EDUC-6163 Final Blog Week 8- When I think of Research

Robin C. Miller                                                                                                          EDUC-6163

Final Blog – Week 8

            Over the past several weeks this course has helped me gain many new insights into the world of early childhood research. For example, researchers that are conducting studies on children and families should always keep in mind the ethical values and principles expected of them in order to maintain professional standards. Another insight that I have gained is the many design approaches in which to conduct a study as well as methods to collect and gather information. When entering into this course I came in with the mindset of learning about basic research techniques. I have learned more than basic research rules and criteria.

            This course taught me about the proper process in which to design a research study. First thing you must do is to think of a question that you can analyze that will benefit not only yourself but others as well. Then, think of a few sub-categories in which you can narrow down your research question to something more specific and precise. After you have come up with a topic to research the next thing to do is to review the different design processes and choose one that best fits the need of your study. After choosing a design process the next thing to do is to choose the methods you would use to gather information to help your research to be valid.

            Validity is one challenge that a researcher can encounter. Choosing more than one method of data collection can help to add to the validity of the research process. Another challenge that a researcher can come across during his/her study is the breech of confidentiality as well as encountering problems with participation from its clients. This is a typical challenge for early educational professionals because they know children are always on the go and can have a difficult time finishing and staying on task. Researchers and professionals must keep in mind when observing children to expect the unexpected. From my perception, early educators are researchers all year round because they are constantly watching and observing their students.

Research Around the World - Australia

Blog – Week 5

I chose to explore Early Childhood Australia site http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/

• What are some of the current international research topics?

In current year of 2013 the following topics have been in the Early Childhood News in Australia    

o   May –

  Early years missing piece of Federal Budget

o   March -Wages investment supports quality learning

 Under investment in early years holding back children

o   February

  Children given strong advocate in new Nation Children’s Commissioner

  Fair, inclusive, quality education every child’s right, Early Childhood peak bodies welcome increased support for children with disability.

  Majority of providers back quality reform in early childhood sector

o   January - Ratings show children already seeing childcare improvements.

• What surprising facts/insights/new ideas about early childhood did you gain from exploring this international early childhood website?

One new insight that I have gained from this site is the information provided about the “National Quality Standard Professional Learning Program.” The program is designed to help ECP’s (Early Childhood Professionals) meet the criteria of setting up an appropriate designed early education environment.

They first help you understand the links between EYLF (Early Years Learning Framework) with NQS (National Quality Standards).

They offer resources to help professionals learn about appropriate environment settings as well as incorporating good practices in the classroom with learning videos, forums, social media outlets, and funding and sponsorship resources.

• What other noteworthy information did you find on this website?

The supporting best practices tab offers very insight information for learning, play, feelings, behaviors, teaching, children’s rights, and developmental stages. Each topic has many subtopics that can be useful to some of my colleagues for their research simulation. For example, my research stimulation is about behavior. 

Under the feelings and behavior tab you will find…

Feelings and behaviors

1.     Everyday behaviors

2.     Everyday Feelings

3.     Managing grief-loss change

4.     Promoting Positive behaviors

5.     War and disaster

These subtopics can help me with my research simulation because it will help me better understand reasons behind why some children behave the way they do. There are a lot of good topics on this site that I do encourage all of my colleagues to browse through.

Reference

Early Childhood Australia: A voice for young children. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/