Wk 8 When I Think of Research...

When I Think of Research…

What insights have you gained about research from taking this course?

This course has taught me a lot about “authentic” research. I have learned many new insights about research from the sources provided. I now know the different types of research designs, data collection methods, techniques, how to validate research, how to be aware of ethic issues, understand the limitations and challenges to studies, how to properly state a research title and major topic and overall goals, how to state the major research question, the independent variables and dependent variable of a study, and the extraneous variables and how in what ways I can control them. I also now know how to create a research study outline. In addition I feel I have a solid understanding about how to be equitable. Before this course, I had no clue what any of this meant. I also learned that there are a multitude of research protocols and a lot of historical information about research and how it has changed over time.

In what ways have your ideas about the nature of doing research changed?

Before starting this class I was very nervous about “real” research and overwhelmed about the process. I now feel that I understand more about the process of research and see it as something I could actually do (with guidance). I realize that my own classroom would be a great place to start! I will keep the course text and resources for reference. I found them fairly easy to read and comprehend. They will be great resources to refer to if needed.

What lessons about planning, designing, and conducting research in early childhood did you learn?

This course has taught me that planning, designing, and conducting research in the early childhood field takes a lot of time and mindful decision making to create a credible and valid research study. A lot of planning and designing goes into the research process before implementation even starts. Then after the data collection, analyzing begins which needs to be planned and organized too. The research process is not something that you can just jump into without proper planning and designing. I did not realize that reviewing related literature was part of the process until I learned that there is a lot of research protocol.

What were some of the challenges you encountered—and in what ways did you meet them?

Some of the challenges I encountered were understanding the different terminology, methods, and techniques of research. For example, I really needed to study the different triangulation methods and the differences between quantitative and qualitative research. The application part 1 charts did help me take time to read and re-read topics and terms and put things into my own words. Also, the open dialogue I had with my colleagues in the discussions posts were helpful and gave me other viewpoints and perspectives.

What are some of the ways your perceptions of an early childhood professional have been modified as a result of this course?

Some of the ways my perception of early childhood professionals have been modified as a result of this course are that I now view us as researchers and data analyzers in addition to educators.  Prior to this course, I really didn’t see early childhood professionals as researchers. I mostly saw us as teachers, caregivers, and educators. I see how we can be researchers because by nature of our position we understand the early childhood field but now have a basic understanding of research design and have the perfect field from which to study. This excites me but I need to process how I would do this within my current time/schedule constraints. That in itself needs to be a study!!