1. Please briefly describe your current research.
I am in the middle of several
research projects. My primary research interest falls under the larger umbrella
of “women’s issues”. Specifically I am interested in eating disorders,
pregnancy loss and relationship issues in “under-researched” populations of
women. Currently I am finishing some research that has been ongoing on for a
few years about retrospective self-perspectives of adolescent relationships
among adult women. Essentially, we interviewed adult women who discussed their
significant adolescent romantic relationships and reflected on how the
relationships impacted their romantic choices in their adult lives. I am also
beginning research on help-seeking attitudes for women who self-identify as
members of a minority and/or disenfranchised group who experience elective, or
spontaneous, pregnancy loss. Both of these projects have been incredibly
interesting, yet emotionally impactful, for me as the researcher and for the
participants.
2 How did you come to be in this area of study?
Quite honestly, having the
experience of being an African American woman, students and clinician provided
me with opportunities to understand that there are gaps in the literature. By
that, I mean that there is not always research available that addresses the
needs, or experiences, of all people. This has been true for my own
circumstances, and for those of many of my clients and students. There have
been times when I read information, understood it, but also had an awareness
that the study did not fit my circumstances. While I believed the oversights to
be inadvertent and unintentional, I wanted my experiences (and those of my
clients, and others) to be included in the literature so I decided to make an
effort to investigate what I believe is missing.
3. What do like best about doing research?
Speaking with participants and
finding unexpected results is exciting. My research is primarily qualitative so
I have the honor of being able to speak with participants as they share aspects
of their lives with me. Qualitative research is similar, in that respect, to my
clinical work. As a therapist people share interesting, personal information
with me and allow me to help them find solutions to concerns they have in their
lives. In research people also share personal, intimate information with the
purpose of allowing their experiences to inform and guided the literature, and
thus experiences of others. Invariably I learn from the personal accounts of others. Their level of resilience, and
uniqueness of expression, in various approaches to coping with life’s
unexpected events fascinates me. I am energized and charged by hearing and
learning about the different ways in which people engage life. Clinical work
and research both allow me to develop this interest.
4. What do you dislike the most about doing research?
I can be perfectionistic. In
doing so I can ponder, write, and rewrite, and rewrite the same paragraph,
chapter, or proposal many times trying to perfect it. I want to share
information and represent my participants in the best possible way. Having such
a perfectionistic approach can absolutely slow down progress. This is the part
I most disliked because in my zeal for having information be disseminated about
a given experience I can become frustrated, and even overwhelmed which may
thwart my desired result….but revising after submission is a close second.
5. Advice for new researchers who would like to be published?
Work with someone. A few years
ago a colleague shared with me, after having published several articles and
books as a sole researcher, that she will “never again” publish by herself.
While she is a very prolific, impressive researcher, she identified the
benefits of collaborative research. I recommend that students, beginning
researchers, and seasoned researchers consider collaborative research. Not only
does it allow for different perspectives during the investigation but, although
seemingly paradoxical, it also allows for accountability and adherence to
strict deadlines. Things are likely to be submitted on time out of necessity.
Approaching faculty members and asking if they have research projects open for
collaboration is a start. One of my favorite research projects was a group of
students and one colleague. We ultimately presented this research at a
conference in Austria. Collaboration allows me to both engage with other
faculty members and students while sticking to deadlines. It’s a great
experience.
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