Zemke, Emily Jayne (2007) An analysis of the representation of teachers in the British press, 1990-2000. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

This thesis describes an analysis of the representations of teachers in the British press during the 1990s. The research topic was a matter of personal interest to the researcher but an extensive review of educational literature revealed it to also have potential theoretical value. Analysis of the literature showed that these representations could be described conceptually according to the position of teachers' characteristics within two continua: one relating to commonality and contradiction, the other to continuity and change. These continua were used to predict the potential theoretical value of this study and to form the basis of four research questions.

The study involved an empirical examination of 900 newspapers using a modified version of grounded theory. The rationale for this approach was based on precedents set by philosophy on the nature of meaning and studies on the process of communication. The examination yielded findings in the form of eight key concepts for the teacher, namely: the employee, symbol, service provider, intermediary, school functionary, classroom practitioner, source and person. The continua were applied to these findings and re-defined so as to contribute to theory. Using the continua, a comparison was drawn between the representation of teachers in the press and the literature.

The comparative analysis revealed ways for research to develop a more comprehensive and sophisticated understanding of how the teacher is represented in different cultural contexts, mediums and tirneframes. Using different foci and emphases research could build on the contributions made by this study. The methodology was evaluated, raising suggestions for using modified grounded theory in further research on the representation of teachers.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Subjects:	L Education > LB Theory and practice of education
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Teachers -- Press coverage -- Great Britain -- History -- 20th century, Teachers -- Attitudes -- Great Britain -- History -- 20th century, Education -- Great Britain -- History -- 20th century, Press -- Great Britain -- History -- 20th century
Official Date:	March 2007
Dates:	Date Event March 2007 Submitted
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Institute of Education
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor:	Campbell, R. J. (Robert James) ; Robinson, Wendy, 1968-
Format of File:	pdf
Extent:	x, 356 leaves : illustrations
Language:	eng

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