Self Assessment of Current Mind-Set and Skills - Research Paper Example

? EVALUATION RESEARCH Health Science and Medicine Submitted Self Assessment of Current Research Mind-Set and Skills I previously had a mindset that research primarily involved collection of data, analyzing of the data and reporting of data. I also assumed that research was only carried out by organizations and that it was not possible for a single individual to conduct a research activity. This was till I started my research course and discovered that data collection is actually that third section in research process where it is described as the methods. I have learnt that there are two other sections namely introduction where you identify the problem and generate objectives, and the second section known as literature review. This has revealed to me that there is so much that is done prior to collection of data. Also, research course has changed my mind set and I have learnt that an individual student can also carry out a research activity and contribute to the body of knowledge. I have realized that a student scholar can also contribute to evidence-based practice by getting involved in research activities relevant to his or her career (Svensson, 2009). Evaluation of the relationship between research and social change Change is a constant phenomenon and the society must learn to embrace change. Previously, I thought that research influenced social change but during my research course, I have learned that social change can also influence research. I have discovered that many researchers conduct research activities to understand the social changes that are taking place in the society. Research course has enabled me to understand that research and social change are inter-related and they either influence each other positively or negatively. I have come to appreciate the role that research plays in understanding social change (Harvey, 2009). Steps Taken To Become a Researcher and Scholar-Practitioner Embracing information technology in conducting health research is a step I will take to become a researcher and scholar-practitioner. This is since I will be in a position to access wide base information that illustrates the trends of disease pattern and research carried by other individuals. As a researcher, I need to be updated on recent developments and recent challenges facing the health sector to ensure that my research is not only informational, but it is also timely. This will ensure that as I prepare for my dissertation. I will embrace social change and contribute positively to the society and the quality of health of individuals (Cheung & Leung, 2010). Research process that has most surprised me, impression or attribute about research process that is different than I imagined prior to taking the course Ethical issues in research is one of the research process areas that has most surprised me. Prior to taking this course, I imagined that a researcher would conduct a research activity of his choice especially in areas that he felt there was a gap in knowledge without any ethical considerations. However, having undertaken my course in research, I have learnt about consent (Mann, 2008) which is an informed written and signed agreement by the research participants agreeing to take part in the study. I have also learnt that it is unethical to conduct experiments on human beings without ethical approval by the relevant authorities. Research course has aided be to understand and appreciate the importance of ethical adherence in research (Wester, 2011). Literature review is another area that following undertaking my course in research, I have discovered that it is quite different from what I thought. Prior to undertaking the course, I thought that literature review entailed gathering information and putting it down all information that is relevant to my topic of discussion. Consequently, I never knew that one had to accredit the source of information to the owners. However, following my course in research, I have learned about plagiarism and that any information that is not my own has to be accredited to its original owner. This has gone a long way in enabling me to appreciate the work of other and to associate my research work with works of other researches. I have also learnt that plagiarism is an academic offense that has grave consequences and that as a research student; I should not plagiarize my research work (Wester, 2011). Opportunities for improvement to focus on as I continue taking course in research methods and work towards my dissertation Coming up with a research title is an opportunity for improvement that I need to focus on as I pursue my course in research methods and work towards my dissertation. This is since my research topic is the core of my research and determines my objectives, research hypothesis, research questions, literature review and methodology. This means that I need to be very keen in choosing my research topic which should be inclined to a problem or a gap in knowledge that I have discovered and would like to address. Consequently, since I have to defend my dissertation topic, this calls for me to improve on reviewing previous research concerning my topic so as to have enormous information to defend my topic (Svensson, 2009). Formulation of research objectives is another opportunity of improvement that I need to focus on as I do my course in research methods and work towards my dissertation. I have discovered that research objectives need to be SMART. S meaning that every research objective I design for my dissertation should be specific addressing one prime issue. Consequently, my research objective should be Measurable entailing that there has to be what I expect to achieve that will be compared to my actual achievement. Moreover, my research objective should be Attainable, Realistic and Time-bound. This means that I have to work on my objectives and improve on their formulation to ensure that I come up with SMART research objectives for my dissertation (Svensson, 2009). How I now understand the relationship between research and social change and how I see myself as a social change agent I now understand that as a research student I am a social change agent in the area that I purpose to conduct my research activity. This is since I will not only add to the base of knowledge, I will also help my society to understand the disease processes and how they can aid in alleviating these problems. Research will also enable me to be a social change agent since by empowering the society with information; they will be in a position to make informed decisions pertaining to their health. This will in turn improve their quality of life and culminate to positive social change (Prattala & Puska, 2012). Next steps in becoming a successful researcher and doctoral student and challenges I anticipate and how I might overcome them. Financing my research activity is one of the challenges I anticipate during carrying out my research. However, I have learnt during my research course that there are organizations that fund health related research activities and I’m working on applying for sponsorship to conduct my dissertation. Time is another challenge that many researchers have reported and that I might encounter. I however anticipate countering this challenge by planning and generating a Gantt chart for my work schedule prior to commencing my research activity (Svensson, 2009). References Cheung, C., & Leung, K. (2010). “Ways that social change predicts personal quality of life.” Social Indicators Research, 96(3), 459-477. doi:10.1007/s11205-009-9487-9 Harvey, P. W. (2009). “Science, research and social change in indigenous health - evolving ways of knowing.” Australian Health Review, 33(4), 628-35 Mann, T. (2008). Informed consent for psychological research: Do subjects comprehend consent forms and understand their legal rights? In D. N. Bersoff (Ed.), Ethical conflicts in psychology (pp. 412-414). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. Prattala. R and Puska. P. (2012). “Social determinants of health behaviors and social change” Eur J Public Health 22 (2): 166. doi:10.1093/eurpub/ckr211. Svensson, G. (2009). “A counter-intuitive view of the deductive research process.” European Business Review, 21(2), 191-196. doi:10.1108/09555340910940178 Wester, K. L. (2011). Publishing ethical research: A step-by-step overview. Journal of Counseling and Development: JCD, 89(3), 301-307. Read More