The End of a Semester...
Introduction
Wow. This semester has been so topsy turvy - going through a pandemic with multiple lockdowns, online learning, the stress of the world around us…I applaud all of us for making it through this incredibly difficult time!
I want to note that, like some of my peers, I would not have picked to take this course had it not been required. I prefer physical and environmental geography over human geography, so naturally I was planning on going in a different direction. I am now so grateful that I took this course!!! One of my career aspirations is to work with National Geographic, and it has now been made clear to me how vital it is to learn the intricacies of research and its methods/techniques. As someone who would rather do field work than a desk job, I am excited to one day apply all my new knowledge in research to the field I plan to work in!
Three things I know for certain about human geography research:
There are three things that stick out in my mind when I reflect back on what I have learned in this course.
First, the concept of the “visible backpack” has stuck with me. Not only while working through this course work, but also work for other courses, while watching documentaries for my own entertainment, and maybe most importantly in this day and age, when watching stories on the news. As we have learned in Week 3, the “invisible backpack” takes into account all the features of the researcher, including ethnicity, gender, background, and more. These factors can greatly affect the manner in which data is perceived. An example I think of often is the wealthy, young men who interviewed Agafia in the Serbian wilderness. With their backpacks, they could not have possibly fully understood all that Agafia went through, and continues to go through today. This is an important reminder that all research has room for potential error or bias, depending on the exact situation. This allows me to reserve all judgement, and try to see things from all angles before forming an opinion. The invisible backpack can also relate to critical reflectivity.
Secondly, the importance of ethical research has been thoroughly engrained in me through this course. In my opinion, data obtained in an unethical way should be seen as null and void. It can be as simple as asking for someone to make a statement, or as complex as invading a prohibited area to try and fetch data (think of the man trying to preach Christianity to the native people of the Sentinelese island, subsequently getting killed - though this is not exactly a research incident, it is very prominently unethical). Entire research projects can be rendered invalid if the proper ethics are not followed, so I am thankful that this subject was taught and emphasized so much during this course.
Finally, Professor Hooykaas taught us in a way that really engrained the importance of verifying and evaluating sources into our minds. I have been reminded that sources cannot just be blindly trusted - they must be critically evaluated, just like the article itself.
Three things I am still confused by:
The Week 8 activity of coding was certainly challenging at first. While once completed I see the appeal of the organizational technique, it was intimidating to begin, and I quite honestly dreaded that week’s blogging activity. After completion, however, it was very beneficial when narrowing down topics for my Digital Storytelling Project!
Second, I am unsure how to overcome the invisible backpack. No matter who the researcher is, they are not identical to their subject, and cannot fully comprehend their views. I am curious to learn more about how to overcome this and avoid any possible complications that may arise.
Lastly, I am still slightly uncertain about “when enough is enough”. When, while performing research, have you obtained enough data without simultaneously having too much information? I feel this may be remedied by experience.
Three things I know for certain about me as a human geographic researcher:
Firstly, while I know I would like to pursue research in my career, I now know that there are fields that interest me more than human geography. While no doubt interesting, I now know for sure that my interests lie in the more physical/environmental sides of geography.
Second, I know that I can approach research situations with an open mind. I am confident that I can avoid any foreseeable biases in order to have the highest quality outcome possible.
Finally, I feel that I could employ research in a way that has an overall positive impact on the world. Following ethics and my own morals, I know I can conduct research that holds importance in the betterment of our environment.
Three areas I need to spend time developing/learning in order to feel more confident in my skills:
As I mentioned above, I would like to get a sense of familiarity to determine when the amount of research I have done has become too much. I of course want to have all the information, but it still must be conveyed in a digestible manner.
Second, I would like to practice with what types of interview questions are the most beneficial, and what types of questions to ask per scenario. Knowing that will save some stress, help narrow down specific questions, and yield specific results that pertain more closely to the goal in question.
Finally, I would like to develop my skills as a student more. Transitioning to online learning was certainly challenging. By taking this course, I can more qualitatively reflect in on myself and the world around me.
Conclusion
Thank you to all my peers who interacted with my blog this semester! It was a unique way to connect with you all - especially in a remote setting! Be sure to reach out at any time :)
Your peer, Robin Hounsell
References:
Hay, I. (2005). Qualitative Research Methods in Human Geography (4th ed.). Oxford University Press.
Hooykaas, A. (2021). Lecture Notes from GEOG2260- Applied Human Geography.
Hey Robin,
Great final post. Just like you I would not have taken this course if it was not required. But now I am very thankful for the course since it helped me see the world in different lens. I think I will take more courses like this and might end up in this field. I have always also found interest in National Geography and I can see how research is crucial to the field, this course is definitely a starting point.
To overcome the invisible backpack can definitely be challenging. Although it might not be enough I think critical reflexivity is a starting point. Practicing it can may lower our invisible backpack. I also think we have to accept that we have privileges, some people don't think privilege exist. But accepting it is a start, in improving our ways we conduct research.
Being openminded as you mentioned is very important, especially in research when it affects everyone. To avoid bias we need to take rigorous steps and constant reflection in our work. In world full of bias significantly in medias such as tv new and papers it is crucial to know what informations we can include in our research.
I can relate with you that it can be confusing when to know you are done with your research, especially when all of the findings can be important. This is something I struggled with doing the project and I would like to improve on it as well.
You mentioned that you are interested in research, what type of questions would like to tackle if you were to research?
Thanks for the post,
Hawi.
