When I Think of Research...

New insights:

The new insight that I gained had more to do with the process of research. Specifically the information that I learned about the different steps in creating a hypothesis for research was very useful to me because it helps me in being able to organize my thoughts about what I want to research and what my own expectations are for the research that I am conducting. In many ways this is what has also changed my idea about research. Research is not simple but has many processes that are complex and support not just researchers but those participating in the research as well as those who benefit from it.

Lessons learned:

The lessons that I learned were in regard to how important it is to be organized in the process of research and that there are no shortcuts. If research is to be conducted well, you must not just involve yourself in the process but you must also consider the inevitable challenges that research can present and/or bring. Researchers must also prepare themselves to accept, identify, and determine workable solutions for those challenges.

Challenges:

One challenge that I had and have always had in research was where to begin and I think this class really helped me in identifying how to begin, the steps that I needed to take in order to make my research be a success and not just something that I spent more time trying to figure out what to do then I did conducting the research. This class really helped me in organizing myself and engaging in the PROCESS of research.

Perceptions:

My perceptions of early childhood professionals have been challenged in the way that we create opportunities to become more equitable not just in what we do in classrooms but in how we conduct research so that it is equitable and inclusive of the needs of the children and families that we serve. It is hard work in identifying challenges of equity and ways that we can also meet those challenges head on and because of that I believe even more that this is work that is worth doing if one is invested in this cause.