Blog Assignment Week # 8 – A Reflection on my Experience
There are many insights that I have
gained about research from taking this course. However, the three most
outstanding ones that I wish to emphasize are: data quality, equity and ethics.
When I think of data quality, I am reminded of how critically important it is
for the researcher to be accurate, consistent with the data resources so that
there is reliability and viability which is “establishing the truth of the
research outcomes”
(Mac Naughton, G., Rolfe, S.A., & Siraj-Blatchford, I. (2010).
In the
light of equity, the aim of researchers is to ensure that they are going beyond
what is equal (Mac
Naughton, G., Rolfe, S.A., & Siraj-Blatchford, I. (2010). The challenge of
equity is to be able to do what is fair and just. Thus whether the field of
study has sought to utilize quantitative, qualitative or mixed methods
approaches for analyzing the data collected, it is essential that the
information and solutions sought will serve fairly and justly and without
partiality or bias, the children, the families, the people and the society the
researchers want to uplift.
Ultimately,
as researchers strive for equity, they have to move towards leveling the
playing field especially when considering early childhood research. Mac Naughton, G., Rolfe, S.A.,
& Siraj-Blatchford, I. (2010, p.186) in summarizing the role of equity
state that “ensuring that research activity reflects the diversity of particular groups being studied is a
particularly important equity consideration and research activity, therefore,
needs to appreciate the heterogeneity of participants in research
projects”(p.186).
An
understanding of ethics is of vital importance to research considerations since
ethics directly impact “the rights and well-being of all those who may be affected
by the research” (p.365). In research connected with children especially,
everything needs to be done to ensure that they are safe and before they can
become participants in any research program, informed consent must be obtained
from both parents/guardians and children alike. No child or children should be
charmed into participating in a research project and “out of respect for the
privacy of the participants, confidentiality [must be maintained]” (p.77).
The nature
of doing research has helped me to understand that we have to be sensitive,
honest and fair. Each step in the research process is guided by a “set of
feasible, practical research procedures” (p.117). My ideas have changed because
I must remember that I am no longer “imagining an ideal study, but I am
concentrating on the complexities of real research, with real people, in real
settings and with real limits on resources” (p.117).
In the
areas of planning, designing and conducting research in early childhood, I have
gained greater understanding about the complexities of the processes. Teaching
and learning are no easy feats. Therefore, I am better prepared from this
knowledge to know how to utilize collaboration and the growth or evidences from
research. I am better able to make informed decisions in a more equitable way
on how to improve educational opportunities especially for marginalized and under served children and their families.
Challenges
that I encountered came in the form of deciphering new terminologies and
reading the materials on research and follow sequentially on how to develop the
research simulation. However, with the help of Professor Myers and my
colleagues’ insightful posts, I was able to make the connections as I immersed
in the research processes.
As a
result of this course, My perceptions of
an early childhood professional has been strengthened and as an early childhood
advocate, I now realize that I must have keen insight when using research as a
tool. I must continue to be an avid reader, ensuring that I pay closer
attention to details and as I continue to go above and beyond the call of duty,
I pledge once more to be the best I can be for my students and their families.
I wish to
take this opportunity to thank Dr. Myers and All my classmates for their sterling contribution to my
understanding of this course. Once again, I wish everyone success in this
Masters Program and I look forward to working again with everyone. Thank you
very much.
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.
