A500.7.3.RB_TAYLORHEATHER

When it comes to research, I immediately find myself reflecting on days spent in sterile laboratories, assessing change through numerical evaluation tools.  Everything was provided a rating, a value, a score.  If it did not have a number, it was not of worth.  That was at least the mindset of those that funded the grant research.
Quantitative data lends itself to publication.  Qualitative research, while regarded by some to be of great value, did not produce the same financial results.  I find myself struggling to determine the worth of qualitative vs. quantitative research and challenge my current beliefs understanding that I am likely committing the fallacy of Appeal to the People and Appeal to the Past.
Since early childhood, I recall the experimental method.  This was a methodology that focused on controlling as many extraneous variables as possible to limit the unnatural and natural processes that may skew the final results.  The goal was creating the ultimate vacuum.  Bringing my mind back from a scene from the movie Spaceballs, I look upon this idea of historical quantitative research with irony.
To try to remove all of the natural factors that may impact the results is to create an unnatural process and one must ask themselves if they are really getting down to the nature of the research topic.  That being said, not all quantitative research is done in a laboratory with a white coat.  There were plenty of times where I conducted research while teaching students with intellectual disabilities.  I often provided observational analysis fby child psychologists.  Every instance where little Timmy or Jane would squirm in their seat or impulsively answer a question had to be charted, graphed and analyzed.  That environment was far from sterile!
Quantitative research is intended to find the "Why?" It is meant to get at the heart of a social phenomena and explain the occurrence with as little room as possible for the information to be refuted.  Perhaps that is why I find myself leaning more toward utilization of quantitative research vs. qualitative research.  Perhaps,it would be best for me to spend more time completing qualitative research to determine the worth, rather than continuing to hold a rigid view that only what can be counted counts.

A500.6.3.RB_TAYLORHEATHER

A500.6.3.RB Qualitative Research

In my relatively short life, I have been both a qualitative and quantitative researcher.  I have observed the behaviors of those within a group and provided my interpretations and perceptions of the behaviors in a qualitative manner.  I have also done highly empirical and somewhat boring experimental trials involving petri dishes, test tubes, microscopes, really expensive lab equipment and glass pipettes that would shred into pieces at the slightest wrong movement. 

In my experience, qualitative research is much more enjoyable.  Especially at the mall or any public venue.  People watching, after all, is quite amusing.  Yet, by me watching the individuals that walk by or that interact with one another, I am playing an integral part of the environment.  Whether I realize it or not, those being observed may also realize they have someone watching them.  This is a known variable at play with qualitative research, but it is still growing as a desirable method for gathering data, with the greatest benefit being the ability to minimize changes to the natural environment.

It is important to note that qualitative research requires the use of methods that are not typically utilized is the dogmatic teaching of scientific research methodology.  The use of anecdotal evidence and narrative is favored in the qualitative research method, focusing not on the number of responses to a survey, or persons that completed a desired behavior that verified the hypothesis.  Rather, qualitative research aims to capture all elements that contribute to the singular instance of observational data. 

I like to think of research like cookies.  Everyone likes cookies.  Who doesn’t like a cookie?  Maybe there is that one person that doesn’t like a cookie, but come now.  Just by hearing the word, you are already thinking of your favorite cookie.  Now, let’s get down to business.  Cookies come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, textures and tastes.  Much like research.  Some cookies are stiff and rigid, similar to rigid research methods.  Other cookies are gooey and full of flavor.  This is similar to qualitative research.  In my mind, this research would be the homemade cookie, in as natural and pure of a state as possible. 

What do I know of homemade cookies?  Well this week, I actually turned on the oven (shocking) and made a batch of homemade cookies.  I didn’t even burn the house down!  Mind you, the product ended up tasting more like cake than that of a cookie. The intent was to create as pure of a tasty treat as possible.  As with qualitative research, my homemade cookies could have been created in a purer state.  I could have had free-range chickens lay organic eggs, milked a dairy cow fed off of organic foods with no chemical additives.  I could have made my own flour, although I would have to research if that is even possible anymore.  I could have created my own finely granulated sugar from Florida canes.  Yet, if I had done all of that, I probably would have lost my interest in cooking and just become a dairy farmer.  Likewise, qualitative research tries as much as possible to encapsulate the conditions and variables at play in the data collection.  However, there is no feasible method to make sure the data collected is 100% pure. 

Similar to the taste of a homemade cookie, the thought that qualitative research is gaining support in academia is very refreshing.  There is something to be said for the analysis of real world data, of information that is collected outside of petri dishes and test tubes, and study results produced outside of paid or unpaid clinical trials.  After all, how many persons in the U.S. actively engage in clinically administered surveys and attend clinical trials? Is the data really indicative of our populace?  Food for thought, but for now…I really want some cookies!   

 

Reference

Hoepfl, M. C. (1997). Choosing Qualitative Research: A Primer for Technology Education Researchers. Journal of Technology Education, 9(1).

A500.5.3.RB_TAYLORHEATHER

When I reflect upon the weeks that have passed in this course, I realize that I have learned a lot.  Not about facts and figures.  Not about terminology that needs to be recited on an exam.  I have learned a lot about me and realized that I have a lot more to learn.
This week we are to critically think about critical thinking.  We are charged with a self-assessment of where we are compared to where we were prior to engaging in this course.  While I am not able to provide a GPS location point of where I am on the path of critical thinking, I can say that I am not where I was and I am not where I need to be.
My husband may be the best method for gathering (somewhat) objective data. Prior to initiating this course, I was mildly annoying in my relentless questioning.  At this stage in my development of critical thinking character traits, well let's just say ESPN is on quite often at the Taylor household.
When I wake up in the morning, I begin to evaluate my choices, from what I eat, to why I am choosing these foods, to how they impact my baby given my current status as a nursing mother.  I then go about my daily routine, evaluating my behaviors and my choice of words.  I question my habits and what formed them.  I ask myself if these are the traits I want to have established in my daughter as she grows.
In the workplace, I question policy.  I question decisions.  I question my contribution to the company.  I question the output of work completed.  I question how my current position will allow for professional growth.
So where am I in my development of critical thinking skills?  If the questioning that I have been doing is indicative of the same type of develop we have in early childhood, I would say I am almost ready to start school!  A two year old will incessantly ask, "Why?"  A three year old is willing to begin to learn more about the reason behind the "Why?"
The most rewarding part of this journey is that is not marked by the footprints of others along the path.  It is a journey I am on, with no competition.  There is no one on the road saying, "Now take a left here and this is what you will find."  It is a journey that is just beginning and is one that I will need to take every effort to ensure I move forward and grow.  With intellectual perseverance as my walking stick, I will continue along the path and look forward to the future.

A500.4.3.RB_TAYLORHEATHER

Dr. Sheena Iyengar explored decision making across cultures.  In her research, she focused on a decision that no parent would ever want to make.  She explored cultures where the parent is the deciding factor in when to remove a child from continued existence on life support. Dr. Iyengar researched further to understand the impact on parents when doctors made the final decision compared to when parents made that choice for their child.

This is a difficult topic to reflect upon as it brings up many memories and emotions, and as a new mom, it also brings a new perspective.  So often I wish my mom could experience being a grandmother.  Life was taken from her abruptly, without her consent.  Someone else had to make the end of life decision that ultimately resulted in her final breath.  That someone was my mother’s own family.

My mom never experienced the feelings of watching her children, my sisters, graduate from elementary school.  She never even got to see my little sister graduate from Pre-Kindergarten.  She never was able to pick out prom dresses with us, she wasn’t able to be there to help us pick out our nail polish color, whether ballet slippers or adorable, for our first manicure or pedicure.  The ability for her to help us decide on our wedding dress, our cake topper, or even naming our babies was taken all too soon.

According to the autopsy report, which is all I have to go by for how my parents really passed away, my mom was placed on life support after suffering six gunshot wounds, one close range to the head.  Even after sustaining five gunshot wounds, she was able to try to run and get help.  Police reports state that she still uttered the words, “I love my children” as a neighbor held her in his arms.  The sixth shot my dad fired rendered her unconscious and nearly lifeless.  Yet, she still was able to “live” on life support.

It was my mother’s family that had to make the final end of life decision for my mom.  Looking into my baby girl’s eyes, I cannot imagine having to decide whether to let her live or to let her die.  The flood of emotion would make it…honestly, I would be doing a disservice to those who have experienced such pain to try to express it in words.

How do you make a choice like this?  No amount of preparation can help you make such a decision.  Critical thinking skills would not help you rest peacefully knowing you are making the “right” choice.  Maybe this is why the French choose to let the physician make the final call.  Dr. Iyengar states that parents in France experience less negative emotion surrounding the death of their child as a result of physician end-of-life decision.  Why then, would Americans want to willingly go through the pain, the anguish, of being the one to decide when their child’s last breath would occur?
If my family lived with the customs of the French, would they have suffered less pain?  Would they be more upset at the doctors?  Did they need to know that they were the ones to make their own choice?  Was having a choice better?  Did they have to be the ones to decide because of Dr. Iyengar’s observation that American’s never say no to choice?

Now comes the really tough part of this reflection.  It is time for me to put myself in that position.  To cognitively move into the role of being in that hospital room watching over my mom.  Seeing her struggle.  Knowing no amount of medical care, reconstructive surgery or transplants and infusions would result in her regaining quality life.  Having a doctor look to me and ask, “When do you want to let her go?”

Would I respond with my instant thought, “Never?”  Would I choose a time for her to die?  Seeing her beautiful face and hair blood stained, her energetic body lifeless, would I be able to handle making such a choice?  Thoughts entering in of three children living their lives without a mother.  Thoughts that this sweet woman would be gone- forever.  Thoughts that her life has hardly been lived at 28 years of age and who am I to say when she will take her last breath.

As much as it would hurt, I too would want to be the one to make the final decision.  Yes, there would be guilt.  Yes, there would be doubt.  Yes, there would be negative feelings.  Yet, I would be able to feel as if there is a little bit of a choice in saying “goodbye.”

That decision had to be made 26 years ago.  Someone had to be the one to choose.  Life has not been the same since and it never will be again.  One thing does remain through it all.  “The power and purpose of choice.” (Iyengar)

Choice will be here as long as I live.  Choice will be here after I am gone.  Knowing this, I need to continue evaluating my choices every day I am here.  I need to spend time in thought and weighing how each choice will impact those influenced by my thoughts, actions and beliefs. Though all choices may not be life or death, the power of choice is not to be taken for granted.  Our decisions, especially as leaders, are ones that may impact generations to come, even after we are gone.

Iyengar, S. (2014). Shenna Iyengar: The art of choosing. [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/talks/sheena_iyengar_on_the_art_of_choosing?language=en