Date: Sept 2024 to Jan 2025

Place: Online/Remote

Competences and reflection on the learning undertaken: This course has been very beneficial to understanding all the pieces of a research proposal. The required readings and sources helped me understand general social science research and all the key aspects I needed to consider when writing my proposal. Additionally, the assessments were relevant for proposal writing and adjacent skills, including a video presentation and peer feedback. These helped refine my proposal and other skills, such as presentation and constructive, critical feedback skills. The timelines for the submission were challenging to manage along with other responsibilities. Still, even that helped me understand the pressure I may work under during the entire PhD study.

I wish there had been a live, synchronous aspect to the course, as both the professor and the tutor were highly knowledgeable, and it would have been a rich experience to hear directly from them. However, the tutor was readily available via email and accommodating to personal circumstances, making my journey a bit easier.

Date: September 2024-January 2025

Place: Online/Remote

Competences and reflection on the learning undertaken: This course has been a fantastic help to understand better some of the methodologies I plan to use in my research, such as the case study. The materials provided were relevant, and the assignments were highly practical, refining my qualitative skills, which I really appreciated and learned from. Through the course, I have had the opportunity to parctice using Nvivo, a software widely employed for qualitative research. I had previously used it, but not systematically, to carry out high-quality qualitative data extraction and analysis. I feel more confident and prepared to use this software and plan to build on my learning.

Date: From Sep 2024 to March 2025

Place: Online/Remote

Competencies and reflection on the learning undertaken: Writing the research proposal has been a challenging activity that has thrust me into the joys and difficulties of PhD life. When I first enrolled, I came to the proposal writing with an already defined idea on the topic. As I explored the literature, I added some elements outside my initial thoughts. While it seemed a good path forward as far as a research topic goes, one of my supervisors didn’t think that could yield significant results, and I could risk that all my work during my PhD may not be as helpful and valuable as it could be. After thinking about it, I shifted the focus of my topic slightly. However, this set me back several months, and while I was hoping to have my proposal ready by mid to late January of 2025, I submitted my proposal just a few hours ago (April 1st). This has been a stressful and somewhat discouraging experience. However, I am pleased with my final proposal. Despite the time constraints, I created a cohesive proposal and put forward a topic for research that is needed and personally engaging. Throughout the process, I have had the full support of both of my supervisors, who have responded to my many questions and guided me when needed.

I have done research before and currently do. However, through this process, I have developed new knowledge on the “ins and outs” of research proposal writing that I didn’t have, such as the level of detail required in the methodology section. I have also sharpened my skills in working under pressure while managing my job and personal life responsibilities. This process has also helped me evaluate and more firmly decide if this path (the PhD) I want to follow. The answer is yes. Despite the difficulties, this is worth my time and effort personally and professionally.