Author: iotey (Page 1 of 2)

Last week I initiated the first of two focus groups that I plan to turn into two individual podcast style YouTube videos titled “Water Management Engagement CODES pt.1” and “Water Management Engagement CODES pt.2.”  

So far what has gone well is the fact that I’ve already found one group to conduct the project with. Another thing is that I have been able to download a voice recording app on my phone that I use to pick up the audio from my focus group. With this app, I can title the different audio clips to keep the progression of the focus group organized so when I compile them to edit, the process will go smoothly.  

Some problems I didn’t forsee was figuring out how I would get the length of the clips I needed to be drawn out and more informative. So far, the introductions and the first question’s responses have been relatively brief, and I need to figure out they can better expand on them to make for a more engaging focus group.  

I wish I would think these things through more before the actual commencement of the first focus group, but I’m not worried because I can redo certain prompts as many times as necessary to extrapolate sufficient data.  

So far, all my “visits” have been online zoom meetings. Working with Anna – an on-site manager at JJK has been a positive experience so far, she provides positive and candid feedback both verbally and nonverbally with a gleaming smile.  

I believe my presentation during our meetings has been generally confident and straightforward in describing what research I plan to conduct and the methods I will use. I have, however, been nervous at times. I think I’m doing well on staying on track with the flow of the project sections – i.e. implementation, planning, and now I am forming a group chat to meet with on Wednesday the twenty-fourth of September to conduct the focus group part of my project.  
 
 

I believe areas I could improve in are being more certain of the end goal of my project instead of just going my ear. I like to have a solid plan in place but usually my ideas are too farfetched or not up to par with the desired results of the project that my professor is looking for. For example, last week in class, I had gone over the details of how I planned on collecting qualitative and quantitative data for my project product by way of asking tailored questions to a focus group of about six people. Some questions needed to be changed to more focused on what would get people engaged with in water conservation as opposed to my more hypothetical research questions such as:  

• In your own words, how do you view someone who’s interested in/or has a career in water conservation research management? Environmental Scientists, Ecologist, etc. 

• What do you think would get more students like you involved in conservation and volunteering to do conservation work?  

Reflection One – Inferences and Observations 

Where and with whom I will be working: