When I Think of Research......

I have gained so many insights through this course about research studies that I don’t even know where to begin.  I now have the knowledge on how to conduct research in a legal way. The step by step process has been very informing. I didn’t know the different kinds of research, such as quantitative and qualitative. I also learned many tips about conducting interviews with children and families and what to look for in valid resources for research. It is also important to keep children and families informed about the research studies before and throughout the entire process.

Because of this course, my ideas about the nature of research have changed a great deal. I hadn’t the slightest clue on how to conduct research. I have read studies in the past and have always wondered how the process played out in obtaining the results that I read. Research can be a tedious process, but knowing what you are doing beforehand helps out a lot. It is very important to always have a plan. This plan should be completely thought through, from the beginning to the end.  Everyone will come to bumps in the road because of unexpected events, but planning and not assuming too much will help.

From my experience, the more I got into my research simulation, the more I learned about what would work best and what it was exactly that I was trying to discover. The deeper into my research, the more I understood and tweaked it a little. I would say that was my biggest challenge. Creating a detailed research question and sticking with this question is beneficial. I didn’t fully understand what my research question was investigating until a few weeks after the research process.

Being an early childhood professional goes beyond just teaching. Doing research and communicating with others inside and outside of the classroom is an important characteristic. Because of this, investigation is important. Planning my research simulation entailed a lot of work and contemplation. I can imagine that actually following through to complete the research study would be a long process so one must stay focused and have a lot of patience.

I want to thank all of my colleagues for your assistance throughout this course. All of your feedbacks, thoughts, and suggestions were extremely helpful. I have never experienced a course like this. I have learned a lot from the content and all of your shared experiences. I wish you all the best on your future studies and goals in life!