QUALITATIVE CRITIQUE 1
Research Critique: Qualitative
Anna Laura Ruiz
School of Education, Liberty University
Author Note
I have no known conflict of interest to disclose. Correspondence concerning this article
should be addressed to Anna Laura Ruiz
Email:
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Research Critique: Qualitative
The purpose of this review is to assess the research conducted by Navarro-Cruz and
Luschei (2020) titled “Quality Preschool as Defined by Latina Mothers: A Qualitative Study
Using a Funds of Knowledge Framework.” The review will include an overview, summary, and
critique of the research study. The final paragraph examines my professional background, views,
and perspectives concerning the subject matter of the study.
Summary
Purpose
The main goal of the study by Navarro-Cruz and Luschei (2020) was to establish a more
comprehensive definition of high-quality preschools; the study examined the elements that
Latina moms desire to see in the preschools where their kids attend.
Participants/Sample
Navarro-Cruz and Luschei (2020) interviewed 40 Latina moms in the Western United
States to learn about their perspectives on high-quality preschools and the factors they consider
when choosing a location for their kids or children. A framework called Funds of Knowledge
was used to examine the data. These Latina mothers also had to have children under five and
wanted to enroll their children in a preschool center.
Research Design
The study used a theoretical framework called Funds of Knowledge to emphasize how
crucial it is to redefine quality in Early Childhood Education (ECE) to gather, considering
cultural and contextual factors, the preschool experiences that families would like for their kids.
The utilization of a Funds of Knowledge framework enables a reevaluation of the concept of
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quality, encompassing the distinct aspirations of Latina moms regarding their children's
preschool encounters.
Method of Data Collection
A theoretical framework was used to interview the participating Latina moms. A semi-
structured interview was administered to a sample of 42 Latina women residing in Southern
California, ranging in age from 18 to 43 years old, with an average age of 32. The duration of the
interviews ranged from 45 to 90 minutes. During the interview's final 15 to 30 minutes, inquiries
were made primarily focused on the interviewee's choices of preschool options. The primary
researcher in the Navarro-Cruz and Luschei (2020) study, a Latina mother residing in the
neighborhood under study, developed the data-gathering methods and formulated the interview
questions. The researcher went to Southern California daycare facilities, churches, libraries,
community centers, and mommy and me associations to find volunteers. All the interviews were
audio recorded and then transcribed since the researcher was bi-literate and bilingual.
Method of Analysis
The study was driven by a Funds of Knowledge framework, wherein the primary
researcher focused on responses that pertained to the selection of preschool and were linked to
the mothers' Funds of Knowledge. Upon completing the interviews, the transcripts were
generated and subsequently analyzed to identify significant quotes and phrases and demonstrate
linkages with the underlying theoretical framework. To streamline the coding process, a thematic
map was created to capture and identify relevant phrases that have the potential to serve as
codes. The qualitative thematic map analysis developed by Braun and Clarke (2006) served as a
framework for this study. Subsequently, codes were included in an Excel spreadsheet to arrange
and quantify each code's occurrence frequency. Subsequently, the code was paired with a
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quotation provided by a participant. Subsequently, the researcher conducted a comprehensive
examination of the codes and themes and enlisted the assistance of research assistants to
facilitate the coding process for all the collected data and ensure the accuracy of the codes.
Results
Navarro-Cruz and Luschei (2020) presented the factors Latina mothers look for in a
preschool. The moms also articulated how their previous and current experiences influenced their
ability to discern the criteria they sought in a preschool center. The Funds of Knowledge
framework highlights the substantial influence of social networks, costs, and proximity, which is
significant due to Latino families' cultural belief that it is vital for family members to reside near
one another. These women discussed how their upbringing, employment history, and educational
background influenced the features they would want to see in daycare facilities. The moms
highlighted five elements: a small student-teacher ratio, a welcoming atmosphere, a safe and
caring staff, and a targeted curriculum. The women considered several characteristics while
selecting the preschool for their children. However, some were given more weight than others
depending on their habits, upbringings, levels of education, labor histories, and present
circumstances.
Critical Analysis
Further Research
Future research should have studied additional cultures and ethnic groups. The findings
of Navarro-Cruz & Luschei (2020) emphasize the value of respecting parental decisions and the
knowledge parents have regarding their children's care, regardless of the factors' relative
relevance or sequence, only emphasized Latino moms. Finally, this research should examine the
most effective approach to early childhood education (ECE) for all children within a cultural
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context framework that prioritizes families; consequently, researchers may further improve the
quality of childcare that young children receive.
Threat to Validity
Factors that influenced the study were the small number of participants, as they were only
40 Latina mothers from the same area. Also, the study did not mention whether the participants
identified as having a native Latin American heritage or possibly inherited Latina from their
mother or father. There could have been potential biases regarding the validity of the Latina
mothers as they responded to the interview and scaled their influencing factors for schooling
their children into preschool.
Original Insight/Criticism
If a thorough literature review had been conducted, the researchers would have
acknowledged that ensuring every child has access to a preschool that prioritizes family is
crucial. It could be a withstanding issue within other cultures and ethnic groups. Families'
preferences for their children's care should be considered as researchers, legislators, and early
childhood professionals create rules, definitions, and frameworks for preschool experiences.
Implications of Findings
This research can be used to show that Latina moms utilize their funds of knowledge to
advise them on the kind of preschool they would like for their kids, defying the deficit viewpoint
of Latino families. The challenge is locating a preschool facility with the features moms want for
their kids' preschool. Cost and location are primary values to these women, and if the goal of the
nation is to fund a fair and just early childhood system, this study provides immense insight into
Latino families.
Discussion
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I continue to investigate how children from diverse cultures and backgrounds benefit
from the ever-evolving American curriculum, specifically early childhood. In addition to
providing our preschoolers with the most significant academic tools, stakeholders and
policymakers must be held accountable for considering the myriad aspects that affect young
children's learning. An in-depth study, such as this one, has been done as part of my continuous
examination into how preschool-aged children's development has been affected or not by their
parents' academic decisions and the culture of the children in the US.
Proverbs 22:6 reminds us, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old,
he will not depart from it.” (English Standard Version, 2001). Our collective duty as educational
advocates is to consider the direction and path parents want for their children's success.
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References
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in
Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi:10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
Check, J., & Schutt, R. (2012). Research in education. SAGE Publications, Inc.
https://doi.org/10.4135/9781544307725
English Standard Version. (2001). ESV Online.
https://www.biblestudytools.com/
Navarro-Cruz, G., & Luschei, T. (2020). Quality preschool as defined by Latina mothers: A
qualitative study using a funds of knowledge framework. Journal of Research in
Childhood Education, 34(1), 6–27. https://doi.org/10.1080/02568543.2019.1692102
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