Writing for Research

`It is not the experience one remembers , but the reflection of the experience that causes one to change (unknown

Each experience has a lesson to offer . Learning from experience and putting the knowledge to use requires reflection : what was it about the experience that worked and what did not . Learning and making changes lie at the heart of reflection . My goal in this essay is to examine the value of reflection as a catalyst of change in the context of the practice of writing a literary review . Reflection is different from remembering

an experience in the sense it involves weighing things in balance by taking everything into account rather than a mere recollection

When we remember we don 't acknowledge things we find difficult to admit . Reflection brings greater clarity as though things reflected in the mirror . This can be useful at any stage of the process of literary review . The process of reflection can be practiced in a number of ways Much attention has been given to recording of events and experiences in written form particularly through the use of reflective diaries and journals (Zubbrizarreta 1999 and Tryssenaar 1995

Writing a reflective journal involves honesty and flexible thinking geared towards better understanding of the experience by answering questions like how might my experience as a writer inform my practice of writing a literary review for a proposal ? In what ways have my values changed after the experience ? Will this experience change the way I think or write in future ? The purpose is to see links and connections between ideas , practices and one 's reaction to different situations Thus with the help of reflective writing one can determine where improvements can be made , how practices and theories can be modified to meet the desired goals and targets

Thus , reflection encourages the evolving of ideas . Gibbs (1988 ) guides the reader to reflect in to learn from experience in debriefing sequence , which asks the reader to reflect on feelings , evaluate the experience , analyze the situation , and develop the action plan .Reference list

Gibbs , G (1988 . Learning by doing : a guide to teaching and learning methods . London : Further Education Unit

Tryssenaar , J (1995 . Interactive journal : an education strategy to promote reflection . American Journal of Occupational Therapy , 49 (7 695-702

Zubrizarreta , J (1999 . Teaching portfolios : an effective strategy for faculty development in occupational therapy . American Journal of Occupational Therapy , 53 (1 , 51-55

PAGE

PAGE 3...