Progress

The deeper into my research project I get, the more I get lost. The more I actively seek clarification, the more confusing everything becomes. Yet it gets so confusing because I talk myself out of it as it gets clearer. What is wrong with me?

The above is what I began to write before my meeting with David Carlin, who is supervising me on my Honours research project. After spending almost an hour talking with him and developing my ideas, I have emerged from my confused and anxious state with a more positive outlook on what I am researching this year:

The impact of new technologies on documentary practice. The potential of media convergence in the production of documentary film.

This is what I will explore.

Brainstorming and thinking on my own led me on so many different tangents, so it was extremely valuable to have somebody help me define my research topic. It was also very encouraging to have my ideas validated and maximized in the sense that I have acquired the confidence to take these ideas of mine further. David really took to my Kaleidoscope metaphor and that in itself gives me courage to pursue my ideas no matter how abstract and far-fetched I fear they might be received.

I am more clear about what I am doing, without being “too” clear to the point that the research would be pointless. As Adrian so often says in class, and as David reiterated to me this afternoon, “research isn’t research if you know where you’re going.”

Research is discovery.