Asia-Pacific Journal of Research in Early Childhood Education

Article

Using Participatory Research for Early Childhood Advocacy:Reflections on Methodology

Author
Lynn Ang
Information
pp. 1~21 / 2015 Vol.9 No.2
e-ISSN2233-5234
p-ISSN1976-1961
Metrics Views 0 / Downloads 0
PDF

Abstract

This paper discusses the methodological implications of using participatory research in the advocacy forbetter care and education services for children and families. The discussion uses the example of anational study undertaken in Singapore to show how participatory research used in collaboration withparticipants and commissioning body as key stakeholders can help to galvanise transformative change atthe level of policy and provision. It explores the development of a participatory approach in framing aresearch agenda and the role of participant stakeholders in informing policy. The paper discusses thecomplex relationships that occur between the researcher, commissioners, and participants during theresearch process, and the potential strengths and challenges in using a participatory methodology inengendering a social agenda for advocacy and policy change. Drawing on international literature, thispaper discusses the findings of the study, ethical considerations, and paradoxes that often relate toadvocacy and participatory research.

Keywords

Participatory research Early childhood Advocacy Singapore

References

  1. Alderson, P. (2000). Children as researchers: The effects of participation rights on research methodology, In P. Christensen and A. James (Eds.), Research with children (pp. 241-47). London: Falmer press.
  2. Banks, S., Armstrong, A., Carter, K., Graham, H., Hayward, P., Henry, A., & Strachan, A. (2013). Everyday ethics in community-based participatory research. Contemporary Social Science, 8(3), 263-277.
  3. Bennett, J., & Tayler, C. P. (2006). Starting strong II: Early childhood education and care. Paris: OECD.
  4. Boyden, J., & Ennew, J. (1997). Children in focus: A manual for participatory research with children. Sweden: Save the Children.
  5. Bourdieu, P. (2011). The forms of capital (1986). In I. Szeman, & T. Kaposy, Cultural theory: An anthology (pp. 81-93), UK: Wiley-Blackwell.
  6. Bourke, L. (2009). Reflections on doing participatory research in health: Participation, method and power. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 12(5), 457-474.
  7. Byrne, A., Canavan, J., & Millar, M. (2009). Participatory research and the voice‐centred relational method of data analysis: is it worth it? International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 12(1), 67-77.
  8. Campbell, J. (2002). A critical appraisal of participatory methods in development research. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 5(1), 19-29.
  9. Christensen, P., & James, A. (Eds.). (2000). Research with children: Perspectives and practices, London: Falmer Press.
  10. Coad, J., & Evans, R. (2008). Reflections on practical approaches to involving children and young people in the data analysis process. Children & Society, 22(1), 41-52.
  11. Coleman, J. (1994). Foundations of social theory. Cambridge: Belknap Press.
  12. Clarke A., Kjorholt, A. T., & Moss, P. (2005). Beyond listening. Bristol: Policy Press.
  13. Creswell, J. W. (2009). Research design, qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (3rd Ed.). London: Sage.
  14. Datta, R., Khyang, N. U., Prue Khyang, H. K., Prue Kheyang, H. A., Ching Khyang, M., & Chapola, J. (2014). Participatory action research and researcher’s responsibilities: An experience with an indigenous community. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 1-21. DOI: 10.1080/13645579.2014.927492 [Crossref]
  15. Denzin, N. K., & Lincoln, Y.S. (Eds.) (2005). The sage handbook of qualitative research (2nd Ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
  16. Edunation. (2012). A long road ahead for Singapore’s early childhood education. Edunation, 4. 12-137.
  17. Finn. (1994). The promise of participatory research. Journal of Progressive Human Services, 5(2), 25-42.
  18. Gallacher, L. A., & Gallagher, M. (2008). Methodological immaturity in childhood research? Thinking through participatory methods. Childhood, 15(4), 499-516.
  19. Gristy, C. (2014). Engaging with and moving on from participatory research: A personal reflection. International Journal of Research & Method in Education, 1-17. DOI:10.1080/1743727X.2014.940306 [Crossref]
  20. Hassan, A. (2007). Public policy in early childhood education and care. International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy, 1(1), 1-10.
  21. Hertz, R. (1996). Introduction: Ethics, reflexivity and voice. Qualitative Sociology, 19(1), 3-9.
  22. Hickey, S., & Mohan, G. (2004). Participation-from tyranny to transformation?: Exploring new approaches to participation in development. Zed books.
  23. Johnson R. B. (2009). Comments on Howe: Towards a more inclusive “scientific research in education.” Educational Researcher, 38(6), 449-457.
  24. Kellett M. (2010). Rethinking children and research, London and New York: Continuum Publishing Group.
  25. Kemmis, S., & McTaggart, R. (2000). Participatory action research. In N. K. Denzin & Y.S. Lincoln (Eds.), Handbook of qualitative research (2nd Ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
  26. Ling, A., McGee, R., Gaventa, J., & Pantazidou, M. (2010). Literature review on active participation and human rights research and advocacy. Institute of Development Studies at the University of Sussex Brighton.
  27. MacNaughton, G., & Smith, K. (2005). Transforming research ethics: The choices and challenges of researching with children, In A. Farrell (Ed.). Ethical Research with Children, England: Open University Press.
  28. McKinnon, E. (2013). Using evidence for advocacy and resistance in early years services: Exploring the pen green research approach. Pen Green Centre.
  29. Ministry of Education (MOE). (2012). “Opening Address by Mr Lawrence Wong, Minister of State, Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Education.” Paper presented at PECERA 13th Conference on Friday, July 20, 2012, at the National Institute of Education. http://www.moe.gov.sg/media/speeches/2012/07/20/opening-address-by-mr-lawrenceat-pecera-conference.php. [ETC]
  30. Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS). (2012). Parliamentary questions: Ensuring quality early childhood education and childcare services. Retrieved from http://app.msf.gov.sg/PressRoom/Ensuringqualityearlychildhoodeducation.aspx [ETC]
  31. Mukherji, P., & Albon, D. (2010). Research methods in early childhood: An introductory guide. London: Sage.
  32. Newby, P. (2010). Research methods for education. Harlow: Pearson.
  33. Nolan, A., Macfarlane, K., & Cartmel, J. (2013). Research in early childhood, London: Sage.
  34. O’Reilly, M., Ronzoni, P., & Dogra, N. (2013). Research with children: theory and practice, London: Sage.
  35. Pain, R., & Francis, P. (2003). Reflections on participatory research. Area, 35(1), 46-54.
  36. Pant, M. (2008). Participatory Research: Unit 8, Participatory Lifelong Learning and Information and Communication Technologies’ Participatory adult learning course, documentation and information networking (PALDIN). Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Retrieved from www.unesco.org/education/aladin/paldin/pdf/course01/unit_08.pdf.
  37. Rao, N., & Sun, J. (2010). Early childhood care and education in the Asia Pacific region. Moving Towards Goal 1, China: UNESCO and University of Hong Kong. Retrieved from http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0021/002171/217145e.pdf [ETC]
  38. RazorTv. (2012). Suggestions to improve Singapore's preschool education. Retrieved from http://we.tl/Vq5bWo3e8V (Part 1), http://we.tl/wV1pgBnQOy (Part 2). [ETC]
  39. Rees, R., & Oliver, S. (2012). Stakeholder perspectives and participation in reviews. In D. Gough, S. Oliver, & J. Thomas (Eds.), An introduction to systematic reviews. (pp. 17-34). London: Sage Publications.
  40. Robson. (2011). Real world research (3rd Ed.). UK: John Wiley and Sons Ltd.
  41. Todayonline. (2012). Make preschool education free. Proposal among wide-ranging reforms suggested to improve early childhood education here. Todayonline: Singapore.
  42. UNESCO. (2012). Early childhood care and education EFA Goal 1. Asia-Pacific End Of Decade Notes On Education For All, Bangkok: UNESCO and UNICEF. Retrieved from http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0021/002171/217145e.pdf [ETC]
  43. UNESCO. (2010). Reaching the marginalised. Oxford University Press: UNESCO. Retrieved from http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/leading-the-international-agenda/efareport/reports/2010-marginalization/ [ETC]
  44. UNICEF. (2012). Asia-Pacific end of decade notes on education for all. Early Childhood Care and Education, UNESCO: Bangkok.
  45. Uvin, P. (2007). From the right to development to the rights-based approach: How ‘human rights’ entered development. Development in Practice, 17(4-5), 597-606.
  46. Wiersma & Jurs. (2009). Research methods in education: An introduction (9th Ed.). Britain: Pearson.