Lab Summary of Week 1

This week students were introduced to the project through reading the grant application and IRB application. They were also required to read the Hinck (2004) qualitative article on the oldest old.

In the first discussion question of the week, students were asked to consider what their goals are for the project, what they hope to gain and their concerns. A number of students expressed concern over doing statistics and trying to fit the research requirements in with their normal class work, and family obligations. Some were worried about working with others in the virtual lab setting and that it would be similar to the notorious “group work” of classes. One person mentioned a concern of interviewing people he/she did not know, while another student question whether he/she would be able to deal with unexpected occurrences.

In the second discussion question the students were asked to comment on the Hinck (2004) article. One student indicated that the article reminded her of her childhood and listening to her grandparents and older relatives. It was determined that the article expressed several things that were important to the oldest old: home, the presence of one's personal physical condition, the role of one's physical condition in impacting daily functioning, the importance of balancing physical needs and staying in own home, and the role of social support in allowing the above 'balance' to happen. One student also commented on the fatigue seen in this age group and the need to provide breaks.

Several people commented on the author’s use of photos as a basis for interviews and we had a discussion about their possible use in studies and the ethics issues that arise with photos. A student brought up the issue that Hinck (2004) had all Caucasians in the sample group, which resulted in a discussion of the lack of diversity seen in this age group and the difficulty in recruiting minorities.

Behind the scenes we have been preparing for our first lab meeting on skype. We are going to have one faculty member interview the other for the students. We have become aware that are really 2 different aspects of research interviewing we need to train: 1) interviewing skills, in terms of keeping the person on track and using clarifying questions and 2) research skills that allow the researcher to make sure the question has been answered. We have decided to do 2 separate example interviews (one in week 2 and one in week 4) that will highlight the different skills each week. We have also clarified the role of each of the faculty members in teaching the class.

Hinck, S. (2004). The lived experience of oldest-old rural adults. Qualitative Health Research, 14, 779-791.