I
have gained several insights about research from this course. The first thing that I have learned about
research that is of importance to me is that results may not always come out
the way I anticipated them to come out.
The authors of the course book has reminded me that I may start off with
one question in mind and end up researching another question (Mac Naughton,
Rolfe, & Siraj-Blatchford, 2010). I
have also learned how important research is to the Early Childhood field. It is because of different theorists
researching that we know so much about children in the Early Childhood
Field.
My
ideas about the nature of doing research have changed significantly. I formally associated research with a lab
with several people looking for cures for cancer or leukemia. I hardly associated research with the
behavior of children. I now have a
better understanding of research and the different ways in which it is used. I am much more familiar with the different
aspects of research and the different categories that must be a part of
research. I can definitely understand
the importance of research in the Early Childhood Field.
I
have learned several lessons when it comes to planning, designing, and
conducting research in the Early Childhood Field. I’ve learned that the best research always
involve collaboration between those who plan the research, those who carry out
the research, those who participate in it, and those for whom the results will
have an impact on (Mac Naughton, Rolfe, & Siraj-Blatchford, 2010). I’ve learned that I must not be biased when
conducting research. I have also learned
that there are ethical concerns that must be adhered to when I am planning a
research study. Planning out the
research will definitely prevent problems.
The questions of what is to be researched, and how, when, and where the
research is to take place, who will participate and what data will be collected
and how it will be analyzed must be a part of the planning process (Mac
Naughton, Rolfe, & Siraj-Blatchford, 2010).
Some
of the challenges that I have encountered were not being able to identify the
independent and dependent variables in my research simulation. I used the course book and the assistance of
Dr. Carol Todd to meet and work through these challenges. Dr. Todd gave me some great examples and
comments that helped me to understand the difference between independent and
dependent variables.
My
perception of research in the field of Early Childhood has changed in many
ways. I now know that research involves
a variety of things that we can use in the Early Childhood field. One way is how we observe students. The question we must ask ourselves is how was
the data collected? Was I biased during
the process of observing the student?
What type methods were used in the research? Was qualitative or quantitative methods used
to observe or interview? One thing that
has been modified is how I will plan research that involves children. I am almost sure that I may have been unknowingly
biased in my observations or interviews.
My
wish is that each of you has a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year!
Reference
Mac Naughton, G., Rolfe, S.A., &
Siraj-Blatchford, I. (2010). Doing early childhood research: International
perspectives on theory and practice (2nd ed.). New York, NY: McGraw- Hill
