Methodological Challenges of Barometer Surveys in Times of COVID-19

• In Event: Multiple Perspectives on Accountability in Schools

Abstract

The crisis caused by the COVID-19 virus has far-reaching effects in education. In the context of this new situation information must be provided instantly to inform education policy and practice. In the German-speaking countries alone, over 35 online surveys on distance learning during the corona pandemic were conducted in March to June 2020 - including more than 140,000 surveyed students, parents, and teachers. However, the need for quick research is accompanied by central methodological challenges that were often not reflected critically enough. We thus discuss challenges and options for data collection and analysis as well as the strengths and limitations of using a short descriptive monitoring survey approach to investigate the current school situation during school closures due to COVID-19.

Authors

• Christoph Helm, Johannes Kepler University of Linz

• Stephan Gerhard Huber, University of Teacher Education Zug