Although I feel I have a basic understanding of a literature review, I am struggling to find a topic and general outline. Some of the videos I've watched suggest to start by finding a research article with an interesting topic, then look through that topic for key words or ideas that the research is built upon. The attached video talks about the "research cycle", which is :
pick a topic
read research on that topic.
tweak the topic of your paper as needed.
In step 2, if there is not enough material for research, you may need to tweak your topic. Also, during research, you may find a more interesting topic than the original. One other thing mentioned was, if you are stuck, ask for help. Resources such as Librarians may be able to offer guidance and provide a nudge if you are stuck picking a topic. I scheduled a virtual appointment with a PC librarian earlier this week, and he was extremely helpful, showing me different places to find ideas, and going over proper citation. He said there is also a 24 hour/day "ask a librarian" help feature on their website if you are struggling late at night. You can schedule an online appointment with a librarian, or use the 24/7 service via the canvas library link. The library database also has a section on argument/debate (hot topics) that may help provide review ideas, by writing about what data/methods those arguments are based on.
I do not think my identity per se influenced my educational path. My age itself did, however. When I was younger I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I had no roles models that I was trying to emulate. With time and experience I realized that I loved helping people, and wanted a career relating to the medical field. I also am very curious about how things work. While pursuing other degree paths, I was finally led to Biology, my one true love. It has everything I want. My identity has impacted my sense of belonging though. I am twice the age of most of my fellow students. I feel like a bit of an outsider at times, and certainly way behind everyone else. When they are my current age, they will be masters of their field. I am already older than many of my professors. When I enter the workforce again, people much younger than I am will have much more knowledge and experience. It is something I am having to get comfortable with. I also feel like I will have much less t...
Do you feel you have a more malleable/growth mindset, or a fixed mindset? I am not sure how to answer this. I am very fixed with some things, and malleable with others. I am not afraid to learn when it comes to things like science, although I can get particular about knowing all the rules or expectations, and sometimes get stuck. I can go to a foreign city, or in the middle of a jungle, and feel very comfortable in unfamiliar territory. If I am fixing a machine, I see it as a challenge and growth opportunity when I don't find the problem right away. In other areas I definitely have a fixed mindset. Language, for instance, has never been easy for me, and I resist learning. I took Spanish for 4 years and it did not "speak to me." I didn't like it at all. Now I hear people telling me how I need to learn Spanish and I get upset. I say things like, "There are 450 languages spoken in the U.S.. Am I to learn them all, or should everyone just learn English?" I...
Am I worthy to be in college? Am I worthy of financial aid? What makes it so? When I was in the military I suffered a brain injury that makes it very difficult for me to remember things. As a partially disabled veteran, the VA sometimes offers financial support for re-education. When I contacted them to ask for money to go back to college, the first thing they asked was what disabilities I had. After I explained my head injury the lady said to me "Don't you think an education would be wasted on you? Instead, volunteer for one of our business partners for a year, and if you do well, we will try to find you a paying job, like fast food." My reply was simple. "No, I don't think I am a waste of an education. Thank you for your time." I could not hang up that phone fast enough to silence the naysayers. I may not achieve the highest GPA in my class, but I certainly can learn enough to make a contribution to society. I am worthy. This semester I have one class t...
Comments
Post a Comment