Doing Action Research in Early Childhood Studies: A step-by-step guide

"This is a very useful and practical resource that will help the reader create the structured approach essential to any successful action research project."
Early Years Update

• Are you worried about doing your early years action research project?
• Does the thought of choosing the right research question feel daunting?
• Are you concerned about the challenges you might face?

If you answer 'yes' to any of these questions, then this is the book for you!

Written in a lively and accessible style, this is the essential step-by-step guide to conducting your own action research project. The book introduces and evaluates different approaches to action research and explores how they can be applied in early childhood settings to create positive change and to improve practice.

Using varied illustrations and case studies of contemporary projects in diverse early childhood contexts, the book addresses specific issues and challenges that you might face when conducting action research in such settings.

Each chapter offers gentle guidance and support at a specific stage of the research process, from choosing your initial topic to formulating your research question, through to sharing the lessons of your project.

The book's key features include:

• 16 'Steps' that walk you through the process of conducting your action research project
• References to real life research projects to illustrate key ideas, themes, practices and debates
• Advice on creating an action research journal, with sample extracts
• 'Thinking Boxes' in each chapter to encourage you to review and reflect on the chapter's contents as you plan your research project
• Checklists in each chapter of key concepts, processes and themes, together with further resources

The authors explore some difficult issues associated with action research, including ethics, rigour, validity, critical reflection, and social and professional change. They show that there is more than one 'right' way to perform an action research project and advise you how to choose an approach that is appropriate for your particular interests and circumstances.

Doing Action Research in Early Childhood Studies is an essential resource for students and practitioners of early childhood studies.