Lovitts (2005) noted that it takes creativity to innovate in a field of study and it takes around 10 years to develop enough expertise to make such a creative contribution. When analyzing this statement with regards to my own path, I think about having a masters degree and 16 years working in education but question how much this has prepared me to do this level of creative work. More than preparation beforehand, the transition to independent research is about a willingness to enter into the unknown and endure any discomfort stemming from not knowing. It is about not wanting to just show up and go through the motions but becoming part of what Lovitts (2005) termed the research environment.
Reference
Lovitts, B. (2005). Being a good course-taker is not enough: a theoretical perspective on the
transition to independent research. Studies in Higher Education, 30(2), 137-154.
Reference
Lovitts, B. (2005). Being a good course-taker is not enough: a theoretical perspective on the
transition to independent research. Studies in Higher Education, 30(2), 137-154.