I would like to reflect on the metaphor that academic research is a journey. I think this metaphor should be changed to academic research is an action packed adventure flick with an open ended finish. Last night I was reflecting on the stages I have gone through throughout my action research process and could not help but compare myself and my experience to the main character in one of my favorite movies Romancing the Stone.
Throughout this movie the main character Joan Wilder experiences many challenges emotionally, physically, and mentally.
I’d like to make a step-by-step comparison to the movie and research.
Comparison #1 The beginning
Research: the researcher is uncertain, naïve about the subject matter, and nervous of the hard work ahead of them.
Joan Wilder: is presented with a serious problem, she is nervous, naïve to the extremities and realized the challenges she will face.
Comparison #2 Working through the Challenges
Research: The researcher must narrow down their topic, figure out a plan of action, making critical friends to support them during their challenges and begin to work.
Joan Wilder: creates a plan of attack, finds a critical friend to help her along her journey and adapts to unforeseen
Comparison #3 Self-Discovery and a passion for learning. Research: The light at the end of the tunnel becomes visible. The researcher begins to make sense of their findings and the research changes the beliefs and ideas of the researcher.
Joan Wilder: becomes passionate about her goals, falls in love, and changes her belief systems
Comparison # 4 The conclusion
Researcher: All research is final, the researcher is relieved and proud. The researcher has grown professionally and personally and the future is open ended
Joan Wilder: Successfully ends her journey by saving her sister, she grows professionally and personally an the future is open ended….there is a squeal of this movie.
This may seem like a bunch of rubbish to some but the point is that maybe journey doesn’t emphasize the true transformation that occurs during the process. The phases of research are too dynamic to be summarized by one word. Whole films are much more appropriate to capture this adventure.
Enjoy this trailer style video of the movie: Romancing the Stone/the metaphor of my research
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Micheline- I love this movie and your comparison is amazing! The steps of research are well phrased. The story of Joan Wilder and the journey of research can not only be related to but admired for the strength and perseverance needed to go through the obstacles and challenges. Comparing life to films are always a fun visual image. Personal I think the Karate Kid could fit just as well to this metaphor but it could also be considered a adventure movie.
ReplyDeleteJaime Fegruson