Methodology for Early Childhood Education and Care Research

Niklas Pramling is Professor of Education at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden. He has a background in cultural studies, literature history and psychology. He wrote his Doctor of Philosophy dissertation (PhD) in Educational science (Swe. pedagogik) entitled, Minding Metaphors: Using Figurative Language in Learning to Represent. The dissertation concerned the use of metaphors and other forms of figurative language in learning and knowledge building. He has since then conducted research primarily on children-teacher communication in preschool in relation to narrative, literacy, music, nature knowing, play, teaching, bilingualism, and digital technologies. He is the leader of two Swedish national research schools for preschool teachers, funded by the Swedish Research Council.

• Introduction.- Scientific knowledge.- The importance and functions of theory.- Quality criteria.- Some notes on normativity and research.- Scientific language practices.- Coda: Summary and the importance of being mindful of pareidolia.