I can't believe my final proposal is going to be 30 pages long. I wondered while I was writing this morning if that was too long...
I really have appreciated the guidance that was given as Proposal Guidelines on Blackboard. I've really appreciated the effect that having to write this proposal has had on my research development. I think the curriculum for this paper is rigorous (obviously, or I wouldn't have felt I could only meet the requirements with 30 pages) but helpful if followed to the exact instructions. A lot of the things that this proposal asks for are aspects of the field study I'd like to understand better for myself and having to write about it helps me feel more prepared for the field.
I'm working on my background research and my methods section today before I turn the paper in, and I got some great feedback from Joan. She is really good at focusing her comments on things that are doable to change but make a big difference. I am really glad I'm not doing this research by myself because it was so good to hear from her that my methods and plan were viable, that my concerns about group interviews were legitimate, and what I might try and do if some things don't work out. I can tell she's going to be very helpful in the field, and hope that when I have concerns or encounter challenges in the field, we can figure out a way to be flexible, use what I CAN get, or work around the challenges.
Writing this proposal was really helpful to me because it forced me to identify and specifically articulate what I want to study and how I'll do that. When I was done with my methods section of my paper today, I felt so good about going into the field and doing research, not because I think everything will work according to plan, but because I had a plan and had articulated what my goals are.
Showing posts with label Methods. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Methods. Show all posts
Monday, April 11, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
Journal 24 - Be Flexible
Today is just one of those brain-dead days when nothing I've been thinking about relates to Ghana or doing research there. I've been planning for fall semester you see, and I just can't focus back on the summer. Let's see...
When I go to Ghana, I'm worried about a lot of unknowns involved with research, travel and relationships. It's a major challenge to my research preparation, but an understandable one that everyone probably goes through--there is just no way to prepare for some things until your in that situation.
However, in class we've talked about the importance of preparing the way we can and then being flexible while you're in the field. I'm sure that since I've struggled to develop my project and methods this entire semester, they will experience many changes in the field as well. I'm not sure how to let the IRB know about those changes but I expect that I'll learn about how to do that before I go.
I'm also nervous about the food I'll eat and how exactly we'll get to Wiamoase from Accra, but I'm sure that we'll be able to cover some of that in the Marathon meeting. I hope to have all of the numbers I may need (the US Embassy, Ashley, Andrew, the number on the back of my debit card, and Esther's number) but I feel like once I've got all the information I need and feel prepared for anything, I'll be more flexible with whatever may happen because I'll feel like I can handle whatever may happen.
I'm grateful for the lessons I learned on my mission about approaching people, relating to people, developing rapport with people, networking, working efficiently in whatever time I have with a person, and focusing on what matters most. I appreciate that since I could handle that experience so well, I feel more capable of handling this experience, and I'm grateful for the advice I keep getting from others that are concerned for me and help me know what to do in different situations.
I can't wait to grow! But I'm still nervous about how it will happen.
When I go to Ghana, I'm worried about a lot of unknowns involved with research, travel and relationships. It's a major challenge to my research preparation, but an understandable one that everyone probably goes through--there is just no way to prepare for some things until your in that situation.
However, in class we've talked about the importance of preparing the way we can and then being flexible while you're in the field. I'm sure that since I've struggled to develop my project and methods this entire semester, they will experience many changes in the field as well. I'm not sure how to let the IRB know about those changes but I expect that I'll learn about how to do that before I go.
I'm also nervous about the food I'll eat and how exactly we'll get to Wiamoase from Accra, but I'm sure that we'll be able to cover some of that in the Marathon meeting. I hope to have all of the numbers I may need (the US Embassy, Ashley, Andrew, the number on the back of my debit card, and Esther's number) but I feel like once I've got all the information I need and feel prepared for anything, I'll be more flexible with whatever may happen because I'll feel like I can handle whatever may happen.
I'm grateful for the lessons I learned on my mission about approaching people, relating to people, developing rapport with people, networking, working efficiently in whatever time I have with a person, and focusing on what matters most. I appreciate that since I could handle that experience so well, I feel more capable of handling this experience, and I'm grateful for the advice I keep getting from others that are concerned for me and help me know what to do in different situations.
I can't wait to grow! But I'm still nervous about how it will happen.
Journal 23 - Exploring Challenges with PRA
I chose for my study of the Health Clinic to use PRA methods when I interview.
I have a list of precautions from Chamber's book that highlights some of the risks to my methods I never considered, he called the chapter "Mistakes with Participation" and here are my notes:
1. Training and Consultancy – behavior and attitudes are as important as methods.
2. Routines and Ruts – an argument for flexibility is that good participatory processes always differ and cannot proceed by fixed methods or time scales
3. Exploitation – PRA methods serve well for outsiders’ research. Indeed, they serve almost too well because of the overwhelming data and the quality of insights that they can generate in a short time. But they also take people’s time and energy. These are far from costless. There have been many cases where local people have been exploited, thinking that there will be benefits from their participation when there will be none. The researchers depart, having extracted local people’s “outputs” – primary resources which they then process elsewhere for their own benefit from the added value.
4. Expectations – PRA processes tend to raise expectations. After giving their time, energy and creativity to appraisal, analysis and sometimes planning, local people may still expect some follow-up. The ethical problems posed are worrying, but are now better recognized and more often grappled with. There is a tendency for appraisal to run ahead of action, and often to be followed by nothing at all except disillusion and anger among community members who have become involved and given their time. Local initiative from findings, local actions and proposals
5. Targets and Rushing: abuses are a function of scale and speed. Targets misfit, deter and even prevent participation
6. Saturation – how many projects like this have been done in this area? How many maps have already been made? How many assessments have already been done?
7. Don’t go in with too many expectations for what you’ll accomplish
8. Don’t try to find out everything. Find a focus question!
As regards concern #6 - researching on the specific projects done in Wiamoase will help me avoid repetative interviews/projects for interviews. I need to look up previous studies people have done in Wiamoase to find out what information people in the community have already provided. If I do my research well enough, I can find some of my information from people that have already done studies in Wiamoase, instead of asking for repeat information from the community members and frustrating or wasting their time.
The other concerns I have deal with #3 and #4 - I feel like there's a balance I need to strike between these two.
With my project, I am analyzing different factors in the community and how they affect access of the people to healthcare, so when people take the time to help me understand the issues and challenges they see, wouldn't the expect that sharing those concerns will bring change? I can't promise for the clinic that things will improve, I don't even know how open the clinic administration will be to the results of my study. This is an aspect of my study I should come to understand before I do interviews so that maybe I can explain to the interviewees the association (or lack of associate) this interview has with changes or improvement the clinic wants to make. In the meantime, how can I make sure I'm wasting as little of another person's time as I can? I need to be prepared as much as possible for the interviews I conduct, with topics and sub-topics or goals for each interview. I need to find as much information as I can by myself instead of asking every question I have without doing any of my own observations or initial research. With PRA methods I'll get great answers for my research, but only if I am prepared with good questions and goals for what I hope to learn from each person. I can do this to show respect for the time I'm taking from people's day, but I also should acknowledge that I won't always know everything I want to learn. I need to learn and develop interview skills that will make a less structured interview, or an interview where I'm not sure yet what I'll study, a better expereince and effective because of the skills I've worked on.
As concerns #4, How will I deal with a situation where a person shares information with the expectation that the concerns or challenges they discuss with me will change or that I will work to improve them? I think I need to consider the role the clinic is willing to play as far as follow through. They may only allow me to do the study but not be open to the results, in which case the interviews I conduct will only be helpful to other clinics and organizations that are more open. If this is the case, I should understand that before I interview people so that I explain clearly the potential influence (or lack of influence) of their talking with me and avoid raising their expectations.
On the other hand, the clinic may be interested in some of the insights, but what if some of the things I share end up being offensive? Can I even share this information with the clinic? Will it effect my interviews if people think I'll share the results with the clinic? These are all good questions. What if my findings highlight problems with culture, politics or staff at the clinic? How can I share my results so that they aren't offensive or target specific audiences. If I share my results with the clinic, I would only be able to share it with the Administrative official, and only if I'm certain sharing the information wouldn't implicate any of the people I interviewed.
It's a paradoxical situation I'm not exactly certain how to navigate, and it will be on my mind as I prepare for this trip.
I have a list of precautions from Chamber's book that highlights some of the risks to my methods I never considered, he called the chapter "Mistakes with Participation" and here are my notes:
1. Training and Consultancy – behavior and attitudes are as important as methods.
2. Routines and Ruts – an argument for flexibility is that good participatory processes always differ and cannot proceed by fixed methods or time scales
3. Exploitation – PRA methods serve well for outsiders’ research. Indeed, they serve almost too well because of the overwhelming data and the quality of insights that they can generate in a short time. But they also take people’s time and energy. These are far from costless. There have been many cases where local people have been exploited, thinking that there will be benefits from their participation when there will be none. The researchers depart, having extracted local people’s “outputs” – primary resources which they then process elsewhere for their own benefit from the added value.
4. Expectations – PRA processes tend to raise expectations. After giving their time, energy and creativity to appraisal, analysis and sometimes planning, local people may still expect some follow-up. The ethical problems posed are worrying, but are now better recognized and more often grappled with. There is a tendency for appraisal to run ahead of action, and often to be followed by nothing at all except disillusion and anger among community members who have become involved and given their time. Local initiative from findings, local actions and proposals
5. Targets and Rushing: abuses are a function of scale and speed. Targets misfit, deter and even prevent participation
6. Saturation – how many projects like this have been done in this area? How many maps have already been made? How many assessments have already been done?
7. Don’t go in with too many expectations for what you’ll accomplish
8. Don’t try to find out everything. Find a focus question!
As regards concern #6 - researching on the specific projects done in Wiamoase will help me avoid repetative interviews/projects for interviews. I need to look up previous studies people have done in Wiamoase to find out what information people in the community have already provided. If I do my research well enough, I can find some of my information from people that have already done studies in Wiamoase, instead of asking for repeat information from the community members and frustrating or wasting their time.
The other concerns I have deal with #3 and #4 - I feel like there's a balance I need to strike between these two.
With my project, I am analyzing different factors in the community and how they affect access of the people to healthcare, so when people take the time to help me understand the issues and challenges they see, wouldn't the expect that sharing those concerns will bring change? I can't promise for the clinic that things will improve, I don't even know how open the clinic administration will be to the results of my study. This is an aspect of my study I should come to understand before I do interviews so that maybe I can explain to the interviewees the association (or lack of associate) this interview has with changes or improvement the clinic wants to make. In the meantime, how can I make sure I'm wasting as little of another person's time as I can? I need to be prepared as much as possible for the interviews I conduct, with topics and sub-topics or goals for each interview. I need to find as much information as I can by myself instead of asking every question I have without doing any of my own observations or initial research. With PRA methods I'll get great answers for my research, but only if I am prepared with good questions and goals for what I hope to learn from each person. I can do this to show respect for the time I'm taking from people's day, but I also should acknowledge that I won't always know everything I want to learn. I need to learn and develop interview skills that will make a less structured interview, or an interview where I'm not sure yet what I'll study, a better expereince and effective because of the skills I've worked on.
As concerns #4, How will I deal with a situation where a person shares information with the expectation that the concerns or challenges they discuss with me will change or that I will work to improve them? I think I need to consider the role the clinic is willing to play as far as follow through. They may only allow me to do the study but not be open to the results, in which case the interviews I conduct will only be helpful to other clinics and organizations that are more open. If this is the case, I should understand that before I interview people so that I explain clearly the potential influence (or lack of influence) of their talking with me and avoid raising their expectations.
On the other hand, the clinic may be interested in some of the insights, but what if some of the things I share end up being offensive? Can I even share this information with the clinic? Will it effect my interviews if people think I'll share the results with the clinic? These are all good questions. What if my findings highlight problems with culture, politics or staff at the clinic? How can I share my results so that they aren't offensive or target specific audiences. If I share my results with the clinic, I would only be able to share it with the Administrative official, and only if I'm certain sharing the information wouldn't implicate any of the people I interviewed.
It's a paradoxical situation I'm not exactly certain how to navigate, and it will be on my mind as I prepare for this trip.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Journal 15 - The Scene of the Research
I've had two experiences this last week that have made me consider what it will be like doing field work in Ghana.
I talked to Brother Jackson, the father of my boyfriend's roommate. He runs a non-profit called Deseret International which sets up clinics in developing countries. The conversation happened because he was visiting his son and they were working on a painting project, so it was an informal opportunity to talk with him. What I noticed about this situation was that it was a real opportunity to talk to a real player in the field I'm evaluating and that no matter what questions I asked, he had things I felt he should share, insights to contribute, and an idea of what he wanted to talk to me about too. I benefited a lot from just talking about where he worked and how he set things up when he went into a community. It was a fun experience to make a normal conversation an informative situation, and I know now that if I ever need anymore questions or insights, I can get his email and ask. I feel like it wouldn't be weird or unexpected and he'd have some great things to contribute. Something he said that really struck me was when he asked how Salvation Army enters a community. I didn't know the answer or what he meant, but he gave some examples and I realized that what he was asking correlated with how sustainable their entrance and involvement in a community is. He of course had a way that he did it, and that was the best way in his opinion. I think it's hard to say a way is the best, but his effort seemed really good. He said that they entered a community and found local doctors trying to build a practice. He didn't mention how they determined the needs of the doctor, but he said they would build the doctor an infrastructure and provide some funding for supplies or equipment if necessary and practical. The doctors in return agreed to take on charity cases while building their practice, and as long as they reported those cases, Deseret International would fund those cases. The challenges that come with this are fewer than would come if the doctors were imported for a short time, but I didn't know how to ask him how they determined the needs of the community or doctor. There are many interesting aspects of the conversation that make me curious to understand how Salvation Army approaches development projects.
I talked to Dave Schuller about my project and how I can better interview the local people. I've been feeling like Dave is a great tool for Field Study Prep, because of his experience in the field and his realistic approach to interviews and development. I really appreciated our last conversation because we had a couple mock interviews where he acted out challenging interviewing situations and explained some ways I could improve. I felt like a missionary again while we were interviewing, and I think that if I was going someplace similar to Mesa, I'd have a blast with this project and feel comfortable in the interviews. However, Dave brought up some of the real challenges of different languages and being able to relate to people. How am I going to get them to open up to me? How can I get them to REALLY open up to me? How am I going to help them be open when I'm interviewing them in a different language with little understanding of cultural nuances? I want to look at development efforts from western theory but I also want to look at them from their framework, how do I find the limits and key components of that framework and how can I get them to disclose those or even understand what I'm looking for? I want to be ready, but there are going to be some major challenges, most that I'm sure I'm not even aware of!
I talked to Brother Jackson, the father of my boyfriend's roommate. He runs a non-profit called Deseret International which sets up clinics in developing countries. The conversation happened because he was visiting his son and they were working on a painting project, so it was an informal opportunity to talk with him. What I noticed about this situation was that it was a real opportunity to talk to a real player in the field I'm evaluating and that no matter what questions I asked, he had things I felt he should share, insights to contribute, and an idea of what he wanted to talk to me about too. I benefited a lot from just talking about where he worked and how he set things up when he went into a community. It was a fun experience to make a normal conversation an informative situation, and I know now that if I ever need anymore questions or insights, I can get his email and ask. I feel like it wouldn't be weird or unexpected and he'd have some great things to contribute. Something he said that really struck me was when he asked how Salvation Army enters a community. I didn't know the answer or what he meant, but he gave some examples and I realized that what he was asking correlated with how sustainable their entrance and involvement in a community is. He of course had a way that he did it, and that was the best way in his opinion. I think it's hard to say a way is the best, but his effort seemed really good. He said that they entered a community and found local doctors trying to build a practice. He didn't mention how they determined the needs of the doctor, but he said they would build the doctor an infrastructure and provide some funding for supplies or equipment if necessary and practical. The doctors in return agreed to take on charity cases while building their practice, and as long as they reported those cases, Deseret International would fund those cases. The challenges that come with this are fewer than would come if the doctors were imported for a short time, but I didn't know how to ask him how they determined the needs of the community or doctor. There are many interesting aspects of the conversation that make me curious to understand how Salvation Army approaches development projects.
I talked to Dave Schuller about my project and how I can better interview the local people. I've been feeling like Dave is a great tool for Field Study Prep, because of his experience in the field and his realistic approach to interviews and development. I really appreciated our last conversation because we had a couple mock interviews where he acted out challenging interviewing situations and explained some ways I could improve. I felt like a missionary again while we were interviewing, and I think that if I was going someplace similar to Mesa, I'd have a blast with this project and feel comfortable in the interviews. However, Dave brought up some of the real challenges of different languages and being able to relate to people. How am I going to get them to open up to me? How can I get them to REALLY open up to me? How am I going to help them be open when I'm interviewing them in a different language with little understanding of cultural nuances? I want to look at development efforts from western theory but I also want to look at them from their framework, how do I find the limits and key components of that framework and how can I get them to disclose those or even understand what I'm looking for? I want to be ready, but there are going to be some major challenges, most that I'm sure I'm not even aware of!
Friday, February 4, 2011
Journal 11 - Assessing Rural Needs
I'm still trying to understand and develop my methods section of my research, specifically I'm questioning how best to evaluate the health clinic's efforts and success in Wiamoase. As I discussed in Journal 9, I plan to use Community Capitals Research to study all aspects of the clinic. To build on this, I read a book last night that has made me aware of the value of a good survey.
I read Assessing Rural Needs last night and discovered what I've decided will be a key component of my research project. The book--written to help organizations and researchers create a good development project--focused on assessing rural communities by preparing basic survey questions that hopefully highlight major issues or concerns and make communities and service needs more comparable. The book provided some sample surveys and offered some advice on what are some good questions to ask.
To take this from theory and put it into action, I've brainstormed some questions I'll include in my survey.
1. Does the clinic have excess capacity, or is the size about right, or is it too small?
2. Is the clinic in good condition or poor condition?
3. Are it's patients mainly from around here, from communities close by, or from very distant communities?
4. Are any other facilities needed to help with the patients and work that is done here? If yes, specify _________.
5. Other than the services offered by this clinic now, are there any other services that should be developed here?
6. Is the ability of the clinic to meet the needs of the community increasing since it was established, unchanged since it was established, or decreasing since it was established?
7. Is there scheduled (bus, rail, boat, air) service to the Health Clinic? If yes, what, and how often (daily weekly)?
8. What health services does your community have? (include a list health service facilities)
9. In case of emergency or major illness, where to people generally go to get help? Name of Institution_______________. Location___________________.
10. How much time does it take to travel to (Name of Institution)? Dry season ____ Wet season___
11. How do people usually get there? _____________
12. In case of emergency is transportation available?(Always, sometimes, rarely)
Some of these question might be less usable or important than others, and they demonstrate to me that I'm still in the preliminary stages of methods development, but I'm excited for the shape my project is taking!
I read Assessing Rural Needs last night and discovered what I've decided will be a key component of my research project. The book--written to help organizations and researchers create a good development project--focused on assessing rural communities by preparing basic survey questions that hopefully highlight major issues or concerns and make communities and service needs more comparable. The book provided some sample surveys and offered some advice on what are some good questions to ask.
To take this from theory and put it into action, I've brainstormed some questions I'll include in my survey.
1. Does the clinic have excess capacity, or is the size about right, or is it too small?
2. Is the clinic in good condition or poor condition?
3. Are it's patients mainly from around here, from communities close by, or from very distant communities?
4. Are any other facilities needed to help with the patients and work that is done here? If yes, specify _________.
5. Other than the services offered by this clinic now, are there any other services that should be developed here?
6. Is the ability of the clinic to meet the needs of the community increasing since it was established, unchanged since it was established, or decreasing since it was established?
7. Is there scheduled (bus, rail, boat, air) service to the Health Clinic? If yes, what, and how often (daily weekly)?
8. What health services does your community have? (include a list health service facilities)
9. In case of emergency or major illness, where to people generally go to get help? Name of Institution_______________. Location___________________.
10. How much time does it take to travel to (Name of Institution)? Dry season ____ Wet season___
11. How do people usually get there? _____________
12. In case of emergency is transportation available?(Always, sometimes, rarely)
Some of these question might be less usable or important than others, and they demonstrate to me that I'm still in the preliminary stages of methods development, but I'm excited for the shape my project is taking!
Friday, January 28, 2011
Journal 9 - How might you see things going in Ghana?
In response to my "Journal 3 - A day at a Time", Andrew (my Ghana facilitator) asked me a couple follow-up questions and suggestions. I've included one of those questions in my Journal 9 topic, because today I wanted explore my answers.
I feel like Andrew's question is referring both to how I imagine I'll be conducting my study, how it might be received or perceived in the community, and what challenges or surprises I might encounter. It's a good question that will help me solidify my research focus and plan.
First I want to make a general study of the clinic's policies and function in relation to the community. Joan Dixon, the IAS 220 - International Development Professor, recommended a way to do this. Namely with The Community Capitals Framework Theory, by Cornelia Butler Flora (see below)
Sustainability in a community or organization is effected by the availability and strength of each of these "Capitals". For example, built capital for the Salvation Army Health Clinic might involve how functional, serviceable and sturdy their building is, their natural capital would involve the herbs or diseases are available/present in the area, the Human capital describes what doctors and volunteer skills are available in the community, etc. Identifying how each capital is involved and how they positively or negatively effect the sustainability of the clinic will give me a thorough description and coprehensive understanding of sustainability strengths and challenges.
Second, I want to involve the Wiamoase community opinions of the clinic's efforts. How would they measure the influence and involvment of the community on the clinic's efforts and focus? What needs does the community have? Does the clinic meet the primary needs? What challenges do they see the clinic having? What solutions would they offer to those challenges? This is a way to explore the level of participation the clinic employs and the community feels. Since this is a huge topic in Development, I want make their thoughts a focus of my study.
I'm sure that as my understanding of Development Theory and ethnographic studies, these ideas will narrow and focus, but I'm excited to study this topic in Wiamoase. I wonder if I should learn more about Salvation Army Efforts to avoid surprises and unknowns in that part of my study. I wonder who I could specifically interview to get a good sample of neighborhood opinions. Is this study too broad or am I focusing it enough? How open will people feel they can be with me about this topic? Is it something that interests them? Is it something they can see a benefit in being involved in? How will they feel when I ask them these questions? Will anything (like the influence of the clinic in the area, or the possible consequences of being open about concerns or improvements they would want to make) keep them from being open? How might studying and understanding the community politics and relationships better improve my the quality of my interviews?
I'm excited about the way this project is shaping. What are your thoughts?
I feel like Andrew's question is referring both to how I imagine I'll be conducting my study, how it might be received or perceived in the community, and what challenges or surprises I might encounter. It's a good question that will help me solidify my research focus and plan.
First I want to make a general study of the clinic's policies and function in relation to the community. Joan Dixon, the IAS 220 - International Development Professor, recommended a way to do this. Namely with The Community Capitals Framework Theory, by Cornelia Butler Flora (see below)
Sustainability in a community or organization is effected by the availability and strength of each of these "Capitals". For example, built capital for the Salvation Army Health Clinic might involve how functional, serviceable and sturdy their building is, their natural capital would involve the herbs or diseases are available/present in the area, the Human capital describes what doctors and volunteer skills are available in the community, etc. Identifying how each capital is involved and how they positively or negatively effect the sustainability of the clinic will give me a thorough description and coprehensive understanding of sustainability strengths and challenges.
Second, I want to involve the Wiamoase community opinions of the clinic's efforts. How would they measure the influence and involvment of the community on the clinic's efforts and focus? What needs does the community have? Does the clinic meet the primary needs? What challenges do they see the clinic having? What solutions would they offer to those challenges? This is a way to explore the level of participation the clinic employs and the community feels. Since this is a huge topic in Development, I want make their thoughts a focus of my study.
I'm sure that as my understanding of Development Theory and ethnographic studies, these ideas will narrow and focus, but I'm excited to study this topic in Wiamoase. I wonder if I should learn more about Salvation Army Efforts to avoid surprises and unknowns in that part of my study. I wonder who I could specifically interview to get a good sample of neighborhood opinions. Is this study too broad or am I focusing it enough? How open will people feel they can be with me about this topic? Is it something that interests them? Is it something they can see a benefit in being involved in? How will they feel when I ask them these questions? Will anything (like the influence of the clinic in the area, or the possible consequences of being open about concerns or improvements they would want to make) keep them from being open? How might studying and understanding the community politics and relationships better improve my the quality of my interviews?
I'm excited about the way this project is shaping. What are your thoughts?
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Journal 5 - Considering Methodology and Culture Shock
I thought I'd take some time today to write about what I learned from doing that Super-quick Document Analysis today. I analyzed articles about Development views in a community and clinic policies, respectively. Each had to do with what I want to study in Wiamoase.
The first study was conducted in a Mayan community in Guatemala, where a young man interviewed people from different social strata on how they would view effective development in their own lives. As I read this article I wondered what kind of answers people in my neighborhood would give if asked the same questions - how would they seek to improve their own personal development? How would those answers differ according to age, family background, and religious involvement? How would people answer if the question was focused on what they would like to personally develop to improve the future for their children? I think their answers would sometimes concern education, some would probably involve less serious answers, some would involve making changes in government. If I was to conduct interviews like this man in Wiamoase, how could I focus my questions on development as opposed to answers about making changes in local government? I wish the study had included some of the questions he'd asked and what questions he found most effective.
As for the second study, I didn't find it as helpful in terms of methods because I felt like she lacked those in her study. She didn't really use any sources that supported or gave a context to her subject and it helped me realize the importance of paying attention to what we are going to discuss today in class. I want to get a better handle on the history of my community and clinic foundation, as well on sustainable development efforts before class to help me prepare and develop my project proposal.
After skimming and answering the questions for the assignment, I went back and read the first part of the paper where the girl discussed the feelings she had upon first arriving in India at the hospital she was going to study with. I found her thoughts and description of what the adjustment was like refreshingly open and insightful. She described how it felt to enter a community where she couldn't communicate, how alone and frustrated she felt when she couldn't conduct her study the way she'd wanted to, and she described feeling out of place and different than the people around her. I appreciated hearing those stories, even though it made me nervous for the first little while in the community, I'm not learning Twi very well and I don't feel like I know how to barter or haggle for rent. Her description made me wonder what would be most frustrating to me and how I can best prepare for that... Perhaps I should devote an three hours a week just to things that will help me adjust to the culture of Wiamoase instead of just focusing my efforts on what I'll research and how.
The first study was conducted in a Mayan community in Guatemala, where a young man interviewed people from different social strata on how they would view effective development in their own lives. As I read this article I wondered what kind of answers people in my neighborhood would give if asked the same questions - how would they seek to improve their own personal development? How would those answers differ according to age, family background, and religious involvement? How would people answer if the question was focused on what they would like to personally develop to improve the future for their children? I think their answers would sometimes concern education, some would probably involve less serious answers, some would involve making changes in government. If I was to conduct interviews like this man in Wiamoase, how could I focus my questions on development as opposed to answers about making changes in local government? I wish the study had included some of the questions he'd asked and what questions he found most effective.
As for the second study, I didn't find it as helpful in terms of methods because I felt like she lacked those in her study. She didn't really use any sources that supported or gave a context to her subject and it helped me realize the importance of paying attention to what we are going to discuss today in class. I want to get a better handle on the history of my community and clinic foundation, as well on sustainable development efforts before class to help me prepare and develop my project proposal.
After skimming and answering the questions for the assignment, I went back and read the first part of the paper where the girl discussed the feelings she had upon first arriving in India at the hospital she was going to study with. I found her thoughts and description of what the adjustment was like refreshingly open and insightful. She described how it felt to enter a community where she couldn't communicate, how alone and frustrated she felt when she couldn't conduct her study the way she'd wanted to, and she described feeling out of place and different than the people around her. I appreciated hearing those stories, even though it made me nervous for the first little while in the community, I'm not learning Twi very well and I don't feel like I know how to barter or haggle for rent. Her description made me wonder what would be most frustrating to me and how I can best prepare for that... Perhaps I should devote an three hours a week just to things that will help me adjust to the culture of Wiamoase instead of just focusing my efforts on what I'll research and how.
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