When I Think of Research...

• What insights have I gained about research from taking this course?

How hard it is to complete a successful research is the most important insight I gained from this course. I am a person who loves to read research and learn from them. But I never went in to details of all the different pieces that need to come together to accomplish the satisfaction of completing a successful research and publishing it. I believe that now I do have a detailed knowledge on research. Moreover, I have knowledge about how to read and learn better from a research as well.

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

As I mentioned above, I did not have much idea of my own regarding research. By   doing this course now I am at a point that I understand about refining the topic, framing a hypothesis, designing the research, deciding on time, place and participants of research. This course gave me much better and clear understanding of research.

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

Early childhood research planning, designing and conducting seems much more time consuming and detail oriented for me. As the research is based on young children and families, it is very important to have all the steps clearly defined. Every step has to be thoughtfully planed according to proper ethics and rights of the children. Researchers have to understand that at the center of the research is a child or a group of children who is/are competent actors in their everyday worlds and capable of making decisions about participating in or withdrawing from research (Ferrell, 2005). So, starting with signing the consent forms to the final product of research paper, every step of the way the child/children has to understand what is going on.  

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

There will be at least few encounters of challenges. One would be not having the children who are shy in the classroom. Then I will have to go to different classrooms and introduce myself to the families and the children and get them comfortable with me to start the process. There is a possibility of even some families denying my request. The right to determine what is in their own best interests (Naughton et al.2010) could be the reason for families to drop out of the research. There could be language barriers if the child/children that I selected is/are an English language learner or learners. It could be the same situation with the parents and the families as well.  It is tough to find translators with early childhood background in most languages. Validity of the research could be jeopardized due to the unreliable data. Finding reliable literature on the research matter is also a challenge that I faced with.

The challenges that I already encountered were a few. Time was a huge challenge and I do believe it is same for most of us who a juggling way too many roles at ones. But I believe I conquered the barrier by using every avenue on time management. Finding literature was a tuff one as well. Sometime guiding my self through the Walden library was even felt like going through maize. Research vocabulary was tough on me. I had to work hard on keeping the meanings and descriptions in order. 

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

My belief is that early childhood professionals have to keep in touch with current research regarding early childhood matters. Early childhood arena is frequently changing and challenging. So the early childhood professionals as well as their educators have to modify the perception regarding their own continuing education. I did not see the research as an option that the early childhood professionals have, until now. But now I understand that if a professional could not find the literature regarding an issue taking place in the classroom, she/he has the opportunity to conduct their own research and learn the answers for the issue that is taking place. Early childhood professional just not only have a tough and important role in the lives of young children and their families, they also have a responsibility in early childhood research arena too.

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.

Thank You from the bottom of my heart!!

I really appreciate you my colleagues,
your experiences

And your wisdom and kind hearts
your professionalism and thoughtfulness.

I thank you for your sharing of wise ideas
that I will not soon forget;
you’re the best early childhood educators
a child could ever meet.

Hope to meet you again some time in this journey

Until then I wish you the best!!

Remember to enjoy the summer while working, learning and playing.