After three weeks at the Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation, I’m beginning to find my rhythm between research, daily life at the base, and making time to explore the local area. This week was mainly focused on improving my literature review and making progress with my project proposal.
Although a lot of my time was spent working on my laptop, it was satisfying to see my research gradually coming together and to reach another important milestone.
Monday: Feedback and Improvements
Monday started with getting my literature review back, along with some notes and feedback on how to improve it.
After spending the previous week working on my first draft, it was helpful to have some guidance on what needed changing. Writing a literature review involves more than simply finding relevant scientific papers; it also means bringing the information together, making connections between studies, and presenting it in a clear and logical way.
Although receiving feedback meant there was still more work to do, it gave me a clearer idea of how to improve my writing and strengthen the review before submitting it again.
Tuesday: Back to the Literature Review
On Tuesday, I spent the day working through the feedback and making changes to my literature review.
Going back through a piece of work and editing it can take time, but it is an important part of the research process. I focused on making the necessary improvements and ensuring that the review was developing in the right direction.
Alongside my research, I also took part in the base clean. Keeping the shared spaces clean and organised is part of everyday life here, so there is always a balance between individual work and the responsibilities we share at the base.
Wednesday: Resubmitting My Literature Review
Wednesday was another important day, as I resubmitted my literature review after making the suggested changes.
It felt good to have worked through the feedback and reached the point where I could hand it in again. With that stage moving forward, I also continued working on my project proposal.
The proposal is the next important part of my research journey. While the literature review explores what is already known about my topic, the proposal will help me set out how I plan to investigate my research question about the behaviour of short-beaked common dolphins.
It was exciting to begin putting more attention into this next stage and think about how my research will take shape over the coming months.
Thursday: Literature Review Approved!
Thursday brought some good news: I received the all-clear on my literature review!
After spending several days revising it and responding to feedback, it was a relief to know that I could move forward. It also marked a small but important milestone in my placement, as I could now make my project proposal my main focus.
My research question is:
Can we predict category behaviour by the event behaviour of short-beaked common dolphins?
I’m looking forward to developing this project further and exploring how I can approach the question through scientific research. With the literature review completed, I now have a stronger foundation to build on as I develop the proposal.
It feels good to have one stage behind me and a clearer focus for the work ahead.
Friday: Progress on My Project Proposal
On Friday, I continued working on my project proposal, focusing on writing the introduction.
By the end of the day, I had finished the introduction, which felt like another step forward. Getting this section written helped me make progress with the proposal and gave me something concrete to build on as I continue developing the rest of the project.
After a productive week, it was time to step away from the laptop for the evening. I went out for dinner at Fevs, which was a lovely way to relax and enjoy some time with everyone after several days of writing and editing.
Saturday: A Trip to Kokkari
Saturday started with a slow morning, giving me some time to relax before heading out for the day.
We went to Kokkari, where we did some shopping and had lunch out. It was nice to get away from the base for a while, explore the local area, and enjoy a change of scenery.
Having these opportunities to get out and spend time with others is a lovely part of the placement. Although research is a big focus, having time to relax and experience the surrounding area helps make the overall experience more enjoyable.
Sunday: A Relaxing End to the Week
Sunday was a much quieter day. I spent some time catching up on my TV shows and working on this blog, reflecting on the progress I’d made throughout the week.
I finished the week with a meal at Balconi with some friends, which was a great way to end the weekend and enjoy some time together before another working week began.
After several days of focusing on my literature review and project proposal, having a relaxed Sunday was exactly what I needed before getting back to work.
Four Weeks Down: Moving Forward with My Research
Looking back, week four was all about progress and building on the work I’d already completed.
The biggest achievement was getting my literature review approved after making improvements based on the feedback I received. This was a useful reminder that research is an ongoing process and that reviewing and refining your work is just as important as writing the first draft.
With my literature review now complete, my attention has shifted towards my project proposal. Finishing the introduction was another encouraging step, and I’m looking forward to developing the rest of the proposal and continuing to shape my research project.
Outside of work, there was also time for meals out, shopping in Kokkari, and relaxing with friends. These quieter moments have become an important part of finding a balance between work and life at Archipelagos.
I’m now four weeks into my eight-month placement, and it feels good to see the early stages of my research coming together. There’s still plenty to do, but I’m excited to keep building on what I’ve learned so far and see where the next few weeks take me.
Four weeks down, and my research project is starting to take shape!
