This research project was an interesting experience. My process while conducting the research changed in a few ways. For example, I had to sort of rely on my own mind to come up with a viable research question. Next, I had to look up different sources and literature reviews in order to create my own. Next, i had to lay out how the process of the project would be conducted, such as telling the methods that were used, and how the data was analyzed. Overall, changes included researching different sources to having to come up with what you could come up with on your own.
When it came to evaluating and selecting sources, I used the Longwood Greenwood Library database to find most of my sources. I selected the sources that better went along the lines with my research questions. If a source did not connect well enough with my research question, I did not use it. I did not change many of my sources since these were enough to address my research question.
The main challenge I came across during the research project was overthinking what I needed to do. Some of the tasks were simpler than expected. For example, when coming up with the literature review, I thought I would have needed to create an entire 20 page essay on how I came to my conclusion. Come to find out, I just needed to just get straight to the point, and point out what needed to be said. Another example was when I could not tell the different codings I needed to use when I collected the qualitative data. I overcame these strategies by asking questions to my professor.
My attitude and perceptions did change. For example, I believed it would be easy creating and developing a survey. Come to find out, it is harder than it looks. Also, I thought I would have to do all of this on my own. However, it was a relief that I would be working with my entire class to develop a survey. I always believed that research projects like this were individual; but just like science projects, social projects require just as much teamwork.
To think like a researcher, you have to have an open mind. When you have respondents/test subjects/participants, you have to know why your participants are, and you must create the project in a way that they will be able to participate. For example, when you are creating activities for Head Start, you have to make sure you can make the activities are able to be performed by the participants such as being able to access it. Another way to think like a researcher is being able to refer to past data. You have to look at past results in order to find out what you are working with, the successful outcomes, and the mistakes that were made and the improvements that can be implemented.