module specification

This module offers an opportunity for independent study and aims to enable you to:

1. Develop further academically and / or professionally by pursuing a line of study which arises out of an interest that you have in relation to early childhood.

2. Extend your academic / or professional competence by developing a critical understanding of the relationship between theory and issues relating to early childhood practice.

3. Gain experience of the processes, methodological and ethical issues involved in conducting and completing a piece of research.

4. Design, execute and evaluate a small-scale research project supervised independent study of an extended nature.

5. Develop some of the skills required for post graduate study.

No

This is an individual project that allows the you to carry out a systematic investigation of a topic. The area of investigation is chosen by you and should arise from a personal and academic / and or professional interest in an area of Early Childhood Education. The content of the project may be an extension of work already undertaken on the BA (Early Childhood Education) course, or may arise out of an aspect of the student’s academic and / or professional concerns, drawing together issues of theory and / or relating to practice, or may be drawn from other topics within the field of early childhood Education (LO1).

You will be introduced to qualitative and quantitative research designs of both primary and secondary research (LO3).

The skills of compiling a literature review to address their research question will be underpinned by supporting students to search for and critique published academic and peer reviewed research on their chosen topic of their research project (LO2).

You will be introduced to a range of approaches and methods of data collection used in research (LO3).

The course will also focus upon ethical considerations in relation to early childhood research, and will devote time to looking at research that incorporates young children’s perspectives and addressing diversity and anti-bias practices within research. The module will support you to analyse and evaluate their research findings using theory to examine data relevant to their chosen research design and help them to develop plausible arguments critically supported by appropriate references to sources such as academic peer reviewed articles and academic literature (LO5).

The importance of reflexivity and taking an anti-bias perspective as part of the research process will be highlighted throughout (LO4).

You will have individual supervisors who will provide formative non-assessed feedback throughout the module. You will agree a timetable for submitting draft chapters with their supervisor, who will provide written feedback. (8,000-10,000) words.

Learning will be supported in face to face and / or telephone tutorials, introductory  workshops and seminars (including accessing online resources) and independent study. Students will be expected to actively engage with additional materials and discussion opportunities that will be available via Weblearn. A record of tutorials will be kept and signed by both tutor and student. Reflection and discussion are key to teaching for all students - experiential learning promotes their growing ability to act as a reflective practitioner.

Teaching and learning strategies and methods will  focus on primary or secondary research. Observations and action research, closely related to their work, or a critical assessment of the findings of primary research  completed by a researcher  to support the growth of  professional and academic competence.

The development of transferable skills in presenting evidence, arguments and points of view to a range of audiences, through a range of media, including the use of different technologies also supports individual learning.

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

1. Demonstrate insight into an aspect of early childhood studies by exploring research questions related to the context of children and childhood. (Assessment A and B)

2. Describe, analyse and constructively critique research and theoretical perspectives related to the research focus, accessing information from a wide range of sources, having regard to the relative validity of the information and its social, cultural and political context. (Assessment B)

3. Demonstrate competence in research skills related to early childhood through designing and carrying out an independent study using appropriate methods of data collection for primary or secondary research. (Assessment B)

4. To gain a critical understanding of the ethical issues related to conducting and completing research in the field of early childhood through reflexivity and using an anti-bias approach. (Assessment A and B)

5. Discuss, analyse and evaluate research findings using theory to examine data and to develop plausible arguments that are congruent with the chosen research paradigm. (Assessment B)

Students will demonstrate that they have met the learning outcomes through the submission of:

Assessment A: Presentation of Research proposal (15 minutes)

Assessment B: Project  between  (8,000-10,000 words)

Assessment A: Presentation of Research proposal

You will present a Research proposal, either a qualitative or quantitative study. This should demonstrate an insight into an aspect of their interest in early childhood and give a rationale for their research question and the aims of their proposed project (LO1). You will demonstrate a critical understanding of the ethical issues related to conducting and completing research in the field of early childhood encompassing the proposed methods (LO4). This will be supported by a selection of academic literature that relates to their proposed research question. You should demonstrate this through reflexivity and the principles related to using an anti-bias approach. (LO1 and LO4)

Assessment B: Project

You will use the research proposal (Assessment A) to inform further their piece of research, which can be a qualitative or quantitative research study. You will be reshaping their research question, rationale and aims (LO1). You will be extending and developing their review of the literature (LO2). Further, you will develop their research methods in light of their chosen research design (LO3). You will apply ethics as appropriate to their chosen research design and will be supported in developing a reflexive and anti-bias stance throughout their project (LO4). You will discuss, analyse and evaluate their research findings using theory to examine data relevant to you chosen research design and to develop plausible arguments critically supported by appropriate references to sources such as academic peer reviewed articles and academic literature (LO5). Finally, you will conclude the project, which could include recommendations or consider ways forward.

https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/lists/0528094E-52ED-9AA1-8C5D-DAFD9F90CEAA.html?lang=en&login=1

Albon D. & Rosen R. (2014) Negotiating adult-child relationships in early childhood research http://http://www.123library.org/bookdetails/?id=103761

Bell J. (2014) Doing Your Research Project: A Guide for First-time Researchers in Education, Health & Social Science  Berkshire: Open University Press

Dawson C., (2019) Introduction to Research Methods 5th Edition: A Practical
Guide for Anyone Undertaking a Research Project, UK: Robinson

Largan C. & Morris T. (2019) Qualitative Secondary Research: A Step-By-Step Guide Pub Sage

McFarlane-Edmond, P. and Withers, C. (2023) Effective Practice in the Early Years,  London: Sage

Mukherji P. & Albon D. (2022) Research methods in early childhood an introductory guide London: Sage