HNRS 226: Research Apprenticeship
I had the opportunity to participate in the Honors Research Apprenticeship with EVMS in the Spring 2018 semester. This project focused on the research for concussion education. Specifically, it focused on parents’ perceptions of concussions based on watching an educational video following their child’s hospital visit due to experiencing a concussion. I was able to contribute to a literature review, create surveys using a computer program for data-collecting purposes, and wrote a video script for a concussion educational video. I also had the opportunity to present my poster both at ODU and EVMS.
This research apprenticeship was my first formal research experience at ODU. I was first presented with the task of contributing to a literature review. In previous courses, such as my AP English course and my Honors Scientific and Technical Writing course, I have written full literature reviews. Since I was familiar with the process, I was better able to contribute to this project’s literature review.
This apprenticeship presented me with a few new challenging contexts. First, I learned how to use the survey system Qualtrics. One of my faculty mentors was able to show me the ins and outs of the program, and I was able to ask questions. Still, I learned to adapt to this new technology in order to be successful in this research. In addition to adjusting to new technology, I was presented with the task of scripting a concussion-education video. By watching other patient-education videos and gathering important information from credible sources, I was able to draft a script that was used for the video that would be used in the data-collection process. Throughout the process of my individual challenges, I found that I had to self-assess my progress. My individual work was to be completed on my own time, which meant that I had to prioritize this work in order to stay on track with the unofficial deadlines of the semester. By adapting to the new tasks themselves, along with staying disciplined enough to complete work in a timely manner, I was able to make an impactful contribution to this project as the research team prepared for data-collection stages.
Finally, this research experience helped me to improve upon my integrated communication skills. With this being my first undergraduate research experience, this was my first time presenting research. I presented my research twice: for the Honors College Poster Session lunch, and for EVMS’s Educational Scholarship Day. I prepared a research poster for the Honors College Poster Session, and with the help of my faculty mentor, I learned to organize the information clearly and concisely for viewers. Learning to give an “elevator pitch” to people in a poster session was something that I had no prior experience with, but as I practiced, I began to learn what information was vital for learners to understand about my research experience. For EVMS’s presentation, I assisted the lead research doctor in presenting her poster. Observing her present in a poster-session setting among medical students helped me gain a greater understanding of the impact research has on the medical field. This experience helped me realize the importance of sharing research, even in its early stages, with the local research community.
My role in the research conducted through EVMS was a substantial learning experience. This experience relates to my future goals both academically and professionally. As a future graduate student, I will be conducting research, and this course was a great introduction to the research process. This was my first experience with undergraduate research, and I was able to make a great contribution prior to the data collection process. Not only that, but I had the opportunity to network and work with healthcare professionals through this experience, which is a vital component of my future career.
Abigail-Rossiter-Final-Poster-1.pptx