The benefits can be enormous.
Archibold, Randall. (1999, January). As Parents Sweat, 4th Graders Cram for New Test. New York Times, v148 i51397, p. A1
Bracey, G. W. (1992, February). Predicting school success for at-risk children. Phi Delta Kappan, v73 i6, p. 492.
Phelan, Patricia; Davidson, Ann Locke; Cao, and Hanh Thanh. (1992, May). Speaking up: students’ perspectives on school. Phi Delta Kappan, v73 n9, p.695(9).
The following academic journal resources all utilized effective qualitative research methods. This report will identify and describe the approaches and methods taken in these studies to achieve the qualitative research.
The Research Design Symposium is meeting for the last time. The goal of this meeting will be to consider the value of qualitative research. The methodologies used in the studies above address the needed research concerning the matter of standardized tests and the causal relationship they have with anxiety. The approaches that will be discussed are ethnography, phenomenology, and field research. The methods that will be discussed are participant observation, direct observation, and unstructured interviewing.
The term ethnography comes from the field of anthropology. The purpose of this research approach is to study an entire culture. Typically, when one thinks of culture, we immediately think of ethnicity and perhaps location globally. However, recent studies have broadened this understanding to include “any” group or organization regardless of previously mentioned ideologies. The approach of ethnography is most common with the method of participant observation. However, the study listed above did not utilize this method. In fact, the method that the study used was unstructured interviewing. Unstructured interviewing involves direct interaction. The most important aspect about this method is that it does not possess a formal structured instrument or protocol. The interviewer is very “free” to move the conversation as he/she sees fit. I can understand why this method would be used to address research that involves ethnic difference. Sometimes researchers feel the need to direct the interview so that the participant does not feel manipulated and also so that the participant does not become offended by the interviewers assumptions or questions. Although this method is usually more difficult to interpret the interviewed data (because of its lack of structure), it is the broad undertaking that makes this method appropriate for the study.
The second study that used qualitative research used different approaches and different methods. The approach used was phenomenology. This approach has a long history and can be closely linked to the field of Philosophy. However, the purpose of this approach is to emphasize a focus on the participant’s experiences and interpretations of his/her environment. Additionally, the researcher would use this approach to better understand how the world is seen through the eyes of another person. This approach is to establish a “perception” and how the research supports or changes this perception. The method used in this study was direct observation. The researcher used video cameras to observe the phenomenon. The purpose of this method is to observe certain controlled sampled situations. Also, this method is not as long as other methods, and therefore, it tends to be more focused than other types of observations (participant observations). The researcher in this instance is not taking part in this experiment. His/her entire purpose is to be a ghost. Direct observation attempts to keep a distance so as not to bias the observations. For example, on reality shows currently on television, would the participants act different if they didn’t know that they were being watched by millions of people?
The final study mentioned earlier uses the approach of field research. Field research is very broad. The purpose of this approach is to gather qualitative data. Examples of this type of data include in-depth interviewing, direct observation, and written documentation. The researcher embodies himself/herself into the environment of the research. The researcher relies heavily on field notes and extensive use of coding.
The method used in the final study was direct observation. Oddly enough, field research is closely related to the method of participant observation. Participant observation is considered the most common methods of qualitative research. The most important aspect of effective participant observation is that the researcher must be engulfed in the context. It is almost as if the researcher is “under-cover”. The researcher must plan on spending years gathering data. He/she must also be willing to be wait until he/she is accepted within this culture or environment. The acceptance of the researcher is important for the researcher to observe the natural phenomenon as it happens. The researcher becomes a part of the research. This method is very extensive and thorough. This data may also be interpreted later in the form of a “case study”, which is also a qualitative method not used in the three studies presented.
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Shwachman-Diamond America awards grants up to $10,000 for Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome Research. Some larger grants are also available through this 501 (c) 3 non-profit group. Shwachman-Diamond America not only supports Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome research, but it also supports Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome Education.
Shwachman-Diamond America's Mission:
- Fund and promote research in all aspects of SDS.
- Disseminate current medical literature to families and physicians.
- Help fund the biennial International Congress on SDS.
- Facilitate the development of a medical management plan.
- Promote parent education through a family support network.
If you are a researcher and are interested in submitting a grant proposal for an Alex Turnquist Memorial Research Grant, the following are the guidelines:
Shwachman-Diamond America awards Alex Turnquist Memorial Research grants up to $10,000. Grant proposals are accepted throughout the year. SDA does not have a grant request form.
Shwachman-Diamond America requires that the grant proposal be in writing and include the following:
- Name of Applicant, Principal investigator, project title and summary of proposed investigation (include specific aims, significance and background, any preliminary studies...)
- A detailed description of your hypothesis/hypotheses and proposed methodologies
- Relevance of the research to Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome
- Biographical information on the principal investigator and co-principal investigator, if relevant
- A detailed budget sheet (grants are available up to $10,000)
- Statement of facilities available
- A starting date for the project
General Conditions for the Awarding of Alex Turnquist Memorial Research Grants:
- The board wishes to receive periodic progress reports. They need not be lengthy. These reports will help Shwachman-Diamond America give updates to our donors, allow evaluation of progress by our medical advisor and assist SDA in future fundraising efforts.
- Any publications distributed as a result of your research should give proper reference to Shwachman-Diamond America.
You can submit a grant proposal by emailing the Word or PDF file to: shwachmandiamondamerica@embarqmail.com or via regular mail:
Shwachman-Diamond America
931-B South Main Street #332
Kernersville, NC 27284
If you need more information, you can visit the Shwachman-Diamond America website or contact Pattie Curran at 336-423-8158.
What is Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome?
Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome (SDS), first described in 1964, is a rare, genetic (autosomal recessive), multi-systemic disorder affecting the pancreas, bone marrow, and skeleton. The most common symptoms are pancreatic dysfunction (malabsorption), low neutrophil count and short stature. Other organs may also be involved in some SDS patients. Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome affects people differently and not all people with SDS have all of these symptoms. In Infancy, the first symptoms are usually loose, foul smelling, greasy stools and failure to gain weight and grow normally. The pancreas fails to produce the enzymes essential to digest food properly. Because of the exocrine pancreatic dysfunction (malabsorption), the child does not absorb enough nutrients, most commonly the fat-soluble vitamins, to grow and develop normally. Oral enzyme replacement therapy helps these children to digest their food, but many still need to take special vitamin supplements. Improving nutritional status does not necessarily improve the growth of children with Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome.
The bone marrow, where blood cells are produced, is also affected in Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome. White blood cells, which fight infection, are most commonly affected. Neutropenia is the most common hematological abnormality in SDS, though all blood cell lines may be affected. Anemia and blood clotting problems are also common in SDS patients. Because of the bone marrow dysfunction, these children are at a greater risk of developing life-threatening infections. Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome is considered to be a bone marrow failure syndrome, because up to 30% of these children will develop leukemia or aplastic anemia.
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Researchers are currently testing an artificial blood on unconscious patients and this is creating an ethics debate. The artificial blood is called PolyHeme and is made by Northfield Laboratories. Ethicists have weighed in on both sides of the ethics question.
The artificial blood has been tested in earlier hospital studies and most have shown it to be safe. However, there was one study on PolyHeme that was halted after 10 of 81 patients given it had heart attacks and two died. None of those receiving standard treatment had a heart attack. Those who are concerned about the ethics of the current study have pointed out that no one is being informed of this study.
The research on artificial blood works this way. The community where the testing is to be done is informed by researchers about the study. Those who do not wish to be part of the study in case they have a serious accident can opt to wear a special bracelet. If paramedics see no bracelet, they open a sealed envelope that tells them to give either a standard saline solution or the artificial blood. The artificial blood continues to be given for 12 hours once the patient reaches the hospital. There are several ethics problems posed by the research. In the first place, the community is really not being well informed about the existence of the test on artificial blood.
In 1996 Congress passed a law that allows a bypass of the rules on informed consent when dealing with an emergency, potentially life saving research. Supporters point out that PolyHeme, the artificial blood, could save as many as 100,000 lives a year in the U.S. Dr. Richard Garnellie says we don’t ask permission to commence CPR and that the ethics of testing artificial blood falls in the same area. “We kind of have a social contract to do the right thing already.”
Kelly Fryer-Edwards who studies ethics at the University of Washington Medical Center says that it would be difficult to find people to volunteer for a study of trauma patients because people don’t like to think about being in an accident. However, she feels that the attempt has been made to get informed consent. “You’re putting the responsibility on the person who wants to opt out…you have respected their autonomy by giving them that choice.” She feels that emergency research makes all approaches to research ethics go out the window—protecting subjects, getting informed consent.
Vera Sharaw, president of the Alliance for Human Research Protection is opposed to the research on artificial blood on ethical grounds. She says the study “is another one along that slippery slope that’s essentially demolishing your individual right not to become experimental subjects unless we give prior, voluntary, informed, comprehending consent.” She feels that the people who want to be in the study should be the ones wearing the bracelets.
Nancy King of the University of North Carolina has a third ethics concern. She agrees with those who support the experiment to use artificial blood in the field where blood can’t be typed. However she is opposed to its continued use for twelve hours after the patient has reached the hospital where it takes 20 to 30 minutes to type blood. She points out that giving human blood is the current standard of treatment once the patient reaches the hospital.
Several ethicists have pointed out that those most likely to be subjects of the research are from disadvantaged communities.
The University of California at San Diego School of Medicine has come up with the following questions for those interested in the ethics of research into artificial blood in emergency situations:
1. What ethical issues does this case raise for the process of informed consent?
2. Was the waiver of consent that exists for research involving emergency treatment appropriate in this case and if so, why?
3. From the community standpoint, who speaks for the interest of (potential) participants? Should more have been done to ensure their safety and well being and, if so, what?
4. In what circumstances, if any, is it ethically acceptable to draw a disproportionate share of its subjects from a disadvantaged community?
These are all good, difficult questions that should be answered by anyone interested in the ethics of giving artificial blood in emergency situations.
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You will let search engines know that you created a new content.
So you've been blogging for awhile. You started with Blogger because it was easy and it was free.
But now, you want to expand your readership, have more flexibility, and look more professional. You've heard great things about WordPress, but you aren't sure you can handle making the leap.
Let me tell you, it's really, really easy, and here's how you can do it in just a few steps.
1. Buy a domain and hosting - There are multiple options for this. I have hosted with GoDaddy in the past, and was always pleased with them. My current host is DreamHost, and I couldn't be happier with them. They have lots of great features, including automatic installation of WordPress, with multiple templates.
Whatever host you choose, make sure that they are WordPress compatible. You will also need to have at least one database, as WordPress is MySql driven. I know that sounds complicated, but it doesn't have to be. Just ask the host if they support WordPress. Usually, it will show right on the features that they are.
Especially if you've never installed WordPress before, go with a host that offers automatic installation. GoDaddy offers it with many of their hosting packages. You just go into your Hosting Control Center, and choose the options to have it installed. DreamHost offers it with their hosting as well. And many, many other hosts offer WordPress hosting, because it's a very popular option.
2. Install WordPress - This will vary depending on your host. If you went with GoDaddy, DreamHost, or any of the other hosting companies that offer a WordPress installation option, then just follow their directions for getting it installed.
3. Choose your theme - There are so many themes to choose from with WordPress. Just do a search for "free WordPress themes" on Google, and you'll find thousands of site. DreamHost installations of WordPress come with dozens of themes ready for you to use. You can also pay to have a theme custom made to fit your needs.
4. Notify your readers - Post on your Blogger blog that you're going to be migrating to WordPress. Tell them your new domain name, and let them know that you'll be moving all posts and comments over there, and to change their feeds to follow the new blog.
5. Import your Blogger posts to WordPress - WordPress 2.7 makes this oh so easy. Once your WordPress installation is all setup (you'll get notification from your host that it's done within just a few minutes of you requesting the install), login to /wp-admin using your username and password. Go to Tools -> Import. Click on the Blogger option (or whatever your current weblog is). Just follow the directions! You'll input your blogspot blog link, and other information, and it will begin the import immediately.
6. Start posting in WordPress!
That's it! The import will copy all your posts from your Blogger blog to your new WordPress blog, including all comments that were made, and all categories that you've created for your blog. You can begin posting in WordPress, and have fun with all the wonderful themes and plugins that are out there!
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