Work-Based Research in the Early Years

Michael Reed is a Senior Lecturer at the Centre for Early Childhood, within the Institute of Education at the University of Worcester. He teaches on undergraduate and postgraduate courses related to child development, practice based research and leadership. He is a qualified teacher and hold advanced qualifications in Educational Inquiry, Educational Psychology and Special Education. He was a member of course development and writing teams at the Open University and an experienced author. He has a particular interest in practice based inquiry and research evaluating ways to improve quality in practice. He has co-edited a number of books including Reflective Practice in the Early Years (2010), Quality Improvement and Change in the Early Years (2012) and Work Based Research in the Early Years (2012), all published by SAGE.

Introduction/Rationale for the Text - Sue Callan, Michael Reed and Alison Murphy Concepts of Quality and Ethical Practice - Sue Callan and Alison Jackson Investigating Practice in the Early Years: Improving Quality - Michael Reed Research as Reflective Practice: Exploring Values, Assumptions and Attitudes - Olliver, Picken and Sue Callan Taking a Critical Approach to the Literature Review - Jude Simms with Sue Callan Clarifying Purpose, Methods and Outcomes - Alice Paige-Smith, Carole Ellis and Alison Morrall Explaining Triangulation - Alison Jackson and Sharon Smith Continuing the Reflective Process in an Evolving Study - Sue Foster and Sue Callan Presenting and Discussing Results and Outcomes - Tracy Davies and Linda Tyler Creating Environments and Cultures for Enquiry - Carla Solvason

This book offers an excellent collection of chapters which encourage early years practitioners to examine their practice in the light of research concepts and gain an understanding of the processes of preparing for, doing and learning from research. The book bridges practice and research, by articulating and exemplifying them as rigorous, thorough and ethical encounters and illustrates that work-based research is as meaningful and important as academic research. Highly recommended for everyone who thinks to conduct research in their own work place' - Theodora Papatheodorou, Anglia Ruskin University