Building Research Competencies (EDUC - 6163 - 1) Research that Benefits Children and Families—Uplifting Stories

            Recently, I discovered a real life case study on this website http://www.mcri.edu.au/media/62295/cases_q___c.pdf. The title of the article is called "Opt-out consent and the role of parental consent in a study in a child care centre."  It is considered case number four in the article.  The experiment was designed to study the spread of germs within the center.  Researchers spread DNA fragments of a plant virus on the surface of the toys, doorknobs and other surfaces within the classroom.  The purpose was to indicate where exactly the spread of germs would be found in the classroom.  Although, the researchers did consider the health risks, they originally found none that was anticipated. 

            Later on, there arrived a parent whose complaint led to one of the centers closing down.  The parent said there consent for the experiment was never provided, because they were unaware of the research experiment.  A letter did go home with each child in their belongs.  Written on the letter were the details of the experiment and everything that the parents needed to know about the experiment.  However, the problem occurred simply because, anyone who has ever worked in child care or anyone who has children knows that the parents do not check their child's bag daily.  Although, the parent claims to have never received the letter, it was in the child's bag and they just did not know to check.  Whose fault is that? 

            Therefore, when the researchers approached the parents to gain consent for the final portion of the experiment, which is the permission to swab the child's hands to see if the solution was present , the parent became uncooperative.  and said they were never aware of the experiment was even taking place.  Due to this circumstance all parents were provided the opportunity to opt-out of the experiment and not complete it to the end.  Surprisingly, none of them choose these option.

            Here are some pointers to ponder for researchers in the future:

Did the researchers in this experiment try hard enough to gain parental consent?

Was the consent of the child needed in this experiment as well?

Was the opt-out option an acceptable solution for this matter?

What would have been the circumstances if the child would have put the solution into their mouth and became sick? 

Was the research experiment worth it in the end?

Please share your thoughts.  Thanks!

Building Research Competencies (EDUC - 6163 - 1) Your Personal Research Journey

                Communication is the topic that I choose to work with for this class.  It is a great topic because everyone uses communication in every field that they work in.  Although, good communication skills is relevant in every occupation, I feel it is most relevant in the early childhood field.  Communication can be used differently in early childhood: teacher-teacher, child-teacher, parent-teacher, child-child, parent-child and so on.  Recently, I found a credible source that deals with communication.  The website is http://www.earlychildhoodnews.com/earlychildhood/article_view.aspx?ArticleID=145.  The title of the of the source is "Do you communicate clearly? Consider This..."  It is a great source that breaks down the information to allow your mind a chance to wonder do you do any of these things.  It has been my personal experience that many people in the school system are not the best communicators.  Have you ever really sat and listened to two individuals talk?  Did they over talk each other?  Did their tone of voice change to the point where they were yelling?  Did the conversation  have anything to do with the individuals or was it out of their control and none of their business?  A conversation involves a speaker and a listener.  While one person is speaking the other person should be listening so they have a response when the speaker is done.  Then they will switch places.  When both people are talking at the same time it tends to bring about greater frustration.  When you consider young children, many of them bite the other person when they can not seem to get there point across and they don't know exactly what to do.  Also, this appears again in teens.  Many of them resort to fighting their peers when they feel like they're peer has wronged them.  Many children have learned to result to violence when they feel as though they can not communicate.  It is the teachers job to educate the children on better ways to redirect themselves or their feelings when times get a little tough.  If you have any thoughts on communication and how it has effected you please share your thoughts.  Do you feel like you are a good communicator?  What area could you work on better?  What is done within the classroom to ensure that they children are developing their communication skills?  Share your thoughts.

Greetings...

Hello, my fellow classmates in the Building Research class.  I am very excited and nervous about this class, but I am sure we will obtain plenty of new information.  Good Luck to everyone and please let me know if I can assist you with anything.