How Do We Know? A Primer on the Nature of Knowing in Early Childhood Research

• Published in: Understanding Research in Early Childhood Education pp. 11 - 22
• Main Author: Whyte, Kristin L.
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Routledge 2024
• Edition: 2
• ISBN: 1032394900; 9781032407272; 9781032394909; 1032407271
• DOI: 10.4324/9781003354499-3

This chapter explores the philosophical and logical underpinnings of research. All studies are built upon how the researcher regards questions about reality and how we come to know. The chapter explores questions pertaining to theories of knowledge (what is truth), how we come to know (what approaches might be used to find out more about phenomena and people), and methodologies found within the research field. Designing the methods for a study requires researchers to pay attention to each of these layers to create coherency in their approach. The chapter describes qualitative approaches as focused on the understanding of meaning and quantitative approaches as focused on understanding the relationships among variables presented in numerical form. The chapter emphasizes there are both shared and divergent definitions and meanings for terminology used by researchers. A chart to summarize differences among research approaches is also provided.