Reflection: The End of the Road!

We are at the end of the semester, and I have learned so much about qualitative research. As I reflect on the importance of research, I have always associated findings with numbers in the past. However, I am learning that qualitative research adds value when you need in-depth information and more details about your topic of inquiry. I have learned so much in our final weeks of this qualitative course. I am starting to understand how we must comprehend how to design and conduct qualitative research. We must grasp the theoretical understanding of the research phenomena and conceptual framework of how the researcher comprehends the topic of inquiry and sub-topics to other related contexts to depict the picture of the subject (Ravitch & Carl, 2019). I also learned about the research methods and processes, data collection, selecting the appropriate instrument and analysis of the collected data (Ravitch & Carl, 2019). The readings taught me about four key qualitative research values: criticality, reflexivity, collaboration and rigor (Ravitch & Carl, 2019). Reflection is always good so you can monitor how and what you learn and examine the transformation of your learning experience.

The Qualitative Research was the first course I could comprehend the content and apply what I learned through the practice of analyzing qualitative articles, executing a qualitative research practice framework document, reviewing qualitative research designs and other assignments. I learned a lot about subjectivity statements, bias and possible conflict of interest in qualitative research and could impact your research procedures. Understanding your role as a researcher and what value you bring to the industry or field is important. Qualitative research is an iterative cyclical process of elements that interact and interconnect while building upon each other in the research (Ravitch & Carl, 2019). I also learned key terms and concepts and many real-world qualitative research examples so you could relate or get a better understanding. The conceptual framework is a great guide to help you select a research topic, questions, procedures or methods and how it all fits together for the research study

Well, we have come to the end of the course, but I feel like it is just the beginning of unlimited possibilities®. It takes me a while to process and comprehend course materials, but the readings were great, intriguing videos, jam board activity, virtual break out peer activities and the peer interview with field note practice keep me motivated and engaged throughout the course. I learned when you messed up, it is okay to start over and learned from your mistakes. One key reflection point is I can take what I learn in another course and apply to another. This qualitative research course's instructional design would be a great example of the validation process of the Kirkpatrick Four Levels Training Evaluation program. I can assure you that if this course goes through an instructional design analysis and evaluation, the results will align with the learning objectives of this course. The qualitative research course has been a great learning experience for me, and reflection is great for maintaining a growth mindset.

Reference

Ravitch, S. M., & Carl, N. M. (2019). Qualitative research: Bridging the conceptual, theoretical, and methodological. SAGE Publications.