Researcher Development 1 (800218) Learning Journal: Week 0 Reflection

This journal entry reflects on a student's experience in a Researcher Development 1 course, specifically focusing on Week 0's workshops. The student discusses their understanding of research, the importance of topic selection, and the influence of Stephen Hawking's approach to research, particularly his ability to overcome challenges. The entry highlights the student's shift in perspective, moving from a direct approach to a more strategic and planned methodology, inspired by Hawking's methods. The student also reflects on the course's emphasis on reading and interpretation, and how it influences their approach to tackling challenges in their research topic of youth and sports. The feedback received on the entry highlights the need for more explicit reflection on future actions based on the insights gained from the workshops.

Running head: Research Development 1
Research Development
Name of Student
Institution Affiliation

Research Development 2
Conducting research means gathering the necessary information and proper
documentation of the goals, methodologies and outcome of the study. Reading signifies
understanding of the researched topic better. Without correct systematic interpretation,
research cannot be conducted. Choosing a proper research topic is similarly crucial as reading
for a study. My topic is youth and sports. I took this research topic as I think I can relate to
the topic most and research correctly. Relating to the topic is vital for understanding a better
presenting the research. As youth and sports are my topics, I am confident that I can create a
perfect research paper through my knowledge and findings of the topic.
To help with our flexibility and understanding of research processes and operations,
we are going through workshops, in our first workshop, we studied how Hawkins approached
his research about the Black Hole Theory. From what I observed, I optimized my
understanding through learning that to conduct proper research. We should at first understand
the philosophy behind our research topic and our accessibility to information and flexibility
regarding the research topic.
We can see how Hawking himself regarded his research. Although for most people
being an astrophysicist is more complicated than being an observational astronomer. The fact
was the opposite for Mr. Hawking as considering his disability. Being an astrophysicist was
more comfortable for him, as it is all about the mind only. Furthermore, he used all the
resources that were available to him for conducting his research. His students helped hugely.
He made proper use of all the machines that he had access to perform the problematic
operation which without the hardware was not possible.
Until now, as soon as I am faced with an issue or challenge upon my path. I was going
at it with everything I have got. I do not think I am going to do that anymore. I would assess
the issue first as much as I can until I know absolutely everything about the subject. Then I
will create a proper plan and designate appropriate tools for the subject. Then I will approach

Research Development 3
the issue with the developed method and tools. This way, the success rate for my solution will
grow and the time taken for my solutions to work will be a lot less.
I found a great deal of inspiration from this. If I was in Mr. Hawking’s place, I might
have considered myself rather useless. Instead of behaving like most people, Mr. Hawking
made his backdrop his greatest ally. He kept his mind calm and planned his research process
perfectly and conducted it accordingly. Through this, my idea of research topic – youth and
sports got strengthen. After the recent workshop, I doubt I can find any hurdle in the way. I
will not try to go round any challenge that comes in my way. As I have mentioned earlier, I
will assess the situation and make a plan to tackle with it and make proper decisions that will
help the situation and encourage further solutions of similar problems.