Mobini/Research

June 29 Due
A one page write up (one page!) about the basic issues for your grad studies work.
PAGE 1
Intro: I am interested in (developing a tool) for people who feel that
they may be depressed, in order to enable them to make informed
decisions about why they may -- or may not -- want to try medications.
Background: What is depression?
Am I depressed or is this just a bad time?
(Before the doctor's visit . . . )
Exisitng Tools: (list) Here you identify a gap in what exists.
Directions: What's next? List steps.
Citations: Start with the 5 most important ones.
Be prepared to discuss WHY I chose these over others. 
PAGE 2
PUBLICATION IDEAS:
(backside of the page above)
Identify at least 4 publications that I'd like to see my work in. 
Then, list 4 conferences would like my work to be in.

-Develop a research design, which supports the development of a thesis proposal.

-Explore a range of qualitative research practices that can support a research design.

-Select and critically apply qualitative methods in the context of technology design, analysis and use.

-Develop, practice and refine observational skills in the service of data collection, analysis and interpretation.

-Participate in Interdisciplinary dialogue and critique through peer review.

-Identify and critically articulate one's own research in oral and written form.

-Identify and critically articulate others' research outside of one's area of specialization, by recognizing, analyzing and summarizing research objectives, context, methods, and validity issues.

-Develop knowledge through the experience of creativity, invention and discovery.

Readings

July 7 - Booth, W.C., Colomb, G.G., Williams, J.M. (2008). The Craft of Research, Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, http://www.press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/C/bo5821939.html Thesis Topic | How to write a paper? | formulate some of those questions to my thesis topic | Which one of the questions could be answered through user study?

1. What are the available assessment methods for adolescence age 13-22? 
2. What are the most common methods used?
3. How effective are the current depression assessments from the point of view of the patients and practitioners? 
4. What are some of the digital media applications that focus on assessment and diagnosis of depression? What are the 
pros and cons of each? 
Do they follow the proper assessment methods and diagnosis recommended by the practitioners?
5. What is the benefit of a mobile app vs. traditional methods of helping adolescence with depression?
6. What are the non-invasive methods used to help people suffering from depression? For example, 
food, exercise, meditation,  yoga, etc. (finding parameters) 
7. What is the best mobile app in the market that helps with depression? How effective are these apps from the patients’ point 
of view? 
8. What is a design criterion for designing mobile app for adolescence? 
9. What gets depressed patients motivated to get out of bed or home? 
10. What are some of the mobile apps, which tracks weight loss, steps walked, etc. What is the technology that is embedded 
in these apps?

Aug.1 - Cresswell, J. (2006). Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Traditions, Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications.Come up with a user study | which conference do I want to submit this to?

Maxwell, Joseph, A., (2005), Qualitative Research Design: an Interactive Approach, 2ND Edition, Thousand Oaks, CA; Sage Publications, Applied Social Research Methods Series, Volume 41, ISBN 0-7619-2608-9.