The aim of this course is to introduce research methods and techniques specific to early childhood and to equip students with the competence to conduct the process of producing scientific knowledge in the field of child development in accordance with ethical principles. The course presents qualitative research methods that can be used in studies related to early childhood education and focuses particularly on original data collection tools and research approaches used in studies conducted with children.

This course covers the characteristics of research conducted in the context of child development and early childhood education. The content includes the research process, research ethics (with a particular focus on ethical principles to be considered in studies involving children), qualitative research methods (such as interviews, observations, and document analysis), the development of child-specific scales and questionnaires, parental consent, and child participation. In addition, the course provides practical examples related to child development tests, one-on-one interview techniques, and data collection strategies appropriate for this age group.