Option Two

For this assignment, I chose option two.

To imagine no restrictions for a research project gave me a chance to really think about my passions in the field.  If I could research any topic, I would want to research family involvement in Appalachia and the benefits of being involved in children’s educative process.  I would design pilot programs that families could learn skills for helping their children succeed.  I know that research shows the positive benefits of family involvement.  However, being from Appalachia, I would be interested in researching how a program with family education, a family academy, if you will, positively affects graduation rates and college/vocational school attendance.  I think that families often do not know the resources available to them and beginning at an early age would help them not feel so boxed in, if you will, and know early on the options that can be given to them.  In doing this research, families would be empowered to help their children, know available resources, and serve as an encouragement to their children.  In doing this, I would hope to see that graduation rates and college attendance would increase.

Research Simulation Topic

For some reason, for as long as I can remember, I have always had a difficult time narrowing my focus of topics.  As I read the text this week, I knew my topic was too broad, and it needed narrowed!  I knew I wanted to focus on the positive effects of play. Therefore, after much consideration, I have decided to narrow the focus of my topic, and thus, I want to research the role of play in aiding socio-emotional development in Pre-School aged children.  I feel very passionate about this topic, and I feel that learning more about play in relation to socio-emotional development will aid me as I advocate.  Just this week, I had a meeting with my supervisor and principal, both of whom are in defense of play, and are open to learning more about the positives of it (my supervisor was adamant about making sure we are getting in the substantial portion of the day in relation to play).  Researching this will also give me resources to give to families and others who may question why we have play for substantial portion of the day.  

 In the coming days, I know that I will need to decide if I plan to use an inductive or deductive method for gathering information.  Do any of you have any suggestions regarding this?  I know from your posts last week that some of you have research experience.  Any tips would be appreciated!

Also, do you have any research articles or information that you would be willing to share about play?  I look forward to hearing from you!

Thanks!