RESEARCH TOPIC

My current master's course is Building Research Competency.  In this course we will be exploring a research topic and simulating a research project.  My broad research topic is executive function in early childhood.  What is executive function you ask?  The following video helped me to understand the importance of this subject to this field.

For the purpose of this course it was necessary to refine my broad topic to a more specific subtopic.  I will be researching the benefit of play curriculum on executive function development.

Research is one of the more intimidating aspects of becoming a professional in the field of early childhood.  Understanding the process is helping to make it feel less overwhelming.  The following are the steps taken when approaching a research topic.

• FORMULATING A RESEARCH ISSUE OR QUESTION
• Do a literature review of research already published.
• Refine your topic, issue, question, hypothesis
• RESEARCH DESIGN
• Deductive research process vs. Inductive research process
• COLLECT DATA
• Quantitative research data vs. Qualitative research data
• PROCESS/ANALYZE DATA
• WRITE A RESEARCH REPORT

My current literature review will include:

Kelly, R., & Hammond, S. (2011). The relationship between symbolic play and executive function in young children. Australasian Journal Of Early Childhood,36(2), 21-27.  Retrieved from http://web.b.ebscohost.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=3&sid=ddacfd0f-47f3-40e5-8ea5-892f25f166b3%40sessionmgr114&hid=113

Wegrzyn, S. C., Hearrington, D., Martin, T., & Randolph, A. B. (2012). Brain Games as a Potential Nonpharmaceutical Alternative for the Treatment of ADHD. Journal Of Research On Technology In Education (International Society For Technology In Education), 45(2), 107-130.  Retrieved from http://web.b.ebscohost.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=3&sid=ddacfd0f-47f3-40e5-8ea5-892f25f166b3%40sessionmgr114&hid=113

Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University. (2010, July). The foundations of lifelong health are built in early childhood. Retrieved from http://www.developingchild.harvard.edu

National Association of the Education of Young Children. (n.d.). http://naeyc.org

Gartrell, D. (2013, March). Democratic life skill 2: Guiding children to express strong emotions in nonhurting ways [Electronic version]. Young Children, 68(1), 90-92.

Please keep me in mind if you come across any sources that you think might help me explore this topic!