Methodology and Research Design

Methodology and Research Design

My research questions are the following: How does the Montessori method compare to other methods for early childhood education? What are the benefits of the Montessori Method? Are students who attend Montessori preschools more developed cognitively and physically than those students who do not? In the following sections I will be discussing my quantitative approach to answering my research questions. Then, I will discuss my participants, research instruments, and why my approach is valid and reliable.

Quantitative:

My chosen method will be an in-depth interview. In this interview I will be obtaining answers about the benefits of the Montessori Method, while using my research questions to guide the discussion. Because I am acquiring information from my participants, my method is quantitative. I chose this method because I believed it was the best way for me to acquire the most information on the Montessori Method from professionals in this educational area.

Participants:

My participants will be three educators who have a skilled background in the Montessori Method of education. I know these educators from my own work experience. These participants will consist of the Head of a Montessori school, and two different Montessori teachers from different areas. I believe these participants will allow me to better answer my research questions based on their proficient expertise.

Participant 1: Head of The B. School (a rural community)

Participant 2: Teacher at The B. School (a rural community)

Participant 3: Teacher of the S. School (an urban community)

Research Instruments:

I will be using efficient research instruments to collect my data. To do so, I have chosen instruments that will obtain the most information possible from my interviews. These instruments will consist of a phone, for our conversation, a recorder to document our interview and a pencil/paper for me to write my own notes during the process. My interview protocol will consist of these questions:

1. When and why did you first become involved in the Montessori method of education?

2. Please give a brief history of your education and teaching history.

3. Do you believe the Montessori Method is a beneficial type of education?

4. Why do you think the Montessori Method is beneficial?

5. Do you think the Montessori Method is more beneficial than other types of education? Why or why not, and if so, in what ways?

6. Do