Introducing Research in Early Childhood

"What a useful book for the beginner researcher! Offering a grounding in the different kinds of research conducted in the field of early childhood, this book’s inviting and accessible style will support the novice researcher, and the development of criticality in relation to research."Deborah Albon, Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Studies, University of RoehamptonWhat does the term ‘research’ in early childhood actually mean? What does research involve, and how do you go about doing it? This book explains exactly what ‘research’ is; it explores key ideas, themes and terminology to provide you with a clear understanding of its importance to your early years or early childhood studies degree.It will help you: ·        Understand what it means to think critically, and unpick childhood research·        Learn how to analyse, examine and understand the importance of others’ research·        Get to know how research is designed and carried out·        Appreciate the importance of ethics·        Get to grips with translating research into real life in an early childhood setting.Laying the foundations to develop your confidence in talking about research and making links between theory and practice, this book will support you as you begin your research journey into the world of early years. Polly Bolshaw is a Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Studies at Canterbury Christ Church University.Jo Josephidou is a Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Studies at Canterbury Christ Church University.Polly Bolshaw and Jo Josephidou will be discussing ideas from Introducing Research in Early Childhood in Doing Your Early Years Research Project, a SAGE Masterclass for early years students and practitioners in collaboration with Kathy Brodie. Find out more here.

What a useful book for the beginner researcher! This book offers a grounding in the different kinds of research conducted in the field of early childhood as well as an introduction to the range of ideas that underpin such research. Chapter 2 ‘beginning to think critically about research’ will be useful across many modules. Drawing on useful exemplars to highlight points of significance, this book is written in an inviting and accessible style which will support the novice researcher yet also support the development of criticality in relation to research. ?

Polly Bolshaw is a Senior Lecturer in Early Years at Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU), who teaches predominantly on the BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies programme. Prior to this, she completed the New Leaders in Early Years programme at CCCU and worked as an Early Years Professional in a Sure Start Children’s Centre.  Her research interests include research methods for undergraduate students, the experiences of people who work with young children and study early childhood, early childhood education for sustainability  and services within the UK that aim to support children and their families. She is also the co-author of the blog Contemplating Childhoods https://contemplatingchildhoods.com/ along with Jo Josephidou.Polly Bolshaw and Jo Josephidou will be discussing ideas from Introducing Research in Early Childhood in Doing Your Early Years Research Project, a SAGE Masterclass for early years students and practitioners in collaboration with Kathy Brodie. Find out more here. Jo Josephidou was a primary school teacher for 20 years before entering Higher Education as a Senior Lecturer in 2009. Initially she taught on ITE programmes at the University of Cumbria before joining the Early Childhood Studies team at Canterbury Christ Church (CCCU) in September 2014.  She teaches on a variety of modules on this programme including those which focus on developing students’ early research skills.  Jo is presently completing her doctoral research which focuses on practitioner gender and the pedagogy of play. She is also the co-author of the blog Contemplating Childhoods https://contemplatingchildhoods.com/ along with Polly Bolshaw.Polly Bolshaw and Jo Josephidou will be discussing ideas from Introducing Research in Early Childhood in Doing Your Early Years Research Project, a SAGE Masterclass for early years students and practitioners in collaboration with Kathy Brodie. Find out more here.