WHEN I THINK OF RESEARCH
When I think I research I realize a research project is more than reading
articles written by various people or information someone came up with in their
career field. I have gained several insights about research from taking this
course. My outlook on research and the effects of research have changed
tremendously. I believe I am more knowledgeable as to the “how to” go about
collecting information, the selection process as to who participates, which
information is valid and which information is someone's opinion, and then, how
to compile all the information collected to make one research project.
One way my ideas have changed about the
nature of doing research is there's no quick way to do a research project if
you expect your information to be accurate or receive by others. Researching is
very time consuming. Research has its challenges and I realize a lot of hard
work goes into a research project. Another way my ideas have changed is my
thought process. I never anticipate bumps in the road and when it happens I'm
unprepared for the negativity that follows it. So in the preparation portion of
the research it is a good thing not to get your mind set on one specific thing
because there stands the possibility your research project will take a turn in
a different direction.
One important lesson I learned with regard
to the planning, designing, and conducting of research is to write in pencil.
Make sure erasers are handy! Changes happen along the way. What you anticipated
as being the sole focus of your research is subject to change. Among other
things, one needs to consider what is to be researched and how, when and where
the research is to take place, who will participate, what data will be
collected and how these will be analyzed (Mac Naughton, G., Rolfe, S.A., &
Siraj-Blatchford, I., 2010). There are many areas to take into consideration
when you are overall designing your research. Those areas include who are the
participants, will there be a back up plan if participants no longer want to
participate and decide to bail out of the study, where will the study take
place, what will the time frame be, will there be a follow-up, how will
information be gathered, will a qualitative or quantitative approach be use or
will a mixed-method approach prove to be the stronger approach sharing both,
and the finally, how will the information collected be shared with others in
the field.
A challenge I encountered prior to getting
in started was not having a clear understanding how research are conducted or
their importance. I always have believe research was someone's opinion that
they were just trying to get others to believe in what they believed. Another
challenge was the research jargon used. Anything that's not used on a regular
basis seems strange but learning and applying the words of choice to my
research project has increased my knowledge in those terms.
As a result of this course my perception
of an early childhood professional have been modified because now I understand
the necessity of research study and its importance in the early childhood
field. Through research studies I believe as Early Childhood Professionals can
stay current with issues that affect them and also they can learn from such a
study. Although research can be very challenging at times it is very important
to the early childhood field and also to the growth of the field itself.
I can not
leave this course without giving a big "Thank You" to each and everyone
of you who have traveled this road of research along with me. Thank you
for your comments, good and bad. They all were received well and are not
part of my Early Childhood Profession. I believe it is individuals like
ourselves who will make a difference in the lives we encounter every single
day. Thank you again and good luck with your future educational
endeavors!
References
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.
