RSCH09023 2022 Researching Leadership and Advocacy in the Early Years Education and Care

General Details

Full Title
Researching Leadership and Advocacy in the Early Years Education and Care
Transcript Title
Research methods
Code
RSCH09023
Attendance
N/A %
Subject Area
RSCH - 0031 Research
Department
SOCS - Social Sciences
Level
09 - Level 9
Credit
10 - 10 Credits
Duration
Semester
Fee
Start Term
2022 - Full Academic Year 2022-23
End Term
9999 - The End of Time
Author(s)
Sinead Barrins, Niamh Gallagher, Brenda Feeney, Leigh-Ann Sweeney, Ailise McDowell, Breda McTaggart
Programme Membership
SG_HLEAD_M09 202500 Master of Arts in Leadership and Advocacy in the Early Years SG_HLEAD_O09 202200 Postgraduate Diploma in Arts in Leadership and Advocacy in the Early Years SG_HLEAD_M09 202200 Master of Arts in Leadership and Advocacy in the Early Years SG_HLEAD_M09 202600 Master of Arts in Leadership and Advocacy in the Early Years SG_HLEAD_O09 202600 Postgraduate Diploma in Arts in Leadership and Advocacy in the Early Years
Description

This module will provide the learner with the necessary research skills to undertake a level 9 research project. Learners will critically review literature, engage with their ontological and epistemological position; the paradigms of research study; methods of data collection and data analysis associated with chosen paradigms. The learner will gain the knowledge, skills and competencies to determine the appropriateness of individual methods in given research contexts. Issues of research ethics, validity and reliability of chosen paradigms and methods will also be discussed and debated. Learners will develop research project management skills that are applicable not only to their research dissertation but also to the future and their further research activities.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module the learner will/should be able to;

1.

Explore existing knowledge and its application to student's chosen research area.

2.

Analyse paradigms of research enquiry and explicate where chosen paradigms fit within their research area of interest.

3.

Demonstrate a critical understanding of the practice and principles of qualitative and quantitative social research.

4.

Judge the importance of ethics to any research study and incorporate this within their research proposal.

5.

Demonstrate appropriate project management skills to ensure successful completion of level 9 research project.

Teaching and Learning Strategies

Online support and residential workshops. Synchronous delivery of lectures with students, all of which will be work-shops within residential. Students will contribute to the structure and plan of the residential component of this module.

Module Assessment Strategies

Two designated assessments to achieve the learning outcomes for this modules

  1. Written submission on how to undertake a successful research project
  2. Development and presentation of a fully-worked research proposal using a designated research framework outlining why they have chosen their topic, how they hope to do this within they timeframe, how they will access participants, how they will analyse data, ethics etc.

Repeat Assessments

This is dependent on overall grades and will be decided at exam boards.

Indicative Syllabus

LO 1. Explore existing knowledge and its application to student's chosen research area: 

  • Students will get the opportunity to understand and evaluate ‘evidence’ and explore the concept of hierarchies of research informed evidence.

LO.2 Analyse paradigms of research enquiry and explicate where chosen paradigms fit within their research area of interest

  • Students will review the epistemological and ontological foundations of research and the principles of positivist and interpretive research. They will also explore their own positionality and how that impacts on one’s ontological and epistemological position and world view.

LO3. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the practice and principles of qualitative and quantitative social research: 

  • Students will gain an in-depth understanding and awareness of qualitative research including ways in which research evidence is produced, question formulation, the balance between induction and deduction, data collection methods (different interviewing techniques, case study, observation, ethnography), data analysis and issues of validity, reliability and replication.

LO4. Judge the importance of ethics to any research study and incorporate this within their research proposal:

  • Students will critically explore ethical dilemmas relevant to their proposed research topic and they will examine and develop appropriate strategies to deal with potential ethical dilemmas raised.

LO5. Demonstrate appropriate project management skills to ensure successful completion of level 9 research project:

  • Students will be supported in the acquisition and demonstration of project management skills in the area of research required for all stages of the research process. This will include project timelines, work packages, tasks and deliverables with the intention of supporting the student not only with the proposal and dissertation, but also for their research activities into the future.

Coursework & Assessment Breakdown

Coursework & Continuous Assessment
100 %

Coursework Assessment

Title Type Form Percent Week Learning Outcomes Assessed
1 Essay Coursework Assessment Essay 40 % Week 7 1,2
2 Research proposal Coursework Assessment Project 60 % End of Semester 2,3,4,5
             

Online Learning Mode Workload


Type Location Description Hours Frequency Avg Workload
Online Lecture Online Online Lecture 1.5 Weekly 1.50
Independent Learning Not Specified IL 12 Weekly 12.00
Total Online Learning Average Weekly Learner Contact Time 1.50 Hours

Blended Mode Workload


Type Location Description Hours Frequency Avg Workload
Online Lecture Online Online Lecture 1.5 Weekly 1.50
Independent Learning Not Specified IL 12 Weekly 12.00
Total Blended Average Weekly Learner Contact Time 1.50 Hours

Required & Recommended Book List

Required Reading
2026-05-04 Bryman's Social Research Methods Oxford University Press
ISBN 9780198895985 ISBN-13 0198895984

The bestselling introduction to research methods, offering unrivalled coverage of both quantitative and qualitative methods to support students through the whole research process. Clear, comprehensive, and trusted, Bryman's Social Research Methods has guided over a quarter of a million students through their research methods course and student research project. The seventh edition offers unrivalled coverage of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods, reflecting today's evolving landscape. Key Features: - Exceptionally comprehensive but practical and student-friendly, offering clear and complete coverage of all the key areas of social research methods. - Clear theoretical explanations in the main text are enhanced by 'Key concept' boxes, which summarize important terms and processes, and 'Thinking deeply' boxes, which encourage students to go further in considering an issue or debate. - Numerous examples of published research, in 'Research in focus' boxes, help bridge the gap between theory and practice. Spanning cultures, geographies, and academic disciplines, these studies reflect the breadth of issues explored in social science: they cover a huge range of topics, from climate change, ageing, and gender, to true-crime podcasts, gambling, and exorcisms. - Students seeking practical guidance for conducting their own research can hone in on punchy 'Tips and skills' boxes, end-of-chapter 'Checklists', and 'Learn from experience' boxes in which recent graduates share insights from their research into a variety of fascinating topics - including social media attitudes towards the LGBT+ community, and the experiences of Pakistani Muslim single mothers. - Also available as an e-book enhanced with self-assessment activities and multi-media content to offer a fully immersive experience and extra learning support. Extensive digital resources help students grasp key concepts and develop practical research skills. They include multiple choice questions, quantitative self-test activities, videos from the 'Learn from experience' graduates, and screencast tutorials for the main data analysis software programmes (Excel, SPSS, Nvivo, R, and Stata). New to this edition: - Meet your author team: Tom Clark, Liam Foster, and Luke Sloan return with their trusted expertise, and are now joined by Charlotte Brookfield, who brings fresh insights. Together, they've worked closely with students and lecturers to make the book even more relevant to your studies. - Know before you dive in: Each chapter now starts with clear learning objectives, helping you focus your reading, understand key takeaways, and prepare more effectively for assignments and exams. - Stay ahead with up-to-date content: New material on cutting-edge topics like artificial intelligence in research, ethical challenges in the digital age, and how technology is transforming data collection and analysis prepares you to engage with the latest developments in the field. - See how research works in the real world: Updated examples and citations reflect current methods and global contexts, helping you connect theory to practice and understand how research is applied across disciplines and cultures. - Explore creative ways to do research: A brand-new chapter, Chapter 23, introduces innovative qualitative methods-like arts-based, sensory, and Indigenous approaches-giving you fresh ideas for designing your own projects. - Get confident with data analysis: Chapter 15 now features a case study on social media use, plus new coverage of ANOVA and T-tests, helping you build practical skills in quantitative analysis. - Boost your skills with interactive digital resources: Test your knowledge with video quizzes and interactive activities, and get hands-on support using key software tools like SPSS, NVivo, R, Stata, and Excel. Only available in the enhanced eBook.

Required Reading
2020-04-15 Advancing Knowledge and Building Capacity for Early Childhood Research
ISBN 0935302824 ISBN-13 9780935302820
Required Reading
2014-05-21 Success with your Early Years Research Project SAGE
ISBN 9781473905634 ISBN-13 147390563X

Action research and Early Years practices go together, as naturally as the new day rising. This book is a celebration of new days. Early Years research is a practice for creative thinking for new tomorrows; the book shows us how to do this, and is to be commended for anyone who wishes to find innovative ways to think and act for all new beginnings. -Jean McNiff, Professor of Educational Research, York St John University Where do you start with a research project? How do you choose a good question? What are tutors looking for in an outstanding project? This book will help you answer all of the above and that is just the beginning. With examples of real research projects from students just like you, it takes you through each step of the process including: Choosing your question and approach Making sure your research is ethical Gathering and analysing data Reaching conclusions Putting your findings into practice. After each example the authors provide commentary on what made each project so good, or what needed more work, helping you see what a good project really looks like. Suitable for anyone tackling a research project as part of the Early Years course, at foundation or degree level, this book will help you make sure your project is interesting, relevant and impacts on your practice.

Required Reading
2020-06-08 Seeing the World through Children’s Eyes BRILL
ISBN 9789004433328 ISBN-13 9004433325

Seeing the World through Childrens Eyes brings an overarching emphasis on seeing to early years research. The book provides an opportunity to see and hear from leading researchers in the field concerning how they work with visual methodologies and young children. It explores the problems, pitfalls and promises that these offer for reflexive, critical inquiry that privileges the work of the eye whilst implicating the researcher I for what is revealed. Readers are invited to see for themselves what might be revealed through their discoveries, and to contemplate how these ideas might influence their own seeings. See inside the book.

Recommended Reading
2011-01-31 The Ethics of Research with Children and Young People SAGE Publications Ltd
ISBN 9781446245613 ISBN-13 1446245616

Ethical questions are at the centre of research with children and young people. This clear and practical text informs students and researchers about the relevant laws and guidelines and current debates in research ethics. Priscilla Alderson and Virginia Morrow cover ethics at every stage of research, and with all kinds of young research participants, particularly those who are vulnerable or neglected. They break down the process of research into ten stages, each with its own set of related questions and problems, and they show how these need to be addressed. This practical book is essential reading for anyone who conducts or reviews research with children or young people. Priscilla Alderson is Emerita Professor of Childhood Studies at the Institute of Education University of London. Virginia Morrow is Senior Research Officer in the Department of International Development, University of Oxford.

Recommended Reading
2024-07-31 Doing Your Research Project?
ISBN 0335252427 ISBN-13 9780335252428

"This new edition retains the excellent structure and tone of previous editions whilst bringing the text and examples up to date, reflecting the changing and dynamic social world we live and research in." Dr Steven Gascoigne, Assistant Professor, Centre for Lifelong Learning, University of Warwick, UK "This book combines theoretical knowledge and practical skills with case studies, examples, and reflections in one easy-to-read book... A must for novice researchers." Dr Christina Cooper, Assistant Professor in Community Wellbeing, Northumbria University, UK Now on its eighth edition, Doing Your Research Project remains the authoritative guide to conducting an outstanding research project. Guiding readers through each stage of the research journey, this book gives students the confidence to successfully conceptualise and complete their research. Written in its trademark, student-friendly style, each chapter includes reflective questions to help students apply the advice to their own work. The authors cover a range of disciplines and methodologies, empowering students to make an informed choice about what best suits their research. While retaining its most-loved features from previous editions, the latest edition: Provides updated coverage of digital research techniques Examines the nature of research and the roles that researchers occupy Expands the discussion of research methods This bestselling resource is the ultimate companion to any research project, whether you are a first-time or experienced researcher. Practical, clear and concise, Doing Your Research Project is vital reading for anyone embarking on a research project.

Recommended Reading
2017 Research with Children Routledge
ISBN 1138100897 ISBN-13 9781138100893

"The revised, 3rd edition of Research with Children is a unique resource book on the methodology of childhood research. Leading researchers within the social studies of childhood discuss central questions of epistemology and methodology, demonstrating the links between theory and practice. The theoretical and practical questions are set out in a clear and well-argued fashion and will therefore appeal both to the newcomer to childhood studies and to experienced researchers in the field."--Provided by publisher.

Recommended Reading
2018-01-02 Research Design SAGE Publications, Incorporated
ISBN 1506386709 ISBN-13 9781506386706

This bestselling text pioneered the comparison of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods research design. For all three approaches, John W. Creswell and new co-author J. David Creswell include a preliminary consideration of philosophical assumptions; key elements of the research process; a review of the literature; an assessment of the use of theory in research applications, and reflections about the importance of writing and ethics in scholarly inquiry. New to this Edition Updated discussion on designing a proposal for a research project and on the steps in designing a research study. Additional content on epistemological and ontological positioning in relation to the research question and chosen methodology and method. Additional updates on the transformative worldview. Expanded coverage on specific approaches such as case studies, participatory action research, and visual methods. Additional information about social media, online qualitative methods, and mentoring and reflexivity in qualitative methods. Incorporation of action research and program evaluation in mixed methods and coverage of the latest advances in the mixed methods field Additional coverage on qualitative and quantitative data analysis software in the respective methods chapters. Additional information about causality and its relationship to statistics in quantitative methods. Incorporation of writing discussion sections into each of the three methodologies. Current references and additional readings are included in this new edition.

Recommended Reading
2016-01-28 Researching Social Life SAGE Publications Limited
ISBN 1446295451 ISBN-13 9781446295458

Paul Stoneman and Nigel Gilbert breathe new energy into this classic bestselling textbook providing clear, relevant advice and extensive coverage of all the research methods you need to understand todays society. Packed full of examples from across the social sciences, Researching Social Life sets out all of the challenges and opportunities of interpreting and conducting research with qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods. The book follows the chronology of a typical research project, from initial conception through to the collection, management and analysis of data; it also includes material on how best to write up and disseminate your research. This pragmatic approach mirrors the reality of conducting research and allows the handpicked, internationally renowned contributors to embed real case studies from their own research in each chapter. The student-oriented pedagogy is carefully woven throughout the book and further supported by a cutting-edge website. Key tools include: In-depth worked examples Case studies Discussion questions Checklists Annotated further reading Practical top tips for doing research. With unparalleled breadth and depth this trusted and respected textbook is an essential guide for anyone engaging with social research.

Module Resources

Journal Resources

Selected Early Childhood Education and Care journal articles, representing a variety of contemporary issues and methodologies in early childhood research will also be distributed over the course of the programme of learning, most notably: Early Childhood Research Quarterly, European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, Journal of Early Childhood Research.

URL Resources

European Early Childhood Research -EECERA Ethical Code: (2024). Available at: Full article: EECERA ethical code for early childhood researchers

Felzmann H., J. Sixsmith, S. O'Higgins, S., NChonnachtaigh & S. Nic Gabhainn (2010) Ethical review and children's research in Ireland. Dublin: Stationery Office. [www.dcya.gov.ie/documents/publications/Ethical_Review_and_Childrens_Research_in_Ireland_Report.pdf]

Horgan:D. (2024) A literature review on methodologies for consulting with children aged birth to 5 years. UCC, Hub na nOg.

Other Resources

Institute guidelines

ATU Code of Conduct for Postgraduate Research 

ATU Postgraduate Student Handbook

 

Additional Information

This module must be successfully completed before students can progress to Final Research Project.