It is been a long time since I last shared a post here.
I have been incredibly busy, which is why I have not found the spare time to write down my thoughts. Today, a Saturday morning, I want to share something that’s been on my mind for a while.
As a PhD researcher, I sometimes need to shift my focus without losing sight of my main scope. I often find myself assessing the value of my progress in life, a practice that brings insight into what I have been doing.
A couple of weeks ago, while working on my thesis—which I will explain in detail later—I suddenly thought, Why am I conducting this research? Yes, I’m making progress and seeing certain conclusions, but why am I doing this at all?
Let me expand on this: Why do we conduct research?
The usual answer might be, "To understand the world." That is correct, but when we look closer, we might find another answer: to contribute to the literature. This may sound complex, so let me explain further. Take medical science, for example. Doctors know which drugs can treat illnesses, often with clear information about side effects. They also understand which treatments can improve mood, often with calculated error rates. When we feel a bit unwell, we believe that taking an aspirin/paracetamol can help-an understanding that stems from extensive research. This wealth of knowledge is a result of a robust literature built on trial, error, and a wealth of studies.
Similarly, in our field, we conduct studies to build a solid literature. In digital learning, for instance, determining which approaches can best support students requires a strong consensus in the field, along with actionable insights. Consider another question: Do we need virtual assistance in digital learning? This is a popular topic, but to answer it effectively, we need more time and more research. Only after conducting sufficient experiments can we identify the contexts and conditions where virtual assistance is most beneficial, thus contributing valuable insights to global literature.
I will address why we focus on the 0.05 significance level in my next post.
See you soon,
26.10.24