Incorporating the Voices of the Affected

Research on education for social cohesion can benefit greatly from including the voices of students and school staff, as they are the key stakeholders in education and are most affected by educational interventions. Existing studies that have focused on students’ opinions often show a different picture than those painted in the media and reported by international organizations. They are agencies that create their reality. Collecting authentic data in a divided and politically charged environment presents many challenges. Creating an environment where study participants feel safe can help ensure that they share their honest opinions. The incongruence of data collected using mixed methods offers insights into the social context and characteristics of the population being studied.