WHEN I THINK OF RESEARCH ........

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. Rosalie Parrish to meet and work through these challenges.  Dr. Parrish 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. 

            I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of my colleagues for your assistance in my learning process in this course.  Your discussions and blog posts have contributed greatly to my learning new information that has helped me in understanding various topics from this research course.  Thank you Dr. Parrish for your helpful comments and all of the assistance you have given me during this research course.  Your professionalism and acts of kindness shall not be forgotten.

Reference

Mac Naughton, G., Rolfe, S.A., & Siraj-Blatchford, I. (2010).  Doing early childhood research:              International perspectives on theory and practice (2^nd ed.).  New York, NY: McGraw-       Hill