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Qualitative methods in the study of children's racial attitudes and identities
Author(s) -
Connolly Paul
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
infant and child development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.87
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1522-7219
pISSN - 1522-7227
DOI - 10.1002/icd.280
Subject(s) - qualitative research , ethnography , ethnic group , psychology , context (archaeology) , qualitative analysis , strengths and weaknesses , qualitative property , pedagogy , social psychology , developmental psychology , sociology , gender studies , social science , anthropology , paleontology , machine learning , computer science , biology
This article examines the role that qualitative methods can play in the study of children's racial attitudes and identities. It does this by discussing a number of examples taken from a qualitative, ethnographic study of 5‐ and 6‐year‐old children in an English multi‐ethnic, inner‐city primary school. The examples are used to highlight the limitations of research that relies solely on quantitative methods and the potential that qualitative methods have for addressing these limitations. Within this context, the article contrasts the strengths and weaknesses of qualitative and quantitative methods in the study of children's racial attitudes and identities. The article concludes by arguing that a much more integrated, multi‐method approach is needed in this area and sets out some of the most effective ways this could be achieved. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.