Experience so far

I was thinking about how this year has gone and how the research experience has been, so if anyone who asks me "how i found it" i can give them a detailed account...

So there are a few key terms that spring to mind...
Motivation, preparation, proactive, interest in research, knowing how to write, time management, patients, and support.

All of these have contributed to what i understand as "an enjoyable experience" where i feel things are progresing along nicely.
I realised very early on in the research process that motivation is so important. I understand that the topic you are researching not only has to be of interest to you, but you need to really have a passion for or a hunger to find out what what has been documented in the literature in order to narrow your topic. I have found thoughout all steps of the process so far that i constantly come back to the feeling of "i carnt wait to see what the results are going to be".

Research only suits some people...especially for the honours year. Time is definitly a factor, and those who struggle with time management, and organisation skils may find completing a research project in one year difficult. I could imagine how hard it would be if i wasnt organised...i dont even understand the concept of being unorganised - its definitly not the way i role.

So i have learnt - when ever you have time - or are waiting for ethics...there is always something you can do to help you out when you are busy with data collection/analysis. Never say "i dont have anything to do" - its never true. You can never do enough reading about your methodology, around the topic, and in my case rigour and "how to write".

As a novice researcher "reading" and "writing" is important to get to grips with..writing is definitiy one of my weaknesses but i know im not alone on this one. Im lucky enough to have put my hands on some great texts that will help me, and i have had some goog advise from my supervisers e.g. reading outloud, putting together a list of words, how to structure a paragraph. But all i can say is "thank you" for track changes!

All for now

Jess