There are a growing number of courses on early childhood education at university level. This has placed new demands on both students and staff as research is a key feature of many of these courses. Research training is an important element in both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in early childhood education and there is a genuine need for an accessible textbook that addresses the particular research issues which are a feature of this important field.Doing Early Childhood Research introduces the most common qualitative and quantitative methods in the early childhood context. The contributors cover a wide range of conventional and newer approaches including observation, surveys, action research, ethnography, policy analysis and poststructuralist approaches. The reader is shown step by step how to select a topic, review the literature, design their research project, analyse data and produce a report.Throughout the emphasis is on practical application of the methods and the text is illustrated by a wide range of examples and case studies. Each chapter includes checklists, explanations of key concepts, annotated further reading and questions for reflection.Written by leading international early childhood researchers, this book is a standard introduction to research in the early childhood field.
Review quote:
“...we found this a valuable and worthwhile book. The editors have done an excellent job of organising a potentially complex and broad subject, and the authors have succeeded in presenting the most pertinent features in an accessible way. As a guide for new and inexperienced researchers, it is second to none. Readers need not be limited to those working in early childhood research. Doing Early Childhood Research provides a useful guide to researchers in any social science. It is very much recommended.” – British Journal of Educational Studies (Brit Jnl of Educational Studies)
“...a book to be thoroughly recommended to all those embarking on early childhood research and one that has been long needed.” – Educational Review (Educational Review)
Table of contents:
IntroductionGlossaryPart 1: The nature of research Research as a toolThe research processResearch paradigms, perspectives and methodsDoing research for the first timeEthics in early childhood researchPart 2: Analysis and designDesign issuesQuantitative designs and statistical analysisQualitative designs and analysisEquity issues in research designPart 3: The research process in actionSurveys and questionnairesInterviewing childrenInterviewing adultsAn ethnographic approach to researching young children's learningAction researchDirect observationPolicy researchCase studyAppendicesIndex.
Review quote:
“...we found this a valuable and worthwhile book. The editors have done an excellent job of organising a potentially complex and broad subject, and the authors have succeeded in presenting the most pertinent features in an accessible way. As a guide for new and inexperienced researchers, it is second to none. Readers need not be limited to those working in early childhood research. Doing Early Childhood Research provides a useful guide to researchers in any social science. It is very much recommended.” – British Journal of Educational Studies (Brit Jnl of Educational Studies)
“...a book to be thoroughly recommended to all those embarking on early childhood research and one that has been long needed.” – Educational Review (Educational Review)
Table of contents:
IntroductionGlossaryPart 1: The nature of research Research as a toolThe research processResearch paradigms, perspectives and methodsDoing research for the first timeEthics in early childhood researchPart 2: Analysis and designDesign issuesQuantitative designs and statistical analysisQualitative designs and analysisEquity issues in research designPart 3: The research process in actionSurveys and questionnairesInterviewing childrenInterviewing adultsAn ethnographic approach to researching young children's learningAction researchDirect observationPolicy researchCase studyAppendicesIndex.