The insight I have gained from the Building Research Competencies course is to be much more aware of
the source of the research I am considering. Having gained the understanding
that research is influenced by the researcher’s ontology and epistemology will
greatly inform how I consider research in the future. I now understand various
research methods and have knowledge that allows me to check for bias in a
study.
I have a deeper respect for researchers. I have always been fascinated
by research and how we learn about human behavior. This course has allowed me
to see the many circumstances and situations a researcher must consider in
order to conduct equitable research.
Planning, designing
and conducting research with young children involves many considerations.
Research involving children has specific ethical guidelines that provide
special protections. [See link below.] Designing a study that will allow
children to participate and show what they know and feel about their world is
complicated. All of this can be accomplished with a well thought out plan and
literature review so that when the study is started the researcher is well
prepared.
The challenges that I encountered during this course were
understanding the differences in some of the closely related research methods
and the unfamiliar vocabulary. Looking to other resources for their definitions
of terms and reading fellow students discussion board postings helped to clarify
my understanding.
My perception of EC professionals has been modified as a
result of this course because now I see us as invaluable to the research field.
Many of us are quite capable of conducting research with the correct support
system (I know we still have much to learn). Additionally, EC professionals can
provide researchers with topics we wish we had more information about as we
work with our students and families.
Thank you
Thank you to all of
my fellow students; it has been a pleasure learning with you and your support
and encouragement was invaluable, especially as we all started this course with
trepidation. I gained great insight and deeper understanding from each discussion
board. I learned valuable information from your blogs. I wish you all success
as we continue or educational journey!
Resource
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:
Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP). (n.d.) Special protections
for children as research subjects. HHS.gov. Retrieved on from http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/policy/populations/children.html
