In early childhood education, young children are starting to learn and understand the concept of gender. Preschool is the age when they start to develop and shape their views regarding gender roles. The population of children who are enrolled in early learning programs are being influenced by their parents, teachers, and classmates, as well as the learning environment they learn, play, and grow in.
I analyzed two different research studies, one quantitative and one qualitative, to compare and contrast both research methods. Qualitative research refers to an analysis method that collects descriptive (non-numerical) data, such as words, images, and objects, whereas quantitative research is used to test a hypothesis and look at the cause and effect of a prediction. Quantitative research collects numerical data or statistics from questionnaires and surveys, which are used to quantify attitudes, opinions, behaviors, and variables in an attempt to generalize the results.
The first study I examined was conducted by Kanka, Wagner, Schober, and Spiel (2011) and analyzed the gender-stereotyped attitudes and behaviors of kindergarten children and their parents. The second study, by Halim, Ruble, Tamis-LeMonda, and Shrout (2013), examined the effects of children’s gender attitudes and intergroup bias or stereotypes. Both of these studies relate to my capstone project because the research attempts to understand how children’s and families’ attitudes toward gender stereotypes affect home
Qualitative research is flexible written form their results are ongoing and their conclusion can be changed while quantitative research is numerical, reliable, specific, data are collected by statistical analysis due to which quantitative are more accurate. Qualitative research uses open questions to find the depth of the information while quantitative research uses closed question, secondary data or experiments due to this it lacks the depth of the information and neglect the effect of the individuals which could be service provider, service users or other staff members.
This paper primarily concerns qualitative research, but we were asked to compare both qualitative and quantitative methods. During comparison, there are many noted differences in both study designs, but not many similarities. Qualitative research uses a subjective approach with a large sample population. It collects non-statistical data, using an unstructured or semi-structured technique (Nieswiadomy & Bailey, 2018). Quantitative research uses an objective approach and large, random, sampling to ask opinions in a structured way. The findings of quantitative studies are conclusive and used to recommend a final course of action (Nieswiadomy & Bailey, 2018). While it is hard to see similarities between the two, both methods aim to find a solution to a problem or question, the researcher doing the study may affect the outcome and an analysis of the collected data must be done (Souza, 2017). What many don’t realize is the connection amongst the two. You can say, both types of research build upon one another, meaning quantitative studies can quantify results found in qualitative research (Souza, 2017).
By contrast, the main purpose corresponded with qualitative research is to make understanding with regard to participants. Moreover, qualitative research has many different ways of collecting information, but the best ways of qualitative research is to approach the sources of information, it is due to make the deeper understanding of the issues (Easterby-Smith et al, 2002; Wood et al., 2010, p. 59). In addition, quantitative and qualitative both were also many researchers debated. For example, quantitative research is mostly experimental and qualitative research is mainly non-experimental (Leeds-Hurwitz, 1995, p.50), (see table 5). While, various researchers also combined two methods for researching, which was called that “mixed-methods”. Creswell, (2003) have stated
“Early roots of play as a best practice for early learning was documented by Plato, a Greek philosopher, who insisted that play is considered a natural activity of childhood.”(Ingrid Crowther, 2011, Pg. 2) Early Childhood Education is a term that refers to educational programs that are devoted to children from birth to the age of eight. “Children of this age learn by exploring and investigating; therefore, their environment should support and encourage this process.”(Rebecca Isbell and Betty Exelby, 2001, Pg. 11) Early childhood environments should be attractive and exciting. These environments should allow children to work and play using proper resources, materials, and tools.
For quite a while there has been some discussion around which method of distinctions between Qualitative research and quantitative research. This has been fired in later years with some thinking that a combination of the two is best practice especially in social
The researcher must set a clear hypothesis, showing the relationship between independent and dependent variables. In quantitative research tools are used to collect numerical data. The information can be gathered using questionnaires or some type of equipment. Quantitative data is efficient at testing a hypothesis, but can miss contextual detail. In quantitative research, the researcher is often objectively separated from the subject matter. One of the ways quantitative research is different from qualitative research is that quantitative research requires extraction of large amounts of statistical data. Qualitative research is focused in on personal viewpoints and opinions of a smaller number of subjects (typically). Qualitative research can take more time than quantitative research (McCusker & Gunaydin,
A qualitative study addresses the complexity of human experience, focusing on the big picture (Rebar & Gersch, 2015); while a quantitative study breaks a problem down into small pieces and focuses on specific parts to see how they all relate (Rebar & Gersch, 2015). Qualitative methods focus on subjective information, and never try to predict or control the phenomenon of interest (Rebar & Gersch, 2015); on the other hand, quantitative methods focus on statistics and objective information, and can yield predictions and control (Rebar & Gersch, 2015).
Qualitative research uses data obtained through methods such face- to- face interviews, observations, and focus groups. Data is analyzed by looking for trends and patterns. Quantitative research use numerical and statics to process the answer specific questions. Statistics used to support assessment of research. Analysis techniques are used to report are affected by the questions addressed and type of information that is expected in the research discoveries (Wakoff, 2007).
During this class, we have discussed many topics from the importance of Early Childhood Education, through all of the developmental stages and into the roots of behavioral issues. I’d have to say out of all the topics, the importance of Early Childhood Education and how children develop and learn from week 2 is what has stuck out the most to me. I have even found myself explaining the importance to friends, with information I have learned from this course.
Researchers will gain insight on numerical, statistical data when studying quantitative studies (Polit & Beck, 2017). Whereas, qualitative research will show human behaviors and experiences (Polit & Beck, 2017).
Early gender socialization is perhaps one of the most relevant issues and debates of early childhood. The beginnings of stereotypes for gender roles are typically established at birth, and continue a process of learning specific cultural roles and standards in accordance with the sex of the individual. Gendered interactions begin early in the family and hence influence the process of gendered socialization, as was such the case for myself growing up.
Quantitative and qualitative research methods are similar primarily because they are both methods of research that are limited by variables. Additionally, qualitative and quantitative research methods can be used to study the same phenomenon. However, qualitative research is most often used to study people, while quantitative research typically measures the frequency or total of something. Regardless, both methods are often capable of investigating the same hypothesis.
Early Childhood Education begins at birth. The first stage, birth to age three, focuses on skill development, which includes tasks such as sitting, walking, feeding themselves, toilet training, and enough
{text:list-item} Quantitative research is objective; qualitative research is subjective. Quantitative research seeks explanatory laws; qualitative research aims at in-depth description.
There are two things in methodology part, qualitative method and quantitative method. Quantitative method or known as survey is handled to find measurable result of the study. Meanwhile qualitative is a method used to study the data collected during the research. There are various types of qualitative methods that have been used but the famous one is interview.