This week’s chat will be hosted by @SamOTantha.
I personally prefer not to set resolutions, mostly because I try and quickly fail to stick to them. But I do like to reflect on my previous year and think about what I want to achieve in the upcoming year.
In 2022, I discovered that the research process is not as simple as I had originally thought. For every answer I thought I had found, the more questions I unearthed. For every output I dreamily planned, I quickly realized there were many barriers and steps that are required before you can even begin a new research project. 2022, was about developing my ideas and talking with colleagues and supervisors about my ideas and plans for my PhD- which I started part time in September. Deciding on the research question for my PhD was the hardest challenge. I had too many questions and areas of interest. While I am excited and extremely passionate about my research question, it took a while to get there.
Outside of my PhD I had other research goals but due to work and life commitments, I made little actual progress, but I do have a very full notes section on my phone full of ideas and half-baked research questions! I hope to return to my list of questions this coming year. I plan to spend more time working with others on these ideas/questions. This is why I find networking and joining in with #OTalk research chats such a beneficial experience. It is great to see who has similar ideas, who has experiences like yours or is who is experienced/ has skills in an area you have yet to develop.
In 2023, I know I have many research specific skills that I need to develop; I have a stack of articles and books to read to develop skills on methodological approaches, reflexivity and writing skills required for research. I would be lying if I did not admit that I find certain aspects of the research process overwhelming. So rather than telling myself I need to learn everything there is about research, I am going to use my OT skills to OT myself and set smaller more achievable learning goals.
By far my biggest accomplishment in 2022 was applying for and obtaining funding from the Constance Owens Trust to support me over the next 5 years during my PhD study. I am extremely grateful to the trust for awarding me this opportunity and the funding will help me achieve my short- and long-term research goals.
Thanks to the Constance Owens trust, I intend on attending three conferences this year, all with the aim of building connections, networking, and challenging my ideas and assumptions in relation to my research question. Conferences and networking are great ways of learning and developing skills that can help refine ideas and/or spark new avenues of thought and exploration. I acknowledge the privilege afforded to me to be able to attend these conferences, travel to them and fit this within my working schedule, but it would not be possible without the additional funding I will have from the Constance Owens Trust. Currently there are numerous funding opportunities advertised on the Royal College of Occupational Therapy (RCOT) website. In 2023, why not challenge yourself to apply for funding? It could be used to attend or present at a conference or to complete a research project you have had plans for but not had the resources to complete.
A stage that I am currently far from is dissemination. But I thought this would be a suitable time to remind everyone that January 15th is the deadline for abstracts and session proposals for RCOT conference 2023. My experiences and reflections over the last year have highlighted to me that it is always worthwhile putting your hat into the ring, you never know what the outcome could be. I understand abstract submissions can be time consuming but even if your work is not selected it can be beneficial to get some words and thoughts down on paper- there is always use for them in another way or for another submission. Hopefully as an #OTalk community we can support and encourage one another in these endeavors.
My reflections above have prompted the following questions for this week’s #OTalk.
- What research achievements are you proud of from 2022?
- What topics or interests would you like to explore through research in 2023?
- What research skills are you looking to develop or enhance in 2023?
- Do you have any dissemination plans in 2023? How are you planning to disseminate your research?
- Have you considered applying for funding in 2023? How could funding support your research plans?
- What is one small step that you could take in the next month to start you off in reaching your research goals for 2023?
POST CHAT
Host: @SamOTantha
Evidence your CPD. If you joined in this chat you can download the below transcript as evidence for your CPD, but remember the HCPC are interested in what you have learnt. So why not complete one of our reflection logs to evidence your learning?
HCPC Standards for CPD.
- Maintain a continuous, up-to-date and accurate record of their CPD activities.
- Demonstrate that their CPD activities are a mixture of learning activities relevant to current or future practice.
- Seek to ensure that their CPD has contributed to the quality of their practice and service delivery.
- Seek to ensure that their CPD benefits the service user.
- Upon request, present a written profile (which must be their own work and supported by evidence) explaining how they have met the Standards for CPD.
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