Doing Your Early Years Research Project: A Step by Step Guide

This new edition of a much-loved book guides you through your Early Years research project from start to finish and draws on the work of Early Years practitioners to illustrate concepts and methods, bringing the entire process to life. Packed with research summaries, key points, checklists and discussion topics, the author shows you how to organise and structure your project, write a literature review, interpret findings and present/write up your project. This edition has been fully updated and revised to include up-to-date references, a focus on 'Reflective Practice', and coverage of Early Years Foundation Stage, as well as: - Coverage of Action Research, including examples - Increased material on using, presenting and analysing data, including using software - More reflective and detailed study aid including case studies, surveys, questions and activities This book is essential reading for students on early childhood studies courses, those working towards Early Years Professional Status (EYPS), teacher education, nursing, and social sciences. It is also useful for early years practitioners required to carry out small-scale research.

Table of Contents:
You Can Do Research! Your Feelings about Doing Research Myths about Early Childhood Research An Inclusive Approach towards Early Childhood Research Your Research Project within Early Childhood Studies The Professionalisation of Early Childhood Studies 5 The Importance of Your Reflective Practice Principles of High-Quality Early Childhood Research The Research Process within Early Childhood Studies Everyday Research Skills Your Research Story, Methodology and Research Questions Reflecting upon Your Personal Story Methodology Some Research Stories Your Reflective Diary High Levels of Motivation Professional Motivations Focusing on Your Area of Interest The Overall Research Questions and the Field Questions Getting Your Research Questions Right: Breadth and Depth Doing a Pilot Study Ethical Issues in Early Childhood Research Legislation and the Participatory Rights of Children Sociology and the Participatory Rights of Children Children's Participation and Protection A Reflective Impact Assessment of Research on Children Your Emotional Vulnerability Informed Consent Informed Consent, Confidentiality and Child Protection Informed Consent Leaflet for Children Socially Inclusive and Respectful Relationships with Children Informed Consent Is an Ongoing Process Negotiating Access with the Gatekeepers 'Feedback' and Closure of the Research Ethical Dilemmas Are Hard to Resolve Ethical Checklist Designing Your Research What is Research Design? Two Research Approaches Quantitative Research Qualitative Research Sampling within Your Project Triangulation and Validity The Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches: An Example Action research Action Research Belongs to You Case Studies Small-Scale Qualitative Surveys Broad and Deep Research Justifying Your Methods Your Research Proposal Organising and Writing up Your Research Project Writing an Academic Argument and Critical Writing The Overall Structure of Your Research Report The Responsibilities of Your Supervisor Your Responsibilities throughout the Research The Research Tutorial Your Research Timetabling Observation: Looking and Listening Why Do Observations? What Is Observation? Interpretation Being Open in Your Looking and Listening Knowing the Context of Your Research Setting Unstructured Observations Structured Observations Tally Counting Observation Schedules Event Sampling and Running Records Video Observations Observational Diagrams Participant Observation Creative Listening to Young Children Developing Cultures of Meaningful Participation What Is Creative Listening? The Mosaic Approach Cameras and Ethics Children's Photographs and Walking Tours Children's Drawings Children's Interpretations of Their Pictures Interviewing Children and Adults Different Types of Interviews The Interview Guide Probing The Differences between an Interview and a Chat Focus Group Conversations with Children Children as Researchers Using Structured Activities Reflective Interviewing A Wide Diversity of Children Tape-Recording Writing and Using Questionnaires Three Ways to Administer Your Questionnaires Ethical Issues and Questionnaires Writing your Questionnaire Different Types of Questions Writing a Likert Scale Questionnaire Analysing Your Data The Process of Organising Your Data Reducing and Displaying Your Data Using Excel and Nvivo Software for Analysis Inducing or/and Deducing the Themes and Topic Codes Topic Coding in Qualitative Analysis Analysing Your Data Use a Wide Range of Data Generating Categories and Themes Sharing Your Research

About the Author :
Dr Guy Roberts-Holmes is Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Education in the Faculty of Children and Health at the Institute of Education, University of London. His teaching and research focus on the development of early childhood professional identities and qualifications; early childhood pedagogy; inclusion and diversity; men and fathers in early childhood services and early childhood methodology. He is a member of BERA (British Educational Research Association); EECERA (European Early Childhood Education Research Association) and TACTYC (Training, Advancement and Co-operation in Teaching Young Children) and is an external examiner for PGCE and EYPS, at the University of Winchester.

Review :
Praise for the first edition: 'This is an excellent resource for all those undertaking research in the field of Early Childhood Education and Care... Guy Roberts-Holmes has succeeded in writing a book which, in addition to offering valuable practical advice, is rigorous, supportive and encouraging to all those undertaking research with young children and their families' - Lesley Abbott OBE, Professor of Research and Early Childhood Education, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK