At the Lab

Despite minor confusions, I've successfully run two participants through the experiment at the U. The investigation itself is quite interesting, but I find it rather intriguing to observe how people act at the beginning of the experiment, how they respond to the trial runs, and how they react to the debriefing form. There's a wide variety of responses and, for the sake of keeping the experiment as uniform as possible, I can only investigate to a certain degree what those responses are reflecting about inner thoughts of the participant. I do, however, get the chance to analyze differences in participants in terms of their performance in the study.

Next week, Professor Varma will be talking to me, Ker, and Danielle (the other two student workers at the lab) about how to analyze the data from the experiments. This is thrilling for me. I’ll get to apply my love of finding patterns to an application that is both constructive and beneficial. In addition, I have the chance to contribute something potentially significant to the research itself. Granted, I’m working with two students, both of whom are seniors, so my expertise won’t match theirs. However, I may be able to spot something that they don’t. Equally, I’m sure, they’ll be able to teach me about the right, wrong, ineffective, effective ways to go about looking for meaningful patterns in this type of data. Overall, it’s very exciting to be in a situation where I have the opportunity to expand and deepen my knowledge of a certain topic.

Professor Varma, in his own way, is constructing a new experiment to expand his own knowledge of schemas and how they affect our understanding of the world. Already, Ker, Danielle and I have contributed to this new study by providing feedback and completing minor research assignments. It’s exciting to know that I’m contributing to the professor’s future work. Between this and running participants, it feels as thought I’m truly beginning to find my niche within this group. However, I still feel like something is missing.

By taking part in the lab at the U I’m definitely learning a lot about the research process; the frustrations of finding participants, the excitement of completing an experiment, etc. However, I don’t feel as though I’m applying my knowledge to other aspects of my life to the extent that I would like. In order to do this, I could to read more papers pertaining to the subject matter and relate that knowledge back to my classes here at Macalester.

I’d also like to apply that knowledge to working at the Laura Jeffrey Academy. I’m still awaiting a response about an interview, but I’m hoping to spend at least some time there. (I miss working with kids!!)

By allowing us to contribute to his research, Professor Varma is utilizing a constructivist approach. Rather than telling us exactly what’s going to happen, how it’s going to happen, and when it’s going to happen, he allows us to provide input and contribute ideas regarding the research. He takes these contributions seriously and actually applies them to his work. As a result, we are all more excited about, engaged with, and have a better understanding of the research.