The more I think about potential research the more I'm drawn to the qualitative aspect. I think my natural assumption is to go with quantitative data, which is usually because I am comfortable with it and I know typically it's what grants look for to show you've made a difference. I run several grants and all of our data is numbers driven. I do think there is a place for quantitative data, but there should probably be a place for qualitative as well. It's good to know that a student has not succeeded in passing their courses, but it would also be helpful to know that students' perception of why they didn't pass is. Or for the students who do really well, what they think are the supports and reasons for their success.
I have no real definitive idea of what it is that I would like to study and do research on, however I do think I know the process in which I'd like to study. And maybe that's a way to decide- figure out how and start thinking concretely about the way I would set up a study and let the topics come last. Because I am so interested in many different things and studying different things, maybe figuring out how to do a study and seeing what's feasible will help me to narrow into a topic that's doable but also lies in one of my passions.
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