Question.4071 - Qualitative Research Journal For this week’s Journal entry, consider and respond to all three of the following prompts: Progress: What has been happening in the course since the previous entry? Problems: What obstacles/challenges have you faced with regard to the course and with regard to developing your research question and approach for your Final Project? Plans: Look toward the next week. What challenges are you considering to resolve? Consider how your idea for your research project is evolving
Answer Below:
Research Journal This journal entry reflects my progress, challenges, and plans as I navigate the complexities of qualitative research and analysis. My research focuses on understanding social media's effects on adolescents, particularly in relation to mental health, social behavior, and academic performance. This course gave me valuable insights into contemporary qualitative approaches and their practical applications. However, narrowing the scope of my research and synthesizing conflicting data have presented significant challenges. This entry outlines my learning journey, identifies areas for improvement, and sets clear goals for the weeks ahead to ensure the successful completion of my Final Project. Progress The course is important for me as I must understand qualitative reasoning and analysis, where I have developed a better understanding of theoretical antecedents and practical application of contemporary qualitative approaches. I have progressed in exploring social media's effects on adolescents, focusing on how it influences mental health, social behavior, and academic performance. I have reviewed several peer-reviewed and qualitative research articles and recent studies focusing on positive and negative impacts. For instance, various research points increased connectivity. Problems Although I have been trying to learn new approaches to qualitative research, I have faced challenges such as narrowing the scope of my research questions. Initially, I wanted to explore all aspects of social media's impact; however, this approach felt overwhelming and lacked focus. Determining which effects I should prioritize, including mental health, social behaviors, or academic outcomes, has been a struggle. Another obstacle has been the vast amount of conflicting information; some studies suggest benefits, while others highlight significant risks, making it challenging to form a balanced perspective. Similarly, organizing my thoughts and translating them into a coherent research framework for the Final Project has been slower than expected. Plans In the coming week, I have been planning to: Finalizing the primary focus of my research question, potentially narrowing it further to address a specific aspect of mental health, such as anxiety or self-esteem. Identifying gaps in existing research that my project could address Outlining my research approach to the Final Project, selecting a research method aligning with my objectives. I will address the challenge of conflicting data by critically analyzing the sources for reliability and relevance. Next week, I aim to have a clear and detailed plan for conducting my research, including potential participants, data collection methods, and ethical considerations. Conclusion My progress in this course has provided a foundation for understanding qualitative research and its role in addressing complex societal issues like social media's impact on adolescents. While challenges remain, such as refining my research focus and navigating conflicting information, my plans for the coming week are designed to address these obstacles methodically. By finalizing my research question, identifying gaps in existing studies, and outlining my methodological approach, I aim to develop a coherent and impactful Final Project. This reflective process has been instrumental in shaping my research skills and ability to contribute meaningfully to the field of study.More Articles From Research