Reflective Journal Essays

Reflective Journal Essays Reflective Journal Essay Reflective Journal Essay Essay Topic: Reflective Reflective Journal Detailed description as if to an outsider. Often you will use your journal to record detailed descriptions of some aspect of your internship environment, whether physical, behavioral, or organizational. When you write them, you will not have a clear idea of what you will make of these details, but you will sense that they might be important later. These descriptions should sound as if you were describing them to someone who was never there. Journals allow you to sound naive. At times you will want to speculate as to why something that you have observed firsthand is as it is. You might derive your explanation from a lecture you have heard, a book you have read, or your own reservoir of â€Å"common sense†. Having posited an interpretation, you will want to continue with your detailed observations on the topic to see if you want to stick with your hypothesis or alter it. Journals allow you to change your mind. Here are a few of the ingredients that go into a keeping a great journal: * Journals should be snapshots filled with sights, sounds, smells, concerns, insights, doubts, fears, and critical questions about issues, people, and, most importantly, yourself. Honesty is the most important ingredient to successful journals. * A journal is not a work log of tasks, events, times and dates. * Write freely. Grammar/spelling should not be stressed in your writing until the final draft. * Write an entry after each visit. If you can’t write a full entry, jot down random thoughts, images, etc. which you can come back to a day or two later and expand i nto a colorful verbal picture. Key questions to answer Describe your experience. Table of Contents 1.0 Introduction†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦1 2.0 Learning Experiences†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.2 2.1 Learning Experiences of Business Approach†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.2 2.2 Learning Processes of Business Research†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..3 2.3 Learning Reasons of Business Research†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.4 2.4 Learning Experience in Relation to Academic Development†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.4 2.5 Learning Experience in Relation to Professional Development†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..5 2.6 5 Learning Experience in Relation to Personal Development†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.6 3.0 Conclusion†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦6 4.0 References†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.7 List of Tables Table 1: Interest of the diverse topics and the reasons†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦2 1.0 Introduction Boud (2001) explains that reflective journal writing helps a researcher not only write the findings of his research, but it also helps him/her connect with the research on diverse level. This paper reflects on the literature review findings concerning the impending factors of international mobility. It analyzes how the learning processes and experiences through the review relate to the business research, academic development, professional development and personal development. 2.0 Learning Experiences of Business Research According to Bolton (2005: 5) learning is the acquisition of new or modification of existing knowledge, preferences, values, skills and behaviors. This is mostly referred to as a process or an experience. This is because learning is continuous and it is acquired through theory and practice (Sunstein Chiseri-Strater, 2007:15). Learning is important as it enables the learner to acquire knowledge on how to handle real life situations whether it is in their personal lives, social lives or professional lives. The learning discussed in this paper will not only reflect on the literature review, but it will also reflect on the research, language, process, design, sources and collection of data, data analysis, report writing and presentation, and the ethics parts of this business research. This learning enables one to analyze and understand the intended findings of the particular field (international mobility for this case) (Hume, 2009). 2.1 Learning Processes of Business Research During this research, I could not ignore the fact that it was not just a matter of acquiring information and analyzing it. Having the research question, knowing the right methods to use during the research, proper analysis and making a cohesive conclusion is the most important aspects of a research. Spalding and Wilson (2002) feel that it is crucial for the researcher to reflect on the situation at hand before embarking on it. Through the research, one identifies that there are areas that have more significance as compared to others. However, every stage should be taken into consideration. This enables the researcher to have strong and justifiable results and conclusions. Table 1 Most interesting topicsReason for ChoiceLanguage of business Collection of data Data Analysis Literature Review Reflective Journal Report Writing Chapter Most Difficult The Language This stage is the most interesting as the researcher picks up a hypothesis or hypotheses so that my research can be narrowed. In this case, it not just about globalization within the organization, but it has been narrowed down to international mobility. Although it can be challenging coming up with the specific questions to be answered, it is also interesting because it tests ones capability of being unique. This is the second most interesting part of the research as it involves a lot of interaction with the real world so that one can be able to collect first hand information. Although it has its own challenges, it gives me time to come with my own data. This topic allows one to analyze the data he/she has collected. It gives the researcher a chance to put what he/she leant in theory work to what they have collected (Otienoh, 2009: 479). Literature review enables the researcher to find out about the targeted research topic in accordance to what has been written about it (Warhurst, 2008). The interesting thing about this topic is that one has a chance of gathering as much information as they can about the research topic. It is like being in one room with all the professionals in the field of international mobility. This is a very interesting area as I am supposed to give a reflection of what I encountered through out the research. This includes the difficult areas and the interesting ones. This chapter enables me to give a comprehensive report about my journal. It tells of what cannot be told in the research itself. Although it is listed as an interesting area, the language chapter is the most difficult. This is because I had to formulate the thesis statement or the hypotheses of the research. Having a wrong hypothesis may lead to a bad or ineffective research project Table indicates the areas that are most interesting to encounter (the table is a self generation) 2.2 Learning Processes of Business Research It is significant to appreciate that one cannot just decide to conduct a research with no knowledge of how to conduct it. This is how the class notes, self reading, and the class lectures play a major role. Through the literature review assignment, one not only reads about conducting a literature review, but he/she goes ahead and does a literature review on a business topic. Each topic of business research enables the researcher to understand its application to the research and how to achieve the most concrete results than one can come up (Mills, 2008). It is not enough to know the diverse topics in business research, but it is important that the researcher knows how to apply each topic to the research process. 2.3 Learning Reasons of Business Research It is essential that I learn business research. Apart from it being examinable since it is part of the learning modules, it is significant to my future studies. Many business modules require the student to carry out research work in order to show that they have understood a particular module in a given learning period. This learning is also significant as it enables a student to understand other research works. Reflecting on these topics will enable me to understand complex research works that will be encountered in the future (Kalliath Goughlan, 2001: 62). In as far as research work is concerned; the topics offered are the foundation to the field of business researching. This foundation gives me an idea of what to encounter such a module in the upper years. It is up to me to do more self reading so that I may understand the topic in a deeper way and more clearly. 2.4 Learning Experience in Relation to Professional Development Sunstein and Chiseri-Strater (2007) indicate that research work should not only be a benefit to the one researching, but it also benefits other parties whether in that field of the topic being researched or in other fields. In as far as academic development is concerned; this reflective writing enables me to evaluate what I have learnt in this module and whether I can use it to develop others academically. As earlier mentioned, learning business research will enable me to develop better ways of conducting future complex researches in the academic years to come. This module offers a foundation in this field. Through this reflective writing, I am able to see that my skills and knowledge id gradually increasing. The previous mini-researches that I have conducted were just done without following a particular process. The process is now clearer. It is also good to appreciate the areas of merit and difficulty (Mills, 2008: 685). The areas of literature review, collection of data and analyzing it, report writing, ethics in business, research design and research process do not pose such a major challenge to. However, the language area is highly challenging. This is due to the parts where one has to come up with variables or hypotheses. If the research is examinable, poorly developed hypotheses or variables may lead to poor marks. 2.5 Learning Experience in Relation to Professional Development Sunstein and Chiseri-Starater (2007: 38) are also confident that any research learning done in school plays a crucial role in an individual’s profession or career path. This learning and reflection will enable me to conduct research that is not only significant to my organization but also to my field of interest. The skills and knowledge given make the research work much easier as compared to having no knowledge at all. In the business field, there are those who specialize in researching on the different issues in the business arena or affecting business. If I choose to specialize in research work, then this module is building my profession. As indicated earlier, the language topic of business research poses a challenge to me. However, by the time I am through with this course, through self reading and practice, I will have overcome this challenge. 2.6 Learning Experience in Relation to Personal Development Greiman and Covington (2007: 117) indicate that reflective writing enables me to understand my areas of improvement and those that need to be improved. Through these topics, I have been able to be more organized thus improving time management. I know when to come up with the hypotheses, review literature, collect data, and analyze it, amongst other steps. It is not only a matter of getting the work done, but also getting it done in the right way. There are areas of weaknesses such as coming up with new ideas faster than I already am. For example, it takes me time to come up with a good variable or hypothesis thus the one ends up taking time meant for other steps. However, I am able to complete my work in time. This module has also enabled me to improve on my general time management. 3.0 Conclusion Such a reflection journal enables one to examine an area of study (Greiman Covington, 2007: 115). This reflection enables one to understand the reasons of studying this module as far as business research is concerned, knowing the areas of strengths and weaknesses and understanding its relationship to the academic, professional and personal aspects of a person. Knowing how to carry out a research and to carry it out in the right way is as significant as the research itself. The study is significant to what I will encounter within this course, in future academic works to be done and in my area of profession.