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The proposed Research topic is Evaluation of problems Associated with Developmentally
Appropriate Practices and how they might affect Childhood Education at different stages of
children’s development-Methodology Section.
Student’s Name
Institution
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Introduction
This segment of the proposed action research will cover the approaches that will be used
while conducting the actual research. Also, the effectiveness of the said methodology in relation
to answering research questions and addressing the aims of the action research will be
highlighted. Revisiting my proposed topic, this action research basically seeks to understand
what problems are associated with Developmentally Appropriate Practice and how they might
affect Childhood Education at different stages of children’s development.
The research methodology that fits is qualitative methodology as this action research
aims at exploring the concept of Developmentally Appropriate Practice-particularly those
problems that are associated with the practice as well as their effects on childhood education at
different developmental stages. This methodological approach will help in answering the set
research questions through appropriate data collection, analysis and interpretation.
The data collected will majorly be qualitative data rather than quantitative which makes
qualitative methodology more rational than quantitative methodology. While selecting the
methodology to follow in order to successfully conduct the proposed research, it is important as a
researcher to have an open mind and let the research questions and problems guide the process.
Coming in with a preset fixed methodology at the initial stage in action research might lead to
failure or a lot of time consumption due to making numerous alterations to align the research
questions and the methodology. As (Saunders et al., 2009) states, researchers might have
different research philosophies owing to different perspectives as they view the world. Such
philosophies include; positivism, realism, interpretivism and pragmatism but none should
influence the methodology used. For this research, pragmatic research philosophy is preferred
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because it allows more flexibility while selecting research methodology and during entire
research process.
Research Approach and Strategy
The nature of the proposed research is exploratory because it seeks to answer the research
question “what?” The research will draw from collected primary data and existing secondary
data from literature review to identify Developmentally Appropriate Practice problems and their
effects to child education at different stages.
The research strategy used is action research because after identifying real-life problems
faced in real-life set-up, the research will go another step ahead to find and recommend solutions
to these problems.
Both experimental and deductive approaches will apply while conducting the proposed
research. Experimental approach helps determine the effects of a manipulated variable while
deductive approach follows development of hypothesis and then testing the set hypothesis. After
conducting a literature review, it is obvious that there are two categories of contributors on this
topic. One group shows positivism towards DAP while the second group expresses doubts
regarding the effectiveness of DAP especially due to various problems associated with the
concept. Therefore it is not possible to make a conclusion as to whether DAP poses significant
challenges or as to whether those challenges affect early childhood education at each
developmental level before actually investigating the matter. Therefore, our conclusions will be
based on the data and facts collected. This approach varies from the inductive reasoning
approach which involves making conclusive hypothesis before conducting and carrying out the
research only to support the already set conclusion.
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Both secondary and primary data will be collected to help accomplish the aims of the
proposed research. Primary data will be collected through interviews, questionnaires, observation
and video filming where possible. Questionnaires will be drafted carefully taking into account
the aims of the research.
The proposed research will use purposive sampling because the study requires experts in
the area of early childhood learning and development. This is an action research in the field of
early childhood education and therefore it will be logical to involve those people who are close
stakeholders in the field. This ensures that the data collected is more informed and relevant to the
research problem at hand.
Procedures
This section will highlight the step-by-step process of conducting this research.
Specifically, data collection segment will be addressed including identification of relevant
participants, sample selection strategies and data collection techniques. As implied by my
proposed topic, the action research intends to look at problems are associated with
Developmentally Appropriate Practices and how they might affect Childhood Education at
different stages of children’s development. There are so many children who fall under the area of
interest which is between infant at birth and eight years. Also, there are numerous early
childhood development centers including homes, day care, schools etc. and therefore it is not
possible to visit each and every child or institute to investigate the research questions. Using a
sample is the only possible way to complete the proposed research rationally especially due to
financial and time restrictions. A sample is a unit of the whole study population which is
extracted for research purposes. Smeeton and Goda, 2003, pp. 567-573) recommend that the
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chosen sampling strategy be aligned to the data analysis technique that will be applied later in the
study. Based on the two main sampling forms, that is, probability sampling and non-probability
sampling, the research will use non-probability or non-random sampling design. This involves
selecting a sample subject to various set standards or features. For the proposed research for
instance, sample characteristics might include individuals and institutions involved with early
childhood education or those who have tried applying Developmentally Appropriate Practice
already. Non-probability sampling approach is relevant due to the big size of the research
population involved as well as restrictions on time and other resources.
To further narrow down on sample technique, the research will require application of
purposive sampling technique which applies in cases where experts in a certain field are
required. Expert opinion in the field of early childhood education is very relevant here. The
participants will be selected based on their knowledge on developmentally appropriate practice
and early childhood education especially children of eight years or less. Using purposive
sampling approach will help ensure that only relevant data is collected in order to draw accurate
conclusions and be able to make relevant recommendations to solving potential DAP problems.
The data collection process will involve oral interviews with at least ten early childhood
development professionals with experience in DAP. Questionnaires will also be administered to
the participants to enhance the accuracy of the data collected. Other tools used in data collection
include video recorders, lesson plans, journals, logs etc. Each respondent’s perspective to
developmentally appropriate practice will be recorded and verified. It is necessary to inform the
respondents about the study and allow them to decide on giving consent to permit you to use
their opinions.
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Analysis Plan
Data analysis is important because it makes it possible to identify trends, answer research
questions and interpret the data in relation to the aims of the research. Data Analysis involves
applying systematic statistical and rational techniques in order to evaluate, illustrate, summarize
and interpret data. Shamoo and Resnik (2003) state that it is through data analysis that inductive
inferences can be drawn from data as well as identification of various trends relevant to the study
from the statistical fluctuations found in analyzed data.
Analyzing qualitative data will be a continuous process whereby data collected at each
stage is continuously analyzed simultaneously. According to researchers, qualitative data can be
analyzed for trends through observation and logic as it is being collected or selected from already
existing secondary data (Savenye, Robinson, 2004, pp.65-95). Data analysis for the proposed
research will depend on the specific forms of data found during data collection such as electronic
forms such as videos and audio recordings, or published such as journals. All findings will be
analyzed accurately and properly in order to uphold the integrity of the data.
Assumptions
There are two categories of assumptions, that is, general and specific. One of the general
assumptions made is that after validation of the collected data, it is assumed that this data will be
helpful in drawing conclusions. A specific assumption made regarding this research is that using
purposive sampling approach will lower the costs and speed up the project.
Limitations
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There are several limitations that will potentially affect the results of the proposed action
research. One of the general limitations is the unique nature of human beings making it hard to
generalize the results. Other limitations include finances, scope of the study and unreliability of
measuring tools. A limitation specific to the proposed research is that the selected sample may
not give the true representation of the entire population.
Delimitations
The main delimitation that might be identified is picking a small sample size of around
10 professionals. This is necessitated by limited time, financial constraints and challenges of
handling very big data.
Conclusion
Research methodology outlines everything that will be done to conduct the proposed
research. This section identified various data collection techniques that will be used to collect
both secondary and primary qualitative data. Data analysis will be done so as to help answer
research questions and accomplish the pre-identified research aims. Non-probability and
purposive sampling designs will be employed.
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References
Saunders, M., Lewis, P., & Thornhill, A. (2009). Understanding research philosophies and
approaches. Research methods for business students, 4, 106-135.
Savenye, W. C., & Robinson, R. S. (2005). Using qualitative research methods in higher
education. Journal of computing in Higher education, 16(2), 65-95.
Shamoo, A. E., & Resnik, D. B. (2009). Responsible conduct of research. Oxford University
Press.
Smeeton, N., & Goda, D. (2003). ADVICE NOTE: Conducting and Presenting Social Work
Research: Some Basic Statistical Considerations. The British Journal of Social Work,
33(4), 567-573.
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