Topic 5 Synthesis Paper Template- Patrice Pilgrim - Revised Version

docx

School

Grand Canyon University *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

815

Subject

Sociology

Date

Apr 3, 2024

Type

docx

Pages

Uploaded by ppilgrim34

1 Synthesis Paper Patrice Pilgrim Grand Canyon University: RES-815 Dr. Charles Banaszewski August 16 th , 2023

Synthesis Paper The process of creating new knowledge is a daunting task for a doctoral learner. The idea of shifting their mindset, identity, and methodology by the end of their program is somewhat of a fantasy concept for some. The concept of creating new knowledge becomes that much more real when one considers the degree of research, synthesis and writing that will have to be completed by the end of this journey. The idea of socialization at the virtual doctoral level necessitates a shift in how a doctoral learner thinks and articulates the research that they will be compiling. It is a necessary step in their evolution from a consumer of information to a creator of information. Socialization at the doctoral learner level within the virtual space involves the integration of prior skills, perspectives and knowledge in order to help support new understandings. There is an inherent struggle however that exists in the transition from a consumer of information to a creator of information. Doctoral learners can struggle with the transition process as well as with the creation of their doctoral identities. Doctoral students that seek to become doctoral learners must incorporate the elements of socialization into their burgeoning doctoral identities. The struggle of transitioning to this new identity comes with a unique set of challenges that can benefit the doctoral learner in the long run. Socialization Socialization at the doctoral level is directly related to the role of a researcher as it requires the integration of multiple aspects of skill, experience – that is based on both the personal and professional aspects of their life, and outside perspective. Creating an identity from multiple aspects of life can be a challenge especially if one is considering the future role and impact of that identity. A process should be created that will help to guide the doctoral learner in terms of what elements need to be accounted for in the creation of their doctoral identity. With 2

this structure in place, the learner will be better supported as their journey progresses. Once an individual has begun the doctoral journey specifically on the virtual platform, they will need to engage in socialization events with their peers in order help build out the skills that will serve them as doctoral researchers. These skills will be instrumental in not only building the learners’ research, writing and communication skills, they will also help to support the creation of their doctoral identity. Admittedly, there can be a true culture shock when doctoral learners transition to doctoral researchers. The shock of this transition can have some impact on the confidence level of the learner. However, the daunting nature of the experience and its ability to impact the learner’s confidence level, does not take away from the importance of its occurrence as it is a necessary part of creating their doctoral identity. The transitional process is about learning what aspects of becoming a researcher they need to incorporate into their identity while still maintaining their core personality. The prior experiences that a doctoral learner brings to the start of their program helps to impact how they both perceive and enact their writing at the graduate level. This adjustment to their perception is a key steppingstone towards developing a doctoral identity. Doctoral learners bring a significant degree of experience that is related to receiving and executing the feedback that has been given previously. The receiving and enacting of feedback is a significant aspect of the doctoral journey. The constructs of race and gender, combined with the role of doctoral learners’ socio-economic background bears further research on how it can impact the direction of the learners’ research as well as their perception of their burgeoning role in the researcher space. The shift in identity and perception comes with its own set of struggles that is unique to the doctoral learner space. 3

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help

Inherent struggle in identity development In becoming a doctoral learner, the evolution to a researcher takes place and it incorporates experiences from different aspects of the learners’ life which can be a struggle as it causes them to have to establish an identity that is specific to their field of study. The establishment of this identity is going to be a key factor in the development of future research as it will help direct the perceptions that are used when engaging in research. The perception of a doctoral learner is impacted by past experiences. These experiences help to shape their approach to group practice as well as their acquisition of meaning – all with the understanding that their experiences and the meaning that they acquire are subjective to their experiences and their perceptions. In the role of an online learner, the mantle of responsibility for independently completing research – is understood. The responsibility for conducting research is also firmly on the shoulders of the doctoral learner as they are evolving into their researcher persona. The somewhat solitary nature of this role means that graduate level students experience a struggle when they first begin their doctoral journey. This struggle is a necessary part of the doctoral evolution and should not be disparaged because of the difficulty involved. In order for a graduate student to be successful at the doctoral level, they must be able to demonstrate elements of agency that is independent of the guidance of any lecturer. Related to writing at the doctoral level, agency means that a doctoral learner is able to demonstrate self-assessment of their work, both critical and analytical skills as well as positive behaviors that will help the learner clarify their research as well as their understanding. The ability to reflect on the work and research done will also hold the doctoral learner in great stead as they will be able to review steps taken and assess the efficiency of those steps as well as possible ways to improve the process. Additional research needs to be 4

done on the possible development of a socio-emotional support structure that is unique to the online doctoral learner space. Conclusion The elements of socialization at the doctoral level though seemingly separate, comes together to help the doctoral learner establish their doctoral identity – which is an important aspect if their doctoral journey. The struggles that exist in this process are unique to the doctoral learner space especially when one factors in the online component. Learning to behave like a doctoral researcher requires a combination of prior experiences and skills – both old and new, in order to ensure success at this level of study. The ability to act with agency relative to reading, research and other tasks is an important consideration. A doctoral learner evolves to a doctoral researcher. This evolution is not a linear process. The journey that each learner embarks on – even with the standard elements of a doctoral program, is going to be unique to each learner. This evolution does not take place within a vacuum. The process is impacted by prior life experiences and understandings that are incorporated into the learners’ evolving doctoral identity. Future Research Recommendations Experiments that feature the creation of a regimented structure of social interactions for online learners with the aim being to ascertain if a more fluid structure might be more beneficial to virtual doctoral learners. The creation and analysis of a questionnaire that seeks to learn about specific socio-emotional supports that doctoral learners would most like to see implemented with the aim being to learn what supports are most identified as being necessary to the overall health and well-being of the doctoral learner. 5

References Coffman, K., Putman, P., Adkisson, A., Kriner, B., & Monaghan, C. (2016). Waiting for the expert to arrive: Using a community of practice to develop the scholarly identity of doctoral students. International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education , 28 (1), 30-37. Retrieved from http://www.isetl.org/ijtlhe/ Garcia, C. E., & Yao, C. W. (2019). The role of an online first-year seminar in higher education doctoral students’ scholarly development. The Internet and Higher Education , 42 , 44-52. doi:10.1016/j.iheduc.2019.04.002 Inouye, K. S., & McAlpine, L. (2017). Developing scholarly identity: Variation in agentive responses to supervisor feedback. Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice, 14 (2), 3-19. Retrieved from https://ro.uow.edu.au/jutlp/ 6

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help

Related Documents

Resistant Families Case Vignettes .pdf

NR 503 sex trafficking dicussion.docx

Discussion answer NR 503 Week 7.docx

Cultural and Development Reflection.docx

HUSS225 Final Exam Questions.docx

CHCCEC056 Written Assessment.docx

CHCECE034 Written Assessment.docx

image.jpg

CRM 101 Written Assignment (1).docx

2-2 scs.docx

4-4 scs.docx

Recommended textbooks for you

Social Psychology (10th Edition)

Sociology

ISBN:9780134641287

Author:Elliot Aronson, Timothy D. Wilson, Robin M. Akert, Samuel R. Sommers

Publisher:Pearson College Div

Introduction to Sociology (Eleventh Edition)

Sociology

ISBN:9780393639407

Author:Deborah Carr, Anthony Giddens, Mitchell Duneier, Richard P. Appelbaum

Publisher:W. W. Norton & Company

The Basics of Social Research (MindTap Course Lis...

Sociology

ISBN:9781305503076

Author:Earl R. Babbie

Publisher:Cengage Learning

Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Scien...

Sociology

ISBN:9780134477596

Author:Saferstein, Richard

Publisher:PEARSON

Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach (13th Edition)

Sociology

ISBN:9780134205571

Author:James M. Henslin

Publisher:PEARSON

Society: The Basics (14th Edition)

Sociology

ISBN:9780134206325

Author:John J. Macionis

Publisher:PEARSON

SEE MORE TEXTBOOKS

Recommended textbooks for you

Social Psychology (10th Edition)
Sociology
ISBN:9780134641287
Author:Elliot Aronson, Timothy D. Wilson, Robin M. Akert, Samuel R. Sommers
Publisher:Pearson College Div
Introduction to Sociology (Eleventh Edition)
Sociology
ISBN:9780393639407
Author:Deborah Carr, Anthony Giddens, Mitchell Duneier, Richard P. Appelbaum
Publisher:W. W. Norton & Company
The Basics of Social Research (MindTap Course Lis...
Sociology
ISBN:9781305503076
Author:Earl R. Babbie
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Scien...
Sociology
ISBN:9780134477596
Author:Saferstein, Richard
Publisher:PEARSON
Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach (13th Edition)
Sociology
ISBN:9780134205571
Author:James M. Henslin
Publisher:PEARSON
Society: The Basics (14th Edition)
Sociology
ISBN:9780134206325
Author:John J. Macionis
Publisher:PEARSON