Individual reflective journalling - Week 4
Passing into the second half of the research project, this week has definitely been the most momentous. We have started to interview potential stakeholders which has been more tedious and meticulous compared to the previous weeks. One aspect which particularly resonated with me this week was the more proactive side of the project, as it involved creating a meeting transcript as well as note taking in order to really get the most out of the data we have collected.
The most rewarding aspect of the week was the Thursday pizza social, as I got to unwind and relax with my cohort and enjoy a nice evening with some new faces as well.
In future, I will ensure that I manage my time more efficiently so that I have dedicated time towards interviewing whilst also ensuring that we keep our names, records, and documents more secure and anonymous to keep any sensitive information out of the data we have.
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Hana,
It's good to see that your project has reached the stage of engaging directly with stakeholders. Your observation that interviewing requires much more preparation and attention to detail than earlier stages of the project is an important one. Collecting good qualitative data is often far more demanding than it first appears, and your appreciation of the care needed in recording conversations demonstrates growing research awareness.
I also liked your reflection on the practical side of research. Producing transcripts, taking detailed notes and managing data carefully may not always be the most visible aspects of a project, but they are fundamental to producing trustworthy and ethically conducted research. It's encouraging to see you recognising the importance of secure data management as your project develops.
I was pleased to read that the pizza social provided an opportunity to relax and strengthen relationships across the cohort. Building a supportive research community is an important part of programmes like Laidlaw and often leads to valuable conversations outside the formal project work.
As you move into the final stages of the Research Summer, I'd encourage you to continue taking ownership of different aspects of the project wherever opportunities arise. Collaborative research is at its strongest when each team member actively contributes their skills and ideas throughout the process, and taking on responsibility for specific tasks is an excellent way to build both confidence and experience.