When I Think of Research...

The insights that I have gained from this course is that research is a way to find out issues, where, with what group and a possible solution. I perceive research as relevant because it can help find cures, facts, and different options to help find the best results. Research should be conducted in a high quality, respectful, ethical and productive manner (Naughton, Rolfe, & Siraj-Blatchford, 2010). The children and families can benefit from research because it can help seek out a problem, bring it to the attention of policy makers and government officials to get the appropriate attention and care that is needed. The most important information to me throughout the course and the resources provided was the code of ethical conduct resources that gives and outline on appropriate behaviors for professionals, being responsible as a professional, resolving dilemmas, values, morality, respect, being trustworthy, honest and fair (National Association for the Education of Young Children, 2012). There are certain ethical standards that the NAEYC has to guide all professionals especially researchers to follow step by step to ensure that all participants are protected, consent is given, ethical behavior is conducted and that each individual is treated fairly (NAEYC, 2011). I would like to include that research has it benefits and risk when children are involved because of the type of method used. I do not think that any research should be conducted if it can cause harm emotionally, mentally or physically to a child. I do understand that it is necessary to conduct research, but if it is not in the best interest and beneficial to more than one child, than the research should be re evaluated and approached at a different angle to provide better enhancement to the child’s abilities (Whiting, 2009).

The insight that I learned from this is that when evaluating sources in the research process that we will encounter all types of resources that may or may not relate to the knowledge, objectivity or accuracy. Sometimes we might read or view a source that we may think is biased, opinionated or conflicting about the topic. We should ask questions such as is the resource suitable, informative, who is the intended audience, when was it published, when was it last updated, and who is the source coming from and can we validate the source (Mac Naughton, G., Rolfe, S.A., & Siraj-Blatchford, I. (2010). I have also learned that in order for a research project to be valid that it should have the sources of being on hand in a natural environment that involves data and methodological triangulation methods. The challenge that I encountered in research is giving my views on how the research is being conducted and how much of a benefit any research topic is. I met my challenges my reviewing, documenting, studying and doing more research on the different methods and techniques that is a option for the many different approaches to conducting research on children and families. The support that I can offer my colleagues when it comes to learning about research is to stay focused on the priority of the children, the goal and the long term benefits that research can offer.

My perceptions of an early childhood professional have been modified as a result of this course by enlightning me on the better good and benefits of research for the children, families, the community and the early childhood education field. The lessons that I learned from planning, designing and conducting research in early childhood education is that, the professional should take into consideration the child's age, gender, behavior patterns, cultureal background, family values and beliefs and respect them all. I also learned that ethical guidelines and laws have to be followed to ensure that no harm will be placed upon a child or their family.
Mac Naughton, G., Rolfe, S.A., & Siraj-Blatchford, I. (2010). Doing early childhood research: International perspectives on theory and practice (2nd ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
National Association for the Education of Young Children (2011). Code of ethical conduct and statement of commitment. Retrieved on March 12, 2012 from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/Ethics%20Position%20Statement2011.pdf

Whiting, L. (2009). Involving children in research. Paediatric Nursing, 21(5), 32–36