What comes to mind when you think of a researcher? I think: Geek. Being isolated in a tiny space with a bunch of reading/data. A complicated system of notes that only the researcher can understand. And an independent process. Yep, that’s what I used to think about researchers. Until I got the opportunity to take part in an actual qualitative research study. I am working with Dr. Paul Umbach and a team of masters and doctoral students on a qualitative research study analyzing rural high school students’ perceptions of going to college. Thus far I have aided in developing the interview protocol, interviewing participants, to currently coding the interviews. And the cool thing about it all is that it’s nothing like I imagined!

Now I break down:

Myth 1: Researchers are all geeks.  TRUE! This myth is relative to one’s definition of a geek. And in the Baynes (my last name) Dictionary, geek is defined as a cool individual that displays an extensive amount of interest on a particular topic. So, yes researchers are geeks!

Myth 2: Researchers are isolated in a tiny space with a bunch of reading/data. FALSE. Research can be done anywhere! Sure, research can be done in a tiny little cubicle of D.H. Hill, or you can research data over pizza and cinna-stix with a group of really cool geeks!

Myth 3: Researchers use a complicated system of notes that only they can understand.  TRUE! Researchers come up with a methodology for their particular study that can appear complicated to those not involved in the research. The methodology is like the researchers map for conducting the research and drawing conclusions. So, I am extremely grateful for EAC 595: Research and Assessment in Higher Education for teaching me how to set up a complicated system of notes that only us cool geeks can understand.

Myth 4: Research is an independent process. FALSE! Research is even cooler with a group of people. I am involved in a 6-person research team, Dr. Paul Umbach, Dr. Stephany Dunstan, Ashley Clayton, Darris Means, John Conzelmann, and myself and we all have varying experiences with qualitative research. From Stephany who recently received her PhD, to Paul who hasn’t done qual research since his grad days because he focuses on quant research, to myself, a first timer – oh what an experience!

Lastly, I hope I have helped to dispel any myths that any of my fellow masters students may have regarding research. Become the cool geek you were always meant to be!