What is Research to Me?

The most significant experience, for me, throughout the semester was the interview. I was able to select my participant, and design my questions. I learned that you cannot design your questions to make your participant answer in a certain way. You must instead have neutral questions that still answer what you need to know for your research. What surprised me the most about the interview was how smoothly I was able to transition from question to question. I also surprised myself by not getting too nervous. The interview helped my overall understanding of research method through comprehending how you choose your participants or sample. Everyone should have the opportunity to be chosen.

Research now means that we look for answers to understand and increase our knowledge about the world. My definition of research has changed somewhat. I always knew that research helped to advance our understanding, but at one point I felt it was more about looking into the past to change our actions for the future. Now I know that research does not only have to be applied historically.

The practical application of research in the “real world” in my opinion is solving problems. It can be at work, home, or anywhere. It may be researching what steam cleaner to buy in order for you not to lose your money. It may also be about researching how to higher your credit score, looking for honest sources. Everyday conversation can turn into an interview and have a purpose. Whether you are discussing what teacher to take next year (and why) or whether you are discussing what doctor not to go to. Research is used with us every day. That is why it is important to learn how to be partial, and not influence a person to answer a certain way: learning how to listen. Learning how to research is crucial because we utilize it, without knowing, all the time.

My current strengths are finding information. I am really good at historical research, and finding academic journals that help support my claim. I am able to easily find needed sources, and compare and contrast. My weakness would be organizing, though I have improved on it this semester. I sometimes get overwhelmed by all the sources, and my paper does not always have an easy flow to it; this is where I would like to improve.

Overall, my challenge for the next year and a half at ASU is to continue to improve not only on my writing, but also on my research. I can improve by constantly reviewing what I write and not procrastinating. Understanding the concept is the first step. Finishing what you understand, and helping others understand what you are trying to portray is important too. As long as I continue working hard, and constantly advancing in my writing: I too will be able to progress in my research.

Data Organization

In my research project interpreting data is not an easy task. The main theme which will be drawn together is juvenile waiver and rates of recidivism. Recidivism rates are crucial to focus on because it is the problem that will be answered in my project. An important thing to focus on while interpreting the results is to not jump to over presumptuous conclusions. It is important that I truly understand my data for exactly what that data is.

While organizing my data it is important that I exemplify the data found to the reader. It is also crucial that it is easy to compare and contrast each set of data. Comparing data can demonstrate how efficient or inefficient a certain recidivism program or waiver is on the juveniles. It can also help the reader envision the results.

Using graphs as an organization and presentation technique is the best way to demonstrate the data in a report. It takes simple or complex data and puts that data into a visual picture. My readers will be able to see whether, in certain circumstances, waiver has an effect on juveniles committing more crimes. It will demonstrate and compare all data I find.

While presenting the information through graphs, I will also follow with explanations of each graph. I will explain where I found my findings. I will also interpret my findings to the reader. I will answer my research question, and interpret weather or not my hypothesis is correct.

Though data is not easy to organize, present, or interpret; when using techniques it will help my report to be clear and concise. Organization will also aid with the flow of the report. It will allow the reader to be able to easily follow without confusion. Organization of data is crucial to the success of a report.

References:
Leedy, P., & Ormrod, J. (2010). Practical Research: Planning and Design (9 ed.). New Jersey: Pearson.

Mrs. Meacham's Classroom Snapshots. (2003). Retrieved November 10, 2010 from Graph of the Week/Day: http://www.jmeacham.com/math/graph.of.the.week.htm.