Information Package / Course Catalogue
Research Methods and Techniques in Early Childhood Education
Course Code: ÇGP121
Course Type: Area Elective
Couse Group: Short Cycle (Associate's Degree)
Education Language: Turkish
Work Placement: N/A
Theory: 2
Prt.: 0
Credit: 2
Lab: 0
ECTS: 2
Objectives of the Course

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.

Course Content

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.

Name of Lecturer(s)
Ins. Gülcenur KESEBİR
Learning Outcomes
1.Defines research processes specific to early childhood education.
2.Explains qualitative data collection techniques that can be used in research conducted with children.
3.Evaluates the applications and limitations of child development tests
4.Acts according to ethical principles to be considered when working with children within the framework of research ethics.
5.Justifies the preparation and use of parental consent forms.
6.Examines the linguistic and developmental appropriateness of scales and questionnaires designed for children.
7.Designs a small-scale research study and plans the implementation process.
8.Gains basic proficiency in analysis techniques used in qualitative research.
9.Interprets research findings in the context of child development and early childhood education.
Recommended or Required Reading
1.Creswell, J. W. (2017). Educational research: Planning, conducting, and evaluating quantitative and qualitative research. Edam.
2.Büyüköztürk, Ş., Akgün, Ö. E., Demirel, F., Karadeniz, Ş., & Çakmak, E. K. (2015). Scientific research methods. Pegem
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
Week 1 - Theoretical
Introduction to the Course – What is Research in the Context of Child Development?
Week 2 - Theoretical
Knowledge Production in Early Childhood Education – The Role of Academic Research
Week 3 - Theoretical
Types of Research – Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches: A Comparison with Child-Specific Perspectives
Week 4 - Theoretical
Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods – Interview, Observation, and Document Analysis
Week 5 - Theoretical
Data Collection Techniques in Early Childhood – Play-Based Observation, Picture Interpretation, etc.
Week 6 - Theoretical
Interaction with Children in One-on-One Interviews – Language Use and Question Structure
Week 7 - Theoretical
Types of Observation in Early Childhood and the Development of Systematic Observation Forms
Week 8 - Theoretical
Child Development Tests and Developmental Screening Tools – Principles of Administration and Interpretation (Midterm Exam)
Week 9 - Theoretical
Developing Questionnaires and Scales for Children – Language and Semantic Appropriateness
Week 10 - Theoretical
Small-Scale Questionnaire/Scale Implementation and Analysis
Week 11 - Theoretical
Research Ethics – Parental Consent, Children's Rights, and Privacy
Week 12 - Theoretical
Applied Research Design – Problem Identification and Participant Selection
Week 13 - Theoretical
Planning the Data Collection Process and Preparing a Sample Application
Week 14 - Theoretical
Student Presentations and Evaluation – Sharing Mini Research Projects
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Type of AssessmentCountPercent
Midterm Examination1%40
Final Examination1%60
Workload Calculation
ActivitiesCountPreparationTimeTotal Work Load (hours)
Lecture - Theory140228
Individual Work52220
Midterm Examination1011
Final Examination1011
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours)50
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
PÇ-1
PÇ-2
PÇ-3
PÇ-4
PÇ-5
PÇ-6
PÇ-7
PÇ-8
PÇ-9
PÇ-10
PÇ-11
OÇ-1
4
5
5
3
2
2
4
4
3
5
5
OÇ-2
4
4
5
3
4
3
4
4
5
5
5
OÇ-3
5
5
5
5
4
2
5
5
3
5
5
OÇ-4
5
5
5
4
5
2
4
5
4
5
5
OÇ-5
3
3
3
3
2
2
4
5
2
3
5
OÇ-6
5
5
5
5
3
2
5
5
4
5
5
OÇ-7
3
3
4
3
4
3
5
4
4
5
5
OÇ-8
3
3
4
3
3
2
5
4
2
5
5
OÇ-9
5
5
5
5
4
2
5
4
4
5
5
Adnan Menderes University - Information Package / Course Catalogue
2026