Progress with the research plan

The tasks planned for the third academic year could not be carried out as planned due to various difficulties. The main issue was the delay in data availability, as the second batch was not received until December 2024. This situation has caused a change in the research schedule, resulting in my current progress being aligned more with the second-year tasks than with those originally scheduled for the third year. A similar delay had already affected my work the previous academic year, further impacting the overall research schedule.

Since the descriptive and inferential analysis was scheduled to be completed within a five-month timeframe, I am still within this deadline to finalize and submit the required tasks. So far, I have completed the descriptive analysis and am currently awaiting validation by my thesis advisors. The next stage will be to work on the differential analysis, a step that will allow me to draw preliminary conclusions while ensuring consistency with the existing literature.

The next step will be to complete and present the inferential analysis. Once this has been validated by my thesis advisors, I will proceed to draft the first research article. This process will be carried out under the continuous supervision of my advisors, who will provide feedback and guidance until they deem the article ready for publication. This will allow me to successfully complete the final project for the second academic year. The expected timeframe for this process is to have the article ready for the first semester of the 2025-2026 academic year.
Despite these setbacks, this tight schedule ensures that the research remains on track and that each stage is completed thoroughly and efficiently.

Global reflection on the learning

During my third year of my PhD, I have continued to face new challenges and opportunities that have enriched my academic journey. As I progress in my research, I have strengthened my skills in data analysis, research ethics, and participation in academic services, thus consolidating my development as a researcher.

One of the most relevant aspects of this year has been my training in statistical tools. In particular, the Jamovi course has allowed me to improve my understanding of basic statistical concepts and their practical applications. What I value most about this tool is its ease of use and its ability to simplify data analysis. However, I am still in a learning phase and continue to explore its functionalities with the support of online resources and the use of artificial intelligence. I would recommend Jamovi to those looking for an accessible alternative for data analysis without advanced knowledge of R or SPSS.

Another important milestone this year was my participation in the research ethics seminar taught by David Font. This seminar was essential for understanding the procedures required for data collection within the regulatory framework. Key topics were addressed, such as Ethics Committee approval, compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and the importance of informed consent. Although I did not have to collect data personally, I did need to request authorization from the competent authorities to access information from the Desk-Cohort project. This process proved to be more agile due to the project’s connection with the UOC, although the wait time was long due to data processing.

I also participated in the seminar «Data Analysis Applying AI Algorithms in Psychology and Education» on April 3rd. This seminar gave me the opportunity to learn about another AI tool, WEKA, which is used for data mining and machine learning, combining accessibility and robustness in data analysis. WEKA has been used in market research to segment customers and predict consumer trends (Ramos, 2025). It’s a free tool, accessible to all experience levels, and can upload data in CSV format, which is then converted to ARFF format for use in the tool. This is crucial in my thesis program, as I handle data in that format. Furthermore, WEKA allows data and variables to be associated using the APRIORI rule, which only works with categorical variables, which predominate in my research. It also facilitates the generation of charts, histograms, and the exploration of patterns, such as correlations and trends in the data.

Regarding the progress of my research, I have completed a descriptive analysis of data on sugary beverage consumption among adolescents in Catalonia during the 2021-2022 period. This analysis represents a significant step in my research and lays the groundwork for future phases of research.

Furthermore, I have had the opportunity to participate in the development of the curriculum for the «Collective Catering» course for the Bachelor’s Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics at the UOC. This work, carried out between December 2024 and March 2025, has been especially meaningful for me, as it has allowed me to translate some of the knowledge acquired in my doctoral thesis into a training context. My research on adolescent sugary drink consumption has highlighted the influence of the school environment on eating habits, which led me to reflect on the importance of collective catering in promoting healthy eating.

Looking back, my third year of my doctoral program has been a period of consolidation in various aspects of my training. I have strengthened my knowledge of statistics, delved deeper into research ethics, and made progress in my academic output. Despite the challenges, I have managed to maintain a proactive attitude and continue my development as a researcher. In the coming months, I hope to continue building on these lessons learned and advance into the next phases of my research, with the goal of achieving my academic and professional goals.

Future planned activities

For the next year, I plan to continue advancing my doctoral research, focusing on the next phases of data analysis and preparing the manuscript for publication. My primary goal is to advance my thesis, ensuring that key findings are strategically disseminated through high-impact journals.

In addition, I will participate in a research conference where I will present my project. The presentation will focus on the study design, methodology, and the relevance of my research on adolescent sugary beverage consumption. I will not reveal specific results, as journal publication will be prioritized. This event will provide an opportunity for academic exchange, feedback, and networking with experts in the field.

Additionally, I plan to participate in the training course on «Publishing Research Data in the Research Data Repository (RDR),» scheduled for October 22, 2025. This course will expand my knowledge of open science practices and data sharing, ensuring compliance with institutional and ethical guidelines for research data management.

Throughout the year, I will remain committed to completing my research plan, addressing any challenges that may arise, and maintaining a proactive approach to academic and professional development.