The Importance of ECE Research

One of the first steps of tackling any research topic is the ability to gain the necessary information to assist in advancing in the field. While in progress, consideration must be given to the fact that others will also heavily depend on the validity of the data being reported, as they use the info as their own stepping stone in the right direction. The entire framework of research stages ( i.e. topic selection, data collection, process analyzing, etc) are delicately balanced on one another and are all of equal importance. Surprising to me, both qualitative and quantitative approaches can be combined when possible (such as when the budget permits) to give added reliability to what is being captured and reported.

As I began to broaden my knowledge of research methods, I found the need to modify and re-modify my topic and approaches to observing, collecting, and analyzing the information being investigated or proven. Prior to embarking on thoroughly researching a topic to retrieve data for the purpose of proving a theory, it's my opinion that one should definitely first develop a true comfort and understanding for what the practice of research is. Valuable time and money can be wasted if the appropriate steps are not taken to proactively gain the necessary insight of what is being questioned. For instance, the researcher must possess the skill set of balancing between the significance of equity and equality, while orchestrating the entire process of tracking and reviewing data the entire time. 

The knowledge that I have gained has caused me to develop a deeper respect for all the hard work and sacrifice researchers of all fields put into mastering their art of providing the world with awareness of what actually is occurring.....Thank You.

International Research Topics (Not So Different from Ours)

It's amazing how once you began really exploring information Internationally, you find that there are more commonalities in what we are attempting to achieve, versus differences. For instance, the website for Early Childhood Australia (www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/  ) contains many components similar to those on creditable United States Early Childhood Education websites such as the Children's Defense Fund and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). There are established Standards, Code of Ethics, Newsletters, opportunity to for Memberships and Donations, various resources, etc. for visitors of the website who seek information.

As it relates to some of the hot topics being researched in Australia, the following items are being investigated;

• Diversity and Differences:Lightening the Spirit of Identity 
• Understanding Children's Feelings
• Aggression and Young Children
• Nurturing the Spiritual Child: Compassion, Connection, and a Sense of Self

At a second glance, these are some of the exact same topics that all researchers are interested in learning more about in the field of Early Childhood Education and Child Development regardless of where they reside. As I have stated before, what a wondrous thought of what we could accomplished for the betterment of children if we (the world) all worked together.