When I Think of Research

           As I have come to realize there are many methods to conduct a proper research topic to ensure validly, confidentiality, and ethics. When I first began this course coming up with a topic sounded like a simple task, but deciding on whom, how, and what to perform on possible “participants” can be incredibly overwhelming. What I found most tedious was data collection, having a research question in mind, the amount of information that can be found through observations, evaluations, assessments, and interviews can become overwhelming and hard to decipher to ensure valid points to support your study.

            I found myself infatuated with viewing the works of other research topics and seeing the amount of their hard work and dedication go into a topic that could change the field of early childhood education and development. Having the ability to come up with my stimulation, seeing how I can improve collaboration between educators and specialists, how to involve the family members, and ensure all children gain a high-quality education was utterly fascinating. The work that goes into such a topic is astonishing and having the support of others who see the potential in this topic can become extremely rewarding.

            The challenges I could see that I could encounter working with children with special needs would be ensuring the parent's confidentiality. Having access to student’s medical records, evaluations and assessments are having parents take a big leap in faith in my research topic and me. I am here for one reason, and that is to benefit the child and their family members. Ethics plays a huge part in any research topic, parents having to give me information that they may be uncomfortable sharing, cultural issues can also be a challenge. Parents may not believe in certain studies, and I must agree with their beliefs and concerns. The parents “may misunderstand what is involved in a research project because of language difficulties (in many cases, have a translator is absolutely essential), or because of cultural understandings” (Mac Naughton, Rolfe., & Siraj-Blatchford, 2010, p. 79). Without the parent's permission, I would not continue my study on certain students.

            Even as a preschool teacher we play a substantial role in these young children’s lives. But there could be a day where someone may have a research topic and my class can or will be the participants. It could be difficult to give so much information to these professionals, or difficult for you to get your job done with someone always watching you and your students. I believe we all play a research role, while we may not begin a case study, our ideas, opinions, and responsibilities must all be valued by one another.

            I would also like to thank my colleagues who took this course with me, without your input and ideas I do not believe I would have as been successful in this class. I wish you all success in your future courses! And just remember we are almost there!!

Reference:

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.