Critical Reflective Paper

Question: Discuss about theCritical Reflective Paper. Answer: Introduction: The process of education and academic research is an enriching one, which provides individuals with an inspirational experience. This process helps individual in not only developing the academic skills that helps in the arena of education and career but also helps in developing the personality of individuals (Brew and Lucas, 2009). Hence the main emphasis of this critical reflective paper would be to highlight upon the personal development along with educational enhancement in the process of academic research. Development of Academic Research Practice and Skills During the initial modules, there are number of aspects and practices associated with academic research regarding which I was not aware of. One of such mentionable skill is research ethics. Prior the completion of the modules I was only aware of the not taking the idea or committing plagiarism. However, in the process of completion of the modules I came to know that, while doing a research it is vital that none of the collected data are used for any purpose other than the academic purpose. This is a vital part of research ethics along with not committing any misconduct, which plays an integral part of the research practices (Resnik, 2015). In the initial stage, the type of research skills that I was aware of was collecting secondary data. I used to perform any kind of research only on the basis of secondary data that consisted of online data consisting of peer reviewed journals, and offline data consisting of magazines. However, over the previous research modules I developed the skil l of collecting primary data. In this process I learned the skill of conducting interview, survey with the help of questionnaire. The Changed Ideas and Views of Academic Research While undergoing the previous modules a number of views and ideas associated with academic research that I had, have changed. One of mentionable idea associated with academic research that have changed is, the only means of collecting data in order to conduct research is secondary. These modules provided me with the knowledge that primary data is integral in the completion of a research and also provides the researcher, helps him or her in collecting accurate data (yourarticlelibrary, 2014). It also altered my perception and taught me that effective selection of the target sample and interpretation of qualitative and quantitative data is essential for the success of a research. Development of Ability to Conduct Research and its Understanding Over the previous modules, I have been provided with an in-depth knowledge and understanding of academic research. As already mentioned that, the understanding of the aspects associated with research like collection and interpretation of qualitative, quantitative and primary data have been imparted to me with the help of the previous modules. Moreover abilities required to conduct research includes qualities like effective communication required in conducting survey, interpretation of data, data analysis essential for quantitative data analysis have also been developed over the previous modules (Blaikie, 2006). Other than that, in order to conduct academic research time management is crucial, which had also been developed. Application of the Knowledge in Future Research In the future when conducting a research, I would try to focus on completing a research within the time frame for which I will try to manage and utilize the provided time in an effective manner. I would also make effort to use the knowledge of collecting qualitative, quantitative and primary data in an efficacious manner. In order to perform the qualitative, quantitative and primary data I would utilize the gained skill of conducting interview, survey, and data analysis skills. Conclusion In the conclusion it may be stated that the arena of academic research is multilayered and complex process. In the process of its completion we come across number of new skills, which if implemented in the future researches, it gets enriched. References Blaikie, N. (2006). Analyzing quantitative data. 7th ed. London: Sage Publications. Brew, A. and Lucas, L. (2009). Academic research and researchers. Maidenhead: Society for Research into Higher Education Open University Press. Resnik, D. (2015). What is Ethics in Research Why is it Important?. [online] Niehs.nih.gov. Available at: https://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/resources/bioethics/whatis/ [Accessed 2 Sep. 2016]. yourarticlelibrary.com. (2014). Different Ways of Collecting Primary Data. [online] Available at: https://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/agriculture/different-ways-of-collecting-primary-data/44384/ [Accessed 2 Sep. 2016].