Week 1. First steps with Nvivo, paradigms proliferation, RICE

This week, thanks to mi advisor, I had mi first experience using Nvivo 12. It is unbelievable how technology can save us a lot of time with data analysis and processing. Up to this date, I always believed that this kind of tasks must be done manually. I am very excited for this opportunity, learning this will allow me to transmit this knowledge to my colleagues and students once I come back to my country. 

In my past graduate studies (MTI) I learned that as a researcher I only had two choices: qualitative and quantitative approaches, but thanks to the readings of this week I discovered that “the purpose guides the method” and that there is a huge toolbox of techniques and perspectives that I can make use of. Patti Lather describes the interesting concept of “coloring epistemologies” and how the educational researchers have to deal with several types of difficulties while they perform research activities. Educational research is a science but in some form an art.

I also was introduced to a Research Group: RICE (Researching International and Contemporary Education). I heard other students and faculty talk about their experiences and areas of research and I was impressed with the confidence and proficiency everyone have about their topics. They talked about resources, collaboration and opportunities too. I strongly believe that the networking on this group could help me achieve my own personal and academic goals.