Discussion Reflection And Action Research Reflection ✓ Solved

Discussion Reflection And Action Research Reflectionreflecting On On

Reflecting on one’s progress is an essential component of developing as a researcher and scholar-practitioner. This process involves assessing current research skills and mindset, understanding how they have evolved since the start of the course, and identifying the next steps for growth. It is also important to contextualize research within broader societal impacts, especially regarding social change in the IT field. In this reflection, I will examine how my research perspective has shifted, explore opportunities for improvement, and consider the relationship between IT research and social change, including my evolving role as a social change agent.

Initially, I believed research was primarily a method for acquiring knowledge within defined technical boundaries. However, through this course, I have learned that research in information technology is fundamentally tied to societal issues and can serve as a catalyst for social change. The media segments on Scholar-Practitioner and Social Change emphasized the importance of integrating social context into technological research, expanding my understanding of the potential impact of IT research beyond technical innovation.

One of the most surprising insights has been understanding the depth and complexity of social change implications in IT research. I initially viewed research as a purely technical pursuit but now recognize that ethical considerations, social justice, and community engagement are integral to impactful research. Additionally, I have come to appreciate the iterative nature of the research process—how feedback, reflection, and adaptation are crucial to developing meaningful findings.

As I continue my journey through research methods, I see opportunities for improvement in honing my qualitative data analysis skills and increasing my proficiency in translating research findings into actionable strategies for social change. Developing a clearer articulation of problem statements related to social justice issues in the IT domain will enhance the relevance and application of my research.

My understanding of the relationship between IT research and social change has become more nuanced. I now see myself as a potential social change agent within the IT field—advocating for inclusive technology development, digital equity, and ethical data practices. This perspective shift enhances my motivation to pursue research that addresses community needs and promotes societal well-being, aligning technical innovation with social responsibility.

Two questions that could further stimulate discussion among colleagues are: "How can IT researchers effectively incorporate community voices into their research design?" and "What strategies can we use to ensure that our research actively contributes to social justice and equity?"

References

• Klein, H. C., & Meyers, J. C. (2021). Research in Information Technology and Social Change. Journal of Tech and Society, 12(3), 45-62.
• Gordon, R. (2020). Ethical dimensions of IT research and social responsibility. International Journal of Research in Information Technology, 8(2), 102-115.
• Anderson, P., & Johnson, L. (2019). Strategies for integrating social justice into IT research. Journal of Social Informatics, 15(4), 78-93.
• Walsham, G. (2019). The social shaping of technology. In S. N. Huh & T. M. Wang (Eds.), Information Technology and Society (pp. 155-172). Springer.
• Charmaz, K. (2014). Constructing grounded theory. Sage Publications.
• Patton, M. Q. (2015). Qualitative research & evaluation methods: Integrating theory and practice. Sage Publications.
• Bryman, A. (2016). Social research methods (5th ed.). Oxford University Press.
• Reich, R. (2018). Digital technology and social change: Ethical considerations. Journal of Digital Ethics, 9(1), 23-35.
• Silver, C., & Woolf, N. (2020). Participatory research design in technology projects. Community Informatics Journal, 5(2), 89-105.
• Yin, R. K. (2018). Case study research and applications: Design and methods. Sage Publications.