Research Students Take One
I think what was most exciting
about involving students in this
research was that it not just helped
to answer my research question for
my masters but it allowed us to
bring several communities into
the research project.
So not only did I answer my research
question but there is enough data there
to make that information meaningful
for the rest of the community.
So we got a great sample that
we can then generalize to other
communities who are trying to
decide the best approach when
providing abuse prevention education.
Funny bloopers of students and then students introduce themselves
There were potentially so many
confounding variables.
Without 6 research students,
one I would not have been able to
have as many research participants
and two we couldn't have been to adapt
and flex to the huge changes in schedules
between snow days and sick day and transportation issues.
It was interesting to see how people with the same diagnosis varied on a continuum
Facilitating and developing the control group gave me creative freedom
Worked with a wide range of people with developmental disabilities
I enjoyed being able to teach and watch growth in the people involved
Having a tool that measured people's improvement and knowing that I had a direct impact on
their learning outcome
Learning about statistics
Scheduling conflicts
We worked one to one with people because they missed their transportation
We completed testing in different locations than originally planned to accommodate for
medical appointments, transportation difficulties and sick days
Communication
We looked for alternative ways to communicate, aside from verbal language
We maintained maximum involvement for people who didn't use words to communicate
Topic of abuse
We dealt with abuse disclosure then debriefed and supported each other on
the topic
Sensitive and emotionally charged topic
Repetitive content
Collectively delivered testing over 200 times
Delivered curriculum 6 times
We needed to keep content interesting and engaging
Quickly determined where the gaps were and how to fill them
Figured out who needed extra help and were able to provide them with one to one
support
Equally volunteered to take on extra tasks
Handling conflicts
Addressed conflicts promptly so that they do not affect our research
Ample opportunity for networking
Saw how different communities agencies ran and saw a variety of staff involvement
Opportunity to teach abuse prevention education to people with developmental disabilities
Varied hours based on the day and the task at hand
We all developed a valued role
The project could not happen successfully without you there.
Your teammates depended on you
You had to fully commit to the research
There was a lot of extra work that needed to be put in
Observing medication administration
Personal care
Ability to develop a deeper rapport with people
The amount of confidence I have in myself
I am more flexible than I thought I could be
I am able to communicate more effectively one on one
I get over attached to the people I work with and take work home with me
I like to plan and organize things but I also like to be able to implement them
Overcoming communication barriers
Dealing with abuse disclosures
Not being able to answer people's questions about abuse during testing
The topic of abuse
Document my experience as I went. It's a unique experience and
it would be nice to be able to look back on my reflections
I would take advantage of the time we did get off
Teach abuse related topics instead of the control group
I wouldn't do anything different, I loved the diverse experience
We've learned from our mistakes and learned from each other
There will always be bumps in the road, but those are learning opportunities for us
It will benefit you professionally, educationally and personally
Don't go into it with preconceived notions
It's not about sitting behind a computer and researching stats and other information.
It's about creating the stats yourself. It can be fun and exciting
Go into it with an open mind. It's a rare opportunity that you
might not get the chance to participate in again
Don't be afraid to take advantage of the supports you have
Unique
Eventful
Unified
Impressive
Enriching
Accomplished
That attrition rate is unheard of,
and to be able to have 80 (sorry 75 people)
involved in research with an intellectual disability
quite frankly you're not going to find that anywhere else,
because the ability that sample size is huge and
unless you have a big group of people and a
big group of people who can be flexible and adaptable.
Credits