Reflection on Research

Once again, I am completing another wonderful semester and course from my MS in Early Childhood Studies. This class on research reinforced knowledge from my previous MS degree and gave me new information to digest and expand my perception of academics.

As I conclude my studies of research, I want to reflect on the experience answering the following questions:

What insights have you gained about research from taking this course?

Research is not as intimidating as I originally imagined it would be; especially because I am intimidated by math and the scientific methods. If you look at the basics and apply common sense, the truth is that it can be simplified for the non-science expert. Designing a study is about asking questions. Collecting information methodically and analyzing it in an organized manner. We conduct research all the time. What is the best book to read to prepare me for class? What lesson plan is the best for my class? Where can I buy quality supplies for cheap? This is a matter of asking the questions we are passionate about; finding the right design to gather information, the right tools, and the right method to accomplish the study. Then you just do it. Maybe it takes more resources and I am oversimplifying it, but at least I am not intimidated anymore!

In what ways have your ideas about the nature of doing research changed?

I am excited about doing research! I can't wait to conduct informal surveys and gather data. I feel case studies and informal research can add to the field and the individual professional. I also find that I am a better consumer of research; I will read more closely and be more skeptical about information that it's published.

What lessons about planning, designing, and conducting research in early childhood did you learn?

I really enjoyed learning about mixed methods. I once felt that qualitative and quantitative research methods were quite different. Although this is still true, there is merit in using both together. Human nature is not easy to quantify... But it is important to draw logical statistical conclusions too. Using both methods I believe leads to stronger results.

What were some of the challenges you encountered—and in what ways did you meet them?

My biggest challenge was narrowing the question for the simulation. Since I am passionate about the topic of early childhood, it was easy to get excited and be too ambitious on my simulated research question. Less is more in this case. A more concrete, narrowed topic can lead to a better study design. At least one that is doable and not all over the place!

What are some of the ways your perceptions of an early childhood professional have been modified as a result of this course?

The last piece on equity and power relationships made me think about the early childhood field and the way it is stratified with hierarchical order. The more educated and knowledgeable are on the top. The lay or every day early childhood professional is meant to learn, read and put into practice all this knowledge... But how are they contributing to the field? I think collaboration and more opportunities to involve the folks who are working daily with the children are the keys to bring balance into producing a rich knowledgebase for this profession.

Future scientist! Using the scientific method for science fair project.

The love for research starts from the beginning. Science fair project 2010.