Self-Reflection on Research and Social Change - Coursework Example

 Research and Social Change Self-Reflection on Research and Social Change Self-reflection of skills and mindset is not an easy task, as it requires time to reflect upon personal level of assessments’ capabilities, command in range areas, and then summarizing self-development as a scholar practitioner via planned format and an evaluation of all areas that should be added in a self-reflection paper. In this paper, I am going to reflect upon my personal experiences, gained during research course and assignments. This reflection paper clearly underpins my preferences in terms of research methods and study outcomes as a scholar practitioner. Additionally, I will be shedding light on the fact that outcomes of research studies depend upon various societal factors in different societies (Open University, 2012). As a scholar practitioner, I believe that pre-assessment provided me awareness regarding influences and barriers. The procedures of pre-assessments have maximized my approaches, and I have gained potential to recognize my own current research skills and mindset. In order to conduct a self-analysis for the identification of my current research skills and mindset, I have undergone the present literature concerning different research methods and social changes that are driving changes in research methods as well (Bayer & Gollwitzer, 2005). As per my experiences, time management is an utmost skill of my own that helps me at every level of the research process (McCuen, 1996). Additionally, I have learnt that open mindedness is another important key to success that contributes to enhancing skills and research areas for a researcher. My passion for seeking knowledge and research ability for implementable theories, research programs, and courses through journals and books, helped me get command over different phenomena and concepts concerning diversified research topics and ethical considerations. Digital sources and e-libraries are very helpful, and through my experiences, I have observed that Ulrich’s Periodical Directory is one of the most credible sources and it provides very useful peer reviewed journals (Haustein, 2012). Furthermore, I have analyzed that while understanding problem statement; ethics of research and self-potential for scientific approaches the expert cites of Doctoral research advice media segment are functional and helped me understand what is critically and ethically important (Stone, 2011). At this point, I came to know that use of credible and appropriate source helps researchers derive out expected and most suitable results. Otherwise, researchers who do not understand the importance of unbiased sample and methods of data collection, they usually apply incorrect statistics, and as a result, they could not find out expected findings (Kothari, 2008). During pre-assessment process, I have identified that to deal with research problem statement an understanding of relationship between symptoms, severity, duration, and care approaches are very important (Stone, 2011). Additionally, it is considerable that I have understood the importance of all these concepts effectively because I have an ability to identify and accept the changes in factors and to control my behaviour with respect to those changes. I have learnt in this course that for composing a good research study it is important for a researcher to identify the usefulness of the available material. As per my experiences, a good researcher should try to shape the available resources in an efficient manner. Likewise, I have always attempted to do in my previous research assignments and more than that if I ever found insufficient information from collected data. I will tend to put more time and efforts in the study to make it look complete and sensible without informational errors or lacking (Stone, 2011). Moreover, from my experiences and peer reviewed journal articles I have become aware of the fact that social change has a very deep impact on research methods and research outcomes. Because social factors range from societies to societies and in every community intervention and action groups are formed in a different manner. For example, if a research aims to derive outcomes for prevalence of HIV/AIDS among young individuals in different societies. Then outcomes and research methods both will vary depending upon the social and environmental circumstances of the regions (Abu-Raddad, Akala, Semini, Riedner, Wilson, & Tawil, 2010). Such as, in the United States young individuals under age of 25 are more likely to get HIV/AIDS disease as compare to the young individuals of any Muslim state like Saudi Arabia. It is because there is a great difference between laws, regulation, and practice of the both state systems and the citizens live in these respective regions (Diane, 2001). Another aspect of social change can be understood in terms of variant trends that are added to societal culture with the passage of time. For instance, we consider a research study related to the nursing shortage in the hospitals directly influencing health standards. In this case, it has been noticed from prior researches that the problem of the nursing shortage is increasing with the passing years as new professions are attracting attention of individuals and many youngsters are losing interest in the nursing profession (Timby, 2008). Therefore, it can be clearly understood that same research methods and data collected techniques cannot be applied in different regions even if the subject matter remains same. Also, advancements in resources and approaches of conducting a research study are needed to adjust with the changing trends of social life (Open University, 2012). Thus, self-assessment of my own experiences motivates me to plan a strategic approach for becoming a good and potential researcher. As I have mentioned above that, I am good at time management so I have to maintain this quality to work better in the future. At first place, before starting research, I will have to understand the importance of arranging and planning all steps needed to end research work effectively (Gliner & Morgan, 2000). Further, I will have to polish my research skills by going through peer-reviewed literatures and reflection of senior researchers. I will have to develop a habit of focusing on one subject matter at one time with the use of relevant data collected for the purpose. I will be paying attention to get latest updates related to my selected topic or problem in order, to underpin the shortcomings of prior researches and develop a better research study (Gliner & Morgan, 2000). I consider it important to work under the guidance of senior professionals, and I will always be seeking assistance of senior researchers. I strongly believe that this approach will help me attain my targeted goals of becoming proficient researcher and scholar. Reference List Abu-Raddad, L. J., Akala, F. A., Semini, I., Riedner, G., Wilson, D., & Tawil, O. (2010). Characterizing the HIV/AIDS Epidemic in the Middle East and North Africa: Time for Strategic Action. Washinton DC: World Bank Publication. Bayer, U., & Gollwitzer, P. (2005). Mindset effects on information search in self evaluation. European Journal of Social Psychology (35), 313-327. Diane. (2001). HIV Prevalence Trends in Selected Populations in the United States. Atlanta: DIANE Publishing. Gliner, J., & Morgan, G. (2000). Research methods in applied settings: An Integrated Approach to Design and Analysis. New Jersey: Routledge. Haustein, S. (2012). Multidimensional journal evaluation: analyzing scientific periodicals beyond the impact factor. Bavaria: Walter de Gruyter. Kothari, C. (2008). Research methodology: Methods and techniques. Delhi: New Age International. McCuen, R. (1996). The elements of academic research. New York: ASCE Publications. Open University. (2012). Information skills for researchers. Retrieved August 15, 2012, from Open University: http://www.open.ac.uk/infoskills-researchers/evaluation-introduction.htm Stone, M. (2011). Healthcare dynamics. Retrieved August 15, 2012, from Health Care Dynamics.blogspot.com: http://healthcaredynamics.blogspot.com/ Timby, B. (2008). Fundamental nursing skills and concepts. New York: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Read More