I cannot believe I am typing this! I HAVE FINISHED MODULE 2! Obviously results pending… But I feel like I have gotten to the top of a very large mountain! I am ahead of the deadline but thats because I have a lot going on in the next few weeks that I wanted to be worry free!
I feel like I have been really academically challenged this module. Firstly from one essay and an artefact in module 1, to 3 essays in module 2, the work load and thinking process has been much more intense in this module (as expected).
Going into this module I really had no idea about research methods and certainly found it overwhelming to think about creating a whole research proposal! But step by step, lots and lots of reading and discussion I got there haha! (again results pending from the more form and the portfolio!)
Advice I would give students going into module 2 would be…
-Trust the process, it’s going to be very uncomfortable at the start and you all get lost more than once!
-Pick a focus / inquiry topic that you are truly interested in as you will be spending a lot of time researching it!
-Go at your own pace, this module I felt like whenever I have chatted with peers or read blogs everyones been at different stages with their work. Some knew their topics almost instantly and others have spent a good month or so trying to narrow them down… and thats totally ok and normal!
-The reading list I found really helpful and really relevant this module especially with learning about research methods! Especially ‘Doing your research project by Judith Bell’, this book was so helpful as it was written in a uncomplicated way and explained every step you need to consider when creating a research proposal! So worth a read!
-Re-read your module 1 essay and view your artefacts again for inspiration! This is how I found what sparked my interest for my topic!
-I have found discussing my ideas with family, friends and my BAPP peers and tutors a great way to get clarity… sometimes talking out loud helps to make things clearer and hearing other peoples ideas are great too!
-Look for sources of literature on your topic in many different places, books, library, google scholar, ted talks, youtube, podcasts, websites! Don’t limit yourself!
-Also you will feel swamped with literature and will have to spend ages discovering whats relevant for your lit review! There’s a handy table saved on uni hub thats worth looking at for a way to organise your findings.
-This might be obvious but I didn’t really use that many 1-2-1 tutorials in module 1… but in module 2 I have constantly been checking in with Helen and discussing my work and ideas, so don’t be shy and use your supervisors!
-The MORE form is something you should look at quite early on In the module, It takes quite a lot of time to complete and it is also is helpful for you to use to question your ideas and proposal. If you don’t know an answer on the MORE form chances are you need to reassess your ideas or do more research.
Good Luck :)
And enjoy summer woo!
Such good advice here Emily. It feels sooooooooo good to have reached the end of module 2 and finally have everything submitted. Totally agree that this module has been like climbing a huge mountain - coming to terms with the academic language etc. has been particularly challenging but I feel like I've learnt a lot over the last 12 weeks! Heres to the summer and (results pending) moving onto to module 3!
ReplyDeleteYey congratulations too!! Such a big achievement I know it's all results pending but we have learnt and done so much it's awesome! A well deserved rest!!!
DeleteI love your tips for people starting module 2, I agree with absolutely all of them! This has been such a challenge and there were times when I felt completely overwhelmed but I made it through and it feels so good having everything submitted! Congrats on finishing a week early as well! Here's to module 3 xxx
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Georgia! Congratulations too woooo now we can relax for a few months before the next mountain of module 3!!!
DeleteThanks for these tips Emily! Reading the Module 2 hand book I was a little overwhelmed at how much more there is to do this module which I guess was rather naïve of me, however I will definitely keep these tips in mind!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for writing this blog Emily! This has been really helpful! I have almost finished reading Judith Bell's book and I too have found it really informative!
ReplyDelete