A PhD Student’s reflection on the first six months of research

Tina Fanneran

My research project and I

Highs & Lows of being a PhD student

Reflecting on my learning experiences

Final Remarks

Title

‘A Critical Analysis of Adult Safeguarding Practices in NHS Mental

Health Services’

Evidence suggests that some mental health services are failing to protect adults at risk of abuse and neglect

BSc (Hons) in Psychology and Counselling with 1st Class honours

Early expectations of my role in the research process

Authoring a PhD; Doing a Literature Review; Working for a Doctorate and How to get a PhD

Self – Belief / Self Esteem

My Concerns Supervisor’s Reactions & Comments

Emotional Reaction

Action Taken & Outcome

Initially I felt I was “thrown in at the deep end”

I now felt focused and was no longer experiencing the affects of non-productivity

I collected valuable data that facilitated progression of my project to the next stage

David A. Kolb (1984)Borzak (1981)

“Experiential learning involves a direct encounter with the phenomena being studied rather than merely thinking about the encounter or only thinking about the possibility of doing something about it”

My learning could be described as experiential as it is “education that occurs as a direct participation in the events of life” (Smith, 2001)

Reflecting on my supervisor’s reactions to my uncertainties leads me to believe that they were revealing their competence as professional researchers demonstrating their ability to “think on their feet” (Schon, 1991)

Reflecting on my learning experiences has allowed me to develop professionally and personally.

I have developed an ability to understand how I learn and apply this understanding to new learning encounters.

I have learned to understand my emotional reactions to my project and not allow them to impede its progress

I have learned to trust my supervisor’s intuitions regarding my research