Reflection Analysis of Research Activities - Assignment Example

Reflection Analysis

Reflection analysis of a research activity refers to the way of demonstrating one's understanding of the material and how the material affects one's idea to practice in the future. Reflection is essential when conducting field research since it allows people to have a positive attitude on life experiences. The reflection paper will cover four elements of research: validity of the research area, data collection detail, formulating research questions, and selection of research methodology.

Description

• What happened?

A research study was conducted on a given theme, and data was collected in a specific area. The first step was to validate the research area to assess if it would give accurate data for analysis. The interview was selected as a method of data collection and descriptive research questions formulated. After data was collected, the survey was selected as a type of research methodology (Clark and Vealé, 2018).

• What was the experience

The experience was educational and practical since we used statistical methods learned in class in the research study. The research study enabled us to ask interview questions, record the results that we later used in the analysis.

• What was your role

We were divided into different groups, and each group had ten members. Each group was assigned one area to collect data. I participated in conducting interviews.

• What did you do

I interviewed different respondents using the research questions formulated. The first step before the interview questions, I created an excellent rapport to make the respondent comfortable when answering the questions. After the respondent was composed, I asked the interview questions.

• What was the purpose

The purpose was to research a given theme and collected data on a specific area. The data collected was used in the analysis to determine if the research was beneficial and if it would be used in the future (Bailey, 2017).

Self- analysis

• What were your thoughts

Before the research study began, my thoughts were to learn more about how to use data collection methods in the field. Second, was to determine if the descriptive research questions will give a clear of the research theme. Another thought was to brainstorm on how to improve the accuracy of the data collected.

What was the reason behind you taking part in this activity

The reason for actively taking part in the research study was to learn the real-life experience of conducting a research study on the field. Another reason was to improve my practical skills in the survey as a research methodology and data analysis using time series and regression.

Post analyses

When the research study continued, thoughts before the study were explained in the research. That is, I was able to conduct interviews by first creating a good rapport with the respondent. Although conducting interviews was challenging because some respondents were uncooperative, I managed to collect accurate records concerning the research topic (Adhabi and Anozie, 2017). Survey as a research methodology was beneficial since it was less expensive, and it covered a large area hence a high response rate.

Reaction

From the data collected in the study, it was evident creating a rapport with respondents influences the quality of data collected. In cases where respondents are not cooperating, one should be patient since the main aim is to collect accurate and quality data. Interview questions should short and direct so that the respondent can understand them and give an accurate answer.

Analysis of learning

• What did you learn

The research study was educational. I learned how to create a good rapport with the respondent when conducting an interview, formulate interview questions, and use a survey as a research methodology.

What conclusion can you draw from the experience?

A field research study is significant and educational to the student since they can learn practical skills to perform research when given a research topic. Another essential field research is that first-hand information is collected hence reducing chances of biasness in the report (Crump, 2020). Detailed data on the research topic is collected. Thus the relevant authority concerned with the research theme can be to make a change in the future. The field research study helped the students to learn the value of patience, especially when conducting an interview (Wolf, 2016). The value of patience helps when the respondent is not cooperative; hence one has to create a good rapport before starting the interview. When the respondent is composed, he or she provides a detailed and unbiased response that make the data accurate.

• Use literature to derive understanding.

The field research study involves collecting primary data on the field and later use it when analyzing a given topic of study. The method of data collection used is more advantageous since fast hand information is recorded (Majid et al., 2017). Also, one can get detailed information on the topic of study due to direct interaction with the respondent. After data collection, the recording of the data is done using tables used to generate histograms. Histograms show a clear trend of the data and hence use time series to predict future trends (Torchiano et al., 2017). As a research methodology, the survey is very significant since it gives a wide range of data with different variations (Aigrain, 2019). Variation of data increases precision, especially when analyzing using statistical methods. Data analysis methods like regression are used to show the association between the control and the predictor variables (Heath et al., 2019).

Application in context

• How does it link to previous knowledge, experience, learning, assumptions?

The activities conducted on the research study were very educational since the research applied most of the things that were taught theoretically in-class—for example, interviewing with a real respondent (Hull, 2016). Also, recording data that is directly collected in the field using tablets and histograms were very motivating.

• How does it link to theory, frameworks?

A survey is a research method that considers both quality and quantity (Flick, 2018). In data collection, the survey covers a large population that increases the response rate to the research questions (Yates and Laggett, 2016). The theory helped in collecting diverse data from different respondents located in the research area. In the field, the researcher can divide the study area where the data should be collected (Neuman, 2016). The shortcoming of survey theory is that the data can be biased since respondents may not be truthful (Rice et al., 2017). The language barrier may affect the survey since it involves direct interactions with respondents. As a result, the respondent may not understand the questions asked hence giving wrong information (D'Ancona, 2017). The survey is not suitable for research covering a small population, especially online survey (LATKOVIKJ and POPOVSKA, 2019).

How and why you think there is a link

The research topic is more understood since all the facts collected and analyzed statistically. The report drawn from the research can be used in the future since it covers a large population with different variations.

How do results reflect this context?

The field research motivates many students to specialize in statistical research in the future. Also, using survey students can identify the gap present in the research topic. Surveys can be used in any type of data to give an association between variables under study. People should be educated on different types of surveys and its importance to cooperate when they are part of the target population in a research study (Phoenix and Orr, 2017).

Evaluation

The research experience on the field when collecting data was outstanding since new practical approaches like recording data in histograms were learned. The experience was also beneficial to students since they learned the virtue of patience when dealing with tenacious respondents. The data collected and analyzed from the research study can be used to study future trends.

Reconstruct self-concept and action

Field research is a qualitative method of collecting data when studying a particular top or theme. Field research aims to observe and interact with people to get more information concerning the topic of study. First-hand information is collected in the field; hence accurate reports are drawn after analysis. When the targeted respondents are cooperative, hidden facts on the topic of study are revealed. Thus the results are more detailed (Bai et al., 2019). Field research is motivating, especially to those students who want to be data analysts because every step of the research new experience is gained. The data collected in the field is valid and reliable since it is fresh from the field; hence new trends on the topic of study are identified.