Decisions And Dilemmas Of Research In Early Childhood Education

This book examines the methodological decisions made by researchers working in early childhood contexts. Viewed from a researcher's perspective, each chapter explores the journey of the researcher, capturing their decision-making processes in early childhood research. Through themes such as the politics of ethics and how different cultural norms shape research in different localities, Decisions and Dilemmas of Research Methods in Early Childhood Education explores key questions such as: What are the ethical issues arising during early childhood research? Which research traditions and methodologies prevail and why? How are research subjects perceived and positioned within different research contexts? What interdisciplinary tensions or opportunities arise between different ways of working across early childhood research? The book critically unpacks how these decisions are made and by whom during the course of research. Each chapter includes reflections of researchers working across disciplines such as education, health and social work to understand the thinking, forces and actors that shape decisions made during the research process. This is essential reading for researchers working in early childhood contexts in fields such as social work, health, education, criminology, psychology, and more.

This book examines the methodological decisions made by researchers working in early childhood contexts. Viewed from a researcher’s perspective, each chapter explores the journey of the researcher, capturing their decision-making processes in early childhood research. Through themes such as the politics of ethics and how different cultural norms shape research in different localities, Decisions and Dilemmas of Research Methods in Early Childhood Education explores key questions such as: What are the ethical issues arising during early childhood research? Which research traditions and methodologies prevail and why? How are research subjects perceived and positioned within different research contexts? What interdisciplinary tensions or opportunities arise between different ways of working across early childhood research? The book critically unpacks how these decisions are made and by whom during the course of research. Each chapter includes reflections of researchers working across disciplines such as education, health and social work to understand the thinking, forces and actors that shape decisions made during the research process. This is essential reading for researchers working in early childhood contexts in fields such as social work, health, education, criminology, psychology and more.

What ethical dilemmas face researchers who work with young children? Researching Young Children’s Perspectives critically examines the challenges and complexities of rights based, participatory research with children. Rather than approaching these dilemmas as problematic issues, this book positions them as important topics for discussion and reflection. Drawing from their own rich experiences as research collaborators with young children in internationally diverse settings, the authors consider the ethical, methodological and theoretical frameworks that guide best-practice in research with young children. Each chapter poses points for consideration that will inform and challenge both the novice and experienced researcher, such as: How ‘participatory’ can research be with infants under eighteen months? When should listening through observation stand alone? What is the distinction between methodologies and methods? How can all young children be assured of a voice in research? The authors also present seven separate case studies which demonstrate exemplary research with young children. Each study is accompanied by insightful commentary from the authors, who highlight the issues or difficulties faced and propose potential solutions. If you are a student at undergraduate level and above, this book will give you all the confidence you need to conduct your own high quality research with children.

"New foreword by Rhian Evans Allvin"--Cover.

Dilemmas and Decisions distinguishes “problems”, which have rational solutions, from “dilemmas” which do not, aiming to prepare students for decisions required at work, rather than in TV quizzes. It argues that constantly seeking the “right answer” merely leads to extremism and totalitarian thinking.

Brings together the work of leading researchers in the field of child development and early education to examine current problems from the perspective of psychological theory and research.

Children and young adults with disabilities possess unique differences and individual needs, making special education programming a complex and sometimes challenging process. Leaders in special education are tasked with overseeing the administration and management of these programs and must often rely on problem-solving and decision-making skills to be effective. While many educational leaders may possess leadership training and experience, they still are unfamiliar with the intricacies of special education and the best practices for services for students with disabilities. Cases on Leadership Dilemmas in Special Education is designed to challenge the problem-solving skills of special education leaders by presenting them with multifaceted, thought-provoking, and practical dilemmas related to special education. This collection of case studies presents contemporary scenarios that address the complex issues and dilemmas leaders encounter when developing, managing, and supporting special education programs and the students who rely on these services. Covering topics such as decolonization, parent advocates, and STEM education, this casebook is a valuable resource for school and district leaders, teacher leaders and educational coaches, consultants, pre-service educational leaders, pre-service and in-service school counselors, pre-service and in-service special educators, librarians, researchers, and academicians.

This work investigates the complexity of ethics as a field of inquiry and practice across a principal's career. Fully contextualized, and thus carrying the contradictions and requirements of any school, the issues realistically do not usually lead to a single, beat-all answer, as any solution will likely have positive and negative consequences. Drawn from the authors' experiences and studies of schools over decades, the central figure is a fictional principal of a magnet school, whose dilemmas reflect the questions educators must be prepared for. Each decision takes into account the principal's and staff's identities and values because they are all human and their opinions influence the outcomes. The work injects analytic, virtue, feminist, care, deontological, and critical theory insights as Deweyan ethics provides a lens for examining dilemmas. This accessible work blends reflective theory, the ordinary worlds of schools, and engaging pedagogical practice to guide those planning to enter the education sector.