Motivation for doing research - 3 views

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  #1 Camille Peters on 10 Jul 12

   

  I've been mulling over this topic for a while as I have a few ideas for research papers but haven't got much beyond the 'I think it would be nice to write an article on ...' stage. Wishing for something isn't enough, you have to want it, really WANT it to make progress. Back in 2006 I attended the RMAA Conference and one of the speakers, Carolyn Barker, gave a presentation called "The Character of Leadership - What
  works for Australian Leaders?". She made a point which is pertinent here, that exercising virtue requires 'an act of will'. Simply having a good idea or having books on how to do research isn't enough, you have to act on it. If you are sufficiently motivated you will overcome obstacles, like not having enough time, or not enough resources, and not give up the moment it starts to become hard.

   

  <div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">I've been mulling over this topic for a while as I have a few ideas for research papers but haven't got much beyond the 'I think it would be nice to write an article on ...' stage. Wishing for something isn't enough, you have to want it, really WANT it to make progress. Back in 2006 I attended the RMAA Conference and one of the speakers, Carolyn Barker, gave a presentation called "The Character of Leadership - What <br /> works for Australian Leaders?". She made a point which is pertinent here, that exercising virtue requires 'an act of will'. Simply having a good idea or having books on how to do research isn't enough, you have to act on it. If you are sufficiently motivated you will overcome obstacles, like not having enough time, or not enough resources, and not give up the moment it starts to become hard.</div>

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  #2 Jennifer Berryman on 11 Jul 12

   

  Hi Camille, thinking about a large research project can be overwhelming ... I've found a good trick to get myself going with big projects is to chunk them down into smaller units and then just making a list of tasks to do. For instance, if thinking about a paper, tasks might be: review papers on topic from last 10 years; make dot points on what I want to say; find book or online resource that outlines how to write a journal article; etc.
  
  The other trick I've used with success is to make appointments with myself to work on the paper ... not just wait till I have a few spare minutes. Once you're writing, getting a group of other people who are also preparing papers together into a publication syndicate can also be helpful.
  
  Good luck with the work.

   

  <div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">Hi Camille, thinking about a large research project can be overwhelming ... I've found a good trick to get myself going with big projects is to chunk them down into smaller units and then just making a list of tasks to do. For instance, if thinking about a paper, tasks might be: review papers on topic from last 10 years; make dot points on what I want to say; find book or online resource that outlines how to write a journal article; etc. <br /> <br /> The other trick I've used with success is to make appointments with myself to work on the paper ... not just wait till I have a few spare minutes. Once you're writing, getting a group of other people who are also preparing papers together into a publication syndicate can also be helpful. <br /> <br /> Good luck with the work.</div>

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