ABSTRACT
One problem with the desire to take an overdue account of the views and needs of adolescents is that few people know how to pose relevant questions and allow meaningful response. The approach is: to go from what people say and do in the real world situation upward, toward an analysis of the patterns that can be found in their actions and the meanings of their statements and behaviour; then, only when the problems of these levels of investigation have been solved to proceed to develop theories of the social meanings. Fortunately for poor researchers, certain individuals within schools will attempt to inform rather than merely reply. Perhaps significantly, Jeff points to his attitude through reference to what is both observation and vicarious experience. In listening to their efforts later, it became obvious that these girls have a model of an interview in their heads.
