Blog Post #1: Research Topic Interests

Previous to beginning this Master's program in the Spring of 2021, I listened to a lot of self-help books about a variety of topics, mostly focusing on mental and physical health and the power of positive thinking. Since starting this program, my focus has shifted to whatever the classes are that I take. It would be nice to find a way to integrate my two worlds and grow my knowledge in an area that is related to both mom-life and my pre-professional life as a technical writer, but I have no idea how. 

Here are some of my interests:

  • advocacy for vulnerable populations, such as children, women, those with disabilities, etc.
  • proactive behaviors for those without education in a medical setting
  • advocacy for those who need government assistance
  • laws are utilized to advocate for minorities and immigrants 
  • artisan bread making
  • sleep needs
  • minimalism
  • European pastries
  • aerobic vs resistance training
  • runner's high

Comment and let me know if you have any suggestions of a research appropriate topic!


Comments

  1. Mike CreerAugust 29, 2022 at 1:56 AM

    Hi Adell! I think your topic interests lend themselves to a postmodern critical theory research approach addressing the topics of (any of these):
    1. how/where the vulnerable populations you mentioned navigate and access services in increasingly digital settings
    2. how lesser educated people access information or medical services and how that access might be improved using data
    I like your other interests, too. I wonder how sleep or lack of it affects how we interact with texts and media. Also, you could explore minimalism as a philosophical approach to rhetoric or the environments we experience and interact with or in. It's the same with the topics I posted about, I can see some directions to go with it, but not yet in enough detail because a lot of the study of what is relevant in digital rhetoric is still pretty new to me.

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  2. Mary MAugust 30, 2022 at 6:14 PM

    Adell, I agree with Mike’s ideas. While his thoughts on how a lack of sleep affects the way we interact with texts and media are interesting, the reverse can also be explored. How does digital media affect our sleep patterns? Years ago, if the news was stressing someone out, they just turned the TV off or closed their newspaper. However, if you want to get away from the stress the news brings, you now have to completely unplug because the top news stories are plastered everywhere on the internet. Six years ago, many people would have said that they believe most Americans are good people, but now they have very little faith left in humanity. That can cause sleep disruption and anxiety for some people.

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    Replies
    1. AdellKirkmanAugust 31, 2022 at 7:42 PM

      Yes, Mary. I agree with you 100%. I've wondered about the correlation between the anxieties we feel now days and our constant access to information (good or bad).

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  3. BrettStanfieldENGL6401August 31, 2022 at 3:39 PM

    Adell, you make a great point that it is difficult to integrate our values, interests, knowledge, and what ever we are currently studying into a project. I like your advocacy projects and I have some experience with arts advocacy from my last degree in Arts Administration. I think all of your advocacy projects do have similar themes and so they can be anchored together by focusing on the main them that ties them together. I learned writing a grant for Granary Arts in Ephraim, Utah that its important to have the data for underserved populations and then develop a plan based on that data. This plan will highlight how your advocacy, or something more concrete like art materials, will help change the outcomes in these communities. I also think research will help make these ideas very tangible and will help you develop plans of action that can then be applied to grants, or a research project. I think all of your ideas are great and will be satisfying and important projects!

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