Arranging our sociological focus on educational studies

The initial step in our discourse on education is to establish a clear focus for our study and outline the prospective outcomes it aims to achieve. When we delve into education, we must decide whether we encompass all three forms: formal, non-formal, and informal, or if we are narrowing our focus to formal education, such as public schools. This narrowing down of focus is crucial as it defines the scope of our research interests and the research objectives we intend to attain. Simultaneously, we need to define the perspective of our analysis, mainly whether it adopts a sociological viewpoint, and if so, which level of analysis we intend to employ—macro, meso, or micro. Each of these levels offers a distinct perspective on our study. At the macro level, if we opt for a comparative approach, we compare the purposes and structures of schools in different countries. At the meso level, our observation centers on the school system, operations, policies, and resources. Finally, if we choose the micro level, our focus shifts to the interpersonal interactions within schools, specifically examining the behaviors of students and teachers and how these behaviors impact the educational process. These conceptual clarifications are pivotal in understanding the precise focus of our research interests and establishing the criteria for our research, including its anticipated outcomes. These discussions do not constitute an exhaustive list; additional conceptual frameworks may need to be applied to enhance the depth and breadth of our analysis.