Scenario

Mala is a diploma-qualified educator and room leader with children aged 3 to 5 years in a standalone, community-run preschool in a regional area. The population of the local community is a combination of Aboriginal and European heritage. The preschool is open in school term time only, opening to children and families at 8 am and closing at 4 pm. There are three classrooms. In each room the 3-4 year olds come for Monday and Tuesday, then the 4-5 year olds come for Wednesday-Friday each week, during term time.

Malahas been observing the children's dramatic play in term one, and in term two she wants to do some research to understand more about the roles the children take during their dramatic play inside. There is a dramatic play area in her classroom that she has set up to resemble a home - with a kitchen, dining area, and baby's bedroom.

Mala will apply the qualitative approach to guide her study.

Research Question is "What types of roles children take in their dramatic play and how these roles change depending on the child's gender"

Whatdata collectionmethodscould Mala use to gather information to research the question you suggested above? Explain what makes these method/s appropriate for investigating Mala's research question.