Dd 305 Personal Lives And Social Policy Essay
TMA03 DD 305 PERSONAL LIVES AND SOCIAL POLICY
ASSIGNMENT TASKS
Task 1: Research interview of about 30 minutes, on the effects of retirement upon the mental and/or physical health of an individual. (The interview was carried out on the 6th of December 2010), and due to the sensitive nature of the issues involved the name of the respondent has been changed to protect his integrity. The name John Smith has been used and is not his real name.
Task2
Preparation: A highlight of my research objective was discussed with John and it was made clear to him that the research was purely for educational purposes as part of my assessment for DD305. John was made aware that he was helping me with my Open University studies. I also asked John to read the consent form provided …show more content…
in the booklet and he signed two copies and he retained one of the signed copies. The preparation entailed that I downloaded the consent forms in time well before the interview. The next preparation bit was coming up with a research design. This was more challenging than I had anticipated. The questions had to somehow reflect and highlight the relationship between personal lives and social policy.
In order to capture as much information questions had to relate to personal lives and social policy (See appendix –Interview with John Smith). It is important to note that John had to agree to take part in the interview and above all he was assured of confidentiality. I considered the issue of voluntary and informed consent very important. John was well informed of what the research entailed and he being known to me made life a bit easy. The choice of the interview venue was reached with consultation with John. It was important to select a venue the interviewee was comfortable in. In this case John felt his home was suitable. Preparation also included testing the recording equipment and related accessories such as adaptors and cable extensions. Coming to the questions, I had to pre-test to gauge how suitable they were given the 30 minute limit. Coming up with the interview topic and the choice of the respondent generated a lot of problems due to the sensitive nature of the issue of retirement and related issues of mental and physical health. John Smith is someone I have known for quite a while as he has been a family friend and confidante. I did not need
to negotiate much with him to agree to be interviewed but had to reassure him of the strict confidence in handling the information he provided. John understood clearly that the interview was clearly for educational purposes and was in no way going to be used for any other purpose. John felt comfortable to be interviewed at his home; this was an advantage as it provided an enabling environment in view of sensitive questions I had to ask him. He felt at ease and relaxed. To give him some element of control, the choice of time of the interview was left to him to decide. It was fortunate for me that I was able to accommodate him at 15.00hours on the 6th of December. John was made fully aware that he could stop the interview at any given time during the course of the interview. Technically he was in control of the interview as he could also decline to answer some questions he felt uncomfortable with. The nature of the interview appeared easy at first especially the structuring of the questions. I managed to generate more leading questions as the interview progressed. In order not to capture all information I used a tape recorder and John agreed to be on tape. I have included the interview guide as an appendix.
The Interview: The interview started formally. Prior to the interview I phoned John to confirm the interview and also dropped a note so John could have a record of the invite. To be honest I was not prepared for the revelations that came out of the interview with John. I structured leading questions to avoid getting carried over and digressing. The major problem was avoiding losing focus. Some questions did generate a lot of enthusiasm at the same time evoking some emotions and memories. As a family friend I was able to steer John into the main focus of the interview. John was able to speak freely and openly. I am not sure if he could have done the same if I was someone he did not know well. I discovered a number of unexpected outcomes from the interview. John seems to have the idea that his state health and mental wellbeing could have been different if he was single and not married. Further still, John seems to think that married individuals survive better through retirement than their unmarried counterparts. I am not sure of a scientific study to suggest otherwise. From the interview with John it also came out that that those who voluntarily retire fare better than those forced to retire. This sounded and looked obvious but whether proven is also debatable. Generally from the interview with John it is clear that health and mental issues are important and are related to the retirement process. This has generated a degree of interest in me to further research. For example a typical research question could read: Is retirement associated with deterioration in mental and physical health?
Learning outcomes from interview: An interview is a powerful and important research tool. It gives the researcher first hand information and control over data collection. Properly administered, it exposes the researcher to undiluted information that can be moulded to suit any particular situation, as such is purely subjective. I was able to steer John with questions I structured so as to get a response favourable to my particular investigation. It is important to note that despite the researcher’s control over the interview the responses depend on the mood and temperament of the interviewee. The information I got from John was at his own discretion. The process was very effective in that I was able to identify how retirement is entwined in personal lives and social policy. The questions to John appeared very effective in bringing out the evidence and relationship between personal lives and social policy. John could relate in his answers, the involvement of his employers in his pension’s scheme in preparation for retirement, and as well his expectations that policy makers, through the government make it a mandatory requirement for employers to contribute for full time employees. John believes the welfare behind retirement programmes have shaped his personal life to what it is and has to adjust and change his lifestyles to suit his new status. An insight into life after retirement and John’s experiences will give enough tools for policy makers to design programmes best suited for retirees. The exposure had interesting results in that more research could be done. The relaxed atmosphere also meant that John did not feel any pressure and was able to respond to all questions without declining any. The interview also went on smoothly without interruption and John was happy to offer himself for future interviews. The challenge though, is to try to use the research skills with a respondent less known to me and see how the result will come out.
The process of formulating questions into a research diary was an essential skill in reflexive researching. I put in a lot of thought in designing the questions by brain storming and producing a detailed diary. This I believe is a good attribute of a reflexive research. I had to put myself in John’s shoes in designing the best approach to capture a favourable outcome. Background knowledge on retirement boosted my interaction with John and gave him the confidence that I could relate to his situation and we were on the same level. This is a very important aspect of an interview as a research tool. I had to show John my interest in the subject to keep the interview lively and interesting. It is important that the interview method gave me an opportunity to dialogue with John and at the same time giving him chance to open up and air his views openly. A reflexive research is more than just a conversation as the dialogue was guided by the purpose of the research and above all initiated by the researcher. The concept of reflexive thinking is completely entrenched in the research to give it purpose as the interview is a completely staged conversation. Evidence produced from the research should be qualitative in nature that is the outcomes from the questions should be usable and also generate some interest beyond the research. Recording the outcomes enables the researcher to think and reflect at the same time keeping track of progress in learning at various stages of the research.
1401
Task 3: (Research outline for TMA05).
Research focus:
The issue of retirement generated a lot of interest in me especially after the interview with John. I had taken many aspects of retirement for granted. The interviews opened up an area I feel need researching. The involvement of social welfare issues in retirement and the relation between mental and physical health in the general wellbeing of retirees. Very little, if any, was mentioned by John on the social welfare of retirees, especially physical and health issues. There is needed to get feedback from the pension office and as well from the health sector. The issue of mental health becomes my focus as I relate with retirees like John.
Research topic: The effects of retirement upon the mental health of an individual. The topic is relevant in that retirement is a process that affects individuals in their personal lives and the impact of retirement does affect their mental state and thus the need for social policies to address the relationship. Policies have to be put in place to address the welfare of retirees and as such the need to interview people working in mental health to ascertain the extent to which social policies impact on personal lives of people in their care.
Selection of interviewees and negotiation of access: My decision is to approach someone who works in mental health and works with old people who have retired. My wife is a mental health nurse and works in an NHS unit specific for mental health. My aim is to approach two mental community health nurses. I can do this through my wife and writing to the manager for permission. The aim of the research is typically to examine the relationship between personal lives and social policy in the mental health of retired people. It is important to interview community based nurses who are in the field and are in contact with patients on a regular basis in their homes. Of particular interest is the relationship between retirement and mental health. Mental health issues are typically sensitive and as such it would be ideally to carry out the interviews at their homes. An important aspect to consider is the confidentiality of my interviewees.
Ethical considerations: It is important that my interviewees are made aware of the implications of the research and that they can withdraw from participation any time. Common ethics suggest that consent should be sought from them both verbally and in writing. The fact that I am dealing with employees of the NHS should also consider how they view the release of work related information by their employees. It will be highlighted and emphasised to the interviewees that their identities will not be released or made know.
Plan of work:
6 Jan 2011- Start research diary for TMA05 (Subject to feedback from tutor on outcomes from TMA03).
6Jan – 15 Jan 2011 Discuss with NHS manager and Identify interview participants. Contact tutor by e-mail with refined study proposition. Make amends and adjustments and recommendations.
Week starting 17 Jan- Identify interview participants, e-mail details as per Task 3 (selecting interviewees and negotiating access). Hopefully gain informed consent and follow up in writing. Set and agree date, time and place of interviews. (Schedule interviews week starting 7 Feb 2011 and 14 Feb 2011 giving interviews about four weeks to ask questions or raise any issues prior to the interviews) Apply for off days on the 7th Feb and 14th Feb. Draft research leaflet for participants.
Week starting 24 Jan 2011- Prepare at least ten questions. Pre-test interview questions with work manager for reflection and any further refocusing and refinement.
26 Jan 2011- Submit TMA04
Week starting 31 Jan 2011- Check recording equipment, alert both participants on interview date and arrangements agreed. Check and reconfirm work commitments week starting 7 Feb and 14 Feb.
Week starting 7 Feb 2011- Interview one. Transcribe interview before end of weekend of 12 Feb (to include time for post-interview reflection).
Week starting 14 Feb 2011- Interview two. Write to both participants individually thanking them for their involvement/ help.
Weekend of 19/20 Feb- transcribe interview two and include time for post interview reflection.
Week starting 21Feb 2011 to 6 Mar 2011- Task 2 of TMA05 (Preparation for and undertaking thematic analysis of both transcripts.
Week starting 7 Mar and 21 Mar- Task 3 of TMA05 (Draft essay addressing the title: Qualitative research helps us to indentify how the relationship between personal lives and social policy is experienced.
By Sunday 27 March 2011- Review everything required for TMA05 and Submit to tutor by 30 March 2011.
759
References:
Fink,J. Lewis, G. Carbine, J. Newman, J. and Korner, B. (2009) DD305 Course Companion, Milton Keynes, The Open University.
Churchill, H. Fink, J. and Harris, F. (2009) Research, analysis and Assessment Booklet -DD305 Personal Lives and social policy, Milton Keynes, The Open University.
Appendix
Interview with John Smith
Interviewer: John, I understand that you retired two years ago did you retire voluntarily?
John: Well, I would start by saying that there are rules or should I say regulations on retirement. I am approaching 68 years of age now and I believe my time had come and given the opportunity to retire me, I literally took it.
Interviewer: When retirement came were you surprised or rather were you prepared for it?
John: I was not surprised and of course the warning came when I approached my 64th birthday. The shock came on the day I stopped work. I thought I was prepared physically but emotionally and mentally I was not. They did offer counselling but still the reality did hit me so hard. Actually I was hospitalised with a stress related illness 4 months into retirement.
Interviewer: I guess it was all down to change in lifestyle. Did you have enough income streams to support the lifestyle you wanted?
John: Yes income was not a problem, my spouse was working part-time at the time and we could afford to pay for the bills and maintain a modest lifestyle not far from my pre-retirement period.
Interviewer: Still on lifestyle, what aspect of your lifestyle has changed?
John: When you are in a work related routine and are conditioned to it you take simple things for granted. Any slight changes will throw you off balance. Waking up at home and missing the little activities like preparing for work are enough to disturb me.
Interviewer: During your days at work were you a live-to-work type or a work-to-live type?
John: As a porter working for the NHS in hospital, I was a live-to-work type as I ended up just needing something to do. Yes I needed the income but the urge to just have something to do was greater.
Interviewer: The reason I ask is to find out whether you will be prepared to take up a part time job in your retirement?
John: Yes, I will be willing especially if it keeps me sane and active physically.
Interviewer: How can you describe your physical and mental health state?
John: Physically I can describe myself as active and in good health, but must admit that retirement has created a lot of health challenges and more so in mental health. Sometimes I feel neglected and isolated at least at work I had workmates to remonstrate with.
Interviewer: What are your thoughts on the work provided by the NHS in mental health especially considering the benefit to retirees?
John: I am not really sure I know what they do, but given my situation, I
Would greatly appreciate the recognition of the capability of retirement, as a cause for some mental health issues. I believe more should be done as awareness so people get into retirement well prepared.
DD305 Personal lives and social policy
Reflection and evaluation sheet
Name James Mbuwayesango
TMA 03
Date 15/12/2010
This sheet should be completed at the end of each assignment and returned with the assignment to your tutor. You should use it to reflect on your work by noting how you have tried to incorporate the teaching and learning from previous assignments, how your knowledge and understanding of key terms, concepts or themes have deepened, and where you feel you need to develop a particular skill. It can also be used to indicate to your tutor that you would value his/her guidance on an aspect of your learning. Thinking about and evaluating your learning in these ways are important independent study skills.
1. How have you used any teaching and learning from previous assignments?
(This does not apply to TMA 01.)
Knowledge of personal lives and social policy from previous assignment has helped me to grasp the concept involved especially in determining the topic to choose. Feedback from my tutor also helped in that I was able to change strategy and emphasise more on the mutual constitution of personal lives and social policy.
2. How have your knowledge and understanding developed?
The relationships between personal lives and social policy are important in relating to health factors and this knowledge has helped me understand the core themes of DD305.
3. What further skills might you need to develop?
Research and interview skills
4. What further guidance might be helpful from your tutor?
I have problems in attending tutorials due to the nature of my work. I would appreciate more contact with tutor especially after tutorials.
ASSIGNMENT TASKS
Task 1: Research interview of about 30 minutes, on the effects of retirement upon the mental and/or physical health of an individual. (The interview was carried out on the 6th of December 2010), and due to the sensitive nature of the issues involved the name of the respondent has been changed to protect his integrity. The name John Smith has been used and is not his real name.
Task2
Preparation: A highlight of my research objective was discussed with John and it was made clear to him that the research was purely for educational purposes as part of my assessment for DD305. John was made aware that he was helping me with my Open University studies. I also asked John to read the consent form provided …show more content…
in the booklet and he signed two copies and he retained one of the signed copies. The preparation entailed that I downloaded the consent forms in time well before the interview. The next preparation bit was coming up with a research design. This was more challenging than I had anticipated. The questions had to somehow reflect and highlight the relationship between personal lives and social policy.
In order to capture as much information questions had to relate to personal lives and social policy (See appendix –Interview with John Smith). It is important to note that John had to agree to take part in the interview and above all he was assured of confidentiality. I considered the issue of voluntary and informed consent very important. John was well informed of what the research entailed and he being known to me made life a bit easy. The choice of the interview venue was reached with consultation with John. It was important to select a venue the interviewee was comfortable in. In this case John felt his home was suitable. Preparation also included testing the recording equipment and related accessories such as adaptors and cable extensions. Coming to the questions, I had to pre-test to gauge how suitable they were given the 30 minute limit. Coming up with the interview topic and the choice of the respondent generated a lot of problems due to the sensitive nature of the issue of retirement and related issues of mental and physical health. John Smith is someone I have known for quite a while as he has been a family friend and confidante. I did not need
to negotiate much with him to agree to be interviewed but had to reassure him of the strict confidence in handling the information he provided. John understood clearly that the interview was clearly for educational purposes and was in no way going to be used for any other purpose. John felt comfortable to be interviewed at his home; this was an advantage as it provided an enabling environment in view of sensitive questions I had to ask him. He felt at ease and relaxed. To give him some element of control, the choice of time of the interview was left to him to decide. It was fortunate for me that I was able to accommodate him at 15.00hours on the 6th of December. John was made fully aware that he could stop the interview at any given time during the course of the interview. Technically he was in control of the interview as he could also decline to answer some questions he felt uncomfortable with. The nature of the interview appeared easy at first especially the structuring of the questions. I managed to generate more leading questions as the interview progressed. In order not to capture all information I used a tape recorder and John agreed to be on tape. I have included the interview guide as an appendix.
The Interview: The interview started formally. Prior to the interview I phoned John to confirm the interview and also dropped a note so John could have a record of the invite. To be honest I was not prepared for the revelations that came out of the interview with John. I structured leading questions to avoid getting carried over and digressing. The major problem was avoiding losing focus. Some questions did generate a lot of enthusiasm at the same time evoking some emotions and memories. As a family friend I was able to steer John into the main focus of the interview. John was able to speak freely and openly. I am not sure if he could have done the same if I was someone he did not know well. I discovered a number of unexpected outcomes from the interview. John seems to have the idea that his state health and mental wellbeing could have been different if he was single and not married. Further still, John seems to think that married individuals survive better through retirement than their unmarried counterparts. I am not sure of a scientific study to suggest otherwise. From the interview with John it also came out that that those who voluntarily retire fare better than those forced to retire. This sounded and looked obvious but whether proven is also debatable. Generally from the interview with John it is clear that health and mental issues are important and are related to the retirement process. This has generated a degree of interest in me to further research. For example a typical research question could read: Is retirement associated with deterioration in mental and physical health?
Learning outcomes from interview: An interview is a powerful and important research tool. It gives the researcher first hand information and control over data collection. Properly administered, it exposes the researcher to undiluted information that can be moulded to suit any particular situation, as such is purely subjective. I was able to steer John with questions I structured so as to get a response favourable to my particular investigation. It is important to note that despite the researcher’s control over the interview the responses depend on the mood and temperament of the interviewee. The information I got from John was at his own discretion. The process was very effective in that I was able to identify how retirement is entwined in personal lives and social policy. The questions to John appeared very effective in bringing out the evidence and relationship between personal lives and social policy. John could relate in his answers, the involvement of his employers in his pension’s scheme in preparation for retirement, and as well his expectations that policy makers, through the government make it a mandatory requirement for employers to contribute for full time employees. John believes the welfare behind retirement programmes have shaped his personal life to what it is and has to adjust and change his lifestyles to suit his new status. An insight into life after retirement and John’s experiences will give enough tools for policy makers to design programmes best suited for retirees. The exposure had interesting results in that more research could be done. The relaxed atmosphere also meant that John did not feel any pressure and was able to respond to all questions without declining any. The interview also went on smoothly without interruption and John was happy to offer himself for future interviews. The challenge though, is to try to use the research skills with a respondent less known to me and see how the result will come out.
The process of formulating questions into a research diary was an essential skill in reflexive researching. I put in a lot of thought in designing the questions by brain storming and producing a detailed diary. This I believe is a good attribute of a reflexive research. I had to put myself in John’s shoes in designing the best approach to capture a favourable outcome. Background knowledge on retirement boosted my interaction with John and gave him the confidence that I could relate to his situation and we were on the same level. This is a very important aspect of an interview as a research tool. I had to show John my interest in the subject to keep the interview lively and interesting. It is important that the interview method gave me an opportunity to dialogue with John and at the same time giving him chance to open up and air his views openly. A reflexive research is more than just a conversation as the dialogue was guided by the purpose of the research and above all initiated by the researcher. The concept of reflexive thinking is completely entrenched in the research to give it purpose as the interview is a completely staged conversation. Evidence produced from the research should be qualitative in nature that is the outcomes from the questions should be usable and also generate some interest beyond the research. Recording the outcomes enables the researcher to think and reflect at the same time keeping track of progress in learning at various stages of the research.
1401
Task 3: (Research outline for TMA05).
Research focus:
The issue of retirement generated a lot of interest in me especially after the interview with John. I had taken many aspects of retirement for granted. The interviews opened up an area I feel need researching. The involvement of social welfare issues in retirement and the relation between mental and physical health in the general wellbeing of retirees. Very little, if any, was mentioned by John on the social welfare of retirees, especially physical and health issues. There is needed to get feedback from the pension office and as well from the health sector. The issue of mental health becomes my focus as I relate with retirees like John.
Research topic: The effects of retirement upon the mental health of an individual. The topic is relevant in that retirement is a process that affects individuals in their personal lives and the impact of retirement does affect their mental state and thus the need for social policies to address the relationship. Policies have to be put in place to address the welfare of retirees and as such the need to interview people working in mental health to ascertain the extent to which social policies impact on personal lives of people in their care.
Selection of interviewees and negotiation of access: My decision is to approach someone who works in mental health and works with old people who have retired. My wife is a mental health nurse and works in an NHS unit specific for mental health. My aim is to approach two mental community health nurses. I can do this through my wife and writing to the manager for permission. The aim of the research is typically to examine the relationship between personal lives and social policy in the mental health of retired people. It is important to interview community based nurses who are in the field and are in contact with patients on a regular basis in their homes. Of particular interest is the relationship between retirement and mental health. Mental health issues are typically sensitive and as such it would be ideally to carry out the interviews at their homes. An important aspect to consider is the confidentiality of my interviewees.
Ethical considerations: It is important that my interviewees are made aware of the implications of the research and that they can withdraw from participation any time. Common ethics suggest that consent should be sought from them both verbally and in writing. The fact that I am dealing with employees of the NHS should also consider how they view the release of work related information by their employees. It will be highlighted and emphasised to the interviewees that their identities will not be released or made know.
Plan of work:
6 Jan 2011- Start research diary for TMA05 (Subject to feedback from tutor on outcomes from TMA03).
6Jan – 15 Jan 2011 Discuss with NHS manager and Identify interview participants. Contact tutor by e-mail with refined study proposition. Make amends and adjustments and recommendations.
Week starting 17 Jan- Identify interview participants, e-mail details as per Task 3 (selecting interviewees and negotiating access). Hopefully gain informed consent and follow up in writing. Set and agree date, time and place of interviews. (Schedule interviews week starting 7 Feb 2011 and 14 Feb 2011 giving interviews about four weeks to ask questions or raise any issues prior to the interviews) Apply for off days on the 7th Feb and 14th Feb. Draft research leaflet for participants.
Week starting 24 Jan 2011- Prepare at least ten questions. Pre-test interview questions with work manager for reflection and any further refocusing and refinement.
26 Jan 2011- Submit TMA04
Week starting 31 Jan 2011- Check recording equipment, alert both participants on interview date and arrangements agreed. Check and reconfirm work commitments week starting 7 Feb and 14 Feb.
Week starting 7 Feb 2011- Interview one. Transcribe interview before end of weekend of 12 Feb (to include time for post-interview reflection).
Week starting 14 Feb 2011- Interview two. Write to both participants individually thanking them for their involvement/ help.
Weekend of 19/20 Feb- transcribe interview two and include time for post interview reflection.
Week starting 21Feb 2011 to 6 Mar 2011- Task 2 of TMA05 (Preparation for and undertaking thematic analysis of both transcripts.
Week starting 7 Mar and 21 Mar- Task 3 of TMA05 (Draft essay addressing the title: Qualitative research helps us to indentify how the relationship between personal lives and social policy is experienced.
By Sunday 27 March 2011- Review everything required for TMA05 and Submit to tutor by 30 March 2011.
759
References:
Fink,J. Lewis, G. Carbine, J. Newman, J. and Korner, B. (2009) DD305 Course Companion, Milton Keynes, The Open University.
Churchill, H. Fink, J. and Harris, F. (2009) Research, analysis and Assessment Booklet -DD305 Personal Lives and social policy, Milton Keynes, The Open University.
Appendix
Interview with John Smith
Interviewer: John, I understand that you retired two years ago did you retire voluntarily?
John: Well, I would start by saying that there are rules or should I say regulations on retirement. I am approaching 68 years of age now and I believe my time had come and given the opportunity to retire me, I literally took it.
Interviewer: When retirement came were you surprised or rather were you prepared for it?
John: I was not surprised and of course the warning came when I approached my 64th birthday. The shock came on the day I stopped work. I thought I was prepared physically but emotionally and mentally I was not. They did offer counselling but still the reality did hit me so hard. Actually I was hospitalised with a stress related illness 4 months into retirement.
Interviewer: I guess it was all down to change in lifestyle. Did you have enough income streams to support the lifestyle you wanted?
John: Yes income was not a problem, my spouse was working part-time at the time and we could afford to pay for the bills and maintain a modest lifestyle not far from my pre-retirement period.
Interviewer: Still on lifestyle, what aspect of your lifestyle has changed?
John: When you are in a work related routine and are conditioned to it you take simple things for granted. Any slight changes will throw you off balance. Waking up at home and missing the little activities like preparing for work are enough to disturb me.
Interviewer: During your days at work were you a live-to-work type or a work-to-live type?
John: As a porter working for the NHS in hospital, I was a live-to-work type as I ended up just needing something to do. Yes I needed the income but the urge to just have something to do was greater.
Interviewer: The reason I ask is to find out whether you will be prepared to take up a part time job in your retirement?
John: Yes, I will be willing especially if it keeps me sane and active physically.
Interviewer: How can you describe your physical and mental health state?
John: Physically I can describe myself as active and in good health, but must admit that retirement has created a lot of health challenges and more so in mental health. Sometimes I feel neglected and isolated at least at work I had workmates to remonstrate with.
Interviewer: What are your thoughts on the work provided by the NHS in mental health especially considering the benefit to retirees?
John: I am not really sure I know what they do, but given my situation, I
Would greatly appreciate the recognition of the capability of retirement, as a cause for some mental health issues. I believe more should be done as awareness so people get into retirement well prepared.
DD305 Personal lives and social policy
Reflection and evaluation sheet
Name James Mbuwayesango
TMA 03
Date 15/12/2010
This sheet should be completed at the end of each assignment and returned with the assignment to your tutor. You should use it to reflect on your work by noting how you have tried to incorporate the teaching and learning from previous assignments, how your knowledge and understanding of key terms, concepts or themes have deepened, and where you feel you need to develop a particular skill. It can also be used to indicate to your tutor that you would value his/her guidance on an aspect of your learning. Thinking about and evaluating your learning in these ways are important independent study skills.
1. How have you used any teaching and learning from previous assignments?
(This does not apply to TMA 01.)
Knowledge of personal lives and social policy from previous assignment has helped me to grasp the concept involved especially in determining the topic to choose. Feedback from my tutor also helped in that I was able to change strategy and emphasise more on the mutual constitution of personal lives and social policy.
2. How have your knowledge and understanding developed?
The relationships between personal lives and social policy are important in relating to health factors and this knowledge has helped me understand the core themes of DD305.
3. What further skills might you need to develop?
Research and interview skills
4. What further guidance might be helpful from your tutor?
I have problems in attending tutorials due to the nature of my work. I would appreciate more contact with tutor especially after tutorials.