Qualitative Research

Qualitative Research Case Study Design BY: LaTrenda Terrell

Introduction • According to the Census Bureau there are approximately 46.6% people living in poverty in the United States and of those 27.7% are children (Census Bureau 2010). Poverty has long been known to be an obstacle for poor children in many areas of life, but the link to language development is particularly damaging to their future learning.

Research Question • What are Head Start teachers views of their professional development on children at Head Start language development?

Setting • A Head Start program which has at least 6 classrooms

Participants • There were 6 teachers 6 assistant teachers and 16 children in 4 of the classrooms and 8 children in the remaining 2 classrooms • Total of 12 Teaching staff • Total of 80 children

Data Collection • Creswell says data collecting means gaining permission, conducting a good qualitative sampling strategy, developing means for recording information both digitally and on paper, storing the data, and anticipating ethical issues that may arise(Creswell 2013 p.145) • A circle of interrelated activities

Data Collection Observation • I chose to first do observations • Creswell says use your senses, including sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste (Creswell 2013 p.166)

Data Collection Interviewing • I chose to do interviews with teachers • Seidman says the primary way a researcher can investigate an educational organization, institution, or process is through the experience of the individual people, the “others” who make up the organization or carry out the process.

Data Collection • I began examining the “interrelated Circle” • I chose the site • I conducted the CLASS instrument on all 6 classrooms and after completion I scored each teacher • I paid careful attention to the last Domain which is Language Modeling • Typically scores range from 1-7. 1 being lowest and 7 being highest. • All teachers scored between ranges 4-6 • I then chose to interview the 2 teachers that scored in range 6 which were the highest

Data Analysis • I used the data analysis open coding also called Initial Coding with Atlas ti • Initial Coding is breaking down qualitative data into discrete parts, closely examining them and comparing them for similarities and differences (Strauss & Corbin, 1998, p. 102) • Saldana says “it is an opportunity for you as a researcher to reflect deeply on the contents and nuances of your data and to begin taking ownership of them (Saldana 2013, p. 100)

Categorizing • As I coded the data from the interviews • I notice that their were common data between the two interviewees and began to categorize them • I named the 2 codes that were similar Modalities. They were named finger plays and flannel stories • I named it modalities because each teacher talked about the different modes they use to elicit open ended questions with children such as the use of flannel stories, puppets, acting out stories, and retelling stories

Themes • I noticed two quotes for “successful” from both interviews • Celaya said “ I think that the more developed a child’s language is , is the better equipped a child is to be successful in school • Daniel said, “When children are successful in school they do better in life • I began to see common themes

Methodology • The design I chose is the Case Study Design • I used the Case Study design to explore how professional development of Head Start teachers can play a role in achieving optimum outcomes for Head Start children’s Language Development. • According to Yin (2009) a case study research involves the study of a case within a real-life, contemporary context or setting

Methodology • I used the CLASS tool to examine the scores of 6 teachers in Head Start • The CLASS dimensions are based on developmental theory and research suggesting that interactions between students and adults are the primary mechanism of student development and learning • I conducted an interview with 2 teachers that scored high on the Language Modeling portion of the CLASS observation tool

Validity • I had a second certified reliable person to observe the two teachers • I used peer review by having another peer to examine my data.

Implications • This study has the potential to transform practice by helping Head Start Programs provide professional development for teachers to increase the likely hood of children hearing rich language, which will increase their language skills and ultimately prepare them for Kindergarten and for life. It will raise awareness of the importance of Language Modeling for children coming from low-income families in a good school setting, that offer high quality early childhood experiences maybe the link to helping children to climb up out of poverty.

Qualitative Research