questions, “Enables a relative degree of preference, priority, intensity etc. to be charted.” (2000, p252)

Through closed ended questions, respondents are asked to choose from a list of possible answers while open ended questions demand a much more reflective answer. The latter gives a deeper answer, and demands a more in depth analyses. A mixture of both was used in this investigation to obtain data on attitudes, opinions and explanation of some answers.

While considering that through anonymous questionnaires, the respondents can hide the truth and can answer it just for the sake of doing it, sincerity was encouraged. On the other hand anonymity may lead to accurate data as respondents are not afraid to reveal realistic information. When compared to an interview, a questionnaire “tends to be more reliable; because it is anonymous, it encourages greater honesty” (Cohen et al, 2000, pp.128-129).

One advantage of questionnaires is that the responses of a questionnaire are collected quite easily and they are more objective than interviews. Through the use of a questionnaire a representative sample may be chosen. Therefore it provides a much clear vision of the whole perspective.

“Surveys are also appealing because they can be aimed at large groups of people thus making them more representative of a wider society.” (Mc Neill and Chapman, 1990, p29)

The questionnaire was put to test in a pilot study with ten people coming from different departments in School X. As Cohen et al suggests, a pilot study is important “to increase the reliability, validity and practicability of the questionnaire” (2000, p260). Through the pilot study nothing was noticed except for one idea to be included as an option. Therefore immediately after compiling the pilot study results, the questionnaire was distributed among twenty staff members by hand.

Potential Bias

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