Mihai Moscovici

Din ce in ce mai mult se vorbeste despre Second Life si schimbarile pe care aceasta le aduce in diverse domenii. Am scris despre cum Second Life s-ar putea transforma in insusi WWW, iar Carmen exceleaza in a descrie posibilitatile educationale ale Seconf Life.
Despre Second Life se vorbeste in toata lumea si acum e timpul inovatiilor si noilor descoperiri in aceasta noua lume virtuala. BusinessWeek din 27 noiembrie prezinta un material extrem de interesant despre dezvoltarea si perspectivele Second Life. Cititi articolul alcatuit din patru pagini: unu, doi, trei si patru.

Azi in Dallas si in zonele de prinprejur a trecut un inghet de tocmai -6* Celsius Desigur, -6 pentru cititorii acestui blog este o temperatura normala pentru perioada sfarsitului de toamna, insa nu si pentru locuitorii din Texas.
Astazi nu am avut scoala din motive de securitate. Oficialii statului Texas si administratia universitara nu doreste ca studentii sa riste sa conduca pe drumuri inghetate si de aceea le-au dat liber.
Maine se asteapta o incalzire de pana la +12* si viata isi va relua cursul normal

* termometrul din poza este gradat conform Fahrenheit.

Nu am scris de vreo saptamana pentru ca am plecat in vacanta de Thanksgiving. Toata america a dormit in aceste zile. Ieri toti s-au trezit si indata s-a inceput traficul in oras. Iata si doua poze de pe podul de la University of Texas at Arlington.

Hemingway had only four rules for writing, and they were those he was given as a cub reporter at the Kansas City Star in 1917.
1. Use short sentences.
2. Use short first paragraphs.
3. Use vigurous language.
4. Be positive, not negative.
“I write one page of masterpiece to ninety one pages of shit,” Hemmingway confided to F. Scott Fitzgerald in 1934. “I try to put the shit in the wastebasket.”

Daniela Munca and Domnica Negru, two Muskie fellows at University of Mississippi, represented Moldova at the International Night 2006 at University of Mississippi.
Daniela and Domnica did not have Moldovan national costumes, so they bought all the materials and made the costumes in two nights, including crocheting.
Here is the Moldovan folk song they interpreted for the American public.

Andy Buchanan is a Peace Corps volunteer in Moldova. He lives and teaches English in the village of Harjauca.
On his blog, Andy is addressing an extremely important request. He is not asking for himself, he is asking for Moldovan children. They need books in English for their English classes. This is what Andy says:

“I need books in English. If you are reading this and are able to send something, please go to every yard and garage sale, every church rummage sale you can find and just buy children’s books. You can send them here in something called a Media Bag through the USPS - it’s one dollar a pound (but will take a while to get here, something I’m perfectly fine with) to send them here:

Andy Buchanan
Peace Corps Volunteer
str.Grigore Ureche 12
2001, Chisinau, Moldova

I will thank you once in advance and once more when things are received.” (Andy’s blog)

I address this message to all Moldovans in the USA and especially to the Muskie fellows. Please, send some books to Andy, so Moldovan children will be able to learn English. Personally, I will buy and send five pounds of books and will look to find some organizations that will be able to send more books to Moldova.

Help Moldovan children learn English.

Photo: Vintage Children’s book - Stack 2 / .:coronita:.

Here, in the US, I found many new things about how to conduct a research and what should be done in order to complete a trustworthy study. I believe for some of you it will be useful to know these Ten Tips

***

This is a “guidance to help qualitative researchers use reflexivity to identify areas of potential bias and to “bracket” them so their influence on the research process is minimal.”

BRACKETING
Bracketing is a means of demonstrating the validity of the data collection and analytic processes. Bracketing also can be useful for facilitating the process of data collection.

REFLEXIVITY
Myerhoff and Ruby (1992) define reflexivity as “the capacity of any system of signification to turn back upon itself, to make itself its own object by referring to itself” (p. 307). Reflexivity involves the realization that researchers are part of the social world that they study (Frank, 1997).

PREPARATION
Before you even start refining your research question, consider starting a reflexive journal in which you can write down the issues that will enhance your reflexivity and your ability to bracket:
1. Identify some of the interests that, as a researcher, you might take for granted in undertaking this research.
2. Clarify your personal value systems and acknowledge areas in which you know you are subjective.
3. Describe possible areas of potential role conflict.
4. Identify gatekeepers’ interests and consider the extent to which they are disposed favorably toward the project (Hanson, 1994).
5. Recognize feelings that could indicate a lack of neutrality.
6. Is anything new or surprising in your data collection or analysis?
7. When blocks occur in the research process, reframe them.

POSTANALYSIS
8. Even when you have completed your analysis, reflect on how you write up your account. Are you quoting more from one respondent than another?
9. In qualitative research, the substantive literature review often comes after the analysis.

FEEDBACK: AFTER THE HORSE HAS BOLTED
10. Asignificant aspect of resolving bias is the acknowledgment of its outcomes (Paterson & Groening, 1996).

CONCLUSION
Bracketing and reflexivity are fruit from the same tree. One must be reflexive in order to bracket, and both activities require time to reflect, an environment of support, and reflective skill (Paterson & Groening, 1996). It is up to researchers to make commitments to developing these resources.

* Excerpts from: Ahern, K. J. (1999). Ten Tips for Reflexive Bracketing. Qualitative Health Research, 9(3), 407-411.