In the lab, each student works on his or her own project under the direction of the PI. At times, the PI needs work done on his or her research and wrestles the minions into doing some of the labor. It’s part of the deal . . . the opportunity to work (and often get paid) in a lab, in exchange for some directed research by the PI. All’s fair.

So why not use the model, eh? I am the PI of my Applied Research Program, and my students have great ideas to share regarding my dissertation. Since I am not using them as subjects, why not take advantage of some of their insight with determining interview questions.

Qualitative research is supposed to have peer examination to get multiple perspectives. My “peers” are really my students. They think great and will help me immensely.

Link to the National Award Winning Applied Science Research Blog for student perspective: http://appliedscienceresearch.blogspot.com/2006/11/pis-research.html

OK, OK, I know this post reeks of sarcasm

The great challenge of preparing for a qualitiative data collection is determining high quality questions to ask the subjects to hopefully get the information necessary for completion of the study. My current “rough” interview schedule is listed below. It is my hope to refine this schedule with the help of my students to develop a comprehensive research strategy.

The Process
· What kinds of things did you do before you selected the idea for your project?
· Who helped you prepare?
· Describe the process you went through to get your idea for your research project. How did you go from a general idea, to a focused problem/project?
· What were some of the rewards? Obstacles?
· How long did it take you to come up with the idea for your project?
· Who influenced you in determining the idea for your project? What was the contribution?
· What are some of the frustrations with coming up with your idea?
· What kind of advice would you give to another student who wanted to conduct research?
· What makes your project a good project?
· Name three adjectives that describe you as a person in terms of your science project.
· Many students conduct research, yet your project was selected to represent the State of Connecticut? What makes you more successful than all of the other students?

Creativity

· What is creativity?
· Are science and creativity related?
· How are you creative?
· When are you creative?

The Scientist

· How are scientists different/similar from artists/musicians? Journalists? Politicians? Wait staff? Salespeople?

• How are you different/similar to students who don’t conduct research, but may be of similar intellect?
• How are you different/similar to students who do research but have less experience than you do?

I have just completed my first “viewable” version of my lit review for my dissertation proposal. It is available at the left link. The file is currently set as “File 1.” The balance between including information is difficult. I am struggling with my lack of information on problem finding. It seems that I have a whole binder full of problem finding stuff, yet I am struggling because it seems to say very little — I guess that makes this a worthwile study. I am less attached to my model of having to progress through stages (e.g. mess finding, problem finding, etc.) I think, since this is more of my conceptual idea, I can use it to frame what I do without necessarily forcing it into my dissertation. It might be an appropriate conclusion for the study/ look at transferability. I hope ISEF comes through to allow me to study.