When I Think of Research

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

Before taking this course I will admit that I was completely intimidated when it came to research. I felt that I did not have the experience or enough knowledge to speak about research. After taking this course I realized that research is just another part of learning about our social environment. In reference to children, it helps us to be able to learn different ways to interact with them, the way they learn, what affects them, and how we as professionals can do a better job with helping them. Without such research, we would know less about children's points of view, their wants and needs and their possibilities (Mac Naughton, Rolfe & Siraj-Blatchford, 2010).

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

My ideas have changed to be more open minded when it comes to research and less fearful. I have realized that I have learned a tremendous amount of information through this course and I have also learned that research is about putting together ideas with other professionals.

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

I have learned that being organized is a key part of being successful in research. You have to take your time plan out every detail of research to make sure that there is no room for error and no room for being bias. Make sure that all sources and information are valid and up to date with current findings. The design for the research must be planned out and you must decided on what methods to you  when investigating your topic.

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

I had some difficulty in being specific in what I wanted to focus my project on. I had problems trying to narrow my subject down to one idea to investigate. In research I learned that being to broad with an idea can lead to errors in research and conflicting data.

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

Early childhood professionals have an opportunity to change the direction of where the next generation is heading. We have to remain focus on assisting children and their families with providing the best care and advice we can give when it comes to education. By assisting the children we help the families and by assisting the families we can help the children. It is a continuing link that connects children to a positive future.

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.