Developing Research Skills Through Reflection and Experience Research Paper

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Researcher DevelopmentIntroductionWelcome to my presentation on my personal development plan as a researcher.My aim is to develop my skills as a researcher and use reflective models and frameworks to identify my development needs. I will then outline a detailed personal development plan with a considered rationale.Some might wonder why a personal development plan is important. I will say that writing a personal development plan as a researcher is an important exercise because it helps you to clarify the steps necessary to achieve your research goals, keeps you motivated through small, achievable milestones, and sets expectations for yourself in terms of output and quality. Additionally, such a plan serves as a benchmark against which progress can be measured. Developing this document should not be seen as a one-off exercise; it should be revisited periodically to measure progress and adjust targets accordingly. Furthermore, self-reflection throughout the research process can help identify areas that need improvement, e.g., time management or communication skills. Constructing a personal development plan is thus essential for any researcher who wants to have an efficient trajectory in their academic career.For this plan, I have identified four reflective frameworks which I will use to help me in this process:1. Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle2. Schön’s Framework3. Rolfe et al’s Framework4. Jasper’s ERA ModelStarting with Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle, I will use this model to break down each experience into its individual stages. This will allow me to identify areas which require further development and plan my development needs accordingly.Next, I will use Schön’s Framework to focus on reflection in action. This will require a period of practice to embed this way of thinking into my daily activities, allowing me to quickly adapt to any changing situations.Rolfe et al’s Framework will give me a clear three-stage focus, driving an action-orientated approach with the questions of ‘what?’, ‘so what’ and \'now what\'.Finally, I will use Jasper’s ERA Model to structure my development plan into three stages: experience, reflection, and action. This will give me a clear structure to follow when developing my personal development plan.Using the above reflective models and frameworks, I will show how I identified my development needs and created a personal development plan to address them. The plan includes:• Improving my research skills by attending workshops and webinars• Developing my knowledge of the research process by reading books and articles• Enhancing my data analysis skills by taking an online course• Strengthening my communication skills by practicing public speakingThese activities will help me to develop my skills as a researcher and progress in my career.To conclude this introduction, I have used a range of reflective models and frameworks to identify my development needs and create a personal development plan. This plan will help me to develop my skills and progress in my career as a researcher.What is Gibbs Reflective Cycle?The Gibbs Reflective Cycle is a model of structured reflection developed by Professor Graham Gibbs in 1988. It is a tool often used by professionals to reflect on experiences and analyze their responses to them. The cycle is composed of six stages: description, feelings, evaluation, analysis, conclusion, and action plan (Markkanen et al. 2020). This cycle encourages individuals to think deeply about an experience, consider how they were affected by it, and how they can use what they have learnt to inform future decisions (Sekarwinahyu et al. 2019). Through this approach, researchers are able to identify problematic areas that need improvement. Engaging in thoughtful analysis of successes and failures enables individuals to identify effective strategies for future endeavors (Husebo et al. 2015). Collectively, the steps help guide an effective transformation into an even better researcher.What is Schön’s Framework?Schön\'s Framework, developed by Donald Schön, is a model of reflective practice that has been widely used in the fields of education, business, and healthcare. It is based on the idea that professionals should be actively engaging in reflecting on their own practice and the contexts in which they work in order to improve their practice and better serve their clients (Pitsoe and Maila 2013). The framework consists of three main components: reflection-in-action, reflection-in-context, and reflection-on-action. Reflection-in-action is the process of reflecting on one’s practice as it is occurring in order to adjust and improve it. Reflection-in-context is the process of reflecting on one’s past experiences and current context to identify patterns and develop new perspectives. Reflection-on-action is the process of reflecting on one’s past experiences in order to develop deeper understandings and insights (Ferry and Ross-Gordon 1998).It begins with professionals exploring their own experiences and considering how those experiences can be used to examine a situation from another perspective. Analyzing these reflections leads to a deeper understanding of the individual’s thought process, making them more conscious of their decisions and how they can lead to negative or positive outcomes (Munby and Russell 1989). Recognizing these patterns also allows for critical evaluation and contextualization, as ideas are tested against evidence gathered during the reflection cycle to generate solutions that may help influence future action. By doing this, greater awareness is developed which can then be applied when faced with similar challenges (Rashotte and Carnevale 2004). This allows for professionals to monitor their behavior, use evidence-based methods, and achieve better results.What is Rolfe et al.’s Reflective Framework?Rolfe et al’s Reflective Framework is a reflective model designed to help practitioners and students of health and social care to critically reflect on their practice. It encourages practitioners to reflect on their practice in terms of three questions: What? So What? and Now What? This framework helps practitioners gain insight and develop an understanding of their practice, in order to make improvements and enhance their reflective skills (Soundiraraj and Babu 2022). It is based on the three key elements of reflective practice: reflection-on-action, reflection-in-action, and reflection-for-action. The purpose of the framework is to provide a structure for reflecting on practice and learning from experiences (Heckemann et al. 2015). It is a useful tool for professionals as it helps them to identify, analyze, and learn from their experiences in order to improve practice. Ultimately, this framework strives to help professionals navigate through challenging experiences in order to gain greater clarity and understanding of both their actions as well as the outcomes of those actions (Joyce-McCoach and Smith 2016).What is Jasper’s ERA Model?Jasper\'s ERA Model is a three-stage approach to developing an effective learning experience. It consists of the stages of Experience, Reflection, and Action. During the Experience stage, the learner engages with the material, the Reflection stage involves analyzing and reflecting on the experience, and the Action stage involves taking what was learned and applying it to real-world situations (Ryder and Downs 2022). This model helps to create an effective learning experience by encouraging the learner to think through their experience and apply what they have learned (Jasper 2003).The idea behind the model is that in order for individuals or organizations to increase their capacity for successful intervention and/or change, it is important to create space for purposeful reflection on previous experiences as a part of their development process (Jasper 1999). This includes identifying successes, areas of challenge, and concrete steps needed to move forward. As such, the model sees experience, reflection and action as interconnected processes, whereby reflecting meaningfully upon current practice enables individuals or organizations to responsibly take informed risks by pursuing new courses of action while using existing resources more effectively. Ultimately, this cycle creates learning opportunities that enable innovation in problem solving initiatives (Ryder and Downs 2022). It applies to research in the same way as it does for an organization: becoming a better researcher is about understanding one’s experiences with research, reflecting on them—including the successes and failures—and taking action to overcome challenges and improve.

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How I Identified My Development NeedsI have used all of these frameworks to identify my development needs as a researcher. Starting with Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle, I have used it to reflect on my research experiences and identify areas for improvement. For example, I identified that I needed to work on my data analysis skills, so I made a plan to attend some additional training. With Schön’s framework, I have used it to reflect on my research processes and identify how I can improve them. For example, I identified that I needed to be more organised and make notes at each step of the research process to ensure I don’t miss any key details. With Rolfe et al’s framework, I have used it to focus on the future implications of my research and identify what actions I need to take to achieve my goals. With Jasper’s ERA model, I have used it to analyze my research experiences and identify how I can apply my learning in the future. For example, I identified that I need to be more rigorous in my research and use a more structured approach when designing my experiments.Gibbs’ Reflective CycleGibbs’ model has six stages and allows for separation of aspects of an experience. 1. Description: I have written down what happened in a clear and concise manner. 2. Feelings: I have reflected on my emotions during the experience and how they may have affected my research. 3. Evaluation: I have identified the positives and negatives of the experience, such as how successful the data analysis…

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…progress. I will also seek feedback from my peers and colleagues. I will use this feedback to adjust my research strategies and approaches.The personal development plan outlined above will help me become a better researcher. By committing to learning and reflecting on my progress, I will be able to develop the necessary skills and knowledge to become a successful researcher (Wisker 2017). Furthermore, by seeking feedback and adjusting my approaches and strategies, I will ensure that I am able to continually develop my research skills and knowledge (Elliott and Dweck 1988).Using Rolfe et al.’s FrameworkWhat?I want to become a better researcher, so my first step is to identify my current skills, strengths and weaknesses. I need to assess my knowledge and skills to determine what areas I need to develop. I can do this by conducting a self-assessment, seeking feedback from my peers, and talking to a mentor or supervisor who has more experience than me (Vidmar 2005).So What?Now that I have identified my skills and weaknesses, I need to evaluate how they contribute to my research. I need to consider how my skills and knowledge can be used to make the most of my research opportunities. I can do this by reviewing my goals, analyzing my research skills and knowledge, and understanding how my skills can be used to make a positive impact on my research (Mowbray and Halse 2010).Now What?Now that I have identified and evaluated my skills and weaknesses, I need to create a plan of action to address them. This plan should include activities such as research training courses, workshops, seminars, reading, and other activities that will help me to develop my research skills. I should also be prepared to take risks and try new approaches in order to expand my knowledge (Sahlberg 2006).The development plan I have proposed using this framework is designed to help me become a better researcher. By conducting a thorough assessment of my current skills and knowledge, I can identify areas that need improvement, and then create a plan of action to address them. This plan will help me to build my research skills and knowledge, and increase my confidence in my research. It will also help me to stay focused and motivated, and to identify and take advantage of opportunities to further my research (Burton 2012).Using Jasper’s Model to Create a Personal Development Plan to Become a Better ResearcherStage One: Experience Goals are: 1) Identifying my strengths and weaknesses in research. • Assessing my current knowledge and understanding of research methods. 2) Reflecting on past research projects and the areas where I could have improved.Stage Two: Reflection Goals are: 1) Utilizing the Gibbs, Schön and Rolfe models to reflect on my experiences and identify areas for improvement. 2) Gathering feedback from colleagues and mentors to gain a better understanding of my strengths and weaknesses. 3) Developing a clear understanding of the research process and the key elements that go into successful research.Stage Three: Action Goals are: 1) Developing a tailored study plan to address my weaknesses in research. • Enrolling in online courses or attending workshops to gain a better understanding of research methods. 2) Connecting with other researchers to gain insight into the research process. 3) Reading research papers and articles to develop an understanding of the current trends in research. 4) Setting up a plan to monitor my progress and measure my learning. 5) Taking part in research projects or internships to gain practical experience. 6) Utilizing the latest research tools and technologies to improve my research skills.Overall ViewOverall, my plan consists of three main components: learning, practice and application. Firstly, I will focus on learning new concepts within my field, such as best practices and emerging research topics. Secondly, I will take time to practice revisiting previously learned material and hone my craft. Lastly, I will look for opportunities to apply this knowledge through projects and collaborations with other researchers or with industry partners.In addition to this plan of study, I also intend to attend conferences related to my area of expertise in order to be able to network with peers and draw inspiration from their work as well as gain valuable insight into current trends and topics within the field. Finally, I would like to use online resources such as webinars and e-learning platforms in order to broaden my horizons even further and expand my knowledge beyond traditional classroom learning structures.By taking these steps in a thoughtful way alongside careful consideration of the rationale behind the proposed actions alongside this personal development plan, I believe that it is possible for me to widen the scope….....

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