When I Think of Research...

During this period of time much was learnt about research. I have learnt that research is not all it seems on the outset, there is more background work to be done even before research can be started, even just narrowing down the research topic can be an interesting process. Prior to this course I would have thought I would have been able to do a pretty good research paper, but now though I am equipped with the necessary knowledge and tools, I believe that a good research paper takes more than what I would have given to it initially and I am still not sure about producing a research paper for a nation to have access to.

Planning, designing, are very important in research. To have a well executed research paper, one must have an idea of the purpose and what exactly is one trying to find out. Specific topics are necessary in order to have a precise research paper with accurate results. Conducting research is a tedious process and I believe that it would take up a great amount of time, and therefore as a research one would have to sacrifice something in order to produce a high quality research paper.  

In this learning process I found my greatest challenge was narrowing down my research topic to something specific. I thought this narrowing would take away from possibly greater eye opening results. I do understand and appreciate the need for developing such specific research topics. A broad topic would take away from focusing and retrieving specific results in any particular area but would just give a general view, which takes away from the purpose of a research paper.

As an early childhood professional I am capable of doing research, it is not just for those in research labs etc. Through my research I may be able to make an impact in the lives I interact with daily.

I also just want to take this time to thank all my colleagues who have taken their time to give me feedback whether on my blog or discussion posts. I hope you all have learnt something that you may be able to use in the not too distant future.

Research Around the World

The site I chose was European Early Childhood Education Research Association (EECERA). They have a sections for special issues which seeks to remain focus n their vision and mission. In the special issues some topics that have been focused on where for example improving quality by understanding and researching professionalism and leadership; listening to children and their parents in order to honour their voices and participation; exploring the theory and realities of outside play and learning; and most recently, understanding the evidence of children's learning from birth to three years of age.

One the website, there was an article that intrigued me, it is entitled "Introducing Children's Perspectives and Participation in Research". This article would have mentioned the rights of a child, particularly the right to participate in decision making that affects their lives and to be empowered to communicate their own views. It also went on to speak about a tension within the rights, between the right to protection, their rights to participation, and their rights to privacy. The question was asked what gives us the right as grown-ups to search children's point of view. In all honesty this is interesting, because we have learnt that children can give the assent to participation if they want to. It is technically a choice of the child, though some may argue that the child may not fully understand, what they are agreeing to. Children do have parents, whom should be able to guide their child to the appropriate choice in such a circumstance. Knowing a child's perspective is just as vital as enforcing their rights. 

This site is for anyone looking to be involved in research pertaining to early childhood, one can easily become a become of the association, and maybe one day be selected to produce a research paper. 

Link to site : http://www.eecera.org/