ITECH5500: Reflective Journal on Professional Research Project

This reflective journal documents a student's learning journey throughout a 'Professional Research and Communication' course. It covers weekly workshops and their impact on developing research skills, problem-solving abilities, and self-confidence. The journal entries detail understanding research methodologies (qualitative, quantitative), ethical considerations (Utilitarianism, Deontology), and research paradigms (positivism, post-positivism). The student reflects on the use of tools like EndNote, the importance of problem statements, and the application of these learnings to a research project on virtual reality in transport. The journal showcases the student's growth in research design, data analysis, and overall professional development.

Running head: PROFESSIONAL RESEARCH AND COMMUNICATION
Professional Research and Communication: Reflective Journal
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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PROFESSIONAL RESEARCH AND COMMUNICATION
Reflective Journal
Week 1
The tutorial workshop from week 1 to 10 has been an engaging experience for me in
terms of designing and development of a research project. The tutorials have guided me in
understanding the specific needs of conducting a research study and the importance of accurate
planning in implementation of a research. The very first tutorial that I have attended in the course
has helped me in developing a good problem solving skill. Having a good problem solving skill
is fundamental to success of any task.
Week 2
The workshop has been an extensive guide to understand the nature and score of my
problem solving skill. I have understood that having a good problem solving skill is important
for me if I want to be successful in my career. Apart from that I have understood the concept of
Ontology epistemology and methodology as well. Apart from that, I have understood that
effective problem solving skill is important since identification and solving of a particular
problem is basically time-consuming. It is essential to identify the problems associated with any
task and to eliminate the problems as soon as possible.
Week 3
In order to get an idea about my problem solving skills I have taken a test. The test results
suggest that I have to work more on the problem solving skills.Through these tests, I have
understood that it is important to plan any task before implementation. Through this workshop I
have learnt the importance of continuous improvement in any task. While taking the test, I have

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learnt that one of the important aspects of efficient problem solving is to look at the problem
from different perspectives and also to generate multiple solutions. It is essential to address the
political issues associated with a research. Although the test results suggested that I might need
to work on my problem solving skills, I could understand the need of an effective problem
solving skill in conduction of a research study. The score that I have achieved suggest that my
approach to the problem solving is a little hit and miss. It was true that my solutions often does
really well while in other times it does not. It is essential for me to understand the structured
problem solving process for improving the problem solving process. Identification of the need
for problem solving has helped me in working with my group for the research project.
Apart from that, the tutorial of this week has helped in understanding the concepts of
Statistics and variable types in the research project. This is particularly needed for primary data
analysis .
Week 4
While attending the workshops, I have understood the different approaches to the
research. These approaches include qualitative approach and quantitative approach. Having an
idea of these researches approaches is necessary for conducting a research mainly because it
helps in a structured project implementation. I think that gaining the knowledge about these
different aspects of the research project is important mainly because it will help me in my
professional career. Now I feel that the workshops and the lectures that I have attended have
benefitted me to a large extent. I have had a nice experience in learning the different aspects of a
research project and that has considerably helped me in identification of our research topic and to
propose a research on that area.

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Week 5
In the workshops of this week, I have understood the importance of the referencing tool
of EndNote. It is a referencing tool that makes the process of referencing quite easier. This
workshop that I have attended was a great help for me as well.
The lecture slides helped me in identification of problem statement which is an important
aspect of any research. The tutorials coupled with the lecture slides have considerably helped me
in understanding the different aspects of a good quality statement. I had very little knowledge
about good problem solving previously but these tutorials have been a great help for me to clear
the concepts of a good problem statement. I have learnt that a good problem statement should
basically posses justification to the problem along with any shortcomings associated with the
research, importance and significance of the problem that the research aims to solve.
Week 6
I have understood the importance of self confidence in successful implementation of a
task. The workshops have considerably helped me in working with my self confidence. I have
undertaken a test with mindtools.com to understand and identify the level of self confidence. The
score that I have achieved suggest that I have to work more on my self confidence level. I have
understood that I might be a little hard on myself that might be a reason for getting a full benefit
of what I am doing.
This week, I have learnt the importance of two ethical theories, Utilitarianism and
Deontology theory in the research. This will help me in analysing any situation on basis of these
two research methods.

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Week 7
At first, I had faced certain difficulties in understanding the different research paradigms
and its use. However, my lecturer had been very supportive towards me and has helped me in
understanding the different research paradigms such as positivism and post positivism
approaches. Apart from that, I have gained an idea about the ethics application form, which or
team has used for their research. It is necessary to understand the different scientific methods that
are used in a research project. The guidance of my lecturer has helped me in understanding the
importance of following a structured approach in conducting a research. This course work has
helped me in gaining knowledge about the different needs of a particular research report.
Week 8
I feel that the coursework have helped me in improving my knowledge and skills The
research and the tutorials that I have attended this week has considerably helped me with my
problem solving skills. I have understood the importance of synthesis matrix. This has helped me
in changing my perspective of thinking and dealing with a particular situation. The coursework
have helped me in brushing up my self confidence. I was confident enough that our team will be
able to achieve the desired results with this research project.
Week 9
After the finalization of the research topic, we have worked on the structure of the
research report. With the knowledge about the different research methods and the research
paradigms that I have gained throughout the course work have helped me proper implementation

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of the research. I feel that the knowledge that I have gained will help me in improving
professionally as well.
Week 10
Our research project on the topic “Virtual Reality on Transport” is based on making use
of virtual reality in transport to improve the experiences of the regular travellers. This workshop
has helped in finding an appropriate research topic that will be useful for general public. Virtual
Reality has a number of applications and many researches are being conducted in this field to
explore the advantages of Virtual Reality. The tutorials have certainly helped me in planning by
research in an effective way and penning down the research report in an accurate manner.