Building Research Competencies Week 8

What insights have you gained about research from taking this course?
I feel that I have gained quite a few insights about research from taking this course. One of the main ones being that there are many variables that encompass high-quality research, and that there different types of research, and also different types of research design. You need to choose the one that best suits the research you are conducting. I also learned that while there is so much involved in research, and it is time consuming, it is also worthwhile once you analyze and complete it, reflecting upon the new knowledge you have gained or the new information you have learned. Research helps others understand and learn new things as well, and in my opinion without research we wouldn't be able to know the information we know or gain better understandings.

In what ways have your ideas about the nature of doing research changed?
At first I thought research was an extremely daunting task, but I have learned that the more you plan and organize and completely think your steps through, the better off you will probably be in the research process and the analysis f the data.

What lessons about planning, designing, and conducting research in early childhood did you learn?
I have learned that when planning, designing and conducting research it is important to be ethical, purposeful, organized, thoughtful, equitable, and authentic - all which lead to credible, reliable and valid research results.

What were some of the challenges you encountered—and in what ways did you meet them?
One of the challenges I have encountered is attempting to gain a better understanding of the research designs and mixed methods approach. I also felt challenges throughout the process of the research simulation, and making decisions that I thought would best support and aide my research. Through discussions with classmates I was able to gain a better understanding and hear ideas and thoughts which help me confirm my decisions. I am the kind of learner who likes and needs to bounce ideas with others. That is just how my brain works. So it was helpful to be able to discuss each part of the process with peers. I am very appreciative of their mindfulness and sharing of their thoughts.

What are some of the ways your perceptions of an early childhood professional have been modified as a result of this course?
This course has definitely been eye opening to not only the process of research, but everything that research entails and how influential research can be on those who read and internalize it. I have learned that not all research is valid and that you need to be aware that there are many things that can render a research study unreliable. It's important to do a literature review and determine whether the other research studies on the same topic have had the same or like results. On the other hand, I absolutely love when research supports my knowledge and understandings of early childhood and I love to share that with others. I think I feel so strongly about it because I very much want to show people that what we as early childhood educators know as reality and truth, is real and true, and we have the research to prove it.

I want to thank all of my peers for sharing their thoughts, ideas, new things learned, questions and comments. I appreciate all the feedback and conversations I've had with you and have enjoyed reading your posts and blogs! Good luck and hope to see you in the next course!