Evaluating research methods in conducting a longitudinal collaborative investigation

What are the methodological considerations for undertaking collaborative longitudinal research? In this paper the presenters will discuss the methodological underpinnings of the Primary English Reading Project which is a four-year study of reading in English in five primary schools in Hong Kong. The study involves several researchers working collaboratively with teachers in different school settings to develop innovative reading programmes. Several classes of primary four, five and six pupils of mixed-ability will be monitored and assessed by the researchers and teachers for the duration of the project. During the presentation, the current status of the project will be described as well as the procedures and approaches undertaken thus far by the researchers. Approaches for the collection and analysis of the different data will be presented. Design strengths and limitations as well as issues of reliability, validity and generalizability will be discussed.