The Methods in Educational Research course covered a number of topics that were familiar to me from previous coursework in research methods and professional work experience designing research methodologies. It was actually somewhat refreshing to be enrolled in a course in which I had some background knowledge, unlike the education courses that were filled with teachers and administrators, and where I always felt a little out of place. However, I realized that unlike other courses that I had taken of this type, this one marked only the beginning of several methodology courses. I realized that the information I would get from this course was only the starting point for what I would eventually learn about research methodology. Therefore, my familiarity with some of the topics gave me assurance that a secondary field in research methodology would be a good fit, but knowing that this course was just the beginning made me a bit uneasy. The assignment that resonated most with me was an assignment where we were asked to review a research article that had been submitted for a journal publication, provide comments, and give our determination as to whether the article should be accepted for the journal. Completing this assignment made me realize that not all research is of high quality. As an emerging scholar and researcher, it is important for me to be able to recognize quality research because of the implications the findings have on the education community. Some of the existing research has been used to support teaching methods and school curricula, among other important things. If critical decisions like these are being made on the basis of research, it is imperative that the research is methodologically sound. Also, being able to understand various methodologies helps to determine whether the results are valid. Overall, the assignment and the course in general, made me more conscientious about the quality of my own work. Are the research questions and purpose clearly stated? Is the methodology detailed and logical? Could another researcher replicate the study? These are questions that I now ask myself when thinking about my own research. |