Sociology and Criminology-Open Access
Open Access

Abstract

Researching the Role of Hidden Curriculum in Shaping the Lived Experience of Minority Students: Conceptualization, Development and Validation of Tools

Tesfaye Ebabuye*, Amare Asgedom

Hidden curriculum research has been a challenge for educators because there are no standardized data collection tools and instruments to examine the manifestation, functions and role of the hidden curriculum in shaping minority students' lived experiences and identities. The goal of this study is to develop a research methodology and then conceptualize, develop and validate data collection tools to explore the role of hidden curriculum in shaping minority students schooling experience. Based on the hypothesis, a standardized, rigorous and systematic in-depth interview tool with 50 questions and a standardized observation checklist of 28 items was developed and validated to help in the investigation of the nature, manifestation, function and role of the hidden curriculum in shaping students' lived experiences. The expert panel, a pilot test and data collection for a PhD dissertation with 32 students and 8 teachers at multicultural contexts ensured the face and content validity of all the in-depth interview, observation, and document analysis tools. The researchers developed a conceptual framework to better explain the manifestation, function and role of the hidden curriculum. In-depth interview and observation checklists developed and validated that can be replicated in different multicultural contexts.

Published Date: 2025-02-14; Received Date: 2023-11-02