My process for doing academic research has changed since the beginning of the semester in the way I have learned how to do academic research. I have learned how to do coding of a survey. I have learned how to determine the difference between categorical data and continuous data. I learned how to do SPSS, and how to do a bi-variate analysis. There are many more things that I learned because before I had no idea how to conduct research.
In order to figure out which sources to use and not to use, I determined their credibility. In order to figure out their credibility I made sure that the sources were peer reviewed. If the sources were peer reviewed it means that other people have reviewed their source and associated it with being credible. No, I did not change my sources for my final assignment after turning in my annotated bibliography.
Challenges that I faced while doing this research were finding sources and operating SPSS software. To overcome the challenge of finding sources; I repeatedly kept looking for sources. If I found one that was not credible or did not have the information I needed; I would keep looking. I was able to stay patient, even though it could be frustrating. To overcome the challenge of operating the SPSS software, I received help from my peers. My peers were able to assist me and help push me in the right direction.
My confidence and perceptions about doing research changed over the course of the semester. It changed in the way that, as in at the beginning of the semester I was nervous about this class. I thought it was going to be overwhelming and stressful. Through out the semester I was able to calm down and get my feet underneath me. The papers I did in class were able to help me better understand what I was doing in class. I gained confidence as the semester went on and now I can say I would be able to conduct research again if needed.
I think what it means to “Think Like a Researcher,” is to think outside of the box and always ask the question why. I think you have to think outside the box because for example if you are conducting an interview; you have to come up with questions to ask. When asking simple questions sometimes you don’t get the answer you want. You have to think outside the box and conduct questions that will have the respondent thinking. I think you should always ask the question why because asking why gives the reason for whatever you are researching. Asking why will also help you understand something that happened.