WHEN I THINK OF RESEARCH

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 (2^nd ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.