Reflective commentary of process - Research Paper Example

Furthermore, I felt that my dissertation should contribute to the wellbeing of the society that I am a member of. From this holistic perspective, I chose to study the literature on disaster management and its status in this country. My search of the relevant background information gave me an understanding of the steps that have been undertaken in disaster management in America, to prepare the nation in meeting the threats that are posed by natural and man made calamities. Several agencies and elements contribute to effective preparedness of the nation to face calamities.

Scrutiny of the elements led me to understand that a critical element in disaster preparedness focused on those that are called upon the scene or voluntarily present themselves at the scene of a disaster to provide succour to the disaster victims at the outset. Therefore, disaster preparedness of a nation hinged on what we may term these ‘first responders’ at the site of a disaster. My next exploration in the background literature pertained to these first responders, and the measures that have been taken to increase the effectiveness of the first responders at disaster sites.

I found that there was ample information on the measures that were taken, but limited information on the effectiveness of the measures that have been put in place, to enhance the efficacy of the first responders to disaster sites. Therefore, I decided that my research should focus on this area, and have chosen to do a critical review on the disaster preparedness in America, tracing the background of disaster preparedness efforts in the nation, and the importance of the first responders, and finally focussing on assessing the preparedness of the first responders to cope with disaster management.

Having found my research problem, the next task I undertook was to find a suitable title for my dissertation. My reading of information on the development of titles for a dissertation provided the information of the title needing to be succinct and catchy. After a great deal of thought I arrived at the conclusion of highlighting the subject of the study and the focus of the study through the title” Disaster Management: An Evaluation of the Disaster Preparedness of the “First Responders”.

Developing the Objectives of the Study From the volume of information that was being collected, I realized that I needed to set objectives for my study, if not I would meander in finding the solutions for the subject and focus of the study, making my study aimless and results not gratifying for the efforts put in. My readings on setting objectives for the study also made me realize to keep myself focused on a limited set of objectives that were achievable, and not to try to take on more than I could chew.

With this in mind, I developed three objectives that were achievable and relevant to providing answers to the problem that I was studying in detail. Developing the Research Method Having set my objectives, the next step in my journey in creating the dissertation proposal was in finding the efficient means to achieving the objectives of finding answers I was searching for that would be academically reliable and valid. All my earlier experiences in dissertations and my readings of dissertations clearly marked out that choosing the research method required me