The purpose of this semester 1 module is to substantially develop students’ skills of independent study demonstrated through the planning of a research project or intervention. It is based on students linking in with a placement organization which may have a policy, a practice or other focus related to early years education. Students choose a topic area of interest on a dimension of Early Childhood Education and Care practice, or services provision at the start of the semester and this becomes the focus of their placement of three hours per week (or equivalent) in a placement organisation. During this time students acquire knowledge from the setting, early years educators and / or experts and read and review five significant pieces of literature related to their topic area. In parallel, supervision sessions (individual or group) help the students to reflect on their learning and fine-tune the focus of their research project / intervention. Students prepare both a reflective piece on their learning from the placement over the semester and a research proposal / plan which will form the basis of their dissertation / practice project in semester 2.
Link with Early Years sector organization
In advance of placement allocation lecturers will provide an overview of different types of organisations within the early years sector and provide a profile of their activities to helps students select an organization with which to link with regard to a defined area of interest. This may be an organization with a policy or practice focus or an organization with a focus related to the early years
Regular attendance at supervision meetings
In supervision meetings students will reflect on learning during placement, discuss their progress with their project and explore difficulties encountered. An agreed schedule of work will be developed. They will gain the insights of experienced practitioners and researchers in the area of Early Childhood Education and Care and receive structured feedback on written submissions.
Designing a research project or intervention
Planning an intervention or research project in conjunction with a placement supervisor and a research supervisor
Preparing a Research in Practice Proposal / Plan
Layout of a proposal / plan; understanding key elements for inclusion; formulating ideas in a clear step by step manner.
Review of Literature
Why and how to search for literature: books, journals, articles, reports, legislation, policies and procedures. Managing a literature search using electronic databases. Writing skills for reviewing literature: Summarising and synthesizing information; Correct use of quotations, paraphrases and referencing; Comparing and contrasting sources; Critically analysing sources.
Ethics and values in research and practice
Review of research ethics and ethical issues in practice: Anonymity, Confidentiality, Mutual interests, Gatekeepers. Ethical Issues in Research with Children; issues of Consent and providing Information to Research Participants; the role of Ethics Committees; filling in forms for Ethical Clearance.
Support for the students as they embark on their research will be provided through lectures on research methods pertinent to the tasks of this semester. Workshops will support the students' experiences of researching their topic area through key literature and resources. There will also be opportunities for students to engage in reflective practice individually and in group sessions and to receive guidance on how best to approach the collection of data while in the practice settings. A community of practice approach will be taken to the sharing of experiences and ideas among the student group.
| Module Content & Assessment | |
|---|---|
| Assessment Breakdown | % |
| Other Assessment(s) | 100 |