Individual Reflection: Weeks 1-3

As we get into the core of Geography 379B many aspects of the next few months are starting to reveal themselves as possible sources of inquiry, research and challenge. The four group members will need to work closely and carefully with one another to maintain a clear path through our research. However, most importantly, I will have to, and have already begun to, dedicate critical attention to each part of our process. At this point there are a few key parts of the course and our research that seem to be particularly relevant. These include maintaining a strong grasp on my position within our larger research project and my position within our research group. I will also need to think critically about our groups working habits and communication skills. The most crucial aspect of our process however, will be the actual research question and our ability to deduce accurately our own skills and how to apply them to the creation of an access management plan for the Williams Lake Community Forest.
After class on Thursday I will be able to understand more about how we will go about collecting secondary information for our project. While the majority of our information will be gathered directly from our stakeholders and be from primary sources, we will potentially need to create maps of our management plan and gather sufficient data to do so, which would not be direct. Additionally, to get a firm grasp on the background of Williams Lake and the Williams Lake Community Forest we will need to use a variety of secondary documents and academic articles. Again, after class on Thursday I will be able to assess how to do this well, more astutely.