Blog #17

At the beginning of the course I was so afraid that I would not be able to complete the project, and actually have an interest in my topic. I surprised myself in the fact that the more I went throughout the research process, the more I noticed the love/hate relationship forming with my topic, with of course the end product being love. I have amazed myself, because I didn’t think I was the type of person who was capable of actually producing a piece of academic research. While my paper is not “perfect” I still feel as if I have produced a piece of writing in which I can be very proud of.

My future goals as a researcher are to not stop here, and to continue to use the skills I have learned to revise my current paper and also start looking to other topics of interest in hopes of being published. The amount of confidence I have received from this course has made it possible for me to actually get “somewhat” excited about research; especially because I know that in the long run valid academic research is an opportunity to stand out amongst a crowd whenever applying to graduate school.

Blog # 16

Reflect on the process of creating your research paper and answer the following questions. You will later expand on these in your portfolio cover letter:

1) What assignment/document was most useful to you during this proces? Explain your answer. 

The most helpful assignment throughout this process would have to be, ALL OF THEM! I feel as though being able to independently learn the research process with the guidance of in class discussion really helped me become more confident as a writer. Obviously since all of the writing is my own and was done on my own time I find it very fitting that as a class we had the freedom to learn on our own as well. I also really think the peer review project helped give me a greater perspective on how I should revise my paper, and the feedback from my reviewers was very helpful.

2) What was the most helpful feedback you received at any stage – why was it helpful?

Any feedback from Marlen, whether it be negative or positive was always what kept me wanting to revise more and make my paper the best it could be.

3) What was most difficult for you during the drafting process? Easiest? WHY?

Most difficult was definitely writing a paper which could possibly be reviewed by physicians and medical professional while still battling with keeping it my own work. By that I mean, I had difficulty finding my voice in the writing process.

Easiest was the actual research, the fact that I loved my topic really made me enthusiastic about obtaining results from my participants!

4) Where does your final essay best show your ability as a writer?.

I would say my ability as a writer is showcased best in my introduction, only because I feel as though this is the most revised portion of my paper, and the portion that I definitely spent the most time trying to perfect.

Blog # 15 Thoughts on Peer Review

I learned a great deal from the peer review project not only because I was able to receive feedback, but I was also able to compare my work to others. I found that by seeing where other people were with the projects and talking with them about their fears and concerns revolving around the research process helped ease my own fears. The peer review process also helped me ”recharge my battery” in order to complete this process.

I also was able to see where my project was lacking, where I could elaborate on more ideas and remove sections that were elaborated on too much throughout the paper. It was very helpful to get feedback from peers, because many times when reviewing my own paper it is possible to very easily look over mistakes. I found that some of the wording in my sentences was not correct after reading it outloud to myself numerous times. Many times I write exactly how I speak, and in some cases, it does not translate as well on paper.

Blog # 14 Results/Discussion/Conclusion

According to the Asian Language Institute of Technology Language Center, the purpose of a results section in a research paper is “to present the results and make them meaningful to the reader” (Writing up research, 2003). A results section should include a statement and explanation of all results obtained within the research study. As summarized from the Bates College online article of how to write a research paper, a results section is written after analysis of data is complete and a writer is ready to present the findings both in text and also occasionally in illustrations such as a bar graph, pie chart, etc. D. Caprette (2007), goes on to say that a results section should present your facts, but not interpret them, or discuss results beyond the facts within this section. The discussion should be where all results are interpreted and explained in further detail by the writer. The conclusion is where the writer has a chance to determine if the research hypothesis was supported an also, this is the time to make suggestions for future research.

Asian Institute of Technology: Language Center (2003). Writing up Research. Retrieved March 30, 2010 from http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~bioslabs/tools/report/reportform.html#results

Bates College: Department of Biology (2008). A strategy for writing up research results. Retrieved March 30, 2010 from http://abacus.bates.edu/~ganderso/biology/resources/writing/HTWstrategy.html#results

Rice, D. (2007). Writing research papers. Retrieved March 30, 2010 from http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~bioslabs/tools/report/reportform.html#results

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: The Writing Center (2007). Conclusions. Retrieved March 30, 2010 from http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/conclusions.html

Blog #13

After you combine your 3 papers or completed the first half of your novel/creative work, discuss how you created a cohesive reading experience for your audience.

For example, what major changes did you need to make after combining the papers?

I noticed after reading through each section I was repetitive, especially with my research goals. I also had to make sure that all of my sections were cohesive, and that one section seemlessly led into another. This still needs some work, but it’s getting there.

What most needs editing at this point?

Definitely my methods section first and foremost. And then the entire paper in general needs a lot more editing before I can feel comfortable with presenting to an academic community.

Where will you go from here?

Edit, edit, then edit some more! The more I edit, the more I am able to come up with ideas that I may have never thought of previously.

Blog #12 Methodology

Who will your research subjects be?

I plan to interview female physicians between the ages of 30-45 and ask them questions regarding identity formation in becoming a physician.

How will you find them?

I work in a hospital and am lucky enough to have many colleagues who are female physicians within the age range I have specified for my participants

How many will you need?

I am hoping to interview at least 5 female physicians

Are there any potential dangers to your participants in undertaking this research?

Confidentiality is a danger, but I plan to switch the names of my participants and not include anything within my research which might lead the audience to a conclusion as to who the person(s) is that I am referring to in my study.

How will you protect your participants from harm and safeguard their privacy?

As stated above, I will change the name and any personal information will be omitted from the research conclusions.

What questions do you have about methods and data collection at this time and how will you answer them?

Blog # 11 Writing Methodology

According to the Language Center at the Asian Institute of Technology, the method section answers these two main questions:

1. How was the data collected or generated?

2. How was it analyzed?

Simply put, a methods section is an explanation of how data was collected or generated. You must also include an explanation of how data was analyzed. But as outlined in this article, a key point is to remember that you are not writing a how-to guide for beginners. The audience will be people who are experts in the field, so assume that they are familiar with basic assessments, laboratory procedures etc.

 
Outlined in Rajeev (n.d.) How to Write a Good Research Methodology, it is stated that,

The authenticity of the research depends upon the validity of research data, the reliability of measures taken to collect the data, as well as the time taken to conduct the analysis. Hence, it is imperative to provide the reader with details of data collection and generation, analysis method of the problems, with their solutions or effects of the researched data.

Two Types of Research Methodology

Quantitative Research Methodology
Quantitative research is the systematic scientific investigation used to measure the feelings and thoughts of people, and actions of the way and why things are done. Everything that is measurable can be used to gather quantitative data. This method of research is used in analysis of natural sciences and social sciences subjects. The quantitative concept can be applied to physics, biology, sociology and journalism. Structured questionnaires and interviews, one-on-one and telephonic data gathering are some of the common ways of collection data for quantitative research (Rajeev, n.d.).
Qualitative Research Methodology
Qualitative research is used to gain an in-depth insight into matters that affect human behavior. It is a study that reflects more on the why and how of decision making, by studying people’s culture, value systems, attitudes, behaviors, concerns, motivations, aspirations, etc. Qualitative research is multi-focal in its reasoning, exploring, questioning and answering; hence, it is extremely useful in constructing business decisions and policies, enhancing communication and facilitating research. Unlike quantitative data collection, qualitative research is based on unstructured interviews and recordings, and feedback (Rajeev, n.d.).

References

Asian Institute of Technology Language Center (n.d.). Writing up research method and research design. Retrieved March 15, 2010, from http://www.languages.ait.ac.th/el21meth.htm.

Rajeev, L. (n.d.). How to write good research methodology. Retrieved March 15, 2010, from http://www.buzzle.com/articles/how-to-write-a-good-research-methodology.html.

Blog #10 Rubric

RUBRIC

When I first read the article I thought it was a little opinionated and was lacking in data to support some of the claims presented. But, I also didn’t take into consideration that this author had a very specific audience and he was guest blogging on a site which gave him an open venue to express his opinion. So, at first I was very critical on the article, but after talking with my partner Brittany, I had a different view because she pointed out that the importance of the audience intended to read such an article, and how the style of writing is primarily focused around that.

Blog #9 Close Reading of 2 Journal Articles

When Most Doctors Are Women: What Lies Ahead

1. Introduction (2 paragraphs)
   1. Percentage of women enrolled in medical school
   2. The history of the feminization of medicine and how women are involved in the increasing number of physicians.
2. Patient centered care (5 paragraphs)
   1. Focus on how patients should engage patients to make their own informed healthcare decisions
   2. How women physicians are involved in patient centered care
   3. The higher incidence for a woman physician to provide patient centered care as opposed to a male
   4. A woman physician’s role in improvement of effective outcomes in patient treatment
   5. Patient’s views of female physicians as healers and tendencies to choose a physician in regards to gender.
3. Delivery of health care (3 paragraphs)
   1. Team approach in health care according to Council for Graduate Medical Education
   2. Female physicians’ role in a team approach
   3. Benefits of team approach in regards to chronic disease management.
4. Societal delivery of care (5 paragraphs)
   1. Discussion that female physicians are willing to work in less well compensated medical positions
   2. Statistically female physicians serve more uninsured and poverty stricken patients
   3. Female physicians tend to choose primary care as their specialty.
   4. Women work fewer hours, and take more time off to have children.
   5. Society benefits from female physicians because they serve the less advantaged portion of the population.
5. The Medical Profession
   1. How have women changed the profession of medicine?
   2. Women value the delicate balance between family and career
   3. Women are still underrepresented in the medical profession.
   4. Women are less likely to hold senior ranking positions.
   5. The status of physician is no longer viewed as prestigious by society.
   6. Women as physicians may jeopardize the profession because they are willing to accept lower wages and do not expect as much social status recognition.
   7. Women may lack skills in negotiation of business to successfully achieve a higher pay in the medical profession.
6. Conclusion
   1. Opinion based reflection of the potential effects of feminization in the medical workforce

 

Career Satisfaction and Retention of a Sample of Women Physicians Who Work Reduced Hours

 

1. Introduction
   1. The increase in the number of dual earner couples and the instance of part-time employment by one or both.
   2. Career satisfaction of part-time physicians.
   3. Women work reduced hours in order to accommodate for family matters, but does this result in an increase or decrease in career satisfaction?
2. Methodology
   1. Sampling of female physicians between 25-50, half working full-time, the other working part time. Goal was to find out whether the amount of hours worked affected career satisfaction
   2. Random sampling of 92 doctors was completed and interviews were conducted focusing questions around career satisfaction.
3. Measures
   1. Career satisfaction was to be rated on a 7-point scale focusing topics on different aspects of each individual’s career
   2. Predictors were introduced for possibilities of leaving a job, i.e. parental role, marital role and work family interference.
   3. Husband’s work hours were also included in the study.
   4. Years as a physician and years married were also measures in the study.
4. Analysis
   1. Hypothesis- quality of family life would be a stronger predictor of career satisfaction and intention to leave job.
   2. Interview data was analyzed by researcher in hopes to find a common theme between each female physician.
5. Results
   1. Statistical data presented within first paragraph.
   2. Differences between full and part time physicians and their career satisfaction.
   3. Family life, and its effects on career.
6. Discussion
   1. Family experience more strongly associated with professional outcomes among women.
   2. Women physicians tend to work in part time roles.
   3. Limitations to the study.
   4. Strengths to the study.
7. Conclusion
   1. Women physicians who work part time have a great level of career satisfaction when faced with roles as mother, spouse and doctor.

 

What is the difference between the introduction and the lit review?

The introduction is the chance for the author to hook the reader and present interest in the topic which was researched. The lit review is the chance for the author to prove that they have indeed researched the topic and are well versed in the topic.

In what ways did the authors attempt to hook the reader’s interest?

First Article: By simply stating how the medical profession is now becoming more feminized and how women are impacting it.

Second Article: The author discusses the increase of dual earning couples, and why this may be important when it comes to women in a demanding career (such as that of a physician)

What are the a) purpose/objective, b) significance/importance, c) main research question, d) methods, e) results, and f) final conclusions/recommendations for future research and where in your outlines from item 1 above can each of these be found?

First Article: Purpose is the discuss the negative and positive aspects of more women in the medical profession. Research question is the title. Methods are discussed throughout the paper as opposed to one specific methods section. Results are also discussed throughout the paper, yet conclusion is clearly marked at the end of the article.

Second Article: Objective is clearly marked and stated purpose in general is to understand career satisfaction in direct correlation with familial issues. Research question is not clearly stated although can be assumed after reading purpose. Methods section is clearly marked in this paper and clearly broken down into how interviewing processes were carried out for the study. The results are also presented nicely in this article, also included statistical graphs. The conclusion is presented at the end of the article as well as in the abstract.

Blog #8 Introductory Paragraph

After reading the article titled The Introductory Paragraph by Grace Fleming I feel as if I have a better understanding of how truly important it is to start off a paper well. Fleming (2010) notes, “to get your paper off to a great start, you should try to have a first sentence that engages your reader. [This sentence] is your big chance to be so clever that your reader can’t stop.”. I agree, because personally when reading any sort of document if I am not interested in the subject by at least the first page or two I’m not as likely to continue reading.

Fleming (2010) also suggests in her article The Introductory Paragraph, to  focus on an idea such as a surprising fact, humor, a quote, or something that will spark the readers’ curiosity. She also suggests that after finished writing the entire paper to go back and re-write the introductory paragraph.

The second article I chose to summarize is titled, How to Write a Stong Introductory Paragraph by Thadra Petkus. Petkus (2009) notes when to write an introduction, she states,

while students often feel they must write their introduction first, this can hinder their progress. [students should]compose a loose thesis statement to guide their writing, but postpone completing their introduction until after they have written the body of their essay.

Petkus (2009) goes on to state three points that should be met when writing the introductory paragragh, these are:

1. Identify the topic
2. State opinion about the topic
3. Build a bridge between general topic and specific thesis statement

 

Sources Used

Fleming, G. (2010). Introductory paragraph. Retrieved February 17, 2010, from http://homeworktips.about.com/od/paperassignments/a/introsentence.htm

Petkus, T. (2009). How to write an introductory paragraph. Retrieved February 17, 2010, from http://lesson-plans-materials.suite101.com/article.cfm/how_to_write_a_strong_introduction_paragraph