When I Think of Research......

Friday, December 21, 2012

When I Think of Research......

“At times I felt dissatisfied with the final outcomes of my journey as I wondered about the alternate routes I may have taken and the decisions I had made along the way” (Mackenzie & Ling, 2009, p. 54).

I had no idea that there were so many choices to be considered when designing a research study to ensure the findings were reliable, replicable and able to be generalized or contribute new knowledge. The challenge of examining the dependent variable from 360° requires focus and organized reflection. The encouragement to read a variety of research articles with the guidance of “A practical guide to reading research articles” provided a growing confidence and understanding (Lepuschitz, 2011).

I started the research simulation with impatience. I wanted to run out and get answers to my questions. I wondered, “Why does research need to take so long?” As I soon learned there were many elements of quality, ethical research that I had yet to consider. Research design takes time; and in reality, money. We didn’t discuss it, but I can imagine that researchers are under pressure to secure funding and at the same time not be influenced by the source of the funding.

The ethics of research seem to apply not only to formal research being conducted, but early childhood practitioners developing individualized curriculum (method), documenting behaviors and skills (gathering data), reflecting on classroom observations (analyzing), and responding to children’s needs (discussion and conclusion) must consider the influences of their personal research paradigm. Have we taken the time to determine if we have asked the right question?

Reference

Lepuschitz, J.K. (2011). A practical guide to reading research articles. Laureate Education Inc., Baltimore, MD.

Mackenzie, N. M., & Ling, L. M. (2009). The research journey: A lonely planet approach. Issues in Educational Research, 19(1), 48-60. Retrieved from http://www.iier.org.au/iier19/mackenzie.pdf

3 comments:

DianneDecember 22, 2012 at 4:41 AM
Hi Wendy, I share many of your same questions. I also felt overwhelmed by the number of decisions to be made throughout the ressearch design process. I have enjoyed reading your discussion posts and have learned so many things from your insights. Best of luck as you continue your studies.
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Jackie RodriguezDecember 22, 2012 at 9:25 AM
Wendy, you are so right to recognize the monetary cost of research. Securing funding is just another factor that could have an effect on the bias, validity, and ethics. Who is funding a study can say a lot about the findings and how they will be used. Wishing you continued success. Jackie
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AnonymousDecember 29, 2012 at 12:23 AM
Hi Wendy! Thanks for your support throughout the course too. Your confidence, experience and wisdom are evident in all your contribution and I found your insight invaluable. I like your choice of picture for this blog. The routes have been numerous, overlapping, reinforcing and often taken us to new and unexpected places. I look forward to seeing you in future courses. May 2013 bring you lots of peace, love, joy and many special family moments. All the best Jody
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Personal Childhood Web

Joanie Peterson, my mother, was very engaged in my life from birth. I was the oldest and the only child until I was five. I was loved,my mother spent time with me by including me in whatever activities needed to be done. I remember the old tile floor in the kitchen that had to be waxed regularly. When the wax dried, my mother would give me an old towel to stand on and she would put on music and we would dance the twist until the tiles were buffed. My mother was finishing her bachelor degree in psychology and English during my first three years. I had the opportunity to meet lots of people in a community of shared values. I had time to play uninterrupted and my play was very creative and complex, with hours outside. I was read to and the value of learning was instilled in me early, but not in a competitive way, to be recognized as the best, but in a very personal way. Was I giving the task or the skill my best effort? Her approach to parenting developed intrinsic motivation in me. I am a great team player, motivated and satisfied to make sure the team does well. The measure of achievement is the level to which I tried my best. I can take a risk to take on a new challenge, because I know my mother will always love me. I value personal responsibility.

Rev. Merton Peterson, my father, was finishing seminary and pastoring his first church when I was born. I remember sitting on his lap, watching him type, helping fold bulletins, turning the handle on the old mimeograph machine, and going on home visits with him, when he needed to visit families from the church. We did not have material wealth, but I never felt poor We had enough that we could share. My did believed in me, when there was something I needed to do or learn he always spoke as though I had already mastered the task. I believe he spoke with confidence, because he has prayed for me every day of my life. Being a pastor's child means you learn manners, expectations and hospitality very early. We had lots of company. I loved giving up my bedroom and sleeping in a sleeping bag so the missionaries could have my room when they visited. I would listen to stories of their experiences in different countries and how they would help build homes and schools and grow crops wile they shared that Jesus loved them. I share my family's faith in God and the value that people are more important than things.

My extended family did not live close to me as I was growing up. But my grandmothers and aunt were prolific letter writers. We visited family every holiday, making holidays feel very special. I would listen to the adults share stories about family and friends. I knew that family were there for each other. My great-great grandparents were homesteaders. There was a strong sense of work ethic practiced. There were ranchers and there were farmers. It takes commitment and self determination to make it work. The entire family has to help to get the cattle in or harvest the crops. I remember the first time I was allowed to go on a cattle drive. I was probably seven. The strong connection to aunts, uncles and cousins as we spent the day on horseback gathering the cattle that were scattered among the trees and meadows in the foothills was exhilarating—I belonged, I was given worthwhile work. The farming family was an even stronger influence on my work ethic. When we visited the farm there was always tasks I could participate in: picking fruits and vegetables to can or freeze for my families use and when I got older picking melons or driving a tractor. It was part of being a member of my family. My family values hard work and integrity.

The church community provided a foundation of belonging and strength in conviction. Looking back I can appreciate that those families made sacrifices to make I had what I needed. The children were my friends, we could discuss the roles we were in and decisions we faced from a shared set of values. I never felt alone. As a community we looked out for each other. The community demonstrated living the values they held.

School Environment, Most people cannot imagine going to a school that houses children from kindergarten through senior high in the same building. Still the school community had enough diversity of values that it was a great place to have my values challenged and for me to exercise the decisions to stand true to my values. With only thirteen in my graduate class, but still the roles and functions of any school, there was so much opportunity to try out many different tasks. There were sports, student council officers, music, drama and clubs. I tried it all, because in a school that small everyone needs to get involved to have enough participants. My work ethic and integrity rewarded me with responsibility and opportunities. The most unusual was a flight class to learn to be a pilot, which included flight hours in a small plane. In the state I was raised, schools were the hub of activity for rural communities. Everyone came to all the events. People valued being together.

Wendy Newby - Have I asked the right question?

Friday, December 21, 2012