I would like to first and foremost thank all of my colleagues as well as the instructor that provided helpful considerations throughout this course. This has been a long road for me but I absolutely feel more confident in research than ever before. this course definitely spilled endless amounts of useful information about research and I enjoyed every moment of the class, good and bad. thanks so much and hope to see you later in my journey of early childhood!!
What insights have you gained about research from taking this course?
What insights have you gained about research from taking this course?
This course has really opened my eyes to a lot of like about research. I have learned so much about the research process and the correct way to conduct it. Different paradigms give us different perspectives about the world and helps researchers study early childhood. I have learned the importance of ethics in research and how ethics actually add to the quality of research. I enjoyed learning the thorough details of quantitative research, in which is based on objectivity, reductionism and measurement especially; qualitative, in which it pretty much tells a story using surveys, questionnaires, interviews and observations; I have learned the importance of eliminating biases and having ethical concerns of research.
In what ways have your ideas about the nature of doing research changed?
I must say that I am at a more comfortable state in the nature of research. I use to be afraid to even participate in assignments as such because I never was taught the depthness of research ever before. I was afraid of looking hideous around colleagues. I can now easily apply methods of research without hesitation and feel confident about what I am conducting since I have the resources to refer to when needed.
What lessons about planning, designing, and conducting research in early childhood did you learn?
Planning- I have learned that proper planning prevents poor performance. In planning, you have to know what is it to be researched and how, where the research will take place, who will participate, what data should be collected and how they will be analyzed.
Designing- I have learned that it helps to refine the topic and generate researchable questions, a researcher must decide which approach is best for the topic, consider the when, where and who, carefully choose methods of data collection and analysis along with modifying the design if needed.
Conducting- I learned that conducting research involves collecting data about a given subject. In order to conduct research you have to know how to get started, and include ethical considerations as well. It includes details about interviews, surveys, observations, and analysis.
What were some of the challenges you encountered—and in what ways did you meet them?
A few challenges that I encountered what actually understanding the full meaning of paradigms and why they were so important to the research process, and designing research. I had to spend tremendous study time with them in order to get the big picture. There are a few things that I still may not know but I have eliminated the challenges that would cause me not to plan properly for research process.
What are some of the ways your perceptions of an early childhood professional have been modified as a result of this course?
This class definitely reveals the hard work of an early childhood professional as a researcher as well as the rewards that come with the hard work. Being a professional requires overcoming challenges and being able to adapt to change when needed. This is what I perceive the profession as.
