Murray, J. (2016) Young children are researchers: children aged 4-8 years engage in important research behaviour when they base decisions on evidence. European Early Childhood Education Research Journal. 24(5), pp. 705-720. 1350-293X.
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Abstract:
Whilst young children are affected by educational policy decisions based on research evidence, their abilities to make decisions based on evidence are often disregarded by policymakers and professional adult researchers. This paper reports on elements of the Young Children As Researchers (YCAR) project, an interpretive empirical study that sought social justice in the field of early childhood by conceptualising ways in which young children aged 4-8 years are researchers and may be considered to be researchers. Adopting a principled approach framed by a ‘jigsaw’ methodology, the YCAR study engaged professional adult researchers (n=34), young children aged 4-8 years (n=138) and their practitioners (n= 15) in three English primary schools. Drawing on the study findings, this paper argues that decision-making based on evidence is an important research behaviour undertaken by young children that deserves recognition by policymakers, practitioners and the academy as a potential vehicle for realising children’s participation rights.
Uncontrolled Keywords:
Young Children Are Researchers, decision-making based on evidence, early childhood, epistemology, jigsaw methodology, young children’s participation rights
Creators:
Murray, J.
Faculties, Divisions and Institutes:
Date:
2 September 2016
Date Type:
Published Online
Page Range:
pp. 705-720
Journal or Publication Title:
European Early Childhood Education Research Journal
Volume:
24
Number:
5
Language:
English
ISSN:
1350-293X
Status:
Published / Disseminated
Refereed:
Yes
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