The course EDUC-6163-7,
Building Research Competency allowed me look at research in a different light. Early
Childhood professional research allowed me to view research differently. Before
this course, research seemed to be simply a gathering or collection of data. I
was able to understand research and its components better. Research is a complex
process and necessary. The purpose of research is to uncover, gain insight and
knowledge (Naughton, Rolfe, & Siraj-Blatchford, 2010). It is something
every early childhood professional will need.
Every early childhood professional may not become a researcher
themselves, but will read research information or implement a procedure based
on current research.
Research requires
many planning steps before actual research begins. I have learned the research process requires a
lot of thought. Before coming up with a hypothesis, the researchers must think
about the question they want answered, what information they want. The type of
research method, the participants, the data collection methods, data analysis method
and validity are components of research one must consider before beginning
research. Once cannot decide he/she wants to research something and go out the
next day and begin. Without the planning stages, the data collected is not
valid.
Researchers
must consider the challenges of ethics when researching. They have to determine
the acceptable risk or even if there are any acceptable risks the participants should
be subjected to. Researchers must decide if they want to use the qualitative method,
quantitative method or the mixed method when gathering and validating research results.
The validation process is very important for creditable research. Research need
to be awake of equality when researching. They must remember not to subconsciously
evaluate their results based on norms that are created the Eurocentric ideology
(Naughton, Rolfe, & Siraj-Blatchford, 2010).
This course
along with previous courses has given me the power to explain the role of early
childhood professionals. Many people still view early childhood professional as
glorified babysitters. My knowledge of research allows me to explain the
importance of the professionals. Early childhood professional have the ability
to shape the profession, the children and policies in so many ways.
Reference
Naughton, G. M.,
Rolfe, S. A.,& Siraj-Blatchford, I. (2010). Doing Early Childhood
Research
Intenational Perspectives On Theory & practice (2nd ed.). New York, NY: McGraw Hill
Intenational Perspectives On Theory & practice (2nd ed.). New York, NY: McGraw Hill
