Some insights that I have gained about research from
taking this course are research is about uncovering and enabling the emergence
of new understandings, insights, and knowledge. The purpose of research is a continuing
method of correcting and refining hypotheses. The purpose of research is also
about testing theories. I have learned that there is good research and bad
research and research can have negative as well as positive impacts. Basically,
research is about confirming what you were already sure of. My ideas about the
nature of doing research have changed by after taking this course and reading
the chapters in this book, I can see that doing research can take up a
tremendous amount of time and can be challenging. In planning, designing, and
conducting research, I have learned that research design is simply a matter of
planning. According to the text, “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, Rolfe, Siraj-Blatchford, 2010). When conducting research, you can use
many source methods such as interviews and observations. A challenge I encountered
was coming up with a good research topic and narrowing the topic. I really had
to relax my mind and do more research on how to narrow my chosen topic and ask
the instructor for guidance. Since taking this course, I am now aware of the
time and hard work that early childhood professionals have and still are
putting into research. I now know that early childhood professionals have
contributed a great amount to research.
I would like to thank each and every one of you for
the support and feedback you provided me throughout this course. Good luck to
you all in this course and in future courses!!!!
Mac Naugthon,
G., Rolfe, S., and Siraj-Blatchford, I. (2010). Doing early childhood
research:
international perspectives on theory
and practice
(2nd Ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-
Hill
LaShaunda, I think that we all felt the same way when we first started this course, and now look at us. I do not dare to say that we are experts in the field of research, but we are getting there, we have the understanding, passion, and the idea of getting there. You are right, a research study needs lots of planning and we need to make sure that we have the clear understanding of what and why we are doing the research. Thank you for everything, see you around.
ReplyDeleteI like how you referred to research as something that will be able to confirm what you already know. Let me add, what you think you might know or what you want to know, so you can find a way to improve in this area. For instance, if you think you know that you can help children read by using a specific method and curriculum and you believe it will be beneficial, you could use a research study to prove this. But you may find in the end that the results are not what you anticipated. I like this about research, being able to prove you are right and allow others to see the results, or learning that things really didn't turn out the way you thought they would. Either way, you are helping to advance the field of early childhood by properly conducting the experiment and then sharing it with others.
ReplyDeleteIt was great to share our adventures in this course with you.
Hi LaShaunda,
ReplyDeleteLike you, I have also found this course and the textbook very helpful. I now feel more confident about reading research and using it to back up my ideas about early childhood education. Good luck in your future courses and thanks for all the feedback you gave me these past 8 weeks (: