Research. This topic has become so controversial in my own mind of late I'm not even sure how to feel about it anymore. On the one hand, it is unarguably the lifeblood of the academic world. On the other hand, is it really making a difference?
Since I've been in graduate school I've been exposed to a lot of research and academic writing. So far, I can't say that I'm a huge fan. It seems like the unspoken purpose of so many articles is to use as many confusing and domain-specific terms as possible. If you're going to write something, why not make it accessible? One would think that the purpose, especially of educational research, would be to inform practitioners, not just researchers. But, if our research only informs more research and never makes an impact at the classroom level, what is the purpose of doing it in the first place?
I do recognize that my wishes for reform in research are not likely to come about. Good or bad, like so many things, it is what it is. My task is simply to make the best of it. So, instead of setting publishing as my main goal, for me to feel good about what I'm doing, my focus needs to be on producing quality work. Perhaps it will get published, perhaps not. But, my ultimate goal is to make a difference for someone somewhere. If I can do that, if my work is important to someone, I will be satisfied with my performance whether or not the academic world finds it significant.
Since I've been in graduate school I've been exposed to a lot of research and academic writing. So far, I can't say that I'm a huge fan. It seems like the unspoken purpose of so many articles is to use as many confusing and domain-specific terms as possible. If you're going to write something, why not make it accessible? One would think that the purpose, especially of educational research, would be to inform practitioners, not just researchers. But, if our research only informs more research and never makes an impact at the classroom level, what is the purpose of doing it in the first place?
I do recognize that my wishes for reform in research are not likely to come about. Good or bad, like so many things, it is what it is. My task is simply to make the best of it. So, instead of setting publishing as my main goal, for me to feel good about what I'm doing, my focus needs to be on producing quality work. Perhaps it will get published, perhaps not. But, my ultimate goal is to make a difference for someone somewhere. If I can do that, if my work is important to someone, I will be satisfied with my performance whether or not the academic world finds it significant.
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