Research Summer Week 1 Reflection
Our first week was dedicated to becoming more familiar with the research brief we had been given and understanding how we might approach our project. Our brief asked us to conduct a project on the topic of educational policy and non-attainment-based evidence while providing a few more specific angles to approach the topic with. I will admit I was a little disappointed at not being able to choose my own topic for research this summer, but I am trying to take it in stride and not let it affect my motivation for completing this project. Rather than viewing it as a missed opportunity to study a personal topic of interest, I’m trying to view this summer as an opportunity to learn more about a different field and develop new skills.
On that note, this week involved two IT training sessions. We were introduced to Nvivo, which did not seem immediately applicable to the research methods our group would need, but it was incredibly interesting to finally understand what ‘coding’ qualitative data meant. I had come across it before in various articles and papers, but the process had always seemed so mysterious to me. I’m interested to see if in the future I might be able to make use of Nvivo for my LiA summer.
At first, I struggled to make sense of what direction our group could take with our research proposal, but after conversations with groupmates and advice from our Graduate Advisor I think we’ve finally arrive at a direction for our project: To identify what challenges emerge when attempting to influence educational policy using developmental or non-attainment-based evidence, and why this emergence occurs. I’m excited to see where this project takes us!
Next week, we’ll be visiting a primary school in Oxfordshire and taking part in a local sports day. It’s been a long time since the I last went to a field day, so I’m excited to help out and hopefully create a memorable day for the kids attending. As our project ramps up next week, I also want to be more proactive about approaching my work. Rather than waiting till the evening to conduct my research or work, I want to commit myself to spending the morning and early afternoon in the library and get some work done. That way I have time to do extra work if required without cutting into my sleep and can go about my day peacefully if no extra work is required.
Please sign in
If you are a registered user on Laidlaw Scholars Network, please sign in
Hi Gina,
Thank you for sharing such an honest reflection. I particularly appreciated your openness about feeling disappointed not to be pursuing a topic you would have chosen yourself. One of the realities of research, and indeed many professional environments, is that we are often asked to contribute to projects that we did not design from the outset. The fact that you have already reframed this as an opportunity to develop new knowledge and skills speaks positively to your adaptability and growth mindset.
It was also encouraging to read about your willingness to engage with unfamiliar methods and technologies. Your reflections on NVivo demonstrate curiosity and intellectual openness, and even if it does not become a central tool for this project, understanding different approaches to evidence collection and analysis is valuable preparation for future research opportunities.
I was particularly pleased to see the progress your team has made in refining its research focus. Moving from initial uncertainty to a clearly defined question around the challenges faced by developmental and non-attainment-based evidence in influencing educational policy is a significant achievement for the first week. This aligns closely with some of the key questions at the centre of Brief 6, including how evidence gains legitimacy in policymaking, how wellbeing and character-related outcomes are positioned within policy discourse, and what barriers can emerge when attempting to influence policy using evidence beyond attainment measures.
As your research develops, I would encourage you to continue connecting these broader policy questions back to the enrichment context that underpins the project. The brief provides an exciting opportunity to explore not only why certain forms of evidence are valued more highly than others, but also how research relating to teamwork, adapting, belonging, engagement and wellbeing might contribute to future educational reform discussions.
I also enjoyed reading your reflections on personal development. Your commitment to becoming more proactive with your research practices is a thoughtful and practical goal. Learning how to manage your time, establish productive habits, and take ownership of your work is every bit as important as the research findings themselves.
Finally, your excitement about the school visit comes through clearly. Those opportunities to engage directly with the environments and communities connected to the research can provide invaluable context and often help bring abstract policy discussions back to the real experiences of young people and educators.
You've made a strong start to the programme, and I am particularly impressed by the self-awareness and reflective attitude evident throughout your post. I look forward to seeing how your thinking develops as your team begins engaging more deeply with stakeholders, evidence, and policy debates over the coming weeks. Keep up the great work.