Aims & Scope

 

Aims

QR-ECE (Qualitative Research in Early Childhood Education) aims to provide an international scholarly forum for the dissemination of high-quality qualitative research in the field of early childhood education. The journal seeks to advance theoretical understanding, empirical knowledge, and reflective practice related to the education and development of young children aged 0–8 years. QR-ECE is committed to promoting in-depth, context-sensitive, and ethically grounded qualitative inquiry that captures the voices, experiences, and perspectives of children, educators, families, and communities. The journal encourages interdisciplinary and cross-cultural studies that contribute to the improvement of early childhood educational practices and policies at local, national, and global levels.

Scope

QR-ECE publishes original qualitative research articles, critical reviews, and reflective studies focusing on early childhood education, including but not limited to:

  • Qualitative studies on early childhood teaching and learning practices
  • Research on holistic development of young children (cognitive, social-emotional, language, moral, physical, and creative development)
  • Play-based learning and child-centered pedagogical approaches
  • Inclusive education and diversity in early childhood contexts
  • Phenomenological studies of children’s learning experiences
  • Case studies of best practices in early childhood education settings
  • Educational ethnography in early childhood communities
  • Narrative inquiry involving children, teachers, and families
  • Qualitative research on early childhood teachers’ professionalism and identity
  • Studies on family engagement and parenting practices
  • Qualitative analyses of early childhood curricula and implementation
  • Reflective and critical studies on early childhood education policies and governance
  • Issues related to child well-being, protection, and rights
  • Qualitative perspectives on digital technology and media use in early childhood education
  • Arts, culture, and local wisdom in early childhood learning
  • Holistic and integrative early childhood education practices
  • Qualitative studies on early literacy, numeracy, and science learning
  • Ethical and methodological issues in qualitative research with young children
  • Contextual studies in rural, urban, and indigenous early childhood settings
  • Cross-cultural qualitative comparisons in early childhood education

Methodological Focus

QR-ECE prioritizes qualitative methodologies such as phenomenology, case study, ethnography, grounded theory, and narrative inquiry. Mixed-methods studies are considered when qualitative inquiry constitutes the primary analytical framework.