ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the author argues the need to use both extensive and intensive research methodologies within research on labour markets and gender. The former, using national data analysis and extensive questionnaires, has allowed author to gain a broad understanding of women's labour market activity. The author receives a total of 685 questionnaires from a variety of primary, junior and secondary schools across Neath Port Talbot and West Dorset; this was an overall response rate of 19%. Similarly to Neath Port Talbot, the majority of respondents in West Dorset were employed part-time at the time of filling in the questionnaire, with 22 per cent employed full-time. The majority of respondents in West Dorset were split between ages 30-39 years and 40-49 years, which is significantly older than respondents from Neath Port Talbot, indicating that women in West Dorset are having children later in life.
