Case
Abstract
This case study discusses a mixed-methods longitudinal research study which focused on the experiences of secondary students as they moved through the school system. This study was the first of its kind in the Irish context and has yielded insights into important processes such as the transition to secondary education, the factors influencing examination performance, the impact of ability grouping and gender and social differentiation in educational outcomes. This article documents the rationale for the study and the methods used, as well as indicating some of the difficulties encountered in the course of the project.