Some insights I gained about early childhood research from
taking this course is considering different research designs and understanding
conducting research with children and families is different from any other
scientific research. (Children and families are not perceived as objects in a
study but respected first as individuals participating and contributing to the
study.)
At first I envisioned early childhood research just
scientifically. For instance I imagined professional researchers interested in
studying children have medical backgrounds like (pediatricians and neuroscientists)
I also thought child psychologists were always involved in early childhood
research. I also envisioned each of these professionals setting up meetings to
discuss ways of understanding children and their development. And to my
understanding researchers come from diverse backgrounds of professionals
interested in benefiting the lives of children. I was also unaware of a wide range
of issues concerning research with participants and relationships. I was
expecting subtle issues forming within the research process like understanding
results and the initial intent of the surveys and interviews. The issues
between researchers and power relations were more interesting as it changed my
ideas about the nature of research. This idea helped me consider that leaders
in researcher need to establish common ground or come to an agreement even
before planning and adding other participants in the study.
I experienced difficulty with the very first part of planning
early childhood research. Finding a topic of interest and breaking the general
topic into subtopics is always troublesome for me because my mind always
wonders and is vulnerable to accepting different ideas and various perspectives
to benefitting children. I struggle with sticking to just one topic to research
then modifying it to fit one research design. I just wanted to use a little bit
of every research design because I liked several ideas that contribute to
research like: gathering different kinds of data qualitative and quantitative
from different researchers, conducting interviews and surveys with educators
and considering observing children. This is still a great challenge for my
thoughts on research in carefully choosing the right fit for my research
simulation. I found myself forming more than one focus for my research
simulation however; I appreciate the process of outlining the simulation so my
thoughts are carefully collected and organized. I also accepted possibilities
of research changing during the process which provides the opportunity to
revise and rewrite parts of the outline. The challenges with revising and
rewriting the research outline maybe time constraints. I found not only is it
important to focus on the one subtopic but to also consider different aspects
of each research design whether mixed method, qualitative and quantitative and
the possible difficult encounters that come with the design. For example with
mixed method design and triangulation the researcher has to think about each
researcher working within the group study, participants, cultural backgrounds,
parent consent as well as finding common ground working together within the
study. Some major possibilities are terms of breaching confidentiality. In
order to meet these challenges I learned not to lose focus on the purpose of
the study and be flexible. As an early childhood professional I perceive early
childhood research as a major contribution to the field. The amount of time and
effort researchers take to find answers that benefit the lives of children is
amazing. Personally, the work of a researcher is difficult and I developed a
highest respect for leaders in the early childhood research profession.
I want to take this opportunity to
thank all my colleagues as well as Dr. Davis in contributing to any of my work
posted and discussed throughout the entire course. Thank you so much! Your
comments as well as insights were/are greatly appreciated. Each comment
enlightened my personal learning experience in different ways. I wish everyone
luck on their professional journey!
Always
Jeanneth
Warren-Cortez (Ms. Jay)
