Troubling the Identity of a Researcher: Methodological and Ethical Questions in Cooperating with Teacher-Carers in Norway

Abstract

The questions raised in this article have to do with how to take due care of the subjectivity of the persons involved in a research project. My main point is that a researcher's self-reflection on ethical problems is inextricably a part of doing research in early childhood settings, if we want to create knowledge which is valid and takes care of the subjectivity of the persons taking part. Questions concerning ethics and validity thus are intertwined. The article draws from the experiences of being a participant observer and cooperating with preschool teacher-carers in Norwegian preschool day-care centres or nursery schools. The purpose of the article is to draw attention to troubling questions which may arise in all phases of a research project involving practitioners in early childhood settings. The focus is on how reflecting on such questions may challenge the powerful role of the researcher and empower the position of the teacher.