Posts

Post #5 - Nov 4 - Last Blog Post

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  a)   What have you learned about the processes of conducting a sound research study in class? Oh, ya'll! I've learned a few fun facts that I didn't necessarily think about before. Maybe this class for me was less about learning about research and more about changing my perspective. I've written plenty of surveys before. But, how biased were my questions? Considering most of the surveys were collecting demographic data, it was probably fine. But I now have a better grasp on how to write clear, unbiased survey questions and understand the importance of detailed instructions. Just because I create the survey and understand the context does not mean that others can simply figure it out with no instructions. Maybe I'm just smarter than everyone. But probably not! I understand a bit more about the IRB process and need for complete transparency and protection of certain individuals. Most importantly, I've understood that Dr. B. is a magician and can turn any of my ...
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Post #4 - Oct 28 - Plans for Revision

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After Zooming with Dr. Bacabac yesterday, I have a better focus for my proposal. I wouldn't call myself passionate about my topic, but I would say that I'm hopeful that my research will create awareness. My non-binary pronouns lit review went well, and I learned a great deal. But, which way should I take this topic as I move forward. What is my main purpose? And how can my desire to create awareness match up with a PTW focus? Dr. B. always has the answers. She's a great instructor to help toss around ideas and sort things out. Now, my plans for revision and proposal are quite clear. And, I'm ahead of my capstone game for next semester. My proposal will include some sort of generic memo or professional correspondence. Those who participate in my study will read the quick memo and answer some qualitative questions along with some quick demographic data collection. This plan keeps my topic aligned with PTW and gets me the data I want to analyze.  Cool beans!
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Post #3 - Oct 14 - Research Gap

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My research gap is actually what I was hoping for. People use singular they in conversation (sometimes without meaning to and/or not knowing it's not correct), and centuries of authoritative writers have used singular they on purpose (Geoffrey Chaucer, Shakespeare, etc.). So, my gap is identified in this realm: If English speakers are actually using this conventionally plural pronoun as singular and individuals are now requesting to be called they , has society actually adopted it after decades of protest? I think a carefully constructed survey might offer some insight into what various groups of people actually think (if they care at all).  Some groups I'd like to survey would likely answer in full acceptance of singular they (Facebook LGBTQ+ ally group) and may skew my results. Other groups would be more neutral but may lean toward a more conservative political outlook due to geographic region (Facebook St George Moms group). Including DSU students, staff, and faculty as surv...
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Post #2 - Sept 16 - Research Topic/Issue w/10 sources

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Alright, ya'll. I'm PRONOUN- cing my topic: inclusive pronouns. At this point, I've researched for several hours--had a great time, BTW! The deeper I get into this topic of a gender-neutral pronoun and current informal use of the singular they as a stand-in, the deeper the topic gets. It's really quite fascinating. Some of these articles mention (or are penned by) heavy-hitters from the last 50 years of the writing industry and education. Other articles quote unconventional pronoun usage by some of the historical greats: Chaucer and Shakespeare. This pronoun thing bridges gaps like gender equality, sex, vocation, age, and language. What have I learned? As my kids would say, "English haz the big dumb!" (I'm hip when I say phrases I don't understand, right?) My mother tongue lags behind the times. Many other languages have gender-neutral pronouns woven into the language from the jump. But our ever-changing American English is my thang . I guess I'll ...
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Post #1 - Due Sept 2 - Topic Interests

Post number one. Topic interests? Is it just a quick listing of topics I'd like to research? There are many! I feel like I'm constantly googling to know just a bit more about a word, an idea, a process--anything really. What research topics interest me enough to write a whole paper? Fewer than my googlings, but I still have many interests to research. If the research must be related to PTW, I have minimal interest in that. Perhaps my first bullet below is the only relevant literary choice. Use of pronouns for LGBTQ+ people is especially fascinating to me since both of my children identify in "the rainbow." My non-binary kid prefers they/them, which has been hard for me to swallow. I like a newer pronoun of zie but that adjustment would be a whole new way of thinking about pronouns. It's still quite interesting that my children are growing up in a world where there are many kinds of sexuality and gender. It's now commonplace for these young humans to ask for s...
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Blog Directions

Write a short one-paragraph blog entry (no less than 6-8 sentences ) addressing the focus stipulated in the Course Schedule BEFORE the due date. Peer response: Respond to ONE of your peer’s blog post of about the same length. Due Dates: Sept 2 - topic interests Sept 16 - research topic/issue with tentative 10 sources Oct 14 - research gap, etc. Oct 28 - plans for revision, etc Nov 4 - TBD
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