During this project, Iโ€™ve realized that some of the research I am doing is very similar to the work and research that others around me are also completing. When we came to the midpoint of our projects, I began to notice that many of us were using similar approaches to collect data, even if our topics and goals were slightly different. Those similar approaches included doing interviews, attending community events, hosting conversations, and finding ways to directly interact with the people most connected to our research questions. Some groups conducted focus groups, others created surveys, and a few even planned special events so they could gather the exact information they needed from their participants. Seeing everyone take their own path but still use comparable research methods helped me understand how flexible and creative qualitative research can be.

After collecting all of our data and discussing what our next steps would be, I realized that although we used similar methods, the way we organized and processed our information looked different for each person. For example, I put my data together by watching and reviewing video recordings from my interviews. This approach worked well for me because I enjoy working with digital media and content, and I find it easier to understand peopleโ€™s emotions, tone, and explanations when I can replay what they said. Other classmates had to take completely different approaches. Some had pages of interview notes they needed to code and sort into themes. Others had to continue sending out surveys to gather additional information because their early responses did not give them enough details for reliable conclusions.

Watching others go through that process made me more aware of the variety of challenges that come with research. While I primarily focused on recording, reviewing, and clipping video for my data, others had more time-consuming tasks that required them to chase down participants, revise questions, or reorganize their entire data set to make sense of it. Some students mentioned how difficult it was to interpret handwritten notes or how frustrating it felt waiting for survey responses that never came on time. Others had to re-interview participants because their first round of questions didnโ€™t give them enough depth. Seeing these struggles helped me appreciate the process I used and made me realize that my method of data collection. Although still work was slightly easier for me than the processes others had to follow.

This comparison helped me learn an important lesson: every researcherโ€™s process is shaped by the tools they choose, the type of data they collect, and the way they naturally work best. My strength is working with videos, analyzing conversations, and editing content, so that method felt natural and efficient. Others excel in organizing written notes, coding themes, or handling large sets of survey data. Understanding these differences made me appreciate not only my own workflow but also the creativity and dedication required for others to make sense of their data. In the end, this experience taught me that research is never one-size-fits-all. It requires patience, adaptability, and a willingness to adjust depending on what the data demands.