When I Think of Research...

First I would like to thank my classmates for all the great posts and comments throughout the course.  I think we learn so much from each other and I appreciate all that I have learned from each and every one of you.

What insights have you gained about research from taking this course?
Before this course I had little knowledge about research and was not interested in research.  I assumed it was a lot of boring reading.  This course has shown me the actual steps and stages that a researcher must take before a research study can take place.  By understanding this, I am now more interested in research.

In what ways have your ideas about the nature of doing research changed?
As I stated above I was previously not interested in research but now I am because I have a better understanding of the research process.  Research was somewhat intimidating to me before and now I think I can handle reading or even conducting research.

What lessons about planning, designing, and conducting research in early childhood did you learn?
This question would have made no sense to me before this course.  I learned about the different types of studies, how to choose participants, and the biggest thing that sticks out for me is the ethical issues that exists.

What were some of the challenges you encountered--and in what ways did you meet them?
My biggest challenge was learning how to think as a researcher.  In the beginning of the course I think I was over thinking things instead of going with what came to mind.  Once I relaxed in the class and just went with the flow, I realized that I could be a researcher one day if I put my mind to it.

What are some of the ways your perceptions of an early childhood professional have been modified as a result of this course?
I now realize how important research is to the early childhood profession.  I didn't realize that some researchers of the early childhood field are early childhood professionals who want to find out more about young children.  Early childhood professionals have many issues to deal with on a daily basis and should appreciate the research that is done.

Research Around the World

I chose to research the website for European Early Childhood Education Research Association (EECERA).  This website included many resourceful things.  Some of the research issues are Professionalism in Early Childhood Education and Care, Outdoor Play and Learning, and Children's and Parent's Perspectives on Diversity in Early Childhood Education.  The European Early Childhood Education Research Journal (EECERJ) is where I found these articles.  This journal is one of the most prestigious early childhood journals in the world.

Something interesting about this website is that it has Special Interest Groups (SIG).  There are currently eleven active special interest groups.  These groups cover a variety of topics.  Each group has its own purpose of why it exists and also provides contact information of the persons who run the groups.

I found it interesting that the EECERA is a voluntary association wholly owned by its membership.  There were areas on the site that only members could enter so I could not get all the information that I was looking for.