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3.8: Check-In

  • Page ID
    289230
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    Reflect:

    Pause and think about what you've done so far. In this unit, you've

    • Brainstormed your interests
    • Scoped Google Scholar for ideas on topics related to your interests
    • Refined your interests through asking the 5Qs: Who, What, Where, When, Why
    • Added broader and narrower terms for each facet

    At this point, your topic is still developing. That's expected! This unit was about generating some ideas, not finalizing them. In the next unit, we'll find citations to help you refine your focus further.

    What have you learned?

    Which ideas from this unit are sticking with you?

    What key points do you want to remember?

    Record any points you'd like to remember. Consider creating a doodle icon or finding an image or GIF online to remind yourself instead of words.

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    Emotions:

    How are you feeling about your research project at this moment?

    Write, draw, or find an image/gif online to describe your current state of mind about your research.

    Add your emotions to your journal.

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    Positionality:

    Look back to the chapter on positionality and connect it with what you've done so far with your topic:

    1. How does your positionality shape the interests you selected during your brainstorming?
    2. How does your identity affect how you answered the 5Qs?
    3. What assumptions or biases might you have regarding elements of your topic?

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    Supports: Meet with Your Faculty

    If this is for a class assignment:

    • Check-in with your instructor to verify that your topic is viable for their assignment.
    • Remember that office hours or scheduled appointments can be a good way to have this conversation.

    If this is for a dissertation/thesis:

    • Some advisors might prefer that you refine your topic further before meeting.
    • If they have not already told you, ask what their expectations are for when and how you bring them topic ideas.

    Next Steps:

    In the next unit you'll find sources in order to further refine your topic. Even if your topic feels solid, the literature you find will shift your interests into new directions. That's a normal - and useful - part of the research process.


    This page titled 3.8: Check-In is shared under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Frances Brady.

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