Sharing the research process

It helps to write. By writing frequently, I am continuing the research process, developing my thinking, forming my ideas, making plans...
I can't over-emphasise the importance of ongoing reading, as part of the research journey. Every time I read a new article or chapter, I think my whole research afresh.
At the weekend, for example, I read an article in which a researcher explained how she worked creatively with her transcripts as malleable products, and re-shaped them into poems that re-told the stories of the participants. The new word clusters re-presented the feelings and experiences evoked in the transcripts.
I would argue that the literature review cannot be accomplished before the research, but must be woven into the research process throughout the period of the research and beyond.

Rest for mothers

Mothering Sunday is an opportunity to take a break, take a breath, linger.  Like a good, life-like poem, the liturgical year includes resting points, opportunities to stop.

A staccato entry

Some EdD jobs accomplished today:

• Downloaded an article I wanted to read, referred to in Leggo's piece
• Did some writing, adding learning from new reading to the existing draft
• Read the Nutbrown review: interim report
• Found relevant bits and included a short commentary in the introduction

The interim report by Cathy Nutbrown, I am delighted to note, states: 'When we talk of babies, toddlers and young children we must think of learning in a broad sense; infant-appropriate pedagogies of looking, listening and loving...' (5.5)  I am encouraged that the theme of my research is highly relevant.

Next EdD related task:

• Print thesis draft and read for coherence

Excuse the bullet-point style of this posting.  The lyricism will return.

Daily Practical and Reflective Achievements

My participant packs are ready! I need to identify my theoretical frameworks. I have identified the following as possibilities: Roland Bathes, Hilary Janks, Lorri Neilson, Ken Plummer.

Ken Plummer's (2001) book, Documents of Life 2: An invitation to a critical humanism, is excellent. We write life stories not because we are obsessed with individualism, but to celebrate the human subject. This approach counteracts the modern tendency towards becoming too abstract or linear. Life is 'always in flow and every messy' (p.7).

First Year Students - Research Synergies

One of my first year students has taken an interest in my research area. I am impressed that she has already started to think about her own final year project. This is excellent forward planning. I am sorry that I will not be around to supervise her in the final year!

She recommended a book and a school with a focus on loving young children. I hope we will remain in touch!