Mike Watts – författare

The educational provision for early years is growing and changing across many parts of the world, not least in the UK. While this book leans heavily on the mounting literature on early child development in its broadest sense – physically, emotionally, linguistically – its central focus lies squarely on the growth of children’s scientific thinking and activities. Written by educators, this book is based both on formal educational research and professional practice-in-action. The authors describe children’s science concept development; their curiosity-driven exploration; emergent ecological literacy; their learning through science play; the assessment of early learning; the role of parents and practitioners within early education contexts; and some question the very basis of the science being taught. Illustrations and examples of practice are not confined to the UK, though the messages to be derived from each chapter have application way beyond the immediate context. This book was originally published as a special issue of Early Child Development and Care.

The educational provision for early years is growing and changing across many parts of the world, not least in the UK. While this book leans heavily on the mounting literature on early child development in its broadest sense – physically, emotionally, linguistically – its central focus lies squarely on the growth of children’s scientific thinking and activities. Written by educators, this book is based both on formal educational research and professional practice-in-action. The authors describe children’s science concept development; their curiosity-driven exploration; emergent ecological literacy; their learning through science play; the assessment of early learning; the role of parents and practitioners within early education contexts; and some question the very basis of the science being taught. Illustrations and examples of practice are not confined to the UK, though the messages to be derived from each chapter have application way beyond the immediate context. This book was originally published as a special issue of Early Child Development and Care.

Interviewing is one of the most frequently used research tools in the social sciences, yet its importance as a technique is usually underestimated. As Janet Powney and Mike Watts point out, the practical difficulties of interviewing are often understated, and the theoretical assumptions and implications of conducting interviews can prejudice a researcher’s conclusions.

Originally published in 1987, this introductory, practical guide widens the debate about interviewing with discussion and advice on interviewing in different kinds of educational inquiry, ranging from large-scale surveys to research carried out in individual schools. The authors give guidelines for preparing, conducting, reporting and analysing interviews, and discuss the practical and theoretical problems arising from each of these aspects. Examples are taken from six case studies contributed by researchers who have conducted interviews for different purposes and in different ways.

Interviewing in Educational Research will be valuable to students and researchers in many fields, not only in educational research, but generally in the social sciences, in medical research, economics, business, social planning and administration.

Interviewing is one of the most frequently used research tools in the social sciences, yet its importance as a technique is usually underestimated. As Janet Powney and Mike Watts point out, the practical difficulties of interviewing are often understated, and the theoretical assumptions and implications of conducting interviews can prejudice a researcher’s conclusions.

Originally published in 1987, this introductory, practical guide widens the debate about interviewing with discussion and advice on interviewing in different kinds of educational inquiry, ranging from large-scale surveys to research carried out in individual schools. The authors give guidelines for preparing, conducting, reporting and analysing interviews, and discuss the practical and theoretical problems arising from each of these aspects. Examples are taken from six case studies contributed by researchers who have conducted interviews for different purposes and in different ways.

Interviewing in Educational Research will be valuable to students and researchers in many fields, not only in educational research, but generally in the social sciences, in medical research, economics, business, social planning and administration.

This fully revised second edition of Debates in Science Education explores the major issues that science teachers encounter in teaching their subject, encouraging the reader to make their own informed judgements and argue their point of view with deeper theoretical knowledge and understanding.

Brand new chapters written by a team of international experts provide fresh insight into topics of central importance when teaching science. Written to aid and inspire beginning teachers, current teachers and established subject leaders, these focused chapters are essential to anyone wishing to deepen their understanding of salient issues within school science education, including:

Encouraging critical reflection and aiming to stimulate both novice and experienced teachers, this book is a valuable resource for any student or practicing teacher and particularly those engaged in continuing professional development or Master’s level study.

This fully revised second edition of Debates in Science Education explores the major issues that science teachers encounter in teaching their subject, encouraging the reader to make their own informed judgements and argue their point of view with deeper theoretical knowledge and understanding.

Brand new chapters written by a team of international experts provide fresh insight into topics of central importance when teaching science. Written to aid and inspire beginning teachers, current teachers and established subject leaders, these focused chapters are essential to anyone wishing to deepen their understanding of salient issues within school science education, including:

Encouraging critical reflection and aiming to stimulate both novice and experienced teachers, this book is a valuable resource for any student or practicing teacher and particularly those engaged in continuing professional development or Master’s level study.

Narratives of Recovery from Mental Illness presents research that challenges the prevailing view that recovery from ‘mental illness’ must take place within the boundaries of traditional mental health services. While Watts and Higgins accept that medical treatment may be a vital start to some people’s recovery, they argue that mental health problems can also be resolved through everyday social interactions, and through peer and community support.

Using a narrative approach, this book presents detailed recovery stories of 26 people who received various diagnoses of ‘mental illness’ and were involved in a mutual help group known as ‘GROW’. Drawing on an in-depth analysis of each story, chapters offer new understandings of the journey into mental distress and a progressive entrapment through a combination of events, feelings, thoughts and relationships. The book also discusses the process of ongoing personal liberation and healing which assists recovery, and suggests that friendship, social involvement, compassion, and nurturing processes of change all play key factors in improved mental well-being.

This book provides an alternative way of looking at ‘mental illness’ and demonstrates many unexplored avenues and paths to recovery that need to be considered. As such, it will be of interest to researchers, academics and postgraduate students in the fields of psychiatry, psychology, nursing, social work and occupational therapy, as well as to service providers, policymakers and peer support organisations. The narratives of recovery within the book should also be a source of hope to people struggling with ‘mental illness’ and emotional distress

Narratives of Recovery from Mental Illness presents research that challenges the prevailing view that recovery from ‘mental illness’ must take place within the boundaries of traditional mental health services. While Watts and Higgins accept that medical treatment may be a vital start to some people’s recovery, they argue that mental health problems can also be resolved through everyday social interactions, and through peer and community support.

Using a narrative approach, this book presents detailed recovery stories of 26 people who received various diagnoses of ‘mental illness’ and were involved in a mutual help group known as ‘GROW’. Drawing on an in-depth analysis of each story, chapters offer new understandings of the journey into mental distress and a progressive entrapment through a combination of events, feelings, thoughts and relationships. The book also discusses the process of ongoing personal liberation and healing which assists recovery, and suggests that friendship, social involvement, compassion, and nurturing processes of change all play key factors in improved mental well-being.

This book provides an alternative way of looking at ‘mental illness’ and demonstrates many unexplored avenues and paths to recovery that need to be considered. As such, it will be of interest to researchers, academics and postgraduate students in the fields of psychiatry, psychology, nursing, social work and occupational therapy, as well as to service providers, policymakers and peer support organisations. The narratives of recovery within the book should also be a source of hope to people struggling with ‘mental illness’ and emotional distress