Exploring and Theorising Perspectives

Exploring and Theorising Perspectives

This chapter's main focus is on theoretical perspectives that guide the research process. The chapter details positivist, interpretive, hermeneutical, critical, feminist, postcolonial, postmodern and poststructuralist approaches, describing what each looks like. Also summarised is Foucauldian theory and how this can be applied in early childhood research. A discussion relating to how some of these approaches are changing the early childhood research landscape and why they are vital in renewing the way research and practice is approached is included. We hear from Lara about how she decided on the theoretical perspective for her study, and we also meet Sarah, a doctoral student, and hear about her research journey as she grapples with taking a more critical perspective for her research.