When I Think of Research...

When I Think of Research…

            Wow!  This course has opened an aspect of early childhood development I had really never considered before - the process of research.  The whole concept was very new to me and overwhelming.  However, it has been very informative.  I never realized everything that had to be considered.  Beginning with finding valid, professional articles to review, selecting a proper research topic, choosing the research style, completing, and evaluating the information gathered.

I have learned how to review an article that has the proper format.  At the beginning of the course, the guidelines to review an article helped me feel more comfortable in narrowing down what I actually needed to absorb.  I learned what areas to concentrate on while reading an article.  Collaboration becomes a key aspect.  Teachers, children, and parents play an important role in research.  The more information gathered helps make valid decisions.  Research - like children, develop in a variety of ways.  It was interesting to learn that there are a wide variety of research designs.  An educator may select what best suits their needs.

One of the challenges for me seemed to be deciding on the research topic and how to develop it into an appropriate question or hypothesis.  With the assignment of each week, I was given wonderful feedback from Dr. Dartt and step-by-step instructions to expand and organize my simulation. 

In the beginning, I did not realize the important role educators play in research.  We are great resources of information.  As educators, we need to use our knowledge and voices to help implement change in the field of early childhood education.  Unfortunately, some of the leaders making decisions in our field may not have a current, working knowledge of young children.

In conclusion, I think I have only scratched the surface of learning about research.  I can see this being a full-time job.  It would not be something to take lightly.  It would take a strong desire to help children and a strong commitment to the research project.