I’ve learned so much more from this course than I had originally thought. I was even worried about taking the class due to the term ‘research’. I have a new appreciation for those who perform research and a better understanding of the importance they provide to any field in which they work.
In what ways have your ideas about the nature of doing research changed?
I have been enlightened to see that working in research encompasses much responsibility and much care towards participants. It is not the get the facts anyway you can approach that I had thought of. Researchers must be very careful in providing ethical concerns, validity, and reliability.
What lessons about planning, designing, and conducting research in early childhood did you learn?
I learned the most important part of research is the consent and the participants, if that is what you are researching. I learned there are several ways to collect data and also several methods in which using other professionals can become helpful. Working with children always requires sensitivity and although some being studied are young, their outcome and ethical concerns with them are still highly important.
What were some of the challenges you encountered—and in what ways did you meet them?
My biggest challenge in this course was coming to terms with my own personal issues for my study. After discussing my topic with my instructor in the form of an assignment, I was able to see from her comments that I perhaps needed to step back from my own biases on a couple of points before I could move forward into helping others with my research.
What are some of the ways your perceptions of an early childhood professional have been modified as a result of this course?
My ideas have been continually modified through taking all of my Walden courses. With this course I would say that getting your hands dirty in research and trying to come up with new solutions and better ways of helping children and families is only the beginning in what we can do, but is the most important step.
As always, I have appreciated greatly the support and help from my colleagues. Your ideas and comments have been beneficial to my growth as a student and professional. Thank you!
Tina,
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed your posts and discussions throughout this course. I feel that you and I share a great deal of common ground in regard to our reasons for being a part of the early childhood field and how we wish to affect the lives of young children. I agree that by really diving into research design, I have grown a greater appreciation for the effort made by early childhood professionals that dedicate their careers to research. I am happy to have had such exposure and look forward to possibly utilizing the simulation I have designed.
Good luck to you in the continuation of your education and may you have a very happy holiday season!
Raina
Tina,
ReplyDeleteI have really enjoyed working with you since we began our masters program. Your posts are always informative and are able to give me a viewpoint that I hadn't otherwise seen. I love how you talked about "getting our hands dirty" in research. It has been so eye-opening to learn about the process of research and how involved you quickly become as you are learning about the process and how it will effect us in Early Childhood! It has truly been a pleasure getting to know you and work with you in this and the last few classes! Take care & Merry Christmas!! :)
Tina,
ReplyDeleteI think it is a pretty common theme by the majority of us who are finishing this class, I have also gained a greater appreciation for the field of research. The world of research is complex and must be so all ethical standards of the study will be honored.
I continue to enjoy your blog and we have come a long way since our fist class together. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience with me.