Recently I concluded a research project for my subject BCM 212 Research Practices. In my proposal I wrote about my hopes for this project and direction I wanted to take it. In my research recap I focus on how my surveys portray the impact Red Frogs has had on participants. Reading both of these it is clear my intentions were different from my actual practice.
There were a number of reasons for this, but the biggest with the most impact to the study is the number of participants.
Despite 4 weeks of tweeting and retweeting, messaging, emailing, and asking peers on discord and in tutorials I received only 20 willing participants. Of which 2 gave me data that I could follow up on and use. This shattered my plans for building a more detailed data analysis.
Before I could write and organise interviews, I wanted more participants and narrower data to focus on. I waited further for participants and even organised a second survey with more targeted questions.
This was an even bigger disappointment. My second survey received 8 participants despite putting even more effort into asking people to participate. After a week and a half, I was out of time.
I was also disappointed by the resource pool allocated. After multiple back-and-forth’s with my incredible tutor I understand the reasons for this, however a more targeted research pool would have made a significant difference.
My gantt chart projections in my proposal were disrupted by my inability to predict such a disappointing outcome. On-top of this, in the middle of the semester 3 unexpected personal events affected my studies across the board. Needless to say, it was not an easy semester.
Upon reflection, I expect in a normal year I would have more than met the standards and expectations I set for myself. However, this semester has been nothing but abnormal. As a result, I bit off more than I could reasonably chew given all the circumstances.
My time management was poor, my resources were incredibly insufficient, and my attentions were divided more than I could have expected.
All in all, I am disappointed with this project. Especially because it is a topic and project close to my heart. I wanted so much for this to be a project I could showcase in my portfolio.
If I were to do this again in the same circumstances, I know I could be more prepared, but given the circumstances I am glad I was able to still wrap this up. I know where I failed, I know where I did well. But that can’t be changed now.
It’s been a difficult journey, but one I have learnt from and will continue to reflect on.
Spassov 2016, Unslpash images, image
Boswell's Brain 
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