RESEARCH Questions About Adults in Children's Lives

• Published in: Understanding Research in Early Childhood Education pp. 129 - 139
• Main Authors: Mueller, Jennifer J., File, Nancy, Stremmel, Andrew J., Iruka, Iheoma U., Whyte, Kristin L.
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Routledge 2024
• Edition: 2
• ISBN: 1032394900; 9781032407272; 9781032394909; 1032407271
• DOI: 10.4324/9781003354499-13

This chapter begins with a discussion of the interests and questions of researchers who want to study the adults in children's lives, typically families and teachers. This discussion touches on both qualitative and quantitative research. Using four exemplar studies, two from each paradigm, the chapter then discusses how the researcher or research team for each study posed questions and planned methods. The chapter concludes with a discussion of potentials, challenges, and limitations identified for each study. This chapter also includes brief essays from two researchers (one qualitative, one quantitative) describing how they have approached their work when asking questions about the adults in children's lives.