ABSTRACT

Understanding Research in Early Childhood Education: Quantitative and Qualitative Methods prepares readers to be informed consumers of early childhood research. Rather than following the traditional format of covering quantitative and qualitative methods separately, this innovative textbook offers side-by-side coverage and comparison about the assumptions, questions, purposes and methods for each, offering unique perspectives for understanding young children and early care and education programs.

Understanding Research in Early Childhood Education is broadly based across the major research paradigms, and numerous examples are offered throughout the text. Through the use of this book, students will be able to more knowledgeably read, evaluate, and use empirical literature. These skills are becoming more important as early childhood educators are increasingly expected to use evidence-based research in practice and to participate in collecting and analyzing data to inform their teaching.

chapter |6 pages

Introduction

part |100 pages

Structures of Research

chapter |13 pages

How Do We Know?

chapter |16 pages

Methodologies

chapter |12 pages

Qualitative Research

Framing the Study

chapter |12 pages

Quantitative Research

Study Questions and Methods

part |58 pages

Examining Research Questions

part |6 pages

Conclusion

chapter |4 pages

Research and Practice

Promises, Pitfalls, and Limitations