Symposium: Social Justice and Lifelong Learning in Europe The Challenges of conducting surveys with adults who have experienced ‘educational disadvantage’ Authors: Carrigan, J; Maunsell, C; Downes, P; McLoughlin, V and Byrne, I.

2 I feel this questionnaire is very statistical and it may not entirely get to the true feelings, reasons and particular issues, why some people have chosen to take up adult education. Boxes are easy to fill out especially for research purposes, but sometimes I find it difficult to really express what you would wish to say in a box because it does not always leave room for elaboration…I find emotionally, psychologically and identity wise I may just be tired of being boxed. Just my own opinion Survey Participant No. 603, ISCED 3 learner

3 Lifelong Learning 2010 ‘Towards a Lifelong Learning Society in Europe’ Subproject 3: survey of 1,000 adult learners Profile of ISCED 1-3 learners Challenges faced while undertaking fieldwork with learners from ISCED 1 – 3 courses Conclusions and suggestions for future research

4 ISCED Level Target Number Actual Number Method Face-to Face interviews Group written Group written and online survey Online survey Total1,000

5 Profile of learners from ISCED level 1-3 courses: –typical profile of participants from ISCED level 1-3 was female, aged between 28-37, Irish, not in full time employment and earning less than the average monthly income.

6 Challenges: –Length and difficulty of the questionnaire –Recruitment of respondents –Dealing with learners’ (often negative) previous experience of education –Disparity in learners’ ability to complete survey in a group context

7 Conclusions and suggestions for future research: Survey design suggestions centred on areas such as: length of survey, accessibility for those with literacy difficulties, personal details to be asked first

8 Resources: –Research with groups who have been marginalised involves extra time and resources –An awareness of the sensitivities of adult learners needs to be recognised and acknowledged. A qualitative aspect to the study?

9 Despite these challenges, in the interests of social inclusion and indeed social injustice, it is imperative that research with groups who are vulnerable or marginalised continues to be carried out.