How good an idea it is to post about research that is work in progress? In my opinion, there are surely some good reasons to do so and that is the reason that I often interrupt my normal flow of writing with research posts of my own research from time to time. I believe it is all the more important when you research involves qualitative work involving people. I would like to specifically discuss few reasons why I think it is very important to not leave an opportunity to blog your research:
(1) It becomes a record keeping source of your work: It is a very precise and if you write “everyday” then a very straightforward day wise account of your activity where your key points are mentioned in a very concise and crisp manner.
(2) Means to self-discipline: Blogging is a means to self-discipline. Often we plan to jot down our notes at the end of the day and eventually then procrastinate it for some other day. Here, when you will be committed to blogging, a necessary self-discipline would systematize things for you.
(3) It is more organised: Blogging your days activity, taking cues from your notes is away to organised the sketchy notes into more details but the extraneous information that may not be of use in the later stage can be deleted.
(4) Get more involved participants: It is a wonderful platform to share information with the other participants in your research so that they are also able to track your work and their role in it.
(5) Initiates conversation: When you put your blog online, you create opportunity to invite opinions and feedback. The relevant and constructive inputs can be used to improvise your work. With notes that are confined only in the notebook, a responsive conversation can never be initiated thus the scope for development of content gets very limited.
(6) Ignites new ideas: Writing about your work and re reading about it may give you more ideas and better way through which you can add value to your work.
So, what are you waiting for? If you have not started to blog your research activities yet, don’t wait any more. May be in my next blog I will give you some tips on creating effective blogs.
