When I Think of Research
What
insights have you gained about research from taking this course?
When I began
this course, I assumed that I would have to actually do a research project or
that I would end up having to complete several papers throughout the course as
I did in a previous research class. I
must say that it was a enjoyable learning experience which help me gain even
more knowledge about conducting research and how to determine what constitutes
an actual research study. Preparing a
paper and preparing to complete an actual study has proven to be so different
even though the study prepares you for writing the actual paper.
In
what ways have your ideas about the nature of doing research changed?
My ideas have
changed because I now have more comprehensive knowledge about how to conduct a
research study and what details are involved in order to ensure the study has
validity. The information I gained here
coupled with what I retained from previous courses have help me become more
thoroughly knowledgeable about what is needed before, during, and at the conclusion
of the study. Research is a more
critical and complex than I originally thought and therefore must be done
ethically, professionally and without bias in order to achieve much needed
results and desire information.
What
lessons about planning, designing, and conducting research in early childhood
did you learn?
The planning, designing and
conducting of research are the most important process of study. This must be done in detail so that the
researcher is thorough and has covered all the areas needed to ensure
success. The process is very time
consuming and detailed oriented and must therefore be given much need
forethought before beginning the process so that every possible step and
unforeseen problems can be addressed before beginning the study.
What
were some of the challenges you encountered—and in what ways did you meet them?
The biggest
challenge I had was modifying my research question so that it met the criteria
needed to form a hypothesis and eliminating generalizing what the study would
be. I also felt another challenge was
that of determining the step I would take in order to conduct a research study
in the field of early childhood. It is
so vastly different when working with young children than adults, which is what
my previous experience included.
What
are some of the ways your perceptions of an early childhood professional have
been modified as a result of this course?
My
perceptions of an early childhood professional has modified as a result of this
course and the previous courses I have taken in so many ways. I was unaware of all the research done by
many professionals in the field of ECE in other countries and all the
information gained from much of that research.
I realize that it is only through continuous research and work in the
early childhood field that we as professionals will improve the services to
children and their families and as a result of the courses I have had the
opportunity to engage in, I find that I want to be a part of this process on
every level, even having the opportunity to conduct research in the future.
I
would like to thank my colleagues for all the input and information they have
given me throughout the semester through both our discussions and our
blogs. Your insights have been
invaluable and the information that I gained throughout this course and I
appreciate all that I have learned, both from them and from my instructor, Dr.
Myers. This has given me insight about
the direction I would like to take as an Early Childhood professional.
