Thursday, April 2, 2009

My Search Process: Memo

I am really enjoying the spontaneous way in which our group arrived at its hypothesis, using a largely intuitively guided process.  The qualitative and quantitative elements are neatly combined within the format of the question, allowing for a greater scope of analysis and possible "avenues for further investigation" (Cohen, Manion & Morrison, 2007, p.483) into the subject of chronic pain.

The difficulty I face is with the foreign terminology that comes with the territory of research methods and analysis, providing an immediate obstacle to overcome before I can delve deeper into the potential methodology and different research perspectives (e.g. triangulation).  The concept of hypothetical questions and inference are equally difficult for me to familiarise myself with due to the challenge of understanding abstract theoretical concepts over concrete specific objects (as in the field of massage therapy, e.g. anatomy).

I notice that the polytechnic as an environment in which to commence this collaborative research assignment is indeed a good choice due to the close proximity of necessary resource facilities such as the Bill Robertson library, and within walking distance to the Medical and University libraries.  The mood around this research site is both contemplative allowing for spontaneous intuitive expression to occur in relation to the collaborative research process and intellectually stimulating, encouraging deeper exploration and thought into the stages of said process.

So far, the group dynamics have been cohesive, collaborative and relatively intuitive during the initial phase of formulating a research question and delegating the tasks required to investigate this more thoroughly.  However due to the round table nature of our group, all members are perceived as equal and this has resulted in an equal distribution of the workload, and tasks.  The positive aspect of using this system is that the organically different viewpoints of each researcher regarding each task area will result in a greater diversity of data and information, as seen in triangulation.
This is the stage of the research process in that the use of mixed methods is particularly beneficial as the differing observations of each group member will allow for greater precision and deeper comprehension of the research question.

The value of time is fundamental to the quality of the research process, as deeper theories and intuitive possibilities cannot properly be expounded without ample time to posit questions and rework these to a refined hypothesis. Inevitably however, these many possibilities need to be narrowed down into "general and specific points" (Cohen et al, 2007, p.487) relating to the original research question so that our process may evolve successfully.  This will then lead on to the next stage of the collaborative research process requiring more direct research and specific analysis than abstract theory.

At this point in time, I am simultaneously interested in the domain of research methods and the basis/structure of this and confused by the abstract nature of the subject which is largely intellectual and relies on the theories of individuals, which in its very essence will be reasonably diverse.  In conclusion, I look forward to the continuing challenge posed by research methods and the resulting expansion of my own intellectual knowledge.

Reference List
Class notes
Cohen, L., Manion, L. & Morrison, K.  (2007) Research Methods in Education.  New York: Routledge, p. 483, 487.
My own thoughts

1 comment:

  1. HI tessa Excellent work and of really good thinking calibre - well done - I am still trying out different formats for feedback - I have inserted comments in the material below - hope they are reasonably easy to see..
    Felicity Molloy

    My Search Process: Memo
    Tessa Grinlinton
    from Tesstess by Tessa G
    I am really enjoying the spontaneous way in which our group arrived at its hypothesis, using a largely intuitively guided process ( A lovely beginning!) . The qualitative and quantitative elements are neatly combined within the format of the question, allowing for a greater scope of analysis and possible "avenues for further investigation" (Cohen, Manion & Morrison, 2007, p.483) into the subject of chronic pain.
    The difficulty I face is with the foreign terminology that comes with the territory of research methods and analysis, providing an immediate obstacle to overcome before I can delve deeper into the potential methodology and different research perspectives (e.g. triangulation) ( is this an example of your foreign terminology? Or a term for “different research perspectives”?). The concept of hypothetical questions and inference are equally difficult for me to familiarise myself with due to the challenge of understanding abstract theoretical concepts over concrete specific objects (as in the field of massage therapy, e.g. anatomy). Wow this is great Tessa and just to acknowledge that with practice you will find all these things much much easier..
    I notice that the polytechnic as an environment in which to commence this collaborative research assignment is indeed a good choice due to the close proximity of necessary resource facilities such as the Bill Robertson library, and within walking distance to the Medical and University libraries. The mood around this research site is contemplative allowing for spontaneous intuitive expression to occur in relation to the collaborative research process and intellectually stimulating, encouraging deeper exploration and thought into the stages of said process.
    So far, the group dynamics have been cohesive, collaborative and relatively intuitive during the initial phase of formulating a research question and delegating the tasks required to investigate this more thoroughly. However due to the round table nature of our group, all members are perceived as equal and this has resulted in an equal distribution of the workload, and tasks. The positive aspect of using this system is that the organically different viewpoints of each researcher regarding each task area will result in a greater diversity of data and information, as seen in triangulation.
    If I had a computer symbol that gave you a tick and could transfer onto a blog I would give you a big one right now!
    This is the stage of the research process in that the use of mixed methods is particularly beneficial as the differing observations of each group member will allow for greater precision and deeper comprehension of the research question.
    Rewrite? The concept of mixed methods research design is particularly beneficial when weighing up differing observations of each group member and allows for greater precision and a deeper comprehension of the research question.
    The value of time is fundamental to the quality of the research process, as deeper theories and intuitive possibilities cannot properly be expounded without ample time to posit questions and rework these to a refined hypothesis. Inevitably however, these many possibilities need to be narrowed down into "general and specific points" (Cohen et al, 2007, p.487) relating to the original research question so that our process may evolve successfully. This will then lead on to the next stage of the collaborative research process requiring more direct research and specific analysis than abstract theory.
    Same tick!
    At this point in time, I am simultaneously interested in the domain of research methods and the basis/structure of this and confused by the abstract nature of the subject which is largely intellectual and relies on the theories of individuals (?) – Research processes and practices have been built on the philosophical lineage of theorists but it is possible to add and disintegrate them
    , which in its very essence will be reasonably diverse. In conclusion, I look forward to the continuing challenge posed by research methods and the resulting expansion of my own intellectual knowledge.
    Excellent work!!
    Reference List
    Class notes
    Cohen, L., Manion, L. & Morrison, K. (2007). Research Methods in Education. New York: Routledge, p. 483, 487. – don’t need page numbers for a text – just journals!!
    My own thoughts – do not have to reference them – unless you have already published your journal!!! Remind me to show you a published journal at the next healthcare Programming session!

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