While writing papers for classes we are told to use peer-reviewed articles but it was never clearly explained in class why this was so important. Currently, I am fortunate enough to be involved in two research studies as a research assistant. The process of conducting a study has been enlightening. I read articles differently now, some with more appreciation for the difficulty of the study and sometimes more skepticism.
I will share the process that I have gone through, so far. Every study will be different based on funding, depth of study, and human involvement. The university I attend is very active in research for special education. There are numerous clinics on campus for various disabilities , early childhood interventions, and adult inclusion projects. Many of these essential community services began with a single grant. The professor I am working for is no exception to the energy on campus for pursuing research. Early on in my studies I expressed interest about paraprofessionals and their lack of training. This put me on my professor's radar for becoming her research assistant for this particular study. I was notified at the end of last spring semester that she may ask me to be involved in the study. At the beginning of the current semester a real offer was given to be a research assistant. The grant was going to be small, under $2000. My pay would over half the grant. The remainder of the grant would be used for compensation/incentives for the paraprofessionals participation in the study. I thought I would keep track of my hours and turn in a log. I am sharing all these details because not everyone will be a research assistant (although I do hope you'll take the offer if it is extended to you!) and there is a deeper appreciation for studies by understanding the details that go into a study. A contract was written up for the full amount of what I would be paid, regardless of how long the project took, I would be paid in weekly installments over the course of two months. I was told some weeks I may not have any work at all and other weeks I may put in 20 hours. The next aspect was becoming certified for the Institutional Review Board (IRB) to participate in research studies involving humans. The training was online and took nearly 5 hours to complete. This process actually gave me a huge appreciation for rules of conducting a good study. Anyone can say they have conducted a study but are the results biased? Was the data skewed to fit the theory? Was prior research credit given to others in the paper? After taking this training you are promising to hold yourself to standards set out by the board. This is why it is better to look for studies that were conducted by those that follow these same standards, which might preclude including studies from certain foreign countries who do not use IRB standards. Once the study, and those conducting the research, is approved by the IRB, the research can begin! We are currently at the point of formulating the survey to send out to paraprofessionals. Next semester the exciting part will begin when we will have direct contact and provide training to paraprofessionals.
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AuthorSpecial Education major in a university teaching program. Substitute teacher, previous homeschool mom, wife. Archives
September 2019
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