600P RMD Assignment: Childcare Practice Through Reflective Observation

Research

Title/Question

Include the proposed name of your dissertation and the research question you are planning to address as a result of completing your research project. Remember that the research question is not the same as the questions you are planning to ask the participants of your study.

Introduction, background and rationale

Explain why you are conducting the research project. The rationale is normally based on three aspects:

• Academic rationale – explains how data from previous research supports investigation of your topic and shows why it is important. The academic rationale must be supported with 1-2 references to relevant literature.
• Professional rationale – explains how completing the research project can benefit practice (within the setting or sector), improve conditions, benefit professional development.
• Personal rationale – explains what motivates you personally to take interest in this area.

Research setting/context

Provide information about the setting(s) where the research project will be conducted. Make sure to maintain confidentiality, do not name the setting or provide details that could identify it. Clarify if you are employed in the setting and what your role is.

If you are conducting a larger scale which is not focused on specific setting, explain this clearly.

Aims and objectives of study

• Include 2-3 aims of your study. Explain what you are trying to achieve.
• Your aims should correlate with the research questions.
• The aims should point to where and with whom a project is conducted and how the information will be used to answer the research question.

Proposed Research Methodology and Research Tools

• Outline what methodology you will follow: quantitative or qualitative. Explain why the chosen methodology is suitable to your study.
• Outline the specific research method you will use, explain why it is appropriate.
• Use some references to from literature on research methodology to support justification of your decisions.

Participants and Sampling strategy (number of participants, profile of participants, selection criteria)

• Who will be involved in your study?
• How many participants?
• How will you select them?
• If the study is small-scale, explain how will you choose which participants will be involved, what criteria will you apply, e.g. specific qualifications, experience of working in particular situations or with particular people, convenience- i.e. your room.
• If the study is large-scale, explain how you will recruit the participants to ensure you have a sufficient number. If you have too many participants, what will you do. Will you have a cut-off point, after which you will stop receiving responses?

Identify any potential risk/Demonstrate ethical awareness

Read the Portobello Institute Ethics Committee Code pf Practice and British Education Research Guidelines (2018) and explain how you will adhere to these. Consider the following questions.

• Will anyone be put at risk as a result of your project?
• How will you ensure that the participants are taking part voluntarily?
• How will you ensure their consent is informed? How will you provide information about your project and their role in it?
• Who will you provide information to and who will you seek consent from?
• Can the participants withdraw from the study or withdraw their data at any time?
• How will you protect the participants’ identity?
• How will you protect confidentiality?
• How will you adhere to GDPR and store personal data securely, for how long?
• Who will have access to the data/information you will collect?
• If you are in a position of power, how will you ensure you are not forcing the participants to get involved?
• If you are introducing some changes to practice, how will you consult with others who will be involved?
• How will you address your own bias?
• How will you ensure you are adhering to professional research standards, i.e. rigorous and accurate data collection and analysis?
• How will you commit to acknowledging other researchers who made a contribution to your study (by avoiding plagiarism)?
• How will you share the results? Mention that the project results will be shared in a short presentation.
• Whi will benefit from the project, including yourself?

Limitations of study

What challenges will be there as you complete your project? These can occur at any stage of the project and can be practical aspects such as lack of times and resources, availability of participants or limitations of the method you choose.

Background Reading: 4 Journal Articles

References:

Include the references to the sources you used in the Research Proposal form and the Background Reading Section. Use the Portobello Institute Referencing guide to complete the list correctly.

Developing your Research Project Design: Indicative Title

Educator’s Views on Sensory Environments and Their Role in Supporting Neurodivergent Children in Early Years Settings

Situation – what is the issue/area of practice which requires attention?

• Neurodivergent children often face challenges in traditional early years education settings due to environmental factors that can be overwhelming and may not fully meet or adapt to their needs.
• Many classrooms are designed without considering the child’s individual sensory preferences and their autonomy to access sensory supports.
• There is a growing need to create sensory-friendly environments which would support the diverse needs of neurodivergent children, promoting their well-being and positive experiences.
• Educators play a crucial role in shaping inclusive environments, but their understanding and awareness of the importance of creating supportive sensory environments can vary.
• There is a need to explore how educators view and implement sensory-friendly environments and the impact on neurodivergent children’s learning and well-being.

Problem – the question you would like to ask or solve?

• How can early years educators implement sensory-friendly practices effectively?
• How do sensory-friendly classrooms impact the regulation and wellbeing of neurodivergent children?
• What challenges do educators face in creating and maintaining sensory-friendly spaces?
• What training or resources do educators need to improve their ability to create inclusive sensory environments?

Solution – what will you do to the answer to your question/problem

• Review existing research on sensory-friendly classroom designs and their impact on neurodivergent children.
• Provide training for educators on inclusive strategies and awareness of neurodiversity and neurodivergence.
• Observe early years settings to analyse existing sensory environments and their impact on neurodivergent children.
• Conduct qualitative research through focus groups with early years educators to gather insights into their experiences, challenges, and perceptions.
• Implement environmental modifications (e.g. adjustable lighting, different seating available, safe space, predictability with routine, use of visuals) and observe and document the impact of these changes on children’s engagement, regulation, wellbeing.

Evaluation – how will you get the information you need?

• Use focus groups to facilitate discussion and share experiences.
• Use surveys or questionnaires to assess staff perceptions before and after interventions.
• Analyse policy documents, guidelines, and training resources available for educators.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of existing sensory environments based on observations.