New theories warrant new research approaches: extending the toolbox of methods for research with young children

Colette Gray; Jane Murray

doi:10.1080/09669760.2017.1357906

New theories warrant new research approaches: extending the toolbox of methods for research with young children

Colette Gray
, Jane Murray

Centre for Education and Research

Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article

Abstract

New theories, Vygotsky (1987-1998) contended, warrant new methodological approaches. In support of his claim, he adapted the microgenetic approach to note miniscule changes in children’s thinking and learning over time. Although the popularity of this approach has waxed and waned, Vygotsky’s notion that theory and methods are intrinsically linked receives support from Flewitt, Hampel, Hauck, and Lancaster (2014: 44) who posit that theory not only drives the choice and selection of methods but ‘advances thinking in all fields of enquiry’. Acknowledging that researchers hold a variety of views on children’s roles in research, Gray and McBlain (2015: 131) conclude that ‘it is the methodological stance adopted by the researcher which influences their choice of method.'

Original language	English
Journal	International Journal of Early Years Education
Volume	25
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1080/09669760.2017.1357906
Publication status	Published - 23 Aug 2017

Bibliographical note

Jane Murray is Associate Professor and Co-Director at the Centre for Education and Research, University of Northampton, UK. She has published extensively on early childhood education and social inclusion, and is Editor of the International Journal of Early Years Education.

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 4 Quality Education

Keywords

Early childhood education
children's voices
early childhood
ethnography

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title = "New theories warrant new research approaches: extending the toolbox of methods for research with young children",

abstract = "New theories, Vygotsky (1987-1998) contended, warrant new methodological approaches. In support of his claim, he adapted the microgenetic approach to note miniscule changes in children{\textquoteright}s thinking and learning over time. Although the popularity of this approach has waxed and waned, Vygotsky{\textquoteright}s notion that theory and methods are intrinsically linked receives support from Flewitt, Hampel, Hauck, and Lancaster (2014: 44) who posit that theory not only drives the choice and selection of methods but {\textquoteleft}advances thinking in all fields of enquiry{\textquoteright}. Acknowledging that researchers hold a variety of views on children{\textquoteright}s roles in research, Gray and McBlain (2015: 131) conclude that {\textquoteleft}it is the methodological stance adopted by the researcher which influences their choice of method.'",

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New theories warrant new research approaches: extending the toolbox of methods for research with young children

Abstract

Bibliographical note

UN SDGs

Keywords

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