You’re a software developer who wants to improve your skills. How can you leverage research to do it?

1 Identify your learning goals

Before you dive into research, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to learn and why. Do you want to master a new programming language, framework, or tool? Do you want to solve a specific problem or challenge in your project or domain? Do you want to explore a new topic or trend that interests you? Having a specific and realistic learning goal will help you narrow down your research scope and focus on the most relevant and useful sources.

4 Share and get feedback

Another way to leverage research is to share your findings, insights, and experiences with others. This can help you improve your communication and presentation skills, as well as get feedback and suggestions from your peers, mentors, or experts. You can share your research through various channels, such as blogs, podcasts, newsletters, social media, forums, or conferences. You can also use platforms like GitHub, Stack Overflow, or CodePen to showcase your code and collaborate with other developers.

5 Keep learning and updating

Research is not a one-time activity, but a continuous process of learning and updating. As a software developer, you need to keep track of the changes and innovations in your field and adapt your skills accordingly. You can use tools like RSS feeds, alerts, newsletters, or podcasts to stay informed and curious about the latest developments and trends. You can also use research to identify new learning goals and opportunities, and repeat the cycle of finding, evaluating, applying, practicing, sharing, and getting feedback.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?