What insights have you gained about research from taking this course?
When we initially started this course I thought we would be reading and reading and reading all sorts of research. I was not looking forward to the course. I am very glad it didn't turn out the way I thought and that I am actually taking a lot more information on research instead. Research although tedious is absolutely necessary. It is very detailed and before one attempts to start research you must plan it all out. From the participants, to ethics, validity, reliability, test groups and such. I know understand the process and have gained great respect for those researchers who have gone from a hypothesis to answers.
In what ways have your ideas about the nature of doing research changed?
I now have a more positive outlook on research, its work, and its findings. It is a long process but is very beneficial to all. Through research we have learned so much about children's development it is essential to our ever changing world.
What lessons about planning, designing, and conducting research in early childhood did you learn?
When conducting research much planning is needed to prepare and conduct any form of research. The designing and planning portion of research is just as important as the actual research itself. The more detailed you have the more validity to your research.
What were some of the challenges you encountered—and in what ways did you meet them?
One of the challenges I faced was tweaking my hypothesis and getting a really good research simulation question. Through the term of this course with provided feedback from my course instructor and classmates I think I finally understand how to write a good research question.
What are some of the ways your perceptions of an early childhood professional have been modified as a result of this course?
Educators wear many hats and researcher is now a hat I will eagerly wear. We love the children we work for and to continue this love we must do so much more to help our students. Through research we can provide answers to questions we have been trying to figure out. We can research what works best for the students under our care. But most of all we are willing to go the extra mile for the ones we love so much.
A huge thank you to all who have helped me in this course become a better professional and researcher. I want to thank Dr. Shephard and my classmates in Group 1 for all the positive feedback and comments that have helped me along the way in our course.
