When I Think of Research

This course has given me much insight about early childhood research. I have learned the two major research designs (qualitative & quantitative) and their characteristics. The biggest insight I have gained is making sure that children are involved in the entire research process. First, the researcher needs to explain the study in a way that the child can understand in order to gain their assent. The researcher should also allow the child participants to express their perspectives and ideas about the study. Prior to taking this course, I believed that researchers only needed the consent from the parents/guardians to include children in a research study. Now, I understand that it is unethical not to get the child's assent before including them in the study. I also learned how to formulate a research question so that it lends itself to becoming a hypothesis. Formulating a research question is one of the first steps in designing a study and the most important. From the research question, the researcher will state the hypothesis and choose the design that will help answer the question best. The research question must be focused and narrow to provide the foundation for a sound study.

This was a challenge for me because there are so many early childhood topics that interest me. My original research questions were broad and covered several topics. In order to overcome this challenge, I reflected on which topic inspired me the most. I thought about which topic I would like to spend months working on without getting bored. Thinking about the topics in that way helped me to formulate a research question that was narrow and focused.

This course has changed my perception of research and early childhood professionals as well. I once thought that research was reserved for scientists only, and that early childhood professionals were not equipped to conduct research studies. After taking this course, those thought have changed completely. Early childhood professionals are among the best candidates for conducting research related to the field because they know the field. Early childhood professionals know how to work with young children and what studies would benefit the field the most. More importantly, I would think that they would make the child participants the priority in their study and not the science. They would uphold the standards for ethical and equitable research because those practices are already crucial components of every sector in the early childhood field.

When done properly, early childhood research can be insightful and affect positive changes in the field. As early childhood professionals we should continue to support the work of researchers by offering our perspectives and participation when possible. I think that the best way I can contribute to early childhood research is by staying abreast of current studies and reflecting on how the findings can impact my classroom. Then, I can pass this knowledge on to others in the field.

Thank you to all my colleagues! I have learned so much from your posts during this course!!

Research Around The World (Early Childhood Australia)

The Early Childhood Australia website provides a wealth of information about the early childhood field. It gives current news on issues related to early childhood in Australia. The ECA has a Research in Practice series that highlights effective approaches to issues related to young children. Australia's current research topics are similar to those in America. Some of the topics include diversity, bullying, aggression, and effective classroom practices.

After exploring the website further, I realize that the issue of rating/assessing quality exists in Australia as well. The Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority has decided to award a Service of Excellence rating to early childhood programs in the country. But first, they must establish a list of criteria that would identify excellence and quality. I hope that in America we get to the point where there is a universal rating system that rates EC programs' quality. Furthermore, I hope that policy makers require all programs to meet the criteria. I am not sure if this will happen in Australia, but they have taken the first step just by developing a rating system.

Overall, I was impressed with the website and the ECA in general. They prove to be the voice for young children, their families, and EC professionals in Australia. They even welcome members to express their ideas and offer suggestions on issues and trends that they should highlight in the upcoming newsletters. What I like most about this website is that it is updated frequently and all the information and latest news is current. I would recommend this website to anyone who is involved with young children.

Early Childhood Australia website:

http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/