Research is finding out what a person does not already know. No one knows everything, but everybody knows something. However, to complicate matters, often what you know, or think you know, may be incorrect.  There are two basic purposes for research: to learn something, or to gather evidence. The first, to learn something, is for your own benefit. It is almost impossible for a human to stop learning. Research on children and families are extremely helpful because it allows you to provide evidence about information dealing with different factors that may benefit the child or family.  Research expresses what the field needs in order to have or continue quality programming.  It helps the children learn that there are voices fighting for their best interest, and it affects the child, the family, the classroom, the school, and the community. 

Research and Program Standards

Critical Consumers in Research




Our topic of the week is critical consumers in research. I want to talk about what that means to me and why it is important to the early childhood field.  Being a critical consumer means that an individual deeply analyzes a situation to find out what and why it is happening and being able to validate the results.  Looking at my stance in the profession, I consider myself to be far from a critical consumer of research.  This topic is one that I have to work hard at because it is viable not only in early childhood, but for any profession that may use research.   The subtopic of choice for the simulation is
that professionals should validate program
standards. In early childhood, program
standards of preschool programs help provide the highest quality care and education to our children.  It is absolutely imperative that program standards are set in place at facilities to prove that the facilities strive for excellence and supports the provision of quality services for children and families. 






When I searched around for a day care facility for my daughter, it was extremely tough.  There were so many facilities to choose from but deeply in heart, I was not satisfied with the presence that I received from most of the facilities.  For the ones who had prices within my range, looked as if they were not of high quality, or they just did not have the right attitude.  For the facilities that actually looked decent but were totally out of my range where not participants of play based curriculum.  I eventually got referred to a newly opened day care, in which I was deeply sceptical of, and absolutely loved the atmosphere and the owner.  As we continued in conversation, I asked her about the expectations of her curriculum and what she would offer my daughter.  It has been wonderful ever since.  My daughter was her first child, and I am glad I gave her that chance.




Research is indeed a topic of interest.  It pretty much is a part of everyday life whether we realize it or not.  With this experience, I hope to become a critical consumer of research and be able to someday feel comfortable with conducting research.  For my colleagues,  what do you suggest for someone who is limited or fearful of research.  What do you think is the best way for a person get comfortable with this being that he or she has no experience in early childhood? Please share the many resources that you can offer me to help me get a better understanding of what a critical consumer of research should portray.