Building Research Resilience
This exercise asks students to reflect on how they're coping with setbacks related to the research process. It is best given after the research process has begun, but before the project has concluded.
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Background
The goal of this exercise is to help you learn how to learn about your own learning and how to make adjustments to learn more effectively. This process, called 'metacognition,' has been shown to improve student success in all sorts of ways, including boosts in reading comprehension, exam performance, and problem-solving. This exercise gives you an opportunity to learn about your own learning and apply those lessons to your research project.
Purpose of the exercise
This exercise asks you reflect on how you're coping with setbacks that you might be experiencing in the research process. The goal is to help you develop strategies for overcoming research obstacles. Metacognitive students are effective learners because they are flexible in their thinking and willing to make adjustments. This exercise provides an opportunity to practice learning about your own learning.
Instructions
Consider your research project. Think about how things have been going. Answer the following questions. Your answers do not need to be overly long, but you should try to provide enough detail so that you explain your responses.
- Describe an obstacle you've encountered while engaged in your research project.
- How did the obstacle appear? For example, did it appear all at once or develop over time?
- How have you responded so far? Is it working? Or are you still looking for solutions?
- What from your previous experience might help you respond?
- What are the positive lessons that you'll draw upon when you face future setbacks in the research process?