2: Research Design

In Chapter 1, we explored what the extant literature tells us about the wider context of women, employment and education in the United Kingdom, including in the teaching profession. We outlined the current initial teacher education (ITE) landscape in England, and the position of student teacher mothers (STMs) within it, and we reviewed the research literature documenting the particular experiences of STMs. Finally, we discussed the impact of COVID-19.

Here, in Chapter 2, we outline the research design used in our study, including the sample population, and the processes of data collection and analysis, paying particular attention to the ethical issues involved in eliciting the women’s stories.