When I Think of Research...

When I think of research now after my EDUC 6163, it is not as intimidating as I thought it to be when I began this course. It is all about answering questions, following a systematic investigation of a topic, exploring relationships between events, comparing approaches, and building new understandings. 

The past eight weeks have truly been an educational journey where I learned that developing the right attitude, considering research as a tool, and not the only paradigm itself, being critical of what we read and evaluating ourselves, putting aside our own biases, being open to modifying, reconsidering our beliefs and practices is what is required in doing research effectively. Researcher may use different methods and techniques depending on the focus of their research question. What is important in planning, designing and conducting a research is that it follows the systematic steps from selecting the topic to writing the report in order to generate a research that is ethical, meaningful, persuasive and significant.

We can be easily guided by our own personal values and morality, and be biased when we conduct an investigation. Therefore, when doing a research in early childhood, it is imperative for the researcher to possess additional skills such as be a good listener listening to children in different ways and recognizing that they can be competent participant in the research with the right to be heard, provide multiple opportunities for children to express their views and experiences, and, be objective keeping aside one’s own experiences, biases, emotions and even cultural and social norms. 

The past eight weeks has not been easy. Every week was stumbling upon challenges, discovering and gaining insights and overcoming the challenges. Right from the first week, in selecting the topic I was faced with challenges. Early Childhood Field is a vast and diverse field that deciding the research topic, taking that first step was the hardest part. The next week came up with the next challenge of finding relevant literature. With the availability of online databases, access to information being limitless, especially since the early childhood field is vast with various diverse issues, finding relevant literature turned out to be difficult and time consuming. However, learning that using the key words or concepts would help refine our search and quickly access information helped me gain access to more scholarly based articles. 

The research process involving children and their families can be quite a challenge, but considering the benefits that early childhood research brings to society and shaping the future, we as early childhood professionals should be willing to rise to the challenge and give this client group the opportunity. This course has been an eye opener for me not just in terms of what research means but the relationship that an early childhood professional, be it as a researcher or a teacher should have. When working with young children, an early childhood professional need to build a confident relationship with children giving them the feeling of familiarity and intersubjectivity that will enable children to express freely their views and ideas, build a relationship minimizing adult-child power relations, and build a relationship that is built on ethical considerations and shared thinking.

Research is a ‘tool’ that produces knowledge, give us new insights into the early childhood field that would enable us as early childhood professionals to be better equipped with the techniques and strategies needed to handle an ever growing diverse group of children. The knowledge that research contributes, the ideas that it provides that foster the development of early childhood professionals and, its benefits for children, makes research indeed essential.

 Learning this ‘tool’, for a novice researcher like me would not have been possible without the help and support of my colleagues. Your thoughts and insights helped me gain knowledge and confidence that enabled me to face the hurdles and pitfalls along the way. A big thank you to all of you especially Dr. Davis for the extremely valuable support.