Two issues in educational research: A response to “Reviewing education concerns”

Two educational issues raised in Korstanje's (2012) recent review are addressed in the current rejoinder. First, dual roles occur when researching one's own teaching and may result in demand characteristics by involving one's own students as participants. Findings may therefore be biased if students respond in a socially desirable manner to questionnaire items. Different methodological strategies for minimising this problem are discussed; for example, by considering the wording of instructions and methods used to administer questionnaires. Second, the role of rewards and punishments in students' interpersonal efforts to work together in groups can be interpreted from different theoretical perspectives. Drawing from social interdependence theory (Deutsch, 1962) recommendations for encouraging cooperative, rather than competitive, group working are made.