Principal Investigator: Laura O'Reilly
Faculty Sponsor (if applicable): Shaka Mcglotton
Title: Grandpa vs. Grand Daughter Blogging Experiment
Date: March 20, 2008
Goals of the Research. Describe the goals of the proposed research.
The goal of this research project is to compare and contrast how my 70 year old grandfather and my 8 year old sister interact with computers, and document the process of teaching both of them how to keep a blog. Through my study I would like to relate what I'm learning in my "Computers and Culture" class to real life subjects who will be answering questions related to the field of study and document their process through blogging, drawing pictures and answering questions on film.
Subjects. Who will the subjects be? How many will there be? How will they be obtained? Will they be compensated in any way for their participation?
The two main subjects will be my Grandfather George and my little sister Emily. Both subjects will be filmed in their homes. I may interview additional seniors and small children to increase the range of responses to my computer questionnaire, and use the additional subjects to edit into a montage sequence. George and Emily will be the main subjects, the additional subjects would be George's senior citizen friends that live in his building and hang out in his backyard. I may also interview my younger brother and sister Briana and or some of Emily's friends. The total number of subjects may range from 2-10 people. I will obtain the footage by filming the subjects in their homes or out side in playgrounds or backyards. There will be no monetary compensation for their participation.
Materials and Procedure. Describe the materials to be used in the research; these include tests, questionnaires, and stimulus materials presented to the subjects (e.g., perceptual arrays, texts to be read by the subjects, etc.). If you have created a questionnaire specifically for this research, it should be included as an Appendix to the proposal. Describe the procedure for collection of data. For experimental research, be sure to describe what the subject will be asked to do.
The materials used in the research will be my video camera used to record the learning and interview process, computers, paper and crayons and photo camera to take pictures of subjects artwork created in relation to the experiment. I will be asking a list of questions at the beginning and end of the study to be able to compare and contrast the development made throughout the course of the study, and see how the subjects feelings have changed or stayed the same concerning computers. I will be asking the subjects to maintain weekly blogs documenting their progress, feelings, frustrations and ideas regarding blogging. I may give differently weekly assignments and have them post their responses on the blog. The subjects will also be asked to draw pictures through out the study expressing their feelings about computers, and I will teach them how to scan and upload the pictures onto their blog. Once a week I will be giving both subjects a lesson on using the computer, and be teaching them how to use the internet, blog, upload pictures, videos etc. The goal is by the end of the study to edit the footage from the experiment and the content generated by the subjects on the blog into a short documentary style film as my final project for my "Computers and Culture" class.
Risks to Subjects. Are there any known risks to the subjects? Risks are not limited to physical harm or risk of legal consequences; they include emotional upset, embarrassment, and damage to reputation, career or financial status. How severe are these risks? How likely are they to occur? Is there another way to do the research that avoids these risks altogether?
I don't think their are any risks to the subjects. I have spoken to my Dad and Step Mother and received full permission to film and use my sister Emily as a participant in this research project. The only risk I could see is Emily being exposed to inappropriate material on the internet if she was doing research in relation to trying to get material for her blog, but I don't think this will be a problem because she has filters on the aol account she uses, set with parental controls and she will be supervised by her parents. This is the only risk I could envision, and I don't think it's likely of happening with the parental controls set on her computer.
Benefits. What benefits are to be derived from this research? What will you learn from doing this research that will be of benefit to the subject or to others?
The benefits to the subjects is that they will become much more comfortable with using the computer and internet. They will learn tools for expressing their individual voices online through the creative process of blogging. For my grandfather George this research project will be of great benefit because he has no idea how to use his computer, and has been very lonely and isolated since my grandmother passed away. I think that being able to utilize the internet in connecting with his family members and other seniors online would give him something to look forward to and give him a sense of independence that he needs to help lift him from his depression. As for my little sister she will certainly become quite an advanced little 8 year old, and this project will equip her with tools beyond her years and help her get ahead later in life.
Procedures for Obtaining Informed Consent. How will you insure that your subjects understand what you are asking them to do, are participating voluntarily, and are aware of their rights? Please note that, in addition to the consent of the subjects themselves, the Informed Consent of a parent or legal guardian is needed if your subjects are minors under the age of 18, or are not considered competent to give informed consent. The Statement of Informed Consent should be included as an Appendix to the proposal.
Informed consent has been obtained from both subjects and guardians and they are fully aware of the process and involvement of being participants in my study.
Procedures for Protecting Subject Confidentiality. How will you insure that your subjects' confidentiality is protected? Who will see the data? Where will the data be stored? If it is necessary to retain the subjects' names or other identifiers, how will you insure that their responses cannot be linked to identifying information?
The data will be used in an educational setting, and the audience will be my class mates and teacher. I will be uploading clips from the footage that I will be gathering on to YOUTUBE to be able to document my process on my blog for class. The subjects will be fully informed of where the footage is being used and who is seeing it. There is no real personal information that will be given out in the data, home addresses and such will not be released. Due to the nature of being filmed, and that the footage will be uploaded to the internet and viewed in my class, the participants and the guardians are aware of full scope of this research project and have agreed to it's terms. There is no need to protect confidentiality beyond the home addresses and personal information that could be used to harm subjects ( which I will make sure is not released in any way shape or form).
Procedures for Debriefing and Aftercare. Describe what provisions you will make to insure that your subjects suffer no lasting effects as a result of participation in your research. Include provisions for professional care if there is any risk of lasting consequences.
The possible lasting effects as a result of participation in my research is that the subjects continue to blog and utilize the internet to create their own experience and expression. I don't see any need for professional care or risk of negative effects- other then over use of the computer- which can be solved by turning the machine off.
