Investigation of the conditions for successful policy implementation in the area of higher education qualifications for early childhood development educators

These datasets consist of quantitative and qualitative data which were integrated in order to gain a deeper understanding of the conditions needed for successful policy implementation. Data integration took place in two phases and at different levels in the research. At the design level, an explanatory sequential design was used which entailed collecting quantitative data from a target population of 184 Early Childhood Development (ECD) pracitioners, using a survey questionnaire and analysing the data using a Statistical Package for Social Sciences. This was followed by conducting interviews with a sample of 15 practitioners selected from the quantitative data set. A second form of integration therefore took place at the methods level by using a nested sampling design. 
The data analysis of the quantitative survey questionnaire responses were used to determine the sample of practitioners for interviews in the qualitative phase. Using interviews as a qualitative methodological tool enabled the survey findings to be clarified and explored in greater detail. Further qualitative data collection took place through an open-ended questionnaire which was administered to 15 other ECD stakeholders, using critical case sampling. These participants were selected based on the information they possess, and their knowledge and experience of the phenomenon being investigated, which enabled multiple perspectives on the phenomenon under investigation from participants working in a number of different ECCE settings. All qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis. A third form of integration took place at the interpretation and reporting level which entailed analysing each of the data sets separately and then combining the data interpretations to form a coherent picture of the phenomenon being investigated.

本数据集涵盖定量与定性两类数据，通过数据整合以深入理解政策顺利实施所需的各项条件。本研究的数据整合分为两个阶段，并在不同层级推进。在设计层级，本研究采用解释性序列研究设计：首先以调查问卷为工具，向184名幼儿发展（Early Childhood Development, ECD）从业者组成的目标群体采集定量数据，并借助社会科学统计软件包（Statistical Package for Social Sciences）完成数据分析。随后，从该定量数据集筛选出的15名从业者样本中选取对象开展访谈。由此，第二种整合形式在方法层级通过嵌套抽样设计得以实现。

对定量调查问卷结果的数据分析结果，用于确定定性阶段访谈的从业者样本。以访谈作为定性研究方法工具，可对问卷调研的发现进行更细致的阐释与深挖。研究进一步通过开放式调查问卷开展定性数据采集，采用关键案例抽样法向另外15名ECD利益相关方发放问卷。这些参与者的选取依据为其所掌握的信息、对所研究现象的认知与实践经验，由此确保来自多个不同早期儿童照护与教育（ECCE）场景的参与者能够为所研究现象提供多元视角。所有定性数据均采用主题分析法开展分析。第三种整合形式在阐释与报告层级开展：先分别对各数据集进行独立分析，再将各数据集的阐释结果进行整合，从而对所研究的现象形成连贯完整的认知。