Day 23

I am finishing up the analysis today! Have finally combined both the service and non-service user FGD analyses, grouping them together under the headings I finally managed to come up with for the overarching themes. However I will need to ensure that the phrasing of the words is analytical so that it does not become a mere fact-finding report, which will be important. This is particularly so as there is so much data to report and include. I also will need to make sure that I do not become too "long-winded" in my report as that is something that I tend to do in my assignments in general as well.





I also need to examine the structure of the report, to figure out how to place the various themes (to ensure that there is a logical flow in the report), and also how to "blend" or meld the two different groups of participants together. As of now this is a bit difficult, partly because I think I am trying ti find a way to make it such that I do not have to do too much rephrasing (or actual rewriting on the whole). This might be quite difficult however as I would need to make it an entire and cohesive report, as this is one FGD series, rather than two separate ones.





Another consideration I need to keep in mind is that each "theme" has several "subthemes", which I will need to make clear during the report. However, I am as yet unsure if I should put headings for these subthemes, or leave everything under singular main themes. There are pros and cons to both; personally, I just worry that it might be a bit choppy if there are headings for all the subthemes as well. For now though it really is about the phrasing and "converting" what I have on hand from a basic summary to an analysis.





Soon I will have to start looking at what quotes I could use to substantiate the findings in the report, and I have to ensure that there are sufficient quote from all the FGDs if possible, balancing between the service and non-service users. This is important as I want to pick out the quotes that best represent the findings and the implications as such. Thankfully I can make use of multiple quotes, to give a more wholistic and substantial foundation to build the report findings on.





I also am beginning to realise that when I start getting into this sort of work (to do with actual crafting of reviews and reports) that it is very easy to lose track of time, and to not attempt to go deeper in terms of my reflections (whether it is while doing work itself or after work). Interestingly I did not anticipate this until I started trying to write my journal reflections - then I realise that I was beginning to get stuck.





I think that this is truly what happens when we start getting involved in work, as we get lost in the flow of work that keeps coming in we forget (so often) to stop and reflect about what we are doing, why we are doing it, and the implications this can have both for ourselves, our clients, and the social work sector as a whole. This could actually limit how far we can push ourselves and the sector, as reflections actually do help us to gain deeper and fresher perspectives, allowing us to look at what we are doing again and giving our minds the space to fully absorb what is happening and generate better ideas and thoughts that we can build on.





I wonder if it would be possible to set aside 15 minutes at the end of the work day for workers to reflect on things that happened during the day? Although it might be seen as a chore for people to have to spend the last 15 minutes or so at work to think deep, as it would be easier to merely drift off into space and let the mind "rest" and "blank out".