Week 3 - Capstone

What Is? - D4G Methodology

Image: From my Miro board, which maps out my evidence of done work this week

This week, I focused on advancing the next steps for Assignment 2: gathering preliminary research, developing a vision for the project, and defining its scope and limits. These steps are crucial for setting a clear direction and ensuring that my project stays focused and manageable.

Defining the Scope and Vision

In Week 2, I had already gathered relevant literature on religious discrimination, such as examples from different faiths, prevention methods in New Zealand, and existing gaps in the current understanding. This was initially done to support my research proposal from Semester 1. Revisiting this research helped me understand the current landscape and identify where my project could make a meaningful contribution. However, I realized that merely gathering information wasn't enough; I needed to define a clear vision and scope to guide my next steps.

Initially, I felt unsure about what the project outcomes should be and how to articulate the research plan’s vision. This uncertainty made it difficult to come up with refined How Might We (HMW) statements. I was worried that any decisions I made at this stage would be permanent, making me hesitant to commit. Reflecting on this, I realised my hesitation stemmed from the fear of narrowing down my options too early. I was concerned that by committing to one direction, I might overlook other valuable insights or opportunities.

Using Gibbs Reflective Cycle

To navigate this, I employed the Gibbs Reflective Cycle, which encourages iterative reflection. I started by analysing different possible outcomes as part of my preliminary research. This step was eye-opening because it helped me see that initial ideas could evolve, which made me feel less anxious. Using this model, I could break down my reflection into stages: describing the situation, expressing my feelings, evaluating what worked or didn’t, analysing why, concluding what I could have done differently, and planning for the future. This structured approach helped me remain flexible and open-minded, allowing my project to adapt as new information and insights emerged.

Developing the Ethics Document

Working on the ethics document was another key task this week. I referenced ethics modules on Anonymity and Confidentiality (ensuring people's identities and shared information remain private), Conflict of Interest (when personal interests might affect professional decisions), and Consent (clear and voluntary agreement to participate). Understanding these concepts was important not only for ethical reasons but also to build trust with potential research participants. As I worked through these modules, I felt more confident that I was laying a solid foundation for ethical research practices.

I made sure to get feedback from my peers on the ethics document. Their insights helped me understand how deeply I needed to address each ethical issue in relation to my research process. This peer feedback was invaluable, as it ensured that my ethical considerations were thorough and aligned with best practices.

Clarifying the Project Scope

After completing the ethics document, I shifted my focus to defining the project’s scope and limits. When I researched potential outcome platforms, I couldn't decide between a physical or digital prototype. After some thought, I opted for a hybrid of both, which felt like a balanced approach that could leverage the strengths of each medium. While I don't yet have a clear idea of what the prototype will look like, choosing a hybrid approach made me feel more confident. It allowed me to keep my options open while still providing a clearer direction for my research.

Looking back, I realise that establishing a clearer scope earlier could have allowed me to seek feedback from Diana sooner, providing valuable input before my presentation. This reflection made me recognise the importance of early stakeholder engagement and the benefits of getting feedback at various stages of the project.

Moving Forward

For future projects, I plan to define the scope early on and seek feedback from mentors and peers at different stages. I will also keep my plans flexible so I can adapt as new information comes up. Regularly revisiting my project scope and making adjustments when needed will help ensure my work stays relevant and incorporates ongoing feedback.