Framing Reflection #2

            Research requires a vast array of skills. Our class this year emphasized the multiple strategies and methods necessary to conduct effective research. Working in pods allowed us to discuss the various methods and how we would go about them. It also enabled us to work and discuss our research assignments with students in different disciplines, creating a dialogue that provided different perspectives which led to new ideas. The group RAP tests were a unique opportunity to generate cooperation and, luckily enough, our group consisted of members that were very democratic. We were mostly successful on these tests and we got to know each other quite well. It was interesting to learn the intricacies of how each of our group members’ brains worked and how we all had unique ways of thinking.

The research methods we utilized for our assignments provided invaluable skills that can be applied in other academic areas and everyday life. My focus is business management and assignments like the interview assignment were particularly beneficial for my field of work. I’ve interviewed people before for jobs, but interviewing a stranger who wasn’t trying to obtain a job was intriguing. It forced me to struggle to create an engaging and meaningful conversation. I learned more from that interview than I have from interviewing anyone for a job. It changed the way I approach interviews as a manager, which will hopefully result in the hiring of better employees. However, I found all the group activities the most beneficial for my other academic and personal endeavours.

This course really put into perspective what we’re trying to achieve in this program. A well-rounded academic experience is what I’ve been searching for and this course elaborated on what our goals are as interdisciplinary students. I feel I have more brainstorming to do before heading into tutorials and the Grad Project, but forming relationships with other students has led to fruitful discussions and new perspectives on how to approach the rest of this program.

 

 

Module I: Framing Reflection #1

Art history was my previous major, thus, it is difficult for me not to identify with the critical paradigm. Art is entirely shaped by its surroundings and the art business is a social construct of the highest order. Art is always evolving and an artist that does not evolve is quickly left behind. Art operates in the critical paradigm. The market reacts to how a piece of work is critiqued by certain galleries, collectors, critics, and institutions. Art is made as a reaction to social, cultural, political and societal change. It is always a reaction to something, often with the goal of changing something. I believe that for one to be critical is to go after what one believes in and challenge what they don’t believe in. Scientific research will falter if it is not relayed to the public in the right way and used effectively to benefit society. Otherwise, such research will be wasted with the wrong interpretation and presentation.

Although I do believe I mostly fall into the critical paradigm, there are many aspects of the interpretive paradigm that I strongly identify with. Understanding that individuals have their own subjective reality is something I view as important. Using art as an example again, one person can look at an abstract painting and see something completely different than another person. It is important to respect both individual’s perspective and to take one another’s interpretation into account. However, to be critical is to decide whether the artwork is necessary, important, or useful. We look to critical institutions and researchers to decide these things.

The dynamic between the interpretive and critical paradigms excite me. The scientific paradigm appears fairly black and white, but there is a discussion to be had about what falls into the other two paradigms and where the two intersect. When I conduct research in the future, I’d like to pull influence from each of these two paradigms and I’m eager to see what results it will give me. I believe the critical paradigm is able to help me take on a more humanitarian role as a researcher, rather than a strictly analytical one. Meanwhile, operating within the interpretive paradigm will allow me to take individual meanings into account.