Biases, Assumptions, & Ethics
I am beginning to focus my thoughts on a future research project. My research interests have been focused on the effects of 1:1 computing on middle school student's learning processes. As I consider what kind of research project I would like to do for this topic, I need to think about my own biases and assumptions on the subject. Merriam-Webster defines bias as a tendency to believe that some people, ideas, etc., are better than others that usually results in treating some people unfairly. I have come to realize that I have been researching this topic with a bias. I have been looking at this research with an opinion that is already pre-conceived. In my opinion, 1:1 computing has a positive impact on students. If I want to do any further research on this topic, I need to decide if my bias is going to impact any research study that I conduct. Can I create research questions that are not going to show my bias and give me fair results? Am I okay with my research proving my bias wrong? Will my bias influence other people's opinion? Another bias that I have is that I like technology such as computers, tablets, and smartphones. It would be easy for me to project that emotion into my study or onto my participants. I need to be very careful how I design a study or study questions. One big bias that I need to consider is where I will conduct my research. Can I do a study in my own school or district and get fair results? Is it better to go to an unknown school setting? Does just having unknown students make it less biased or do the teachers need to be unknown as well? I have a lot of questions to answer as I build my study.
In creating a research project on 1:1 computing and middle schoolers, I have to consider some assumptions I might be making. It would be easy to assume that all middle schoolers like technology. That may not be the case though. This is a good area to consider adding in extra research. I also cannot assume that all of the students own their own technology. There will probably be some students who do not own any kind of electronic device. Additionally, I need to consider the student's experience with technology. I sometimes assume that students have a lot of experience with computers and the internet but again, that isn't always correct. I also have to look at my assumptions regarding teachers and technology. I assume that teachers know how to use the technology in question and are comfortable using the technology. This is not necessarily true. I think as I start designing a research study and question, that I should write down a list of all of my assumptions about technology and education. This will help me ask very clear and straightforward questions. Another assumption that I have to consider is that if students are participating in my study that they will give truthful answers. I will need to think about how this could affect my results.
Any research study that I conduct is going to take place in a K-12 school setting. More than likely, my research will include children. There are definitely some ethical concerns with this. I will need to get consent from parents for their students to participate. My study will probably be with middle school or older students. Because of this, I anticipate that I will also want the students to assent. I would like to be able to discuss the research study with the students so that they understand what they will be doing. I also want the students to know that they can opt themselves out. I think that they are old enough to say no to the study even if their parents have given consent for them to participate. I would not want to pressure a student to participate. This goes against the "do no harm" rule.
I have a lot of concerns and considerations to think about as I plan my research study. I want to make lists of my questions, assumptions, and possible biases. Hopefully, if I start my lists now, I will have most of my concerns cleared up by the time I really begin planning my study.
In creating a research project on 1:1 computing and middle schoolers, I have to consider some assumptions I might be making. It would be easy to assume that all middle schoolers like technology. That may not be the case though. This is a good area to consider adding in extra research. I also cannot assume that all of the students own their own technology. There will probably be some students who do not own any kind of electronic device. Additionally, I need to consider the student's experience with technology. I sometimes assume that students have a lot of experience with computers and the internet but again, that isn't always correct. I also have to look at my assumptions regarding teachers and technology. I assume that teachers know how to use the technology in question and are comfortable using the technology. This is not necessarily true. I think as I start designing a research study and question, that I should write down a list of all of my assumptions about technology and education. This will help me ask very clear and straightforward questions. Another assumption that I have to consider is that if students are participating in my study that they will give truthful answers. I will need to think about how this could affect my results.
Any research study that I conduct is going to take place in a K-12 school setting. More than likely, my research will include children. There are definitely some ethical concerns with this. I will need to get consent from parents for their students to participate. My study will probably be with middle school or older students. Because of this, I anticipate that I will also want the students to assent. I would like to be able to discuss the research study with the students so that they understand what they will be doing. I also want the students to know that they can opt themselves out. I think that they are old enough to say no to the study even if their parents have given consent for them to participate. I would not want to pressure a student to participate. This goes against the "do no harm" rule.
I have a lot of concerns and considerations to think about as I plan my research study. I want to make lists of my questions, assumptions, and possible biases. Hopefully, if I start my lists now, I will have most of my concerns cleared up by the time I really begin planning my study.
