Research Methods in Early Childhood: An Introductory Guide

Penny Mukherji, Deborah Albon

SAGE, Nov 17, 2009 - Education - 288 pages

'How I wish I'd had a book like this when I first started my career as a researcher into early years education and care! There's something for everyone, and I wholeheartedly commend it to those embarking upon, or wishing to extend their knowledge of, early childhood research; - Professor Emeritus Janet Moyles, Early Years & Play Consultant

'This text covers an excellent range of issues. In particular, the mix of academic background to topics and practical application will make it an excellent resource for students' - Damien Fitzgerald, Principal Lecturer in Early Childhood Studies, Sheffield Hallam University

This highly engaging and easy-to-read introductory text is tailored to meet the needs of early childhood students. It includes practical examples of research with and about young children and babies, and encourages the reader to take an interactive approach. By offering clear guidance on research methods, as well as advice on how to develop skills as a researcher, the book takes students step by step through the process of doing a research project and provides a detailed grounding in the subject.

The book covers:

- an introduction to research methodology

- various approaches to research, including action research

- designing a questionnaire

- carrying out observations and interviews

- undertaking a piece of independent research from start to finish

- understanding and critiquing the research of others

- ethical issues in early childhood research

- real life examples of how to tackle different aspects of research

The authors break down the content into four main sections: Paradigms and Principles; Approaches to Research; Methods; Carrying out a Research Project. Each chapter contains learning objectives, case studies, research in focus sections, reflection points, a summary and suggestions for further reading. The language used throughout is accessible, and a full glossary of terms is included.

This book is indispensible for all students undertaking research in early childhood.

Penny Mukherji and Deborah Albon are both Senior Lecturers in Early Childhood Studies at London Metropolitan University.

Contents

• INTRODUCTION: 1
• PART 1 PARADIGMS AND PRINCIPLES: 7
• 1 POSITIVIST RESEARCH: 9
• 2 INTERPRETIVISM AND POSTSTRUCTURALISM: 22
• 3 ETHICS: 33
• 4 LISTENING TO YOUNG CHILDREN: 46
• PART 2 APPROACHES TO RESEARCH: 55
• 5 SURVEYS: 57
• 6 ETHNOGRAPHY: 69
• 7 CASE STUDIES: 81
• 8 ACTION RESEARCH: 90
• PART 3 METHODS: 101
• 9 OBSERVATION: 103
• 10 INTERVIEWS: 118
• 11 QUESTIONNAIRES: 132
• 12 USING DOCUMENTS AND OTHER VISUALTEXTS: 148
• 13 JOURNALING AS A RESEARCH TOOL: 158
• 14 CREATIVE METHODS FOR LISTENING TO CHILDREN IN RESEARCH: 169
• PART 4 CARRYING OUT A RESEARCH PROJECT: 181
• 15 RESEARCH DESIGN: 183
• 16 REVIEWING THE LITERATURE: 201
• 17 ANALYSING AND PRESENTING DATA: 214
• 18 WRITING UP: 237
• CONCLUSION: 249
• GLOSSARY: 250
• BIBLIOGRAPHY: 252
• INDEX: 266

About the author

Penny Mukherji has been involved in educating students in the field of early childhood for over 20 years and during this time has developed a deep understanding of how to support students on their learning journeys. Penny has recently retired from her post a Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Studies at London Metropolitan University, where an important part of her teaching involved supporting both undergraduate and postgraduate students as they complete their research projects. Penny continues to be actively involved in the university with supporting students whilst they are completing their dissertations. With a background in health and psychology, Penny is an established author, with a special interest in the health and well-being of young children.

Deborah Albon worked as a nursery nurse, teacher and manager in a range of early childhood settings for nearly 20 years. Her research interests are primarily around food and drink provisioning and play in early childhood settings. Deborah is widely published in this area and has also co-written Negotiating Adult-Child Relationships in Early Childhood Research with Rachel Rosen, which examines the ‘messiness’ of navigating research relationships in the context of early childhood settings. Deborah works as a Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Studies at London Metropolitan University, where she has considerable experience teaching research methods to both undergraduate and postgraduate students as well as supporting them with their dissertations.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Research Methods in Early Childhood: An Introductory Guide
• Authors: Penny Mukherji, Deborah Albon
• Publisher: SAGE, 2009
• ISBN: 1446244814, 9781446244814
• Length: 288 pages
• Subjects: Education / Research; Juvenile Nonfiction / Study Aids / General