Researcher Identity, Assumptions & Ethics (& SITE Fair) H397 Sept 8, :30-5:30PM

Goals What are our research areas & motivation? – Assumptions – Bias Thinking like a researcher – Theories, Hypotheses – Ethics Site Fair

Identifying Assumptions

What are your research interests? – What motivates you to pursue this interest? Certainty & knowledge – What convictions do you have about your research? – What are the assumptions you make about your field of study? – Who do you feel you know that is certain about your field? What is considered “common sense” in your field? What feels “universal?” Authorities and Sources of Knowledge – Who are the authorities in my field? – What makes them authorities? – Why do I believe them? Data Quality – What kind of data do you tend to believe? Why? – What sources of data are suspicious to you? Why? – What are your ways of knowing? – What type of data would make you change your assumptions?

Benefits & Challenges of Researcher Types Indigenous Insider Indigenous Outsider External Insider External Outsider Are you a potential advocate for the topics and communities that are central to your work?

Going from Idea to Research Definitions: – Concept, Construct, operational definition, variable Start with 2 or 3 Concepts: What are they? – Relate them in a theory – Represent them as constructs – What are operational definitions for your constructs? – Hypotheses – Identify Variables for each construct – Identify the Unit of Analysis – What are your hypotheses or research questions?

Ethics in Research What is the “Ideal” data for your research question? What are the ethical Issues for your research area? From whom is Informed Consent necessary for your Unit of Analysis & Participants – Passive and Active Consent and Assent – Anonymity & Confidentiality Knowledge & Power

Dilemma Discussion Tearoom Trade from Chapter – What are the ethical issues? – Risks and Benefits of the study? – Your perspective.

Professional Ethics Society for Research in Child Development – American Education Research Association – al/aera.pdf al/aera.pdf American Sociological Association – American Psychological Association –

Ask at Your Site What are some of the specific ethical considerations for your site? What are the IRB risks and/or types of sensitive information collected and how is risk mitigated? What are the informed consent and data security procedures? Solid research purposefully drives out the claims of alternative worldviews –Pepper, 1942