Effects of alum sludge and its application to farmland - Research Paper Example

Effects of alum sludge and its application to farmland Research on effects of sludge and its application on farmland offered me an experience with primary research into knowledge development. I completed the research and documented findings in a report that consist of the introduction, literature review, research methods, results, and analysis of the results. This paper evaluates the research report, identifies the most positive and the least positive aspects of the research experience, and outlines targets for improving my performance in conducting further research.

Most positive and least positive aspects of the experienceMy experience in the research process informed me of the different elements of research and required content of each element. Even though I developed the insights within time constraints for completing the research, a reflection of the elements and further research has increased my knowledge and skills in completing a research report, a basis upon which I evaluate my research report. The most positive aspect of my experience in the research is completion of the research section.

My preliminary research into the research identified significance of the results section and my efforts met the section’s role of describing collected data comprehensively. My results section described collected data from the experiment and offered necessary insights such as the optimal pH level for phosphorous absorption, 12, and negative effects of alum sludge on the level slaking and dispersion of soil. Data analysis section is another aspect of the experience that has highly positive (Ward, n.d.).

The methods section however identifies the least positive aspects of the research experience. I was not able to incorporate essentials of the section’s elements such as definition of research design, research methods, data collection tools and their reliability and validity, as well as threats of researcher’s bias. My introduction into the report also failed to identify a research problem and research objectives and my literature review was not sufficient to establish a problem statement towards research questions and hypothesis into informed methodology (Rudestam and Newton, 2007; Gravetter and Forzano, 2010).

Targets to improving my performance in conducting further researchMethodology section is the most significant area that I most plan to improve in because while it is core to the research process and determines validity and reliability of collected data besides the ability to collect desired data for analysis, the section was poorly developed. Even though its scope is wide, I have identified each of the aspects that must be considered for a proper methodology section. I therefore plan to conduct research on the different types of research methods and their features for the potential to identify suitable research methods for each of my future research activities.

I also aim at improving my knowledge on research designs in each of the three major research methods for selection of appropriate design in my future research activities. In addition, my research failed to justify selection of data collection tools and I plan to explore published research journals for more insight. I will also ensure that my methodology section describes and operationalizes research variables and outlines research procedures. Improvement of my analytical skills for literature review towards identified problem statement and research question is another developmental priority for my future research.

I also plan to conduct research on literature on development and application of data collection instruments to facilitate my proficiency in selecting, creating, and using the instruments appropriately. My other target is achieving significant improvements in my statistical potentials for better data analysis. Attending basic statistics classes and training on data analysis tools will also help me and I plan to complete the trainings before my next research project. Improvements on the conclusion section is also necessary (Rudestam and Newton, 2007).

ReferencesGravetter, F. and Forzano, L. (2010). Research methods for the behavioral sciences. Mason, OH: Cengage Learning. Rudestam, K. and Newton, R. (2007). Surviving your dissertation: a comprehensive guide to content and process. Michigan, MI: SAGE PublicationsWard, M. (n.d.). Elements of a lab report. Louisiana School for Math, Science, and Arts. Retrieved from: http://www.lsmsa.edu/pages/files/228/Elements%20of%20a%20Lab%20Report1.pdf.