- What new ideas, challenges, or other issues have you encountered with regard to your project (this might include data collection, information that contradicts your assumptions or the assertions of others, materials that have enriched your understanding of the topic or led you to change your project, etc.)?
My PI and I decided that I should research a new separate NSF program towards the end of my research, which led me to encounter a battle with time. I wanted to make sure that my research regarding the program was just as thorough as the other aspects of my investigation, so I sacrificed many late nights and weekends implementing it into my report and collection of data. At the end, I was able to complete everything in time, which was very rewarding.
- How have these ideas or challenges shaped the bigger picture of your research? Has the scope or focus of your topic changed since you began this project? If so, how?
My research has definitely broadened in scope over time as I have learned more about NSF programs that have bioethical-implications, and have added them to my portfolio and longitudinal analysis of grants. The challenges that I have faced have allowed me to experience the variability of research and the importance of keeping an open mind when introduced to new sub-investigations that could strengthen a report.
- Now that you’ve engaged in Part II of the Leadership Retreat, reflect on a learning point that remains with you as a new way to understand leadership, and to incorporate into your own engagement, in the future.
The Leadership Retreats have made me realize that learning how to manage critiques and edits to a project are an extremely important component of any investigation. During the beginning of my project, I was having trouble with the data coding portion, and struggled to implement the advice that I was given. By talking to my graduate advisor, personal librarian, and PI's, I realized that sometimes it takes multiple perspectives to truly understand what needs to be changed. Discussing my challenges has been the most important part of moving around obstacles and advancing my report over time.