Category Archives: Adult Learning

My Final Year Project (FYP) for Psychology is complete

Posted in Adult Learning, Ponderings & Personal Development by

When I first started, it was difficult to envision the end. Eventually, I did. All I had to do was take it one step at a time, holding the hand of my supervisor.

I studied motivation among the staff at my clinic. The biggest hurdle when conducting any study at a KKM facility is that I need to get approval from the Medical Research and Ethics Committee (MREC). That means having to set up a National Medical Research Register (NMRR) account and doing another set of study protocols based on what I have already written for Chapters 1 to 3 for my Open University Malaysia (OUM) subject. Once the study protocol was written and the relevant early permission was granted from my superior at the workplace and the district health office, I had to submit these documents to NMRR. I had to revise my protocol and my consent forms twice. It was disheartening at first because I was running out of time. I initially wanted to complete my FYP in 2 semesters, but I do not have control over the technical aspects of other things. This became my second hurdle.

I learned to accept that some things are just out of our control. The things I could control at the time were my reading and understanding of the topic through literature reviews. I also tried my best to perfect my chapters. I used a thesaurus a lot because the words I used were, at times, less academic. Even then, everything just comes together. The ethical approval came just in time when I wanted to start my data collection.

The data collection period was exhausting. I had to transcribe on my own. I had to squeeze in the tasks of analysing, transcribing, and reading the data between the times of the early morning, after work, and over the weekend. Writing up the report was an equally exhausting stage as I tried to make sense of what my results were. It got to the point when my sympathetic responses went into overdrive mode. However, the euphoria of being absorbed in the process and fully understanding what I wanted to achieve kept me going. There were certainly some things I initially overlooked, which just underscores how vital it is to have an engaged SV. I’ve had my sights set on this SV ever since my semester studying social psychology. She was one of the first people I considered when we were selecting our SVs, and it turned out to be an excellent decision. You can genuinely feel the positive energy of an exceptional SV radiating from her. A hallmark of a great SV is her ability to guide me through complex topics, even outside her field, ensuring that external readers can easily grasp the concepts.

Towards the deadline, there was a lot of ping-pong going on with our emails but we persevered. I felt a huge relief when I submitted my report to OUM. On the day itself.

Is this the end of my FYP? Technically yes, but remember the NMRR and MREC I mentioned earlier. Now I have to submit a report to them. I hope I can use my OUM report instead of re-doing it with a different format. I will check on it soon.

MREC – Applying ethical approval for my FYP (OUM) research study

Posted in Adult Learning, Ponderings & Personal Development by

I am currently in the final year of my psychology studies. Initially, I wanted to complete my degree in 4 years but I underestimated the challenges that ensued when you’re a part-time learner. Studying while working is no easy feat. The stress gets to you. A fellow learner was even admitted to the hospital because of hypertensive urgency. I guess this is what happens when your students are in the slightly older group population. Sometimes I took only two subjects in a semester because I anticipated that my work burden would be massive in the upcoming months. Hence, the delay in completing my degree. Nevertheless, this is not a race. There is no rush as there are students who studied for up to 7 years to complete their journey. I am only up against myself to ensure I reach the end with a scroll.

An important component of this degree is to do the Final Year Project (FYP). Open University Malaysia (OUM) would provide the list of supervisors to choose from and I was so glad when I saw Dr Juliana’s name on the list. I have been eyeing her since the second year of my studies when she taught us Social Psychology. If her name wasn’t there, my next option was the HOD himself, Dr Wong.

I contacted her through email. There were a few forms to fill and I managed to submit my topic to OUM’s research unit. Next came the stressful part.

All research studies conducted at any KKM facility must have approval from the Medical Research Ethics Committee (MREC). I had a look at the requirements through the National Medical Research Registry (NMRR) website and was astounded by the amount of documents I have to submit for the approval process. What happened next was a race against time.

Thankfully the Clinical Research Centre at Melaka Hospital was of great assistance. They guided me when I had to amend my study protocol and patient consent form. I was relieved when my study was approved after 1 major and 1 minor revision. This is because, by the time Dr Juliana gave her clearance for me to collect my data, the MREC approval had come through. It was a 3 month process. At the same time, I also had to complete the Chapters as required by the FYP assessment scheme. That means preparing 2 sets of different things for the respective bodies.

Once MREC gave me my letters, I submitted a site approval form to the district health office for further action. Hence, here we are now. In my data collection stage. I am trying not to get myself too overwhelmed by taking it one step at a time. Thinking too far ahead would be distressing. Furthermore, I have my supervisor to advise and guide me accordingly. My aim is to send a weekly update so that I remain motivated and on track with my project.

“Accept the challenges so that you may feel the exhilaration of victory.” General George S. Patton

Posted in Adult Learning, Everyday Life by

I got home to a bunch of papers on the desk. There was a stack of 3 neatly printed copies of an application form. I went nearer to the desk and held it up. They were Mr Husband’s application letter for the Hadiah Latihan Persekutuan (HLP)

“At least we are heading somewhere” I reassured myself.

Every year thousands of applicants in Malaysia aspiring to pursue their Masters studies in their chosen field of interest would apply for the government scholarship (HLP). Once granted the HLP, one would have to go through either a series of exams or interviews to get into their programme.

I tried it last year out of interest. My colleague and I wanted to see how hard the entrance exam was. We both got the HLP but we both flunked the test as well. It was a half-hearted attempt actually. ironically, we were not saddened at all. in fact, there was a huge sigh of relief – for not getting it. Ha ha. I was not ready to become a specialist. There’s too much responsibility. I was enjoying myself too much as a Medical Officer and a mother.

This year, I gave Mr Husband the greenlights to apply. Knowing the challenge that I’ll be getting myself in – the test of Time, Loyalty, Patience and Love from a distance, I think it is worth a shot.  Getting the HLP would bring him a step closer to the programme and once he succeeds in getting a spot, that is when the real obstacle begins.

Allah is fair. He tests His beings with circumstances that He deems fit. While  Mr Husband and I are lucky to be financially strong to begin with, we have our hiccups in trying to fit some Time with Hazeeq and even of each others company. But we try. We know that it is not going to be easy but the fruits of our sacrifice would be InsyaAllah worthwhile once its ripe.

Good luck to all applicants of HLP. May the force be with you.