When I Think of Research...

I have gained a lot of insights about research in general from taking this course.  I really benefited from the first two weeks as we learned to determine which research we should use and how to determine if it is quality research.  This knowledge is something that will be carried over to the remainder of the program as well as into the field.  I also learned that research is its own field with its own terminology.  I learned about the different types of research designs as well as validity and equity in research.  I have a new found appreciation for researchers because I believe they put more time into designing the study then actually conducting it.

My idea about the nature of conducting research has changed slightly.  I knew that research was time consuming and that researchers spent a lot of time making sure their study was unbiased.  Before this class, the only research I encountered was researching articles or conducting a small survey.  The way research is conducted is a very thorough process.  I now understand how complex it is and that it can easily be done when broken down in pieces.  Our second application for this course each week is a great example of breaking down a research study.

I also learned a lot from the way research is planned, designed, and conducted.  Before this course, planning meant writing down my brainstorm ideas and then move on to step two.   In research, researchers spend a lot of time planning because they continuously come back and revise again and again.  I did this with my research topic alone each week.  The designing stage of research is complex because you have to figure out which design will really fit your study.  I have learned a lot about quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods designs.   I have yet to conduct a research study, but I can only imagine that this is the best part of research.

My biggest challenge in this course was my research topic.  Over the past few weeks I really had to narrow it down and really be specific about everything.  Each week, I spent time revising it again.  I overcame this challenge by finally emailing Dr. Davis for guidance before I turned in my assignment.  I also had some minor challenges with properly defining terms in this class, and I overcame this challenge by rereading the topics a few times as well as looking in the glossary.

My perceptions as an early childhood professional have been modified by simply the way I look at things now.  As a teacher, there are always new techniques and methods of teaching to implement.  I now know that some researcher put in a lot of time to really determine if this new method will work, and it must because I now have to implement it!  I also have a new appreciation for other professions like researchers in our field.    

Research Around the World

Early Childhood Australia:  http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/  

Some current international research topics in Australia include meeting children’s emotional needs, children’s mental health, childcare quality, and school reform.  I was stunned to find that  some of the same issues that are affecting American children like childcare quality and school reform are also affecting children worldwide.  Our news coverage has been inundated with education cuts and hiring freezes in school districts, and it looks like this is an international trend as well.  I was also amazed that Australia is looking into the emotional needs and mental health of children.  My passion has always lied in this area, but it is reassuring to know that awareness is being created internationally. 

While searching the website, I did find some surprising facts and insights.  I viewed their Code of Ethics, and I found it to be similar to ours.  They value democracy, respect, integrity, and justice to name a few.  They also made it clear that nobody has to make a decision alone, and that we are all working together for the better of the children.  I also read some of the articles in their archive.  There were only two articles written for this year, and I was uncertain why.  I realize that our country encourages professionals in all fields to continually read up on current issues and trends.  As an educator, I am even required to have a certain amount of hours of training each year devoted to learning new material.  However, Early Childhood Australia does have links to the Australian Journal of Early Childhood and Every Child Magazine though. 

I did not really find anything noteworthy on Early Childhood Australia. I found a section called Everyday Learning Series.  This section includes resources for all early childhood professionals.  I looked at the link for meeting the emotional needs of children, but I found it to be a piece of a chapter.  There is a link for you to purchase the material, but I was disappointed.  The site also requires a membership if you want to really access anything.  I think that we are fortunate in America that we do have a lot of resources at hand that are free.  As an educator, I am always looking for free resources, and I rather spend the extra money for activities and supplies that my students can use in the classroom.