The contribution of the student voice in classroom research: a case study

Gaye Williams and David Clarke University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia g [email protected] [email protected] 2 This paper addresses issues related to the triangulation of data in classroom video research—in particular the contribution of the student voice to the research methodology. The case of a Year 8 boy—Leon—is used to illustrate the multiple interpretations that may result when the student voice is included. This case draws attention to the benefits of a research methodology that increases validity by providing additional sources of data and raises issues regarding the weighing of evidence where differences in interpretation arise. This case is used to illustrate the use of triangulation and the evaluation strategies that take advantage of the multidimensional data to synthesise the complementary interpretations derived from the different data sources into a coherent portrayal of an individual’s classroom practice.