When I Think of Research

 

        As you enter positions of trust and power, dream a little before you think.

                                         Toni Morrison (Brainy Quotes)

 

 

Before starting the course on Building Research Competency, I had in mind that research was mainly about making a hypothesis, asking specific questions, sorting out the answers, and uncovering some kind of truth.  Little was I expecting to dive in a complex world comprised of many distinct yet overlapping methods such as quantitative, qualitative, theory research, mixed methods research, and the many different perspectives that a researcher may start from in order to conduct an ethical research (Mac Naughton, Rolfe, & Siraj-Blatchford, 2010). Since research’s ultimate goal is to be valid in order to be credible and to have results applied, it is important to embark on a project with another researcher to check the validity of the results as they come in. To that effect, having a design allowing for triangulation of methods ensures that research results can be trusted (Mac Naughton, Rolfe, & Siraj-Blatchford, 2010).

 What was most fascinating was the reflection on ethics and equity. When I scrolled a page on Google Images to find an illustration of equity, I was surprised to see that the word is mainly associated with money and profit out of something owned. Even though the definition of equity as “money value” comes in last position in the Merriam Webster online dictionary, it seems to rank first in people’s mind.  

Thanks to this course, I know that ethics and equity have to be weaved into the research as it is being designed and constantly evaluated during the research process. Researchers must efficiently conduct their research yet be wary of power relations especially when children participate in the research (Mac Naughton, Rolfe, & Siraj-Blatchford, 2010). In addition, researchers must carefully think through their design and avoid using a deficit model that would flaw the results in that results would take the perspective of the dominant Eurocentric culture and not give important information susceptible of helping children and families from the majority-minority (Barreto, Segura, Woods, 2004).

Clearly, the most daunting aspect of research is having present all the possible ways to approach it. Conversely, keeping research within ethical and equitable boundaries represent the more delicate and actual challenge because it implies being in tune with participants’ subtle reactions (Mac Naughton, Rolfe, & Siraj-Blatchford, 2010).

As I am getting deeper into the master of early childhood studies, the fascination for the field keeps growing and continues to surprise me as well as I continue to surprise myself as I go deeper into understanding the kind of early childhood educator I endeavor to be.

References

Barreto, M., A., Segura G., M., Woods, N., D. (2004). The Mobilizing Effect of Majority-Minority Districts on Latino Turnout. American Political Science Review. Vol. 98, No. 1 February. Retrieved from: http://209.235.207.196/imgtest/segura%20barreto%20APSR%20(feb%2004).pdf

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

Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. 2013. Retrieved from: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/equity

Brainy Quotes

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/t/tonimorris384459.html#EdqkH4FWiHiMasIQ.99