When I think about research...(Week 8)

• What insights have you gained about research from taking this course?
• One of the biggest things that I have learned from this course is learning to break apart a research study and analyze the content. This includes the authors, publication, and the whole process of what it takes to make a research study. 
• In what ways have your ideas about the nature of doing research changed?
• The process that it takes to make a valid, ethical, and sound research study intrigued me. before this class I never thought that the process was this indepth. I knew the parts of a research topic and thought to my self all the time i wish i could do something like this but it looks way to hard. It is hard. However this class has shown me the way that it is done. 
• What lessons about planning, designing, and conducting research in early childhood did you learn?
• When children are involved the more difficult it is to plan research, design research, and conduct research. Getting consent can set back your research. Creating an environment that is stable, and not overwhelming, and creating a relationship with the children so they feel comfortable working with you but not interfering with the research aspect of what you want are all obstacles i never really considered. 
• What were some of the challenges you encountered—and in what ways did you meet them?
• One of the challenges i had was the week that we learned about variables. I, from the time I started learning about research in middle school to today, I have a hard time understanding the difference between independent variables and dependent variables. This course also brought to my attention variables that are unseen by many researchers and create invalidity in the research. THis is because the researcher did not expect this to weigh on the outcome. THrough lots of help of others weigh in and talking with the professor, I understand how to look for those things and understand variables better. 
• What are some of the ways your perceptions of an early childhood professional have been modified as a result of this course?
• I have changed as a early childhood professional. Research is a major part of being a early childhood prfessional. Sharing knowledge through research is how we grow as a field. I want to contribute and learn more. 

Thank you to everyone in this course. It has been a joy to work with all of you. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and understanding of the course content, opinions, and experiences. I have taken away much from this class. I wish everyone the best of luck in all future endeavors!!! Happy Holidays!