Research Reflections
This six-week research project has been both an exciting and daunting experience, forcing me to engage with a wide variety of methods that have broadened my understanding of the research process. At the end of this process I believe it is highly beneficial to reflect on the process so that I can learn and grow in future endeavours and research experiences.
One of the first lessons I learned was the critical importance of embracing both planning and flexibility. Initially, in order to organise my time and minimise the overwhelming task list that needed to be completed in the short time frame, I separated my time into three, two week segments focusing on literature, a case study, and presentation. This approach kept me on track to complete my research in the allotted time, however, throughout this process I leant in to following unexpected paths that arose through reading and understanding more about my subject matter. This flexibility allowed me to explore new avenues of research that I had not initially considered which ultimately enriched the overall quality of my work.
A significant aspect of this research was the collaboration and support that weekly supervision meetings provided. The regular suggestions, inputs, and feedback from my supervisor helped me refine my ideas and provide different perspectives that I might not have considered on my own. When writing up my research this was particularly useful as I was able to receive advice about the structure or my work and how to condense the volume of work I had compiled.
I found the recording element of this project particularly challenging due to needing to condense weeks of research into a cohesive essay and poster. I was highly focused on making it look perfect however, I quickly realised that most important element was ensuring the quality of the content.
To conclude, his research experience has contributed to both my academic and personal growth as I have learnt how to manage my time effectively, research deeply into a specific topic, handle stress, and remain focused on longer-term goals. these skills are not only applicable to future research endeavours but also any personal or professional challenges I may face.
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