When I think about Research

I have learnt that research is a very detailed process comprising many steps.I was able to see that it is not what I thought  it was,just reading some journals and then doing a research paper.There are lots of factors to take into consideration when doing a research.

I have a new respect for researchers after realizing all that they have to do to present a research paper,and even the guidelines they have to follow to make it a reputable research paper.

What I learned about research ethics made me think about the participants especially children and the importance of their role in research.I think  about if they were being treated fairly ,whether they are being informed or are forced to be part of research.

I learnt that planning research is time consuming.If the design is not planned properly then the findings cannot be validated.Every part of the design is important and each step must be followed carefully.It is very important to validate the findings.

Many of the terms being used were new to me and it was hard for me to understand what I read until I became familiar with these words.After reading the glossary and doing more research I was able to understand many of them.I had to re read some sections many times to get a clear understanding of what was said.

This course has confirmed for me how much early childhood professionals are dependent on researchers and that all professionals need to read research in order to be familiar with and keep abreast of developments in the profession.

Research Around the World

The website I choose to learn more about is European Early Childhood Research Association.When searching around I was able to see that this association has a European Childhood Research Journal.This journal is issued five(5) times annually and is said to be one of the most prestigious early childhood journals in the world.Most of the topics in the journal were focused on play.Some of the headings read-Make-believe play versus academic skills:a Vgotskian approach to today’s dilemma of early childhood education,the dynamics of early childhood spaces:opportunities for outdoor play and The Influence of play context and adult attitudes on young children’s physical risk-taking during outdoor play.

Also I have seen that the publications  are written in two languages,with English being one of the languages.

EECERA‘s Annual Conference is the largest early childhood research conference in Europe providing an exceptional forum and network for scholars, policy makers, researchers and practitioners.

ECERA looks to like-minded organizations, institutions and research centers to offer mutual support and information sharing. EECERA does not automatically agree to reciprocal links arrangements.The Board of Trustees wants to ensure that such links and partners have similar aims and values and has formulated a criteria.

These are some of the organizations that they have links with:

• eRegion (Inter-Municipality Initiative)
• The Korea Institute of Child Care and Education
• Pacific Early Childhood Education Research Association