Research Summary

·       What insights have you gained about research from taking this course?

Some of my perceived ideas about research were changed, I gained new vocabulary words, and understand better how to be a good consumer of research.

·       In what ways have your ideas about the nature of doing research changed?

Qualitative and Quantitative don’t have to at odds they can work together strengthen the case.  Each has their own strengths and challenges using them in concert makes the other more compelling and can offer a better understanding for those using it or replicating it.

·       What lessons about planning, designing, and conducting research in early childhood did you learn?

Time spent on the front end selecting, planning, and designing studies can help you narrow your focus, zero in on what you are actually wanting to impact or how to do it.  Planning requires many decisions about data collection, different ways to collect data, how will the information be analyzed (who, how).   Planning to process for collecting the data and analyzing it are critical because you won’t have a good handle on the time and money it is going to truly conduct.

Making sure there is thoughtful planning to incorporate equity aspects into the study and then how to measure and analyze the information as a group and as individuals is another lesson learned.

·       What were some of the challenges you encountered—and in what ways did you meet them?

I struggled with how my statement would fit with a quantitative measurement.  When I finally narrowed my topic down to how reflective practice will increase provider interaction quality that helped me pick a tool I was familiar with.

·       What are some of the ways your perceptions of an early childhood professional have been modified as a result of this course?

It has given me ideas that as a leader at the center, I could encourage investigative studies with the staff, because the course really stressed teacher researching as a viable practice.