Problem
Scenario
Mala is a diploma-qualified educator and room leader with children aged 3 to 5 years in a standalone, community-run preschool in a regional area. The population of the local community is a combination of Aboriginal and European heritage. The preschool is open in school term time only, opening to children and families at 8 am and closing at 4 pm. There are three classrooms. In each room the 3-4 year olds come for Monday and Tuesday, then the 4-5 year olds come for Wednesday-Friday each week, during term time.
Mala has been observing the children's dramatic play in term one, and in term two she wants to do some research to understand more about the roles the children take during their dramatic play inside. There is a dramatic play area in her classroom that she has set up to resemble a home - with a kitchen, dining area, and baby's bedroom.
From scenario design research
The research question is What roles do children take during their dramatic play inside
• What data collection methods could Mala use to gather information to research the question you suggested above? Explain what makes these method/s appropriate for investigating Mala's research question.
• Suggest two ethical issue that Mala will need to consider as she plans and undertakes her study. Explain why these are important, with reference to the National Standard on Ethical Conduct of Human Research (2018) and Guidelines for Ethical Research in Australian Indigenous Studies (2017).
Refence: Mukherji, P.,& Albon, D. (2018). Research methods in early childhood: an introductory guide (3rd ed). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.