6512ltblog

[6512ltblog]

Final Reflection

One of the most challenging aspects of adulthood is navigating the unknown. Throughout life, one will construct meaning to their life through lived and experiences. As life progresses, novel happens can become routine events that can be navigated based on prior experiences. As drivers gain greater confidence behind the wheel with more experience on the road, repeating life events can provide some level of certainty or ease of access with time. However – like driving – prior experiences may not equip one with the skills or knowledge to navigate a novel event.

This semester brought many unexpected happenings that derailed what was intended to be a spring semester for making significant headway in moving the dissertation work forward. Personal and familiar events can quickly reshape all of the planning to engage in deep academic pursuits. Doctoral programs can have safeguards in place to ensure that students are continuously moving along in their academic journey with mentors, a major professor, and caring faculty who are committed to student success. However, even ambitious students can quickly become overwhelmed my unplanned events in and out of the academic setting. Students can also sideline their own success through a lack of communication with their mentors and professors when navigating such events. Anecdotally, doctoral students must have the commitment and drive to complete their academic pursuits until their dissertation is approved. Students with discipline to complete their program will return to their course of study and make meaning of prior novel events to plan and prepare preventative measures for navigating future novel events, and employ strategies when facing future obstacles.

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Students who intend to employ qualitative approaches in their research have an exhaustive list of considerations for the design, implementation, and analysis of qualitative research methods. When designing a research plan, researchers that have spent time becoming familiar with the area of interest (e.g., founding papers and theories, major contributions, current trends, etc.) can consider prior researcher and their potential contributions when considering a research method that will best support their area of investigation. A researcher seeking to gain insight on the attitudes and perceptions of technology users for a given domain with limited prior research may benefit from initially performing a quantitative study that can be replicated to expand the area of knowledge on the topic. On the contrary, a researcher seeking to explore how a generation or culture defines a social phenomenon as ‘culture moment’ or ‘icon’ (e.g., a major social event or influential individual) may develop credibility through in-depth interviews and follow-up interview with research participants. In both scenarios, the researcher must assess the state of their area of interest and their desired contributions to the area when considering a methodology. Additionally, other factors like make up of the research team and theoretical framework are also things a researcher must consider when developing their research action plan.

When implementing a methodology with qualitative elements, researchers must carefully design a methodology that is appropriate to the context of their study and provides an avenue where the research participants are comfortable and uninfluenced to provide meaningful responses for the researcher to building qualitative findings. Researchers have factors like the modality (e.g., virtual, in-person, phone, on-/off-site, etc.), setting (e.g., one-on-one interviews, focus groups, etc.), and recording (e.g., pen and paper, voice recorder, digital notes, etc.) are all items that can shape the outcome and reach of a study. When selecting any of the factors, researchers should consider the how any of the aforementioned can restrict or expand the responses of participants (e.g., generational differences, location demographics, time of day for participants to engage in the research activity, etc.). Additionally, researchers should prepare for qualitative activities by diligently working with the research team and other researchers who can provide alternative perspectives, highlight potential pitfalls, and provide other items to consider prior to interacting with research participants. Each research activity, including replication studies, must be thoughtfully planned and executed align with the research objective and also having the best interests of the research participants in mind.

After a researcher or research team conducts a research study using qualitative methods, a credible analysis can be achieved through iterative and recursive processes throughout the analysis phase. Ensuring the accuracy of the participant responses, researchers can rely on several techniques such as independent and group review and re-review, member checks with research participants to confirm or clarify statements or responses, and self-reflection and reviewing self-reflection entries written throughout the research process, to generate a meaningful and accurate representation of the research corpus (e.g., the oral, written, or documented responses from research participants). Researchers also concurrently revisit the theoretical and conceptual framework that influenced the design of the study to ensure that the interpretation aligns with the intended focus, even if the finding on provide insight on the topic area and recommendations for future studies. Similar to human existence, research on a given area is ongoing and has the potential to be redefined by human existence. Through this perspective, researchers can be position themselves with endless opportunities to inquire and contribute to an area of study.  

[6512ltblog]

Week 6 Reflection

Prompt:

What topic of inquiry are you most interested in for your dissertation as of today? Why?

After these activities, do you feel the scope is sufficiently narrow/broad to address a question of sufficient magnitude to serve in this capacity? Explain.

Reflection:

As of today, 3/16/2025, I am interested in completing my dissertation on the topic of technostress. Technostress, in short, is a perception of being unable to cope with information and communication technologies (ICT). Technologies are everywhere and in almost every facet of life. Some technologies are simple, while other technologies are complex. Some technologies are used more frequently than other, and the frequency of use can change over time. There is so much to learn about the less desirable outcomes associated with using technologies, particularly, when it can be desirable by way of modifications of design, training, support, or guidance on how to use the technologies. Completing the exercises in LTEC 6512 is beneficial to refining the topic of inquiry into a focus that is reasonable to be a dissertation topic. Each exercise brings more clarity to the direction of the dissertation topic. Reflecting on the topic, more thought has been given to the many ways the data can be collected from those who will participate in the study. For example, adding qualitative methods quantitative methods will enhance the data and provide additional context which may lead to more additional findings and recommendations for future research. At this time, additional review and considerations still need to be made prior to selecting the final topic of inquiry to move forward in further outlining specifics of the proposed dissertation topic.

[6512ltblog]

Week 4 Reflection

Prompt:

How open do you feel you are to different theoretical models that are used for instructional design of learning activities?

For example, you may be confronted with being asked to conduct a study that requires a theoretical model that you are not comfortable with; would you be able to do so?

Perhaps you are a hardcore social constructivist and you have been asked to conduct a qualitative study of the implementation of a learning system that is primarily from the Positivist information processing paradigm.

If you are comfortable doing it, describe how would you approach reconciling your worldview (epistemology) with incompatible available methods to conduct the research? If not, how would you explain why you are unable?

Reflection:

A researcher can collaborate on a research project using any theoretical model within the right context with adequate planning, introspection, and support from the other research team members. Researchers develop and refine their inquiry skills as they train to become a researcher. The skills used to inquire about a given topic an be applied to familiar and unfamiliar areas of study. Researcher can become more familiar with an area by learning about the development of a model, its evolution and advancement over time, top scholars on the model, along with getting context from other research team members. If the researcher is familiar with the model, but use another model, the researcher can allocate time to refresh their knowledge and reflect on their assumptions, biases, and simply challenge their line of thinking by rationalizing the alternative perspective. The researcher will greatly benefit from continuous feedback and consultation of members of the research team with more experience using the theoretical model. This will protect the integrity of the study and ensure that misinterpretations or processes not aligned with the target model will be address before being too removed from the study design. Through the reflection process, the researcher will may clarity on their understanding of the theoretical model and may also gain new knowledge about the model and confidence to conduct research with the model in the future.

[6512ltblog]

Week 3 Reflection

Prompt:

What are some of the things you are concerned about ethically with using technology to teach or conduct research that we did not talk about?

How might you address these?

Think deeply and try to avoid surface level responses.

Reflection:

I am most concerned about ethically the collection of biometric data when using technology. My concern is over the potential for the data to be sold to 3rd parties and for the quality and internal controls for regarding the storage of this biometric data. Biometric data is likely more readily collected than any tech user is aware. While many individuals use different wearable technologies to track and monitor their health and/or accessing their machines, my concern is that a bad actor or entity can engage in unethical behaviors to access and utilize this data beyond what a general user may be aware of.

Wearable technologies collect all kinds of biometric data. This can be a primary purpose for some devices. Technology companies sell watches, ring, bracelets, etc., that can collect data like a user’s heartrate, hear rate variability, oxygen level, and body temperature, just to name a few. These devices provide consumers with recaps of their physiological changes throughout the day, and can spot trends over time. Outside of such devices, other devices like smartphones, also use technologies like retina and facial recognition software, and fingerprint readers that provide faster access to a user’s device. While it is convenient, these metrics all become data that is stored and maintained about users. Wearable medical devices also exist that collect users’ data for medical purposes. Qualifying eligible patients needing a sleep study can now take a device home and get the sleep study results without the need to sleep in a sleep lab. Dermatology patients can upload photos to a health management system for a dermatologist to monitor the progress of a sleep therapeutic. Such technological advances have increased the convenience of biometric data collection and have increased the number of everyday citizens using such devices.

While there are plenty of benefits to such biometric data, there is also the opportunity for unethical uses that put the safety and privacy of users at risk. First, any entity that stores this data has some level of risk of a bad actor accessing the information. This could be through an unfortified area relating to the security, or by way of someone working on the inside. Second, entities could unethically sell the data or use it as a leverage with another entity for a business transaction. Finally, the data could be used for a profit or means to create additional profit. For example, a healthcare company may assess the data of a patient to justify charging a higher rate of service or insurance by deeming a patient as unhealthy or high-risk. Over time, collecting more and more of this data may create unique profiles for individual users. With more and more data, and the uniqueness of each user’s lifestyle, one may argue that big biometric data can be considered personally identifiable information (PII).

Moving forward in time, researchers, policymakers, and through advocacy and accountability of everyday citizens, a push towards creating policies and practices that safeguard and promote the sensitivity of biometric data, may reduce the likelihood of negative long-term outcomes for users of devices that collect biometric data. Additionally, while legality of these devices is spelled out in the user’s terms and agreement, there is a need to more visibly and simply state what a user is agreeing to when using these devices.

[6512ltblog]

Week 2 Reflection

When collecting data, researchers may believe they have discovered beliefs, norms, perceptions, attitudes, understandings of different realities, etc. However, as an active participant and primary instrument in the research process, the researcher must acknowledge that all information is filtered through their lived experience, which goes beyond their training as a researcher. Any given aspect of the research process has the potential ping a mental cue from a schema whereas any relatable items may bring forth a prior memory to the surface and impact the research experience. Therefore, it is critical that researchers closely reflect and examine their position, stance, understanding (or lack thereof) of a happening that occurs as they account for all of the aforementioned during a given research project. Researchers can examine the validity of their research through thoughtful reflection, dialogue with qualified investigators and applicable observants and possible participants, reexamination of existing literature. With any research project, research can first disclose their biases and assumptions, bringing forth any preconceived notions and beliefs. Second – while unsettling – researchers can also come to find out that the hypothesis may have to be rejected, and that while a new discovery may not come about, that their research can still add value in providing insights for future researchers. Next, given the nature of qualitative research, bringing together a research team with a view and values on a continuum can support a researcher in challenging assumptions, offering alternative perspectives, and adding to the diversity of thought, all of which can bring clarity to a researcher or research project. Additionally, have a deep understanding of qualitative research methods will better position a researcher to have the skillset in collecting rich descriptives and field notes to synthesize and encapsulate the experiences of the research participants. Collectively, these efforts can shape the authenticity of the research and strengthen the rigor of a project.

[6512ltblog]

Week 1 Reflection

Week 1 Reflection

Prompt:

What you think about qualitative research at this point starting out the semester.

Do you have a positive or negative view? Is this form of research interesting to you?

Reflection:

Prior to the first class meeting, I had a general understanding that qualitative research was focused more on attitudes and perceptions, themes, and rich descriptive data. After the first class meeting, I came to an understanding that qualitative research can also include survey research whereas numerical values assigned to a given Likert items more simply assign a level of perception or an attitudes to a given area within a scale item. Receiving the first lecture in the class meeting, I have a wider understanding over qualitative research as I begin my coursework and assigned readings for this course. I have continue to have neutral thoughts about research as I progress throughout the program. Though I consider myself novice, I am building my knowledge on research and approaching new concept and theories with a growth mindset. As of this writing, both qualitative and quantitative research methods spark my interest. It is easy for me to imagine multiple methods being incorporated in future research, and in my dissertation. My goal is to leave this class having contributed to the literature on a topic related to my areas of interests, develop greater knowledge on qualitative research methods, continue to build a blueprint for the methodology section of my dissertation.