Week 9 - Survey Decision, and a Relevant Event

So, have I come do a decision about my survey? Most likely!

I approached Katie and she didn't think print surveys would be a good idea at all--mainly because of the fact that I'd have to input all that data, by hand. It's way too much work. She suggested I ask our contact at the Office of Research Ethics, Sacha, who provided me with plenty of helpful suggestions as to how to distribute my survey, including Facebook posts, posters, and contacting departments to send out emails. I might also consider my supervisor's suggestion of reaching out to large classrooms to promote my survey. It's going to be a bit of work doing all the various distribution methods, but it's necessary for me to do well with this project (and it's much less tedious).

This week I tasked myself with completing (or at least drafting) the section of my ORE application that involves research methods, participants, and recruitment. I was a little confused about a few of the subsections, but my supervisor Wade helped to clear things up. What's great about this application process is that it really forces you to think through exactly what you're doing with this project; in other words, what you want to accomplish and all the steps you plan to take in order to meet that goal. Ideally I'll have the application completed before the end of November--better to aim early!

Today I'd like to go to a "Health Resources and Self-Care Awareness Event" at the SLC. If this doesn't sound relevant to my thesis, I don't know what is. I only have a short window of time to stop by, but I'd love to see what they're doing, and more specifically how they present their messages.

This was the message that went with their Facebook post, which was shared on my feed (sentence highlighted by me):

There are many resources available on campus to students who are struggling with a number of issues. Counselling, groups, resources...it's all here but it seems some students may not know where to find them. The UWaterloo Health and Self-Care Awareness Event will shed light on these resources and allow students to ask their questions in order to access the right resources for them. Join BSW students who seek to raise awareness about these services on Fri. Nov, 13, from 1:00- 3:00pm in the SLC. (Share your self-care strategies with the hashtag ‪#‎SWselfcare‬ to be entered into our draw to win "The Ultimate Self-Care Gift Basket" filled with goodies to treat yourself!) http://ow.ly/UqLEA ‪#‎SocialChangeProject2015‬

This really reiterates the issue of students not knowing how to access the resources on campus, and what I've presented in my project about how the resources do exist. While this event is great, I do think that my thesis project is still important in that my focus is on getting information about mental wellness to as many students as possible, and not necessarily just those who can attend an event (or wish to).