Reflection of Learning Experience and Its Impact - Essay Example

Reflective Written Report Name: Lecturer: Course: Date: Introduction This report presents a reflection of learning experience and its impact. Examined in the report include the types of research methodology, literature search of secondary sources and academic misconduct related to using secondary sources. Focus is on key skills I learnt during the course of study. Activity 1 In defining research, it is in my agreeable view that it is a systematic process of studying an issue of interest to come up with new facts and findings, or to reach a conclusion about an event. Although this definition is comprehensive, in my opinion, research should be viewed as a creative process. In this case, it should be defined as a creative work conducted systematically with the view of increasing knowledge about an issue or to find solution to a problem. I’m therefore more aligned to the second definition and suggest that the creative process of research should also be concerned with confirming or determining facts or results of previous work to solve current or new problems (Roig 2006). Steps and stages associated with research process. While discussing the requirements for effective research, the group agreed that the research process entails planning, discovering, searching, reflection, analysis, learning and revision. In my view, the research process entails several steps and stages. The order of the steps may however vary based on the person doing the research and what the research involves. On reflection, the group was of the opinion that although the number of research may be varied and complex, it could be summarised into five steps, each of which could be divided further into several stages (Blankenship 2013). Step 1 involves coming up with a research question or identifying the research problem. Here, I was able to understand that since a research is aimed at investigating an issue of concern, the research problem could be a problem that needs to be solved or the information being pursued. Step 2 involves review of literature. During the discussion, I gathered that once a research problem had been identified, then there is need to learn more information in books or journals about the topic that the research is about to investigate. I also learnt that review of literature would be essential in educating or informing the person doing research on previous studies that have been conducted in the same area (Blankenship 2013). Step 3 involves clarifying or describing the problem. In view of the fact that the research problem that has been identified for a study could be having a broad scope, it was clear to me that there is always a need for clarifying the problem and narrowing the scope of the problem to make it easy for the research to specialise in an area. Step 4 involves developing an instrumentation plan that will guide the whole research as well as specify individuals who will take part in the study. Step 5 involves data collection. After developing an instrumentation plan, the actual research can begin. At this stage, I learnt that data can be collected that provides the information to be used for answering the research problem or question. It is also critical to learn that data could be collected using questionnaires, survey documents and observation. Step 6 involves analysis of data, where the data that has been collected is analysed. The results of the analysis are afterwards examined and summarised to determine how they related directly to the research question. We observed that after the data is analysed and presented in the form of a report, the research process is brought to a close (Blankenship 2013). Personal skills for a good researcher Having understood the steps involved in the process of research, I was concerned about the personalities or qualities desirable for a good researcher. I was able to gather that personal skills essential for research are varied. Of interest is the fact that analytical skills are critical for a good researcher, since one would be involved in analysis of a range of broad factors to come up with streamlined answers. Accordingly, a good researcher in my view should be able to interpret data as well as present the findings objectively. I also learnt that a researcher should have people skills as he will be involved in interviewing or working with participants in the research during the actual research process. It was also clear to me that a researcher must also be inventive and innovative in order to translate his empirical findings or hypothesis into practical world. A researcher should be intelligent, have a quick mind as well as have a curious mind. Activity 2 On reflection, sources of information for academic projects may originate from anywhere, such as web resources, text books, journal articles, articles from magazines or technical literature from companies. However, not all sources may be categorized as accurate, useful or valid. Based on this, I believe that evaluating the sources that should be used in academic projects is a critical step. Web resources In my opinion, web resources are not very objective and tend to be promotional or persuasive. This makes them less effective as information sources unless their objective is purely educational. Additionally, identifying their authors is often difficult. The background of the author is also difficult to determine the background of the author. Web resources also omit certain important information. This makes them less reliable. Journals In my judgment, journals are objective and sober, as they usually report findings or empirical researches. They also contain charts and graphs for guiding one in analysis of information. They also cite their sources, which makes it easy to trace source of information. Articles in magazines I believe that articles in magazines are often sensational and rarely objective. They also rarely cite their sources making it difficult to establish the authenticity of their information. Information published is also generally secondary and minimally meet educational level. There purpose is therefore to entertain rather than educate. Text Books In my view, text books often cover certain academic discipline which makes them reliable for academic projects. They also report primary or secondary data, making them reliable for research. They also have authors, making it easy to establish their authority. Technical literature from company I believe that technical literature from companies is only important for certain information the researcher may need. Their limit is that they may not be exhaustive. They may also be biased to fit the expectations of the company. Order In order of appropriateness the order should start with journals at the top, followed by textbooks, technical literature from a company, web resources and lastly articles in magazines. I argue that characteristics suitable for academic source include; they should be objective, they usually report empirical findings, they should contain charts and graphs for guiding one in analysis of information, and lastly, they also cite their sources. Activity 3 Secondary sources In my present understanding, I understand that secondary sources used in academic work must be cited. Attributing sources ensures that plagiarism is avoided. Hence, all needed citation information for secondary should be documented. Instances in which secondary sources can be properly used include copying someone else’s work with proper documentation, such as using citation or quotation marks. Other methods include paraphrasing or summarizing secondary sources with proper citation. Statistics, facts and graphs borrowed should also be acknowledged through citation (Roig 2006). Examples of academic writing Option 1 cannot be used as it is plagiarized. For instance, the students have rewritten verbatim word for word. Additionally, it has no citation. Option 2 can be used as quotation marks have been used. Additionally, citation has been provided. Option 3 can also be used as it is summarized. Additionally, citation and referencing has been provided. Option 4 cannot be used. Even though citation has been provided, it has not been paraphrased and words have been rewritten word for word showing plagiarism. Activity 4 Possible Cases of Academic Misconduct In case A, Mr. X and Mr. Y are involved in unethical academic practice by pasting text from the site into their report. This shows they are claiming ownership of work that does not belong to them. They should have paraphrased the text and provided a citation to attribute their work to the university. In case B, Miss W is also guilty of plagiarism as the diagrams are not originally hers. Any creative work or academic work including diagrams and graphs must be properly cited to show attribution to original author. In Case C, although Mr. T does not do very much work in the group project, the little contribution he offered provides evidences of his participation in the project. Hence, his efforts need to be acknowledged. Hence, Miss V is right in including his name. In case D, Mr. P and Mr. Q have not done anything wrong, as they have come up with different reports that have different conclusion. The difference reflects lack of plagiarism. Mr. R and Miss S also paraphrased their reports and handed in different versions of report. They two have done nothing wrong. Conclusion In summary, the course enabled me to understand how to plan a research effectively with the view or arriving at objective conclusion. Having understood the steps involved in the process of research, I became more aware of the personalities or qualities desirable for a good researcher. I was able to gather that personal skills essential for research is varied. I also learnt how to categorise and use secondary sources and how to avoid plagiarism and other academic misconduct. References Blankenship, D 2013, Steps of the Research Process, viewed 8 Jan 2014, http://www.humankinetics.com/excerpts/excerpts/steps-of-the-research-process Johnson, B, Onwuegbuzie, A & Turner, L 2007, Toward a Definition of Mixed Methods Research, Journal of Mixed Methods Research Vol. 1 No. 2, pp. 112-133 April 2007 112-133 Roig, M 2006, Avoiding plagiarism, self-plagiarism, and other questionable writing practices: A guide to ethical writing, 8 Jan 2014, http://www.cse.msu.edu/~alexliu/plagiarism.pdf Read More