When I Think of Research...

•What insights have you gained about research from taking this course?

I have gained many insights about research from taking this course. I had a little knowledge about research before, but there was so much that I did not know. For example, the mixed methods approach was an eye opener for me. I had an idea that some research would require using both qualitative and quantitative research but I thought two different research processes would have to take place in order for that to happen. However, with the mixed methods approach, one can conduct a single study yet draw more accurate conclusions.

•In what ways have your ideas about the nature of doing research changed?

My ideas about the nature of research have changed because I always looked at research to be somewhat of a boring subject. But after taking this course, I am more excited about research and I am looking forward to doing my own. I took two research classes in my undergraduate study, yet I feel as though I have learned more taking just this one class.

•What lessons about planning, designing, and conducting research in early childhood did you learn?

I have learned a lot of lessons about planning, designing and conducting research in this field. But one thing that stuck out to me the most was how to go about getting consent from the children and their parents. That is something that has to be done when conducting research in this field. Otherwise, one will run the risk of encountering some major challenges.

•What were some of the challenges you encountered—and in what ways did you meet them?

Coming up with a research question was probably my biggest challenge. At first it was too broad but after working with Dr. Myers, I was able to come up with the perfect question for my research (Thank you).

•What are some of the ways your perceptions of an early childhood professional have been modified as a result of this course?

The best way to say that my perceptions of EC professionals have been modified as a result of this course ties in with how they deal with children who participate in research. Truthfully, the way we are supposed to handle children should be the same all across the board. We should not choose to treat children one way then turn around and do something different when research is being done. I know that some professionals deal with children differently when research is being done but I believe that is not fair to the children. With that being said, whether research is being done or not, EC professionals need to make sure that they are staying professional at all times.

Research Around the World

I chose to write about the Early Childhood Development Virtual University (ECDVU) Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) website. They have quite a few research topics listed but the two I chose to elaborate on are as follows: "The Development of an Integrated Early Childhood Development Urban Model Training Program for Informal Minders and Community Volunteers in Ghana" and "The Status of Coordination and Supervision of Early Childhood Education in Ghana".

The Development of an Integrated Early Childhood Development Urban Model Training Program for Informal Minders and Community Volunteers in Ghana is developed based on an integrated approach towards the holistic development of the child. The objectives of the project are to identify and develop appropriate training curricula, methods and materials to be used in the training of informal minders (IMs) and community volunteers (CVs). The integrated approach was used to develop the training modules they use.


The Study of Coordination and Supervision of Early Childhood Education in Ghana was conducted in the Greater Accra and Eastern regions from August to December 2003. The main objective of the study was to identify the factors that have engendered the current problems militating against the successful implementation of early childhood education in Ghana. Specifically, the study examined concepts such as early childhood care and development (ECCD), surveyed types of Early Chilhood Development (ECD) programs in the country and presented a general framework for the subsequent discussion.


I came across some interesting information as I navigated through the website. But one thing that stuck out to me the most was the Early Childhood Development Virtual University (ECDVU) "generative curriculum". The generative curriculum encompasses the following characteristics:

• a learner-focused approach - drawing as much as possible on the learner's experiences in their personal and professional lives;
• an ecological approach - placing individuals, programs and policies into an interactive and dynamic context and seeking to plan activities and interventions to maximize resonating impact throughout the larger ecology;
• a capacity building approach - aiming to strategically strengthen the capacities of participants to effectively fulfill their mandates in their professional position and to be accountable to their constituents and the broader ECD community in their countries. Although most education activities claim this as a general 'purpose', the ECDVU program addresses capacity development in a specific, strategic manner.
• a co-constructive approach - encouraging each learner to draw upon provided curriculum material as well as their own in-country experience and data to derive their own perspectives and applications;
• a multicultural approach - considering ideas, research, and goals pertaining to child care and development from many different cultural sources, including (but not limited to) African and Euro-Western sources;
• a cohort driven approach - encouraging collaboration, reciprocal learning among peers, and consolidation of networks within and between learners representing each participating country.
• an historical approach - exploring 'how we came to be here' vis à vis the evolution of various theories and constructions regarding children and their care and more recent international development activities focusing on children's care and development.

All of these things (meaning the research and generated curriculum) tie in together and they focus on the betterment of children and education. It is interesting to see other countries taking a stand in the early childhood field. I believe that we can all work together for our children. It takes a "village" to raise a child. So I guess it is safe to say that it takes the whole world to raise all of our children.





Early Childhood Development Virtual University (ECDVU) Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA): Developed and maintained by the University of Victoria, Canada, this virtual university is the international gateway for early childhood research worldwide. Through the link below, you can access ECDVU’s Sub-Saharan Africa portal. The second link takes you to a list of current early childhood research conducted by students in Sub-Saharan Africa.http://www.ecdvu.org/ssa/index.php
http://www.ecdvu.org/ssa/major_reports.php