Research and Me- Conclusion

 

                This course has been a journey; however, I feel that I have learned many valuable tools to help me as I continue my professional development.  I have gained many insights about research and what it means.  I have learned that research is about relationships, the relationships between the researcher, subject, and the participants of the research.  I have learned that their interaction can have a strong influence on the research study, which can change the research study altogether.  I have also learned that research is a process that requires careful planning, concentration, and a strong work ethic to complete the research.  Research can bring about new ways of thinking and understanding about a particular subject or it can be used to solve a problem. 

                My beliefs about “doing research” has changed because I know that to be a researcher you do not have to be a professional researcher to conduct research.  Many classroom teachers engage in research to some extent or another everyday as they try to understand and improve circumstances in their classrooms.  Research requires careful planning; however, once the process itself is understood it can be implemented. 

                When designing a research project or study one of the most challenging things is defining and developing a workable hypothesis, which can be measured and in some way or another tested.  Doing research in early childhood required extra attention to detail, flexibility, and ethical consideration because usually the participants of the study are young children.  Researchers must hold their selves and their studies to the highest standards.

                In designing and outlining my own research study, the biggest challenge I had was narrowing down my research question to a workable hypothesis.  I continually had to keep narrowing down my topic into something specific so that I would be able to show the correct aspect of language and social development that I was looking for. 

                I believe that an early childhood professional must be someone who is willing to meet challenges and is always searching for understanding and a way to improve things.  Research is designed to do that to bring about awareness or understanding or to make things better.

                Finally, I would like to thank all of the early childhood professionals I have worked with this semester for their guidance, support, and consideration.  I wish everyone the best in the continuation of their professional journey.

International Research

 

                According to the European Early Childhood Education Research Association or the EECERA, current early childhood research focuses on topics such as how do teachers and children interact during certain times, the differences of ratings between teachers and caregivers on school readiness, and parental influence on a child’s ability to engage in storytelling.  These topic papers were included in their most recent journal.  The focus of these topics is similar to the kinds of topics being researched in America.

                A new insight that I gained is the concept of catalytic leadership, in which new early childhood professionals demonstrate leadership by being innovative and implementing change.  Honestly, I have never heard of this concept; however, as previous “new professional”, I remember entering my school setting and trying to change things that I did not think was working.  I also know that it can be difficult for new professionals to feel that they can be leaders. 

                I also learned that the EECERA develops special interest groups comprised of professionals from different countries that focus on a specific topic.  These professionals meet regularly to discuss research and development about their topic hopefully, to inform and develop position statements or policies.

 

Link:  http://www.eecera.org