Stephen Mitchell

See the purpose here:
https://stephenamitchell.wordpress.com/2020/05/04/research-journal-the-first-step/

I’m thinking back to my previously visited module which culminated in a piece of writing looking at teacher pay and the leadership styles surrounding it.  Without digging too deep, I can see that the following ‘baggage’ would have been brought to that part of the study, without me realising it at all:
– I have a strong opinion on the subject
– I work in the profession and understand the subject at an operational and strategic level

These are just two examples that could quite clearly have shaped my investigations into the subject.  This could also be coupled with the fact that I am fairly new to conducting research of any kind.  This would also bring its own challenges and could shape research methodology subconsciously.  Finally, I am full time working alongside the study, and in this case alongside a global pandemic.   It’s often stressful and time is a premium.  Because of this, often written tasks can be approached in a non-balanced way.  Not sure how much that affects the research – but it’s something that would require thought.

I read quite an interesting paper today Forbes (2008) titled: reflexivity in professional doctorate research.   The paper concludes by Forbes acknowledging that the process of researching through the professional doctorate allowed her to challenge, manipulate, and ultimately change her identity.  Thinking back to my degree, I can relate to this school of thought.  Through participation in an arts-based degree programme, you inevitably learn a great deal about yourself as a person; through trying to create and build characters that have similar or different character traits.

I guess this then makes you consider your current identity or baggage (which is a really good way to think about it).  Broadly speaking, for me this can be split into two different areas;
– Personal identity
– Professional identity

In the coming weeks, one of the tasks we are to engage with is a critical autobiography; so I will need to give this some further thought before then.

The idea can be taken further and the perception of institutionalised ideas can be explored.  In teaching, safeguarding would be an obvious one – something which is rarely questioned; because of this, it is hard to define your relationship with it as your thinking is automatic and of the institutionalised idea.

I’m going to keep tonight a bit shorter than normal and do some more reading around the subject.