This is it!!

/This weekend, I'll be holed up in my computer room at home pounding out my draft of my paper.  I think I've got all the pieces. . . it's just putting it together into the final product.  Sounds easy, right?  Yikes.

More, more, more RESEARCH!

As I'm completing my interviews, I'm finding the need to do more research. Something will come up and I'll think, "Ahh.  I want to know more about that!"  or "I want to include that in my findings, but need some frame of reference."  Thus, I'm back to researching.  I thought I was at a point with the data I had collected on my topic to go forward with my lit review, but now I'm not so sure.  I think the hardest part of this whole project for me is knowing how to define my topic and keep it within a scope that I can do justice with.  (Pardon the grammar.)  Anyone else finding this? 

My last interview is tomorrow and I'm really looking forward to it.  Then one more transcription.  Yeah!!  I'm wanting to start organizing and analyzing, but feel I'd best wait until after next class to learn more about this before I begin.  At this point, I'm still looking for themes and trends in the data and think I'm finding LOTS!  Again, how to define and focus is my problem. 

Until soon, Lauren

Transcription Blues

Hour 12 now on transcribing my focus group interview--and I'm a fast typist!!  My son says, "You're STILL working on that??"  Another revelation is how people talk. . . sentences that run on forever and lots of fillers.  It looks so funny when you actually transcribe it verbatim.    I do agree with Dr. Howard that the process leads to a VERY thorough recollection of everything that was discussed.  I think I almost have it memorized!!

I've got my first individual interview today, after she had to cancel last week.  I have a new respect for researchers! Just setting up the interviews and focus groups is extremely difficult!  Don't these people realize how important it is to ME??  ha ha

Also finishing up my mash-up.  So much to do with my other two classes and work and family.  Wondering whether embarking on this program was a mistake??

Focus group went well!

My focus group earlier today went well, AND my new digital recorder worked!  (Sigh of relief:-)  Now. . . the transcribing begins. I want to do this right away while everything is fresh in my mind, such as nonverbals displayed during the conversations, etc., but finding the time is the issue.  My recorder does have an earphone option so at least I won't be keeping my family up while I'm listening and transcribing! 

My participants were very forthcoming and later all expressed gratitude to me for the opportunity to participate. (Didn't expect this:-)  They said that they rarely get the opportunity to discuss what they do in such detail and to interact with others who have similar roles.  They said the discussion was beneficial to them in that they picked up ideas for their co-workers.  The discussion also seemed to be somewhat of a bonding experience, as one of the participants was a retiree and the others hadn't seen him in some time.  The retiree actually said that discussing his former role in hospice made him miss his work and patients, and he thanked me again for the opportunity to "re-live" this part of his life.

I offered candy and had some water available.  The water seemed to be a good idea, since with all the talking, they wanted something to drink. 

Working on my scholarly lecture review and the mash-up, too.  So much to learn, so little time!!  I have so much new respect for researchers and the time/commitment involved. 

Interviews on the way!!

I had success today in setting up my focus group and first individual interview!!  I'm excited, but a bit concerned about the length of the interviews.  I've got a lot of questions and hope that the focus group participants, in particular, won't be too difficult to keep on track. 

In the meantime, I'm fine-tuning my questions based on the feedback and exercise from Saturday's class. I also did some work on my scholarly lecture report.  Busy, busy, busy!! 

Wow! Observing and learning the tough stuff.

This morning I had a particularly moving experience as I observed/participated in a hospice nurse's visit with a woman my own age who has advanced cancer and isn't expected to live more than a couple of weeks.  Tough stuff to see/experience, but the nurse did a wonderful job of communicating with the patient.  Made me truly appreciate the important role of these caregivers in helping patients deal with their impending death and all the emotions surrounding this.  I'm getting more and more comfortable in my role as an ethnographer.  I think I can even pronounce it correctly now!

IRB process --Acronym for Irritating Reseach Bumps (or Bruises)??

Well, this week has been a good learning experience regarding all the "hoops" to be jumped through for the IRB application approval.  Whew!  I appreciate, though, that the university takes this process so seriously and I am assured that whatever research is being done will be done with the utmost safety and concern for those involved in the experiments or observation. 

Also made some headway on my first paper--the one analyzing an article.  I hope to finish it later today after reviewing Dr. Howard's suggested website.

Enlightening Observation

Last week, I was able to actually observe, and found it really enlightening!  My biggest challenge is I'm choosing to not take notes during the actual process, (due to my perception that it will possibly change the dynamic of such a personal communication context).  Thus, I'm having to race back to my office and take notes on everything I've observed and heard.  I'm writing so fast and furiously that I've again developed a pad on my middle finger.  With use of keboards, I thought this baby was gone for good!  I may decide to change this tactic, depnding on how it's going. 

I appreciate the comments from my classmates. Amy, I regret that I'll not be able to attend the presentation on Oct. 5--I have class that night, sadly.  I do intend to get the audio book, though.  Great suggestion!

I've also made progress on several other fronts.  I found a great scholarly article to review and attended a scholarly lecture that I LOVED!  (Sally Roth out at New Harmony.)  I was excited that Jenny had also chosen this presentation.  Apparently, we're kindred naturalist spirits  I'm excited about everything seeming to come together and am cautiously optimistic about my progress.  I'm learning so much, but admit that the time since my undergraduate studies is becoming apparent in so many ways!  Not only have I forgotten so much, but the majority of the communication theories we're reading about weren't even presented when I was an undergrad!  I guess that shows how much this field has grown and developed in such a (relatively speaking) short amount of time. 

Narrowing Focus

Since class on Saturday, and after receiving the input on my IRB application and proposal, I've been working on narrowing my focus to make my project more workable and one that will be suited for participation/observation.  I've decided to now study "Communication Skills in Talking About Death."  This topic will incorporate some elements of physician/patient communication, but will also allow me the opportunity to observe other hospice caregivers communicating with patients and their families.  I hope to learn about how death is discussed (terms, spiritual elements, broadly, specifically, sensitively, etc.) In addition, I hope to explore variables such as whether family members are communicated with differently regarding the patient's impending death when in the presence of the patient or not.  As part of my research, I will explore training received for this skill set and whether it is viewed as adequate.  My interviews will be with health care providers to the terminally ill, including physicians, nurses, hospice spiritual care providers.

I have also sought and obtained approval from my employer to conduct this participation/observation. 

I feel better about my project, and look forward to beginning my participation observation in the next day or two!  I realize this may sound "odd"--looking forward to observing people talking about death, but I am passionate about promoting quality end-of-life experiences.  When one has seen the extremes of this first-hand, it becomes an important value, and one you want to share with others.  I hope all of my classmates will learn something from my research!

Now to get to the revision of my IRB and the Library assignment. . . ONWARD!! 

Change of heart

I decided to do an about face on my research topic.  After reading more on how to approach this project, I thought:  why not look at what's right under my nose and what is close to my heart?  I came to work at VNA due to the wonderful hospice care my own Mother received.  Yet, it took my family asking the physician to determine that she was near the end of her life, and then later to get the referral to a quality hospice program.  Why is this?  How many other patients are told too late or not at all about their terminal diagnosis and what impact does this have on the quality of the remainder of their lives? 

With my position in fund development, I've had the wonderful opportunity to meet many people who are family members of previous hospice patients.  These people could provide substantial qualitative content to my research.  In addition, I've developed a professional relationship with a well known author on the topic, who would most likely grant an interview via email or telephone.

My hope will be that my research will have an impact of reaching more involved in this vital communication and thus, impact the quality of end-of-life experiences for the patients involved.

Ready to begin!

I think I'm ready, but maybe not!  I have given a lot of thought to my topic for my research essay, and had made my decision. . .then I read about "observing" and wondered if I've chosen appropriately, as my research for this topic will not be conducive to observation.  I'd appreciate any input or feedback.  The choices I was considering were:
1.  How do automated telephone systems impact the quality of communication?  Admittedly born out of my own frustration.  Can I be objective?
2.  How do gender differences impact the display of emotion in the workplace?  I just received a solicitation for a seminar-- "Communication skills for women"--that included training on "staying cool."  Is "staying cool" more important for women than men?  Different expectations for different types of emotion?  Anger?  Sadness? 
3.  How is communication impacted by someone suffering from schizophrenia?  This one may be too close to home, as a member of my family is experiencing mental health problems.  I am eager to learn, however, so the motivation is there.  Plus, I could observe directly and frequently. 

Looking forward to getting to know everyone!