Learning Journal 25

Earlier this week we had to submit our IRB proposals to be reviewed. It wasn't easy, but I think in the end the final draft was pretty decent. I had had it reviewed mulitple times by different peolpe, and though it's not perfect, it is a lot better than the original draft. One of the main problems I encountered with my proposal was a lack of a good focus. My ideas were far too many, I had listed six or seven 'questions' that could be turned into full blown projects all thier own. I had to be reminded that I will only be in Tonga for three months, and that I can take a look at all the other topics I included but that there would be no possible way to really give them justice. In the end, I have chosen to focus on the Tongan perceptions of aging and the elderly with an emphasis on how they view Alzheimer's disease. When interviewing people I can ask about different things, but the main point is to focus on their perceptions.

Also, because I am donig a general observational study on perceptions of aging and of Alzheimer's disease, that essentially elimates the difficulty of working with a vulnerable population because I will not be working with Alzheimer's patients at all. Slight interactions may occur but I will not be interveiwing or studying them. The topics of aging and Alzheimer's can still get sensitive but not to the same degree. This whole research project is coming to life more than ever before and really beginning to seem real. Now I will just cross my fingers and hope the Institutional Review Board passes my project (even accepting it with changes would be perfectly okay with me).

Learning Journal 24

Whenever I am approached by strangers with whom I know nothing about, I am often very reluctant to give personal or sensitive information about myself. It is only after knowing someone for a while, trusting them, that I feel comfortable with that sort of release of information. With the people of Tonga, this would be no different. I can't expect everyone to be super willing to answer my questions or be comfortable with my presence when I know that in a reversed situation I probably wouldn't be either. This leads then to the building of rapport. When I am in Tonga, the first and foremost task is going to be the buidling of rapport within the communtiy I am in. It will probably take multiple weeks until I will be at a level with people to really begin meaningful interviews and studies.

My topic tends to be much more sensitive to people, and for good reason. This means that it will most likely take much longer for me to be at a place in the community where they feel comfortable enough with me to share information. Patience will be important. I think that it is important to remember that, with only three months there, the project shouldn't be rushed. It's more important to be on good standing within the community than to get a few answers to questions. The people are ulitmately more important.

Learning Journal 23

We have been continuing to work on and improve our IRB proposals in class this past week. I finished a first draft of it last week and am currently working on updating that draft this week. The whole IRB process has been an eye opener to me of what I have and don't have figured out for my project. In terms of conducting the research, different methods, and interviews.

I've been learning about interviews and the different kinds that exist, structured, semi-structured, or super casual conversations. For my project I think that semi-structured interveiws are going to be the best course of action. I can talk to people with general ideas set up, some probing questions, and then let the interview go where it will. I also learned about a new method known as freelisting. This is where I would ask the interviewee to list all things that come to mind when I say a certain word/phrase. For example, Alzheimers. Then, based on what they answer, I would ask why they put certain things in order to delve into what they thinking because most people aren't concerned or usually thinking much about subjects such as Alzheimers on a regular basis.

Another method that could prove pretty useful would be that of focus groups. If I were able to find enough caregivers who were willing to participate in a focus group for me, then I believe that could potentially be an invaluable source of information. I would let the people in the group discuss things, ask the right questions to get them talking myself, then sit back and listen. I believe I could learn a lot from something like that.

Learning Journal 22

There are approximately seven weeks until this semester (including finals) is officially over. Tack on anothe couple weeks beyond that and it will be time to go to Tonga. That's not a lot of time which means I 've gotta really get going on my project proposal, faculty mentor, and all that is involved with my field study. This week is going to be a little crazy in terms of everything needing to be done for my field study proposal. We are working on getting the IRB proposal done, course contracts are due by Friday and sections of the proposal are rapidly being due.

The IRB proposal is something that, because of my project, I need to really spend some quality time detailing and making very clear. I will be working with a vulnerable population, that being the cognitively impaired (Alzheimer's/dementia patients), and therefore need to be very careful and sensitive about how I go about and conduct my research. This is essentially the purpose of the IRB and I definitely want approval.

I'm currently working on my course contracts, due by Friday. There is a maximum of 9 credits allowed to take while in the field, three of which are involved in the IAS course. That leaves another 6 credits for me to fill. I have been hoping to take courses that will fulfill requirements for my gerontology minor, such as intership credit. I hope to take three credits of internship credit, followed by a course offered by my primary faculty mentor. The only issue thus far is that I don't quite yet have a faculty mentor. I will be meeting on Tuesday with one Lorilla Hawkins who is the coordinator for gerontology interships as well as the teacher of the course I would like to take in the field if possible. I am really crossing my fingers that all goes well with her and that I will be able to complete my course contracts by Friday.

I have been working on my proposal, but not nearly putting in the effort that I should be at this point. My plan for this week is to rewrite my Literature Review, because I now feel that I have a better grasp on what I need to put into it and how to go abou that. I am excited to really start making progress on my project and all involved with it. It truly brings this field study to life.

Learning Journal 21

Palangi. This is the Tongan word for white people, like me. I am going to need to prepare myself for situations that as an American white kid I am sure to encounter. For example, in class we talked about what you would do if someone came up to you and asked you to help pay for their child's education. I come with a stereotype of priveleged, rich, and white. And, yes, because of the circumstances I was born into I have had been more priveleged and had more opportunities in life. Now, if someone approached me like that, I would want to help them, but I know that I don't hardly have the means to do much good. We discussed in class, that instead of paying for education, simply share what knowledge you have and teach them instead. I think this is a really cool idea, sharing knowledge, teaching and helping out in that way.

When I go to Tonga, the last thing I want to do is force myself and my culture on their own. I will be there to learn about them and their culture, not to change it any one bit. I want to be able to go home to Alaska for a week and bring with me what I have learned (from three months granted) of their culture and share that with people. I want to return to Provo a better person from the experiences I will have encountered in Tonga. I recognize that this is a responsibility compeletely my own, as we choose the attitude we have in any circumstance and we choose what we take out of experiences be they good or bad. I want to bring home the good, and leave behind a great reputation for future Tonga field study students.