Blog #7 What Do You Do That Can't Be Measured

 Blog#7 What does this RESTLER chapter raise for you? How does it help you think about yourself and others? Then, spend a little time writing about what YOU do that can’t be measured.

Chapter 1, What Do You Do That Can't Be Measured, by Victoria Restler

Restler, Chapter 1, allowed me to inhale deeply and exhale. This chapter helped me think about the Capstone project and the many different ways I can do research. The research doesn't have to be the traditional look-up on the Internet and site; it could be more of the creative side, which is where I land. Interviewing people for research is right up my alley.

Many things we do cannot be measured. Sometimes, I feel a slight unease when thinking that I am not doing enough at my job or in my life that can be measured because we as a society are so programmed into having everything be measured by length, volume, mass, time, grades, size, weight, energy, and the list goes on and on. But being a YDEV grad and YDEV MA student, I know I do things that can't always be measured daily.

Each day, I go to work with a great attitude, put my best foot forward, and hope that today will be the day that things will improve. I've helped people in roles I've been in to think in different ways to succeed in their positions. I've joined a planning and program committee to voice my opinion and have a say in how things should be done in my workplace. I enter the pre-k class each day with a renewed, glass half-full energy (they wear me out, lol). The patience I show, the flexibility, the wisdom, and the helpfulness are all things that I do that can't be measured with a ruler or a scale but are definitely some of the important stuff that can't be measured.

The invisible work that I do at home definitely cannot be measured. Making doctor appointments for the family, making sure all of the car registrations are in the cars, and keeping the house together and the family fine-tuned is something you can't do because you want a pat on the back; you have to do it because you want to, or resentment will set in.

Blog #6 Maxwell, Designing a Qualitative Study

BLOG POST #6:  

1. What about the reading (between pages 229 - 240) this week stood out to you?  Write one phrase or passage here.  

2. How is the phrase/passage relevant to you? Why did it stand out?

3. Identify or explain one question or connection from the readings this week.

 "Every researcher begins with a substantial base of experience and theoretical knowledge, and these inevitably generate certain questions about the phenomena studied. These initial questions frame the study in important ways, influence decisions about methods, and are one basis for further focusing and development of more specific questions."

This stood out to me because all the tools should be combined to work together in a research design. Regarding categorizing and connecting memos and displays, I read that if you only use one of the tools, you run the risk of missing important information. It is hard enough to formulate a research question without biases, but if you use the tools already in place, you could possibly reach a non-biased outcome.

I am trying to develop a specific question, but I am still determining how, in my current role, I could change the lack of organization or order in my workplace.  Sitting around each day wondering isn't doing a thing. I want to take action and make a change for the better.

                              

Blog #5 Systems of Care

 Blog #5

What about the reading this week stood out to you?  Write one phrase or passage here.  Make sure to name the author. 
How is the phrase/passage relevant to you? Why did it stand out?
Identify or explain one question or connection from the readings this week.
Record a few (3-5) words or phrases that you associate with the words "research" or "data"?

What stood out to me is that it takes many collaborations and partnerships to carry out systems of care for mental health that are easy to navigate.     

"To create this system, we must strengthen partnerships among communities, youth, families, schools, government, businesses, non-profits, and provider agencies to improve outcomes, increase access to services and supports, and promote positive change in families' lives (Pg3)".

This passage could be universally used in many businesses.  I made the connection with my workplace. I work for the Boys & Girls Club of East Providence. It seems as though the outside partnerships (SNAP, HEZ) we have are firm, but the partnership among the employees of the BGC could use some work.  I believe if the YDPs, Directors, and Administration work together in a partnership, the outcome of our programs at all of our sites will be significantly improved. For example, they should hire multilingual staff to increase MLL support for our youth and families. This would assist families with registrations and building relationships between the staff, youth, and family members. 

Words I associate with  "Research" and "Data": study, inquiry, support, evidence, details

Blog #4 Capstone Project

 Blog #4 How does it make you feel when you see this wide range of capstone projects? Check in with your stress, excitement, motivation, and emotions as you begin to imagine your own work. Write down any ideas that start to swim in your head!

To see the wide range of ways in which the capstone projects were carried out makes me feel better about presenting the project. The stress I feel is coming up with a great question that I will be able to have a positive change in my workplace, something that I will be proud of. There are many things that I could choose from to focus on; it's just narrowing it down to something that speaks to me.

I thought about a few different things:

• How to restructure the workplace
• How to make it function at a better level
• How to be better aligned with their mission
• How to bring back professionalism
• How to make the youth want to be there
• How to be a better club

I am not in a position to make big changes yet, so I may have to start with something more tangible in my pay grade. I just want my capstone to be as thought-provoking as the ones that I previewed.

Blog#3 Research Pizza menu/Reverse outline

 BLOG POST #3:   Write up this article in one of two ways:  1) Create a reverse outline of this article. How does the author set up their article chunk by chunk? Or 2) Use the Research Pizza menu to explain how this author approaches their content.

Crust = qualitative data collected- Dr. Bogad attended the Banter For Breakfast group for over a year and collected data through notes based on listening to debates and conversations.

Sauce= constructivist ideology- As the researcher, Dr. Bogad recognized and respected her relationship with the youth. As the adult, taking a back seat to being an authority in a youth space somewhat allowed her to share some of the power that the youth held.

Toppings= observations, individual interviews, focus groups- Dr. Bogad collected individual examples of conversations from youth that backed up what she was talking about. She did a lot of observing the dynamics in the space. She also engaged in dialogue to make sure that it was okay for her to be in that space with the youth.

I am giving the reverse outline a try.

 Introduction

    A. School Spaces

        1. Theoretical models

            a. Productivity ( Althusser)

            b. Docility ( Foucault)

        2. 'Work' spaces

    B. 'Non-School' Spaces

        1. Freedom from school

            a. 'on the loose' 

            b. 'real learning'

    C. Safe Spaces

        1. Construction of Power

            a. Undermining adults' authority in youth spaces

            b. Dynamics of coolness (maleness)

            c. Examples

        2. Hierarchy of Credibility

        3. Coolness

            a. Public distinction (masculine)

            b. Private distinction (feminine)

            c. Examples

Conclusion

        

Blog Post #2- Research Ideologies ( Post Positivism, Constructivism, and Critical Theory)

 BLOG POST #2: Take some time to make sure you have a general sense of these different research ideologies.  Where do you feel most aligned in these research ideologies? Then reflect on how these frameworks might shape your approach to one of the questions you pondered in your blog last week. (“If I were to take a post-positivist approach, I might answer my question this way….  If I took a Constructivist approach, I might answer my question that way.”) You don’t have to be sure – just wonder!

Where do you feel most aligned in these research ideologies?

I am most aligned with the Constructivist research ideology. The people-centered ideology works best for my style of work and the way I think.

Reflect on how these frameworks might shape your approach to one of the questions you pondered in your blog last week. (“If I were to take a post-positivist approach, I might answer my question this way…

Why is upper management not considering what isn't working for the company?

If I take a Post-Positivist research approach, I might generalize about ways to improve the company instead of being specific, such as "This company needs an upgrade," instead of expressing precisely what is not working and what needs improving.

If I take a Constructivist research approach, I might suggest some of the issues I see that need improvement for the company during our monthly staff meeting. As a constructivist researcher, I see upper management as having a mutual understanding with staff and suggestions to improve the company. It's about working together; knowledge is co-constructed. If the CEOs and administration work with the people doing the work, the suggested changes will make a massive difference in the company.

If I take a Critical Theory research approach, I might research what will work best for the youth at the club and advocate for positive changes that will affect the youth and the time they spend at the club.

Blog Post #1- 20 Questions

 

BLOG POST #1: Research begins with questions, curiosities, and wonderings.  What do you wonder about in relation to your professional life? What questions do you have about things you care about in the world?  What burning questions do you want to figure out in your work-space? Something that is working (and why)? Something that is not working (and why)? Something you want to figure out… For this first blog post, make a list:  an actual list of at least 20 questions that you genuinely would like to know the answer to.

1. What do I want to do as a job for the rest of my career?
2. Do I want to work with young children?
3. Why is upper management not considering what isn't working for the company?
4. How is my job low on funding when they are part of a national franchise?
5. How come my job's salary funding comes primarily from grants?
6. Do celebrities and athletes who were former members of the BGC donate to our club?
7. Why does management only train youth workers and directors for a short time?
8. How come the BGC only has one 13-seat passenger van and hundreds of youth?
9. Is there room for growth at my job?
10. Do I want to continue to work for my job? 
11. Why is the serving station in the middle of the games room? Is that the best place for it?
12. Why are we beginning programs without having the staff to cover?
13. How do you get hired for one position and set of hours and just get switched to another?
14. How can I help children and have a career doing it?
15. Am I ready to be a boss or ready to just coast into retirement? 
16. Can I quit my second job and still survive?
17. Is there a perfect job out there for me?
18. What must I do to move ahead from my current position?
19. Will having my Master's get me into a more lucrative position?
20. Why don't I know what I want to do by now?