Post 5: Reflecting on the Research Project Experience

ES2007S requires the class to group into team of 3 and complete a research project. I have 2 very nice and capable teammates. They are Vivien and Darren. We have been working on this research project - An analysis on the feasibility of a biannual collection service to encourage the recycling of paper amongst NUS undergraduates – for a few weeks. In these few weeks, I have a positive learning experience. We learnt from each other and our mistakes.

When working as a group, communication is very important. If there is no clear communication, no work will be done. Since this is a major project, there are always times when we need to divide the tasks and we work individually. This is the time where communication plays an essential role. All of us understand what each of us need to do and the dateline for each task as we always practise clear communication.

Having a good interpersonal relationship among teammates is crucial. If there is no good interpersonal relationship among the teammates, they will not enjoy working as a group. With that attitude they will not be interested in the project and hence do not want to contribute. Ultimately, the project will not be a good one. For my group, we have good interpersonal relationship. We encourage, care and help each other along the way. Before we attend this module, we do not know each other. It is through this project that we have developed good friendship.

Group work is troublesome as there is a need to divide task, compile group work and coordinate stuff among all the teammates. But there is an advantage. Since different people have different strengths and weaknesses, one’s shortcomings are overcome by the other teammates’ strengths. Hence all of us play a part as team player to display our strengths.

When doing research, I learnt to listen to other teammates’ ideas. We cannot be too rigid, and stick to our own idea and reject others. Group work enables the team to brainstorm for different ideas as different people look at and think of things differently. I also learnt how to ‘give and take’. All of us have other commitments from other modules, like CA tests and assignments. In the week that I have test, my teammates are considerate and they assigned lesser work for me. Hence when they have tests, I work double to cover their tasks.

Writing is my greatest weakness. As mentioned above, one’s shortcomings are overcome by the other teammates’ strengths, I am lucky that I have teammates who are good at writing. Writing a report needs coordination too. A report consists of many different sections and each of us has to write on different parts and at the end of the day, we need to compile as a whole. Despite there are different sections, the ideas and thoughts need to be in a smooth flow throughout the report. Hence we need to coordinate the flow.

Clear communication, listen to others and good writing are skills that are important and I would want to use them in other projects in the future.