Parent Participation

Parental involvement included two interviews in the family homes averaging approximately sixty minutes each, and then one thirty minute interview. A short answer questionnaire was completed by parent participants during the first interview. The parents maintained a reflective journal for one week after the first interview. During the second interview, the parents participated in an interaction with their child that was videotaped with consent. Field notes were taken throughout. Each set of data collected was labeled with date, time, length and source and assigned a pseudonym. Further detail regarding the content is contained in the section on Field Notes.

Semi Structured Interviews

The use of interviews in case study research is well-documented as a valid data collection measure (Yin, 1994). The use of semi-structured interviews allows the interviewer to probe for more information on certain topics. Gilbert (1993), however, warns that limitations caused by interviewer bias, misdirected prompting, problems with question wording and assumptions can distort the data.

In this study, an iterative process of multiple interviews allowed me to develop questions based on initial conversations with participants and to explore them in subsequent interviews (Creswell, 1998). I was cautious to be non-judgmental when collecting my data and to create a sense of openness and respect for the person being interviewed. As such, I aimed to present as an interested, neutral listener. I consciously positioned myself as knowing little about families and the education system and was cautious to never outline my professional side.