The reality of being a new researcher

As the first month of summer comes to an end, I can reflect on my progress as a first-time researcher. Although it has only been about three to fourth weeks, I have seen tremendous growth in myself.

In my previous blogs, I speak about practicing organization and proper time management in order to achieve all goals and aspirations on deadlines. I can admit it is easier said than done. Recognizing and accepting my weaknesses has matured my emotional intelligence. One of my biggest challenges has been practicing time management, as I find myself with little motivation.

My biggest priority this month was completing the Institutional Review Board application, or better known as the IRB application. The IRB is a type of committee that applies research ethics by reviewing the methods proposed for research to ensure they are ethical. Initially, I believed the application would take about a week to complete, I was very wrong. The application became very stressful to me as it consisted of multiple sections with lots and lots of requirements and questions. Three weeks later, I finally completed and submitted it. The good thing about the application is that I was able to complete many important components of my research study. Those components include..

• Non-technical Summary (a brief narrative description of the proposal, easily understood)

• Background (concise narrative review of the literature for study)

• Project Description

• Objectives of research study

• Interview questionnaire for participants

• Subject Consent Form

• Research Study Cover Letter

The next step in my journey is waiting for approval. In the meantime, I plan on gathering additional resources (articles) to construct the literature review.

I'm excited to share a little bit of my hard work!

Summary |

The research project being proposed is aimed at finding clarification and comprehension of how Black and Latina undergraduate women successfully navigate a predominantly white institution. Using the narrative inquiry method, we hope to collect the stories and voices of women attending a university within the University of Wisconsin System. We hope to accumulate findings that fit our concrete values of mentoring, community, personal investment, and involvement.

Background |

Higher Education students of color have fought for decades to receive equality while attending predominantly white institutions.“Students of color” refers to groups of racial and ethnic minorities including Black, African-American, Asian, Latinx, Chicanx, Native American, etc., while the terms “underrepresented” or “targeted racial minority” refer to specific racial/ethnic groups that have been disadvantaged in higher education. These groups include African Americans, Hispanic/Latino(a)s, American Indians, etc. The terms mentioned are important as they will lead the research project with findings targeted specifically with students that fit these defining characteristics. 

In the article “Negotiating the Gaze and Learning the Hidden Curriculum,” Jennifer Esposito explores the hidden curriculum within PWI’s and examines how women of color encounter Higher Education’s unspoken norms and rules that reproduce positional social politics. In the article “Connection and Commitment,” Keonya Booker underscores key factors including accessibility and approachability, authentic instruction, spokesperson pressure, and microaggressions. Having engaging and connected professors inside and outside the classroom greatly impact Black student success at PWIs. Meanwhile, having access to faculty of color creates positive memories for students because faculty of color often provide safe spaces for students to express themselves, their opinions, and their feelings. 

It is clear that the process of changing an institution’s values and beliefs to fulfill the needs of the underrepresented student population requires the institution to be aware of the struggles and issues within EDI. My project seeks to “listen” to female students of color in thinking about how to increase this awareness and propose meaningful institutional change. The challenge minorities face is hard to comprehend until we walk in their shoes and hear their stories. In order to hear their stories, we simply must listen and give time for them to voice their opinions.

Objectives |

As a researcher, I hope to learn and share a clear and comprehensible understanding of the obstacles behind being a minority at a predominantly white institution. 

The research  project has four main objectives: 

• To identify how Black and/or Latina women adapt to the institutions’environment. 

• To discover the resources available & the resources desired for success. 

• To identify if mentorship plays an important part in support and guidance. 

• To identify the personal investment behind each student.

For the month of July, I plan on continuing to explore new information that can help me in my research journey. I also plan to begin studying for the GRE exam and register to take it sometime in September.