Positive Effects of Research

This week we're looking at ethics in early childhood research. While some people believe that refraining from social research is the best way to avoid violating professional ethics, I have found a number of examples of how social research has positively changed people's lives. One example is of a positive change is the findings from the Carolina Abecedarian Project. I encourage you to read this article from the New York Times from last March. Checking in with research participants 42 years later has proved that significant benefits have come from providing low income families with full time day care and meals. This research project has a happy ending. I'm so glad to know that early childhood education is valued more today than ever.

EDUC 6163 Week 2

I am now taking the 5^th class in my Master’s program. This course is called Research Competency. My past few assignments have been exploring a research simulation. The topic I am interested in studying is how a mother’s sleep patterns during pregnancy affects her child’s sleep patterns. I chose this topic because I know how important sleep is for children’s growth and development and I’m curious to know how much of children’s sleep habits are aligned with their mothers’ sleep habits.

Colleagues – I would love to hear your thoughts on this topic. What ideas do you have or challenges do you anticipate? I look forward to reading about your simulation ideas as well.