Research Synthesizing Essay
Research serves as a gateway into the community of scholars. Research has allowed me to invest my time into content and issues that are of interest to me. I view research as an opportunity to further advance my academic career, while simultaneously establishing myself as a member in a community of scholars.
In the Introduction to Honors course, I learned about the literacy skills that are needed to obtain credible information, and how to use this information effectively. The synthesis of information was highlighted by the importance of conducting ethical research. Ethical research is based upon the notion that credit is being given to the original source of information. I learned how to properly synthesize information without committing an act of plagiarism, and I learned how to cite my sources professionally. This course introduced a variety of research resources that the campus provides, which includes the Undergraduate Research Center and the library article databases. I located and incorporated these campus resources into my individual knowledge base. The skills acquired in this course served as a platform for any future research opportunities that I conducted during my academic career.
The completion of a write-up in the Principles of Human Physiology course tested my research capabilities. The write-up was based on a physiologically relevant career. In my research, I discovered the realm of careers associated with physiology is extensive. The career that appeared relevant to me was that of a clinical exercise physiologist. I utilized my research skills to discover the training requirements, average salary, hours, and typical duties of a clinical exercise physiologist. I synthesized this information into a well-rounded career description. I was able to draw upon multiple sources and perspectives to present a collective statement regarding the career of a clinical exercise physiologist, which demonstrated significant growth in my information synthesis competency component.
Completing a variety of science courses is needed to effectively prepare myself to apply for graduate school, and the courses mentioned above established a necessary research base to succeed in these courses. In General Biology 105, I was required to complete a photosynthesis & cellular respiration laboratory report. This lab report provided me with the opportunity to draw upon at least four reliable academic sources to formulate integrated hypotheses. The research process related with this laboratory report was extensive, which indicates that I effectively and ethically utilized information to accomplish a long-term research goal. The research performed provided me with the opportunity to reflect on the research process and my new found knowledge related to photosynthesis & cellular respiration. This laboratory report tested my ability to synthesize a large amount of information into a concise and explanatory manner.
The opportunity to partake in an original research study arose during the junior year of my undergraduate career. The research study is entitled The Relationship Between Wearable Activity Tracker Use, Habitual Physical Activity, and Physical Self-Efficacy in Females. The research project was completed in conjunction with a graduate student and a faculty advisor. I had the opportunity to test my research abilities by partaking in the review of literature, finalization of survey questions, and the collection of survey data. I formulated a research presentation highlighting important aspects of our overall research study, and disseminated this information at a faculty/staff Lunch n’ Learn. This project required the application of my research abilities, knowledge, and skills.
Research continues to play a significant role in my academic career. In the future, I look to continue completing research related to my interest of physical therapy. I strive to become an esteemed member of the community of scholars based on my role and experience related to the field of research.
Research Project
Survey
Activity
Trackers
101
Presentation
Weed, K., Visser, M., & Dockendorf, M. (2018). Relationship between wearable activity tracker use, habitual physical activity, and physical self-efficacy in women. Poster session presented at the annual meeting of Northland American College of Sports Medicine.
During the 2017-2018 academic year, I participated in research with graduate student Katelyn Weed, and faculty mentor Mary Visser. Our project is titled The Relationship Between Wearable Activity Tracker Use, Habitual Physical Activity, and Physical Self-Efficacy in Females. This project included the component of a survey that was sent out to faculty and staff through the instrumentation of the Wellness Committee. I have included a copy of the survey to the left of the poster above. In the midst of collecting survey data, I formulated a presentation highlighting multiple aspects of our project. This presentation served as a Lunch n' Learn for faculty and staff. I presented this information to faculty and staff on 2/21/2018, which meets all levels for the dissemination of results competency component. I have attached the presentation above to the left of the research poster. Through this research project I exercised the components of the research competency. I met all levels of the information literacy competency component by assisting with the formulation of the literature review for the final project. I read through numerous ACSM articles and synthesized information relevant to our project, which achieves level three of information literacy. This research project cemented my research capabilities and strengths. I accomplished level one and two of original research by establishing and developing a research question that was multidisciplinary. Level three of original research was accomplished when I conducted primary research for the Lunch n' Learn. The completed poster and presentation for the Lunch n' Learn achieves level four of the original research component because it exhibits that I completed the research work. As I look to continue my academic career in graduate school, I plan to pursue research projects. The skills that I attained from this experience will be beneficial as I continue my journey through the world of academic scholars.
General Biology 105 Lab Report
In the General Biology 105 course, I was required to complete a photosynthesis & cellular respiration laboratory report. This lab report required that I draw upon at least four reliable academic sources to formulate an integrated hypotheses, which achieves level three of information synthesis. This lab report also took an extensive amount of time as it is 22 pages long, which means that I effectively and ethically utilized information to accomplish a long-term, specific research goal. This accomplishes level four of information literacy. I was also able to reflect upon the research process and the new knowledge of photosynthesis & cellular respiration that I was able to achieve, which accomplishes level four of information synthesis. This lab report incorporated a large amount of information that I was able to synthesize in a concise and explanatory fashion. This experience allowed me to further build upon my research skills by advancing in each research competency level.
Careers in Physiology Write-up
In the course BIO 330- Principles of Human Physiology, we completed a write-up on a career relevant to physiology. In my research, I discovered that there are a wide variety of careers associated with physiology, but the one that was relevant to me was the career of a clinical exercise physiologist. I researched the training requirements, average salary, hours, and typical duties. I synthesized this information into a well-rounded description of the career of a clinical exercise physiologist. They monitor how the body adapts during physical activity and need to be aware of the acceptable levels of physical stress placed on a client to prescribe appropriate exercise programs. I was able to draw upon multiple sources and perspectives to present a collective statement/ description of a clinical exercise physiologist, which demonstrates my ability to achieve level two and three of information synthesis.
HON 201-Research Essay
In the Introduction to Honors course, we covered the research competency by completing a required research essay. We reviewed literacy skills that are needed in order to obtain credible information and to use this information effectively. I was introduced to the research resources that the campus provides, which includes the Undergraduate Research Center and the library article databases. This demonstrates that I fulfilled level one and level three of information literacy by locating and incorporating these resources into my knowledge base. In this course, I was introduced to the importance of citing my resources in order to ethically use other’s information, which achieves level two of information literacy. I also learned how to take other people’s ideas and incorporate them into my own, which fulfills level one of information synthesis.