I've written a research proposal! Reflections and Prospects for a Budding Researcher

You have guessed it right! Finally, I've written a proper research proposal! Thank God!

But to come this point of my journey in this Research Methods course and the IMAESC programme in general was a Herculean task. Many of you know that I am a trained practitioner and research was not my cup of my tea. Not even my former colleagues have this confidence I can write one. And you know I agree with them. That was true.

But then as I decided to return to this postgraduate programme as an adult learner with rich experience of conducting executive and lifelong learning programmes, I somehow thought that this helped me a lot in shaping my critical engagement of my studies...and now for the dissertation that I am writing. 

I was involved in professional development for higher education leaders in universities, private educational institutions and heavily-funded capacity development programmes of international organisations. While I think that I have made a difference in their lives, I still think of the largely untapped and underrepresented segments of the teaching community - the public school teachers. They are in many cases globally, have been receiving meager salaries and opportunities for professional development. 

In the Philippines alone, public school teachers clamour for increased wages and support. There are some assistance, but I observed these are not enough considering the pivotal role they play in shaping the young minds of our country. Funds for training and sponsorship are often constrained by many factors. And most courses are understandably given to support their professional work as teachers.

Nevertheless, teachers perform social roles too. They are mothers, wives, relatives, daughters, fathers, husbands, sons and so on. They interact and socialise with the community. How then can their roles as teachers support them in building healthy, sustainable and learning communities? How can their in-service training support them well and inspire them to also extend their support to their communities.

This was for me the most emotional moment and eureka as I sought for the purpose and value of my dissertation project.

I literally cried while finishing this draft.

If my research then can open our government to perhaps provide a clearer typology of professional training or in-service training teachers can avail; if the readers of my research - policymakers, school heads, department chairs, government leaders, can understand further the value of teachers' work in building communities; and if my research can then contribute to social change through expanded social and even budgetary support to provide teachers more capabilities, then at least I am glad that I have made this contribution in my own way.

At this point, I cannot thank enough my Professor, Andreas for pushing me to my limits of writing this. His enormous support and assistance made me reach this milestone of my journey. To my Dissertation Adviser who gladly accepted my proposal to collaborate (I contacted him even before I moved to Glasgow), and the inspiration of my family, friends and programme participants....I owe this to all of you. 

To God Almighty - the fountain of strength, purpose and love, I am standing on your promise that our work and our lives have a purpose. I offer this journey to your glory.

To the Philippines - know that you are in my hearts and thoughts. I may be far from you, but my love and my visions for your progress and success remain. 

Watch my video reflection below and let me know your thoughts too. 

Part 1: In the first of this 5-part video, I am sharing with you the underpinnings of my journey in writing a research paper and the mistakes I did in the past. Rather than losing my interest and enthusiasm, I used this as an opportunity to continue and inspire myself to still take up the challenge.

Part 2: In the second part, I shared my journey on how I identified my topic. What were my life and lived experiences that shaped my idea of what to pursue for the research? I think reflecting on a topic based on an inspiration will keep you moving in this journey.

Part 3: In this video, I am sharing with you the important of preparation. I spoke with a Professor before coming to IMAESC programme just so I can align as early as possible my research topic and obtain the professor's buy in. Did it work? Were there any other opportunities that came along the way?

Part 4: The longest of the 5-part series, this video talks about my writing process, the considerations and some tricks I did to make my writing more engaging. Feel free to adopt them when you write your own researches and let me know if works for you too!

Part 5: Finally! The final part of this reflection. But this is probably the most significant - and the purpose that will keep my spirits up no matter how challenging my research may be. The feeling and the thought that my research can make a lasting change to my country by streamlining typologies of in-service training for teachers, and valuing their contributions to community building so that better resources can be allocated to them in forming our youths, and shaping our communities. The proposal is finished. But the journey continues!