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Zaheera Soomar shares a post that identifies the top factors she learned from her experience in research and while working on her Doctorate. 

During my current Doctorate studies, I have been embarking on a number of different research topics and studies, and have taken some time out recently to reflect and document the learnings that have emerged.

I am fortunate to have had formal research training and experience through my MBA and DBA degrees, in addition to research forming a key component of my work and career, especially within Consulting. In addition, I have been constantly supported and supervised by amazing Professors across various Universities. I have a deep desire to continue pursuing research studies, beyond my Doctorate, but want ensure its evidence-based and drives engaged scholarship. This means ensuring it addresses real problems within organizations and businesses, and seeks to help find solutions by making it practical and implementable within business.

Here are my top 5 learnings, as I reflect on my recent research experiences.

1.   Importance of process
2.   It is important to map out one’s workplan and process before undergoing qualitative research to plan properly.
3.   Going through this process allows one to take the lead time required to set things up (e.g. book interviews, ethics approval etc.) but also allows you to reflect on the planned process and adjust prior to undertaking it.
4.   Equally it’s important to be open to new processes and ensure that we improve on our process each time. I have noticed that I tend to dive into something very quickly if I have done it before and rely on the previous process that I used. But this inhibits one from learning and exploring new or better ways of doing something.

 

Key points include:

• Monitoring and leveraging bias
• Patience with qualitative research
• The process of reflecting and adjusting

Read the full post, Reflections on Qualitative Research Process – 5 Key Learnings, on LinkedIn.