The course Building Research
Competencies has been a very interesting course for me. I have never been very
interested in research. In fact, research and the thought of being a part of a
research study has overwhelmed me and even scared me at times. Through this
course I have learned that with careful planning and organization research is
not something to be afraid of, it is a very helpful tool that allows
professionals to know how to work in their field. While I once thought that
research was a chore that one did just because they had to I now believe that
if a person is truly passionate about something they should work towards researching
that subject because it will help them to truly understand the nature if the
subject and where they fit into that subject.
While taking this course I learned that research is a
step by step process. A study has to be carefully planned from the research
question that will be studied to the participants that will take part. How to
choose your participants is a very important part of the process as well. When
planning and designing a research study it is important to not take anything
for granted. Ethics and how they are going to affect a study is something that
has to be considered extensively because if something goes ethically wrong the
entire study could have to be scrapped causing the researchers to start over.
While working through my research simulation one challenge
that I faced was narrowing down my research question. I was not sure of where
to go with it but after careful research I was able to find a direction. It is
important to look at past research when planning a project so you know what has
been done and what still needs to be learned through the research process.
Through this process I have learned that if an early childcare professional is
serious about their job and committed to their profession they will study
research and learn as much as they can about their given field so they can help
as many children as possible. This is
not to say that they have to take part in a research study because
participating in a research project is not for everyone but they should always
keep their eyes on the research that is coming out and how it affects the
children in their care.
Hi Jennifer, I don't know where to begin with what this course has taught me! I have learn so much as well and I agree that it has taught valuable organizing skills. The whole entire makeup of being a researcher is being clear, and organized! I've enjoyed your post and feedback that you have provided throughout this course. I wish you the best of luck with other courses along the way!!
ReplyDeleteJennifer,
ReplyDeleteI was never interest in research either. This course was very interesting to me too. I learned how research is very important to the Early Childhood field. Good Luck!!!
Machelle
Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteI also was overwhelmed at first with this course. As we moved through the course, it started to make sense. I never realized what went into a research study. I understand now what a researcher does and all of the necessary steps that need to be gone through to assure that research is ethically sound, valid and equitable and also makes a contribution to the area of study. It is truly amazing how much we have learned. I was also nervous about the additional application assignments as we completed the charts on the chapters that we read. The charts actually were very helpful when looking back through our work to complete the simulation.
I wish you the very best of luck and hope to see you again soon in a future class
I too was overwhelmed with the idea of research and had very little background information about it. I have learned a lot but am still do not see myself doing research anytime soon. I have however, learned how to find and learn from research studies I encounter. There is so much that goes into the planning, designing and the actual study that determines the outcome and validity of the information. I am glad to hear you feel more comfortable, that is what it is all about! Thanks for the support during this process.
ReplyDelete