WEEK 8 (6163): WHEN I THINK OF RESEARCH...

Before I answer my four questions, I want to say to all my classmates that we made it through this very insightful class. I would love to conduct research sooner or later. Congrats to all and hope to hear from you all next course. I enjoyed reading all things that each of you all wrote about for this class. Congrats again to everyone!

1. What insights have I gained from this course?

I have gained so much from this course (6163). Before doing any research, a person must take time to contemplate what one would want to research about and to make sure it will render a change or provide helpful information. There are so many individual things to consider, while performing research, so one will not offend participants, such as being bias or stereotypical -in your thoughts. In addition, there are many designs a researcher can choose to conduct their research or can even choose to mix designs.

2. What lessons about planning, designing and conducting research in early childhood did I learn?

Lessons I learned about planning, designing and conducting research in the early childhood field was a researcher must take their time, when planning their research. Planning “needs to consider what it to be researched and how, when and where the research is to take place, who will participate, what data will be collected and how these will be analyzed” (Mac Naughton, Rolfe and Siraj-Blathford, 2010, p. 103). Choosing a design takes time, as well. The “design process seeks to balance several aspects, including the broad topic studied, the original ideas that underpin investigation of it and te translation of initial thoughts into researchable questions” (Mac Naughton, Rolfe and Siraj-Blathford, 2010, p. 104). Conducting the study takes help from others –sometimes. I have learned that by conducting a study, it takes time and definitely a clear path on steps that will be taken along the entire project.

3. What were some challenges I have encountered and what ways did I meet them?

Challenges that I encountered was definitely dealing with the development of my research question. I know I changed my research question several times. I was having trouble narrowing my topic. It was always too broad. Coming up with a strong question is very necessary, because this is what a researcher will base their whole study on by trying to answer it. There were many other issues but this particular issue was the most challenging for me.

 4. What are some ways my perception of an early childhood professional have been modified, as a result of this course?

My perception of an early childhood professional has not changed much at all. I understand that we –as educators must stand up and speak up on behalf of those who may cannot speak for themselves. We have to advocate for children at all times. In addition, we must continue to put the concerns of all children is very necessary. In my opinion, as long as all educators’ main focus is for the betterment of children nothing can go wrong –this is my perception.

Reference

Mac Naughton, G., Rolfe, S.A., & Siraj-Blatchford, I. (2010). Doing early childhood research: International perspectives on theory and practice (2nd Ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. Retrieved August 21, 2014.

RESEARCH FROM AROUND THE WORLD: AUSTRALIA

Research from Around the World

Some current research was that Australian Early Childhood Census (AEDC) Project focuses on “undertaking a project to promote and demonstrate the importance of using AEDC data to inform programming, planning and development and implementation of the Quality Improvement Plans to assist in Kindergarten and Long Day Cares in Queensland” (Early Childhood Australia, 2014, para. 1). It gives anyone who visits the site the opportunity to fill out a survey in order to become a part of the data being used for the study. The purpose is to inform and comprehend what will benefit each child. A contest is, also, available for only Queensland workers or facilities to enter in order to win a prize a prize of books in a backpack that is worth $181 dollars. The only bad thing about that contest is that no one else can enter it unless you live in Queensland but the entire website is informative.

Some surprising insights about early childhood that I gained from the Australian website that has a flexibility practice and patterns project that is a fairly new type of research. It attempts to see if a daycare only care about filling a slot to obtain money or are they genuinely thinking about each child’s well-being. They took the time to interview others involved in daycare services to get insight of how they provide their services. Also, they are asking others to provide their feedback and email them whenever they “become aware of high-quality early childhood services” (ECA, 2014, para. 11­).

Some noteworthy information that I found on website was how this organization that has many publications that are available for others to purchase. To name a few, “Every Child Magazine”, which focuses on everything that deals with a child. In addition, it shows the uniqueness and diversity that can make an individual. They have an “ECA Voice Newsletter”, which you have to become a member before you can receive a copy. Every one of the publications are setup in a neat and fashionable order.

Reference

Early Childhood Australia. (2014). A voice for young children. Retrieved July 31, 2014, from http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au

6163 WK3: RESEARCH THAT BENEFITS CHILDREN & FAMILIES -UPLIFTING STORIES

I chose to discuss an article that shows some positive research and how they want to make sure it is ethically performed on the subject. It was interesting to find out a baby girl, at the time of first treatment was diagnosed with HIV. Doctors gave her “unusually aggressive and early treatment within 30 hours of her birth and she was free of the virus for 27 months” (Brown, 2014, para. 1-6), which made the disease disappear. This was quite exciting for the researchers –I am sure. Unfortunately, it came back, due to the little girl not receiving therapy for years. At age 4, the little girl from Mississippi was retested by Dr. Anthony Fauci of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease and decided to continue research for a cure.

Her mom decided to take her out of the treatments but eventually the disease resurfaced after a couple years. Researchers could not record data so no one knows if they could have kept the little free of the disease because the mom stopped the treatments only to bring her back later. They chose to put her back on the antiviral drugs. After beginning the treatments, it looked as if the disease was going back down. Dr. Fauci (2014) notates they will ethically come up with a design of study that will benefit her and future babies” (para. 10). In my opinion, the benefits outweigh the risk because they will make sure the child is not subject to cruel treatments and it is keeping her, hopefully from suffering -like most patients with this disease. In addition, it will be that much closer for researchers to finally come up with a positive outcome to a terrible plague.

Reference

Brown, Jeffrey. (2014, July 11). PBS Hour: HIV rebound in young child is ‘another step’ in long process of AIDs research. Retrieved July 18, 2014, from http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/hiv-rebound-in-young-child-is-another-step-in-long-process-of-research/#transcript