Blog no. 5

a) What have you learned about the processes of designing a sound research study in class?

b) What have these processes taught you about your future roles as a technical/professional communicator and digital rhetorician?


One thing I learned about the process of designing a research study is that it takes some brainstorming. I wouldn't have finalized my project without Dr. Bacabac's help. Collaboration and building ideas can be very useful. To add to that, sleeping on a thought is also a valid and useful strategy. Sometimes, we can ruminate on something too much, so much so that we feel like we have thought about everything there is to think about the topic. Stepping away for a few hours or even a day or two can be a useful reset for the mind.

The process has mostly taught me (reaffirmed is probably a better word) that readers cannot read my mind. I have to be explicit, detailed, and clear in everything I write so that readers can understand my work and other researchers would be able to copy it if they so choose. I also learned that I have a problem with thinking too big. I already kind of knew this about myself, but with this project I realized I need help with keeping my ideas narrow. I want to do all sorts of grand things, but that's just not always viable. I learned a little more on how to stay short, sweet, detailed, and to the point.

 

Comments

  1. Brynn JensonNovember 19, 2025 at 6:31 PM

    I can relate to needing to keep ideas narrow. It's hard when you can think about all the things at once to be able to focus on just one thing and move forward with it. Cool to have a chance to practice that.

    Also I agree that collaboration is super helpful! I feel like sometimes it's hard to ask for help because we want to just be able to figure thing out on our own haha. Glad that Dr. Bacabac was able to help, that's awesome.

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