When I Think of Research...

Welcome back!!! :)

It has been a few weeks but we have been busy in class with research! This is our 8th and FINAL week of this course on Research Competency. It has been a busy 8 weeks but I do feel as though I have learned a great deal in regards to research simulations, studies, designs, and more.

In our final week, there are a few questions to help us reflect upon our learning and growth over the 8 weeks we have experienced in this course. The questions and my reflections are as follows:

• What insights have you gained about research from taking this course?
• "Research is conceptualized here as a systematic investigation of a topic or issue that is culturally specific, and which seeks information and/or solutions. It can begin with a question, concern, situation, or controversy," (Grieshaber, 2010, p. 179). I have come to understand the importance of research, as well as the various integral components of research and design, over the last eight weeks of this course. I was unaware at the depth of each component and the variety of issues, challenges, and concerns to consider when designing a research simulation or study. The idea of research has proven to be daunting but rewarding. It is, by far, not an easy task to complete and is something that must require a very lengthy amount of time, dedication, and effort to complete and conduct a study successfully. 

• In what ways have your ideas about the nature of doing research changed?
• I think my ideas and views on research as a whole have drastically changed throughout this course. However, my ideas and understandings of the nature of doing research have changed in that I did not realize the depth of the process, design, implementation, etc. that research requires. I have come to understand that completing and conducting a research study seems more ideal to do with a team of researchers in that you can share responsibilities, ideas, planning, analyzing, etc. throughout the process. Due to the intricacy of each piece of the research puzzle, it is a very well-thought-out process that takes ample amounts of time to conduct and complete. A research study most likely could take months or years to conduct effectively to achieve appropriate results. These are just a few ideas I was unclear of or misunderstanding prior to this course.

• What lessons about planning, designing, and conducting research in early childhood did you learn?
• The biggest piece to the puzzle of early childhood research I learned was the importance, relevance, and proper handling of the inclusion of children in a research study. The child as a participant presents an entirely new perspective, outlook, and understanding from a child's eyes in relation to your study. However, ethical concerns must be considered. I think that the ethical concerns and implications, as well as the use of variables, hypotheses, and questions within a design and study are the major components I have come to better understand and learn about. I had not previously considered some of the ethical concerns within a research study. Additionally, when designing and conducting research, I was unaware and unsure of the importance and necessity of things like variables, questions, and hypotheses yet I better understand this now. The most important piece I have come to understand is that there are SO many components to designing a research study to consider that the researcher must complete each step one at a time to ensure nothing is an oversight or forgotten. This will ensure an accurate, effective, and appropriate research study with results that can make an impact on the field of Early Childhood Education.

• What were some of the challenges you encountered - and in what ways did you meet them? 
• The idea of research was scary, overwhelming, daunting. Entering this course I was a nervous wreck. I was extremely unsure of myself and my abilities within this area. I think one of my biggest challenges was getting out of my own way! I have had so much doubt and so much nervous energy surrounding this topic that I have been overwhelmed by the information to read, comprehend, understand, and apply throughout this course. Additionally, a challenge I have encountered throughout the eight weeks was being able to clearly and accurately understand the information to be read and processed in order to accurately and correctly apply it to my own research simulation. I have appreciated all of Dr. Darragh's feedback week to week as it has greatly helped me overcome my anxiety in regards to this course. 

• What are some of the ways your perceptions of an early childhood professional have been modified as a result of this course?
• As we near the end of this course, I have truly come to understand the importance of research in general, but especially for the field of Early Childhood Education. My outlook on research has changed, as well as it's importance to this field. Learning about incorporating children into research and the implications and impacts this has on our field and our understanding of children have greatly helped to open my eyes and my mind to research possibilities. There are SO many topics and arenas to explore in regards to research within the Early Childhood field. I think this course has definitely piqued my interest and perception in learning more in terms of child development within the research field. 

That's all for now. Another course is coming to an end, which means I am close to completion of my 5th course, also known as the halfway mark! :) :) Best of luck in future courses to all of my classmates and colleagues! I hope to meet you again in another course. Enjoy the one week break before summer courses and best of luck one and all! :)

-Ashley-

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.