Week 4 - Reflection of the process of conducting research

Over the last week ‘The Budgeteers’ thought more deeply about market research, such as what methods and designs we should do to reach our targeted beneficiaries. In a group we all agreed that an online survey would be practical as a vast amount of information could be gathered quickly. As a group we brainstormed what sorts of questions would be appropriate for us to obtain useful information and move on effectively with our idea and research.

Within this questionnaire there were demographic questions, to help us identify which groups of people would be more likely to use our service. Furthermore there were questions linked to our service, in which we allowed respondents to type in there own answers to gain specific feedback, helping us identify any issues. 

However a potential issue of data research and peoples needs is the idea of data protection. Most students would not want to complete one of our surveys if it was to ask for personal details, for example loan size and other more financial aspects, making it difficult to obtain certain quantitative data. This could possibly reflect on our service. Therefore suggesting that trust would have to be built with students using our service

Week 3 - Reflection on the process of identifying existing knowledge

Week three was my first social enterprise lecture that I was able to attend due to changing modules. I was placed in my team, who are all lovely with a variety of backgrounds and skills.

Within this weeks session we had to think deeply about beneficiaries, and how we will access this group. The main beneficiary identified were students at the university, as our project aims to enhance their ability to budget and spend their money effectively. However as we wanted to be self sustainable, this may be done by training third year students to provide this service, then not only would money be saved (by not employing externally from university), but these individuals would gain experience. Currently our project will only be aimed at the University of Southampton due to our existing knowledge about certain demographic factors compared to other areas where we lack knowledge.

To help reflect of research knowledge the group decided that we would all each individually take note of our spending for the next week, to see the variety of finance within our team (patterns), whilst helping to aid ideas as to where money if often spent, for example, rent.

 

At the end of week threes session we thought about research methods. In which an online survey seemed popular.

Week 2 - Design Challange

It was during week three that I was able to go along to my first social enterprise lecture. Therefore I was not present during the period that my project team identified our design challenge, during week two. However I was swiftly informed about the design challenge.

Our design challenge is to provide some sort of financial support to students (peripherally University of Southampton students), who may face financial difficulties, for example with their weekly budgeting. One aim of this design is that third year students, perhaps who are studying a degree related to finance will receive training, making them effectively be able to meet the needs of those students that require support.

Given that this is a unique idea, designing and then actually carrying out our design challenge may prove a challenge, as this field of work is new to myself and perhaps member of my team.

However I am looking forward to venturing into this new challenge, and am committed to the project, as our design challenge is something that as a student I could perhaps be vulnerable to, so will be mindful as well as curious. 

Week 1 - Motivations, and outcomes..

I joined the social enterprise module late as I joined in week three, after being able to switch. I opted to join the module and had a few motivations for doing the module. One of these being that I like the fact that the module often works around creating sustainability for out societies and earth in the projects that we will be challenged to create, something I can relate to after recently completing my geography A level, as well as coming from a family which often tries to be sustainable. Furthermore I believe the module motivates me in the sense that the groups must find a solution to social problems, meaning that not only will my ability to work in a group improve, but also hopefully improve more interpersonal skills in dealing with certain social situations, for example how a rooms (building) design may perhaps alter social behaviour.

These motivations played a role in attracting me to the module, however I also liked the idea of working in a group, as it’s a great way to create a hub of ideas for the project (presentation), whilst also allowing sociable work to take place.

 On completing this module I hope that my ability to work with others will improve, a key skill that is often required nowadays in many jobs. Moreover I hope that my ability to identify and deal with social problems enhances, as studying psychology (as my main degree) I may look to enter a clinical field.