ED3D005 - Researching in the Early Years 30 Mar 2022 - 31 Aug 2028 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: ED3D005
Module Title: Researching in the Early Years
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: ITE and Education Practice
Faculty Sub Group: Early Years
Module Leader: Philippa Watkins
Module Team: Hannah Jones, Pavla Boulton, Amanda Thomas
First Intended Intake: SEP 2022 Final Year of Intake: 2027
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 40 Credit Level: 6
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100463 - early years education
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 30 Mar 2022
Valid To 31 Aug 2028

Module Aims

Develop understanding of Early Childhood as an important and significant field of study

Explore historical, cultural and conceptual approaches to quality Early Years Education, recognising the importance of decolonising the curriculum

Demonstrate a critical understanding of the existing body of literature in a chosen research area.

Develop an evaluative approach to research design and the application of methodologies.

Evidence clear, critical understanding of ethics in research.

Content Summary

• Explore the history of Early Childhood Care and Education as a field of study
• Examine international policy and approaches to Early childhood.
• Discuss what is considered to be quality provision.
• Develop an understanding of research, what it is and why it should be conducted.
• Explore different approaches to research and understand the use of different methodologies
• Evidence understanding of ethics and ethical approaches to research from a historical, academic and cultural perspective.
• Explore and evaluate research design and how it frames a dissertation.
• Examine different methods of data collection and evaluate the best type for a particular piece of research.
• Develop critical reading and be able to formulate discussions and arguments from appropriate academic texts

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 30
Seminar 10
Project supervision 6
Independent Study 250
Directed Study 100
Formative Assessment - Independent 4
Total Hours Selected 400

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Summarise key aspects of a chosen area of Early Years study and evidence understanding of the academic context through choice of appropriate literature and theory
LO2 Analyse a key area of Early Years study and produce a critical written response that demonstrates clear understanding of appropriate literature and theory.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Presentation (Asynchronous) 1 Recorded presentation outlining dissertation topic 15 N/A 25 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Dissertation / Major Project 1 Students will elect an area of study – either from titles given or one of their own choosing 0 6000 75 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Presentation (Asynchronous) 1
Dissertation / Major Project 1

Reading List

Bakken, L., Brown, N. & Downing, B. (2017) Early Childhood Education: The Long-Term Benefits. Journal of Research in Childhood Education, 31:2, 255-269, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02568543.2016.1273285

British Educational Research Association [BERA] (2018) Ethical guidelines for Educational research, 4th edn. London. Available at: https://www.bera.ac.uk/researchers-resources/publications/ethicalguidelines-for-educational-research-2018
Cohen, L., Manion, L. and Morrison, K. (2017) Research methods in Education. 8th edn. London: Routledge.

 

Christenson, P. and James, A. (2017) Research with children: Perspectives and practices. 3rd edn. Oxon: Routledge.

 

Creswell, J. (2018) Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, mixed methods approaches. 5th edn. London: Sage

 

Denscombe, M. (2014) The good research guide. 5th edn. Maidenhead: Open University Press.

Kara, H. (2015) Creative methods in the social sciences. Bristol: Policy Press.

Kara, H., Lemon, N., Mannay, D. and McPherson, M. (2021) Creative research methods in education: Principles and practices. Bristol: Policy Press.

 

Mannay, D. (2016) Visual, narrative and creative research methods. Application, reflection and ethics. London: Routledge.

Moss, P. (2019) Alternative narratives in early childhood. Oxon: Routledge.

Mukherji, P. and Albon, D. (2018) Research methods in early childhood: An introductory guide. 3rd edn. London: Sage

O’Reilly, M., Ronzoni, P.and Nisha, D. (2013) Research with children: Theory and practice. London: Sage.

Punch, K. (2014) Introduction to research methods in education. London: Sage.

Roberts-Holmes, G. (2018) Doing your early years research project: A step-by-step guide. 4th edn. London: Paul Chapman Publishing.

Rose, G. (2016) Visual methodologies: An introduction to researching with visual methods. 4th edn. London: Sage.

Thomas, G. (2017) How to do your research project: A Guide for Students. 3rd edn. London: Sage.

White, E. (ed.) (2020) Seeing the world through children's eyes. Visual pedagogies, methodologies and educational research. Boston: Brill Sense.