ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book focuses on researching in early childhood education and provides readers with some of the essential wider considerations they need to know when using innovative research methods. It considers the ethical challenges researchers face when employing innovative methods. The book discusses unconventional research methods that can be used in research with practitioners and parents and describes how play-based interview techniques can be used to discover children’s thoughts, feelings and ideas. It also discusses the importance of providing subjectivity to participants when using Q-methodology. This is to ensure the participants conduct the measurements, instead of being subjected to measurement. Children should be able to leave the data collection at any point and should not feel ‘compelled’ to complete the activity.
