Researcher Development

1.0 Introduction

The aim of any professional is to develop skills as a researcher and use reflective models and frameworks to identify ones development needs. The purpose of developing as a researcher is to be able to understand what is needed for success based upon a detailed personal development plan with a considered rationale (Becker et al. 2012). Some might wonder why a personal development plan is important. The answer is that writing a personal development plan as a researcher is an important exercise because it helps one to clarify the steps necessary to achieve your research goals, keeps one motivated through small, achievable milestones, and sets expectations for oneself in terms of output and quality. Additionally, such a plan serves as a benchmark against which progress can be measured (Becker et al. 2012). Developing this document should not be seen as a one-off exercise; it should be revisited periodically to measure progress and adjust targets accordingly. Furthermore, self-reflection throughout the research process can help identify areas that need improvement, e.g., time management or communication skills (Wisker 2017). Constructing a personal development plan is thus essential for any researcher who wants to have an efficient trajectory in their academic career.

For this plan, four reflective frameworks have been identified which will be used to help in this process: 1. Gibbs Reflective Cycle, 2. Schn's Framework, 3. Rolfe et al's Framework, and 4. Jasper's ERA Model.

Gibbs' Reflective Cycle will be used to break down each experience into its individual stages, allowing for identification of areas requiring further development and planning of development needs accordingly. Schn's Framework will be used to focus on reflection in action, requiring practice to embed this way of thinking into daily activities to enable quick adaptation to any changing situations. Rolfe et al's Framework will provide a clear three-stage focus, driving an action-oriented approach with the questions of 'what?', 'so what' and 'now what'. Finally, Jasper's ERA Model will structure the development plan into three stages: experience, reflection, and action, giving a clear structure to follow when developing the personal development plan.

Using these reflective models and frameworks, a personal development plan has been created to address development needs. This plan includes improving research skills by attending workshops and webinars, developing knowledge of the research process by reading books and articles, enhancing data analysis skills by taking an online course, and strengthening communication skills by practicing public speaking. These activities will help to develop skills as a researcher and progress in a career. It is concluded that a range of reflective models and frameworks have been used to identify development needs and create a personal development plan which will help to develop skills and progress in a career as a researcher.

1.1 What is Gibbs Reflective Cycle?

The Gibbs Reflective Cycle is a model of structured reflection developed by Professor Graham Gibbs in 1988. It is a tool often used by professionals to reflect on experiences and analyze their responses to them. The cycle is composed of six stages: description, feelings, evaluation, analysis, conclusion, and action plan (Markkanen et al. 2020). This cycle encourages individuals to think deeply about an experience, consider how they were affected by it, and how they can use what they have learnt to inform future decisions (Sekarwinahyu et al. 2019). Through this approach, researchers are able to identify problematic areas that need improvement. Engaging in thoughtful analysis of successes and failures enables individuals to identify effective strategies for future endeavors (Husebo et al. 2015). Collectively, the steps help guide an effective transformation into an even better researcher.

1.2 What is Schns Framework?

Schn's Framework, developed by Donald Schn, is a model of reflective practice that has been widely used in the fields of education, business, and healthcare. It is based on the idea that professionals should be actively engaging in reflecting on their own practice and the contexts in which they work in order to improve their practice and better serve their clients (Pitsoe and Maila 2013). The framework consists of three main components: reflection-in-action, reflection-in-context, and reflection-on-action. Reflection-in-action is the process of reflecting on ones practice as it is occurring in order to adjust and improve it. Reflection-in-context is the process...…where they could have improved.

Their Stage Two Reflection Goals are: 1) Utilizing the Gibbs, Schn and Rolfe models to reflect on their experiences and identify areas for improvement. 2) Gathering feedback from colleagues and mentors to gain a better understanding of their strengths and weaknesses. 3) Developing a clear understanding of the research process and the key elements that go into successful research.

Their Stage Three Action Goals are: 1) Developing a tailored study plan to address their weaknesses in research and enrolling in online courses or attending workshops to gain a better understanding of research methods. 2) Connecting with other researchers to gain insight into the research process. 3) Reading research papers and articles to develop an understanding of the current trends in research. 4) Setting up a plan to monitor their progress and measure their learning. 5) Taking part in research projects or internships to gain practical experience. 6) Utilizing the latest research tools and technologies to improve their research skills.

4.0 Overall View

Overall, this plan consists of three main components: learning, practice and application. Firstly, one will focus on learning new concepts within my field, such as best practices and emerging research topics. Secondly, one will take time to practice revisiting previously learned material and hone my craft. Lastly, one will look for opportunities to apply this knowledge through projects and collaborations with other researchers or with industry partners.

In addition to this plan of study, a researcher should also intend to attend conferences related to the area of expertise in order to be able to network with peers and draw inspiration from their work as well as gain valuable insight into current trends and topics within the field. Finally, one should like to use online resources such as webinars and e-learning platforms in order to broaden my horizons even further and expand knowledge beyond traditional classroom learning structures.

By taking these steps in a thoughtful way alongside careful consideration of the rationale behind the proposed actions alongside this personal development plan, the researcher should believe that it is possible to widen the scope of research expertise as well as sharpening more specific…