Thesis

CHAPTER 3

Research Methodology

Rationale

A study on antisocial behavior is crucial to any country, like Dominica, which places a high emphasis on quality education and school saftey. This is based on the conviction that what happens at the level of the school is the most significant variable impacting on the quality of life, ( Lockheed and Verspoor 1991; Reid et al., 1990). Based on this premise, it is imperitive that an investigation into antisocial behavior in our schools with a a view to improving the quality and safety of our schools.

In an effort to provide answers to the research question, a case study methodology was adopted because of it suitability for enabling a deeper understanding of antisocial behaviors in the instituiton in review. Further as stated by Evans (1991): " Research whish have been reduced to mere statistics can seem remote from the flesh abd blood wolrd we know and case studies judisciously used can recloathe the bare bones"

This methodology was able to assess the antisocial activity of the school and its reasons, allowed for the collection and annalysis of data with a view to arriving at conclusion and recommendations.

Population Sample

The data source study was two secondary schools, one from the rural district and one from the urban district in Dominica.

This schools were chosen due to the high level of reports received

from these schools over the last ten years. Notably the selection was bases on a questionair done by resercher of ten person, two of which were Ministry of Education officials. The question entailed a question where the indiviual was to include two names of schools with high levels of antisocial activity. The two schools chosen received

the highest responses.

Approaches

The following three approaches were used to collect data.

1) Questionnair

The instrument was design to measure the perception of ten teachers, two principles and 10 students on aspects of the causes of antisocial behavior in the school under review namely; type of punishment administered mostly, problems faced at the school, where the anti-social activities are done most, by who they are don, supervision of teachers, teacher streaming.

2) None Participant Obervation

This approach provided the researcher with the opputunity over a two day period to directly observe the activities at the school, and to obtain accurate, complete and up to date information on the charactereistics of the issue in review. For example the classroom environment, staff collegiality and cohesiveness,teacher student relationship, student relationship with other students and the school's climate.