Bias

Bias

Jean Piaget is pretty much king of the child psychologist world, his cognitive development theory, which has informed much of my research project to date, is respected and informs curriculums and parenting methods still to this day. A lot of his research and observational study was carried out with his own three children, yet his theory and discoveries are still relevant, respected and accurate. Piaget believed samples were valid as long as the structures that were identified were present/common amongst all individuals. Essentially if the research of the 1% I have chosen can be proved to reflect the 99% not chosen, the research can be trusted and the assumptions drawn reasonable.

Sampling bias is a non-probability sampling technique, the subjects being chosen for their proximity and accessibility. It is often used due to its low cost, speed and ease and can lead to systematic bias, whereby the results of the non-random sample do not reflect that of the entire population neglected by the study. In order minimize bias within my results I plan to carry out continuous secondary research and reading, to constantly test the data I receive, and gain a better understanding of the credibility of my research. I will also be carrying out quick surveys and questionnaires to further support or disprove my results. So I should avoid freak anomalies due to my chosen sample, who ent’ freaks anyway. There you’re general mini family, data I get from them should be as good as anywhere else, as long as I conduct the thing right.

“ Science is about recognizing patterns”

That’s what Christopher Knight said, and I’m with him.

This being said, it is an undisputable fact that you can’t ever eliminate bias from a research study, it’s an inescapable element of research, and the human nature. In fact Droyspencer from Climategate said “Seeking to reduct bias through controlled experiments takes away the data from real-world complexity in which scientific results must be applied to solve problems” …So it could be said bias might sometimes not be an entirely negative thing. The only steps that can be taken are to identify, limit and minimize the impact of bias, which ‘m going to do through the following measures:

I’m gonna get someone else to carry out my artefact !

“And why beholdest though the mote that is in thy brothers eye but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye”

Matthew 7:3 (King James Verision)

Bible speak is an effort to type, but Identifying bias in others is easy peasy, but in yourself, not so much. We’re all pretty blind to our own susceptibility, tiny things like body language and facial expressions, uncontrollable intricacies could influence the decisions and approach of my younger brother, he could be egged on to do some more if he see’s me grinning at him, or want to leave it be if he see’s I look bored as a need to please, Bowlby taught me that shit. So I’m gonna get me pal to do it for me which should level out and rival the possible implications of measurement bias.

The guy I’m gonna get to do it will be prepared with the same sort of paperwork that I’m gonna give to my Mom, and instructions of what needs to be done in terms of physical actions…that’s pretty much all he get’s to know. You know me, not big for talking, so both the respondent, the other respondent and my interviewer have little to no information about the motivations behind my project, the sort of results I’d love to receive, or any other kinda of details that could influence their actions and natural responses. Essentially, I’m trying to carry out a Double Blind experiment, where neither party can give away or affect the results, they both only know moderated information, the bare minimum, so there should be little to no chance of them playing up to what they think I might want or not want, or acting to their understanding of the project; a control measure to the sampling choice. Nice and Fair.

A book I read called Growing Up With Technology by Plowman, Stephen and McPake, explains considerations when conducting research with children. They detail the importance of building a rapport and the trusted relationship between the respondent and interviewer, it is for this reason the guy who’s carrying out my artefact isn’t someone I found off the street, but someone who’s met both my Mom and younger brother Isaac a couple of times; Enough for them to be comfortable in each other’s company without me there, but not comfortable enough to be passing wind or talking aloud.

(Despite my slightly jokey style o writing, I am serious in my approach, I’m taking the whole thing really serious, cos it’s something I’m passionate about)

I’ve researched into the importance of the interview setting, and have decided due to the control measure of the external interviewer the best setting for Isaac and my Mom to be in, to ensure their comfortable and natural, is their home. I don’t want the results to be skewed by their unease or unnatural emotional response.

Conclusion

I’m gonna blog how my sample choice differs from the ideal sample, the attributes and qualities absent. I’m going to have a look at how the results I get correlate to existing research and theories through continued reading. I’m going to conduct anonymous surveys and questionnaires, essentially evaluating my data, getting as much information from as varied approaches as I can acquire. I’m gonna get someone else to conduct my interview for me, and I’ve already taken a look and figured out what my data will mean, how it can be measured and what I can do with it.

Artefact 2 - Sampling Bias

Respondents and controls

So, as I said during tutor I’m gonna carry out this activity with my Mother and Brother – this should conquer a lot of ethical quandaries, but does have the potential to skew my results and bias my research if not conducted properly.

After reading the ethical toolkit and checklist, which mentions the need for a CRB check when working with a vulnerable group, such as children, I was unsure how I was going to proceed with my project and testing with the demographic for my project within the time constraints until I spoke to you and Jools about the possibility of exploring ideas with the help of my younger brother.

There’s already a bombproof relationship of full trust in place, however, I don’t plan on carrying out any activities or research without parental attendance and full consent for each individual activity. I will prepare and supply paperwork including a questions answered hand sheet, introduction to the activity sheet, a release form for all images and consent form. I’m going to be attaining consent from my younger brother, who although is only 4 years old, does have a brain of his own. Growing Up With technology, a book I read, also values this, stating the two types of consent they sought : verbal and behavioral. Isaac will be in the know – he’ll be told to have a crack at the jigsaw, and then asked if he’d be up for me filming it, more of an agreement, if he goes on to do it, consent will be assumed, and the behavioral aspect will come from his willingness to participate. If he doesn’t want to, he sure as hell doesn’t have to. My Mother will be present throughout any interaction related to my project to supervise any ongoings and will be able to withdraw from the study at any point, so although technically classed as a vulnerable group, I am hoping the above precautions and chosen sample will enable me to gain approval from you, in writing, so I may include it in my sketchbook and sign the statement of ethical research for this artefact.

Never that simple thought is it. Ghard.

I’ve researched fully the implications and influences that a study conducted with my family could have on my results and data collected. So although I’ll hopefully be okay to work with them ethically, there’s a plethora of control measures that need to be implemented and factors that need to be acknowledged before I’d be able to begin conducting the activity and attain credible data. I’m gonna explain how what I’ve looked at and how I plan to go forward so you can see I’ve not chosen the easy way out so much as the most efficient option given the time constraints of the project. Gathering data that is not biased is something I’m taking very seriously. And so begins my argument and justification of proposed practice to level the playing field.

Artefact 2 - ze Jigsaw

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Overview of Artefact

The idea is to test the idea of parent and child co-operative play as way of engaging children with activities, which will hopefully lead on me to be exploring how it can be applied through an interactive format.

Jigsaws for children aged 3- 5 are recommended to have between 25 and 65 pieces, however, due to the nature of the project and the time constraints I’ve not really been able to build and carve a wooden jigsaw that slots together. In compromise I’ve created 12 bits of card that align without slotting together, with a potential of them going one of 4 ways, corner pieces have been identifiably marked. (12 pieces x 4 potential positions = 48 answers ... slightly logical thinking behind the number 12)

The idea is the child will have a go at putting together the first jigsaw alone, then after a timed break, have a go at putting together the second jigsaw with their parent. The expectation is that playing collaboratively with their parent, the child will be more engaged with the activity.

I’m gonna time the kid both times to give me solid hard data at how long they stick it and want to do it, and be recording the activity visually and with audio to capture their emotional response and the intricacies and narrative to the parent child relationship, which should inform later artefacts.

Jiggersaw one and the making below.

jigsaw two

naffink but innards

Wireframes

Been wireframing till my eyes were scarred, started off drawing up strict structure layouts that prioritised the display and layout of information, moved on to have a crack at more interesting ways of laying stuff out.

I think due to the work switch push out this sites gotta do its talking through subtleties in design, i think the message they wanna project needs to do its talking through a coherent and info graphic like  layout, that's not hard to get t grips with. I think any domination by my ideas or wants for the studio would be inappropriate, despite how bad I wanna go weird and create something thatd be fun for me, since they literally dont mind,  it would be abit of a shitty move. The message they want to portray needs a decent and considered layout thats gonna work with the capabilities and logic of wordpress, not against by wacky content or a load of drawings from me.
I'm still stuck on electricity, that's happening and their into it, but im gonna hint at that (weird contrast between subtly and electricity, but im going with it) through weird gifs of static and flickering rollovers. small but effective coding tricks to add to the experience but not dominate, stuff liek the 'top of page' button and lightboxes I'm gonna customize to make the theme come to life.


This being said, I'm gonna stop procrastinating about designing 4000 wireframes and stick to a logical one. this sites gonna come alive through colour and experience. And in hpes of avoiding last terms shambles. Im getting started by the end of the week.


Started designing logical structured wireframes, had a think about ways to implement my theme, parallax's and whatnot, went abit weird, tried to mess stuff around with the way it was set out, realized it was unnecessary and detracted from the point, went back to make an interesting iteration of my original layouts.

wireframes in me sketchbook. Ill upload the final ones of each page before the end of the week

its not enough to have a concept, its about the detail

parent themes.

can i cant i ?
i probably cant.


and as according to tutorial today, its best to start coding up a basic framework, thats how the proper industry folks do it.
Already downloaded whiteboard to give that a go, but im a take a peek at skeleton as leigh suggested to see if thats a non responsive one. Then I'm a get my designs finalized.
woo hoo

Artefact 2

I am a test !
with a mother and a brother, of mine, not each other. Im not doing a project with uncles.
weirdo.

I'm going to test a paper based game, once with the parent and once without.I've gorra look at controls and how not to fudge it up, or if thats possible, ive gorra work out whether using the same child twice will fudge results, gorra work out alot of it.

Basics there though. a test of guided participation and engagement using a simple game.

woo hoo

be testing it with this loved stinker. who likes to take an obscene amount of photos of himself on all the devices.

hapdee birth

 stuff ive been doin in my own time.
wrapping paper ain it !

exploring other artists - client

not really external client. just some sound pictures jay sent me from london of sound artt
sort of fits though, exploring the culture for a maximum purpose fulfilling five age badboy

break up the stinking writing

christmas canvas 2012

300 word capdown – number one

Reasonable assumptions based on my document and continued reading have informed my opinions and thought processes, my project will exploring the idea and testing the theory of co-operative play as a means of engagement through interactive media.

GO:

Initially lacking in direction and confidence, my first artefact, an interview with parents, was not precise in its aims or implementation. My questions were vague; they circled around the parent/child relationship, but equally as much focused on parental attitudes, with hopes of supporting my document and offering me reassurance. Originally I intended to carry out multiple phone interviews, but further reading clarified understanding a relationship is less about the individuals self-awareness and opinions and more so about the natural tangents and organic  interactions between the two people, I therefore decided to carry out a joint interview with two parents, in person.  At a preschool age, parents shape the narratives of their children’s lives, it is for this reason I began focusing on parents.

Parents Passion = Relationship       Relationship = Data

The data acquired from my interview supports my earlier research as expected, so I have learnt little new information, just re-enforced my original expectations.  However, whilst speaking to parents and hearing their lifestyles and speaking to my friend, explaining my project, I began to realize the original motivations for choosing this topic to be outdated. Industry has grown to offer 1000’s of innovative applications to children, so my question is less ‘how can it be used’ and more ‘how can it be delivered BETTER ?’  Through co-operative play I say! I have gained direction and clarity in thought through the unimpressive results drawn from this artefact. Parents expressed their willingness to get involved, and were excited by the idea I proposed, they mentioned the importance of social skills, more so than over education, and their high regard for guided participation as well as solid examples of observational learning. My theory has been backed up by primary research, so not a complete waste.

Indirectly, I have learnt the approach I need to adopt in order to progress.  

Artefact 1 – The Journey

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What I’ve learnt, over the data, and WHARRI’M gonna do with it.

When I started the project I was confuzzled beyond comprehension.  As well as the data, as for my journey and direction, I’ve gained the following insights…

-                Data was a cloak

I was more looking for direction and validation that I was right than I was looking to explore an idea…which as many Tuesday lectures will tell you, aint the point of the project.

 The tangents and happy accident data acquired from natural conversation turned out to be much more useful than the data I set out to achieve.

-                Original project expired

Decided on this project about 8 months ago, since then markets changed, my question needs to evolve too.

How do I think it can be delivered BETTER ?– I need to explore my theory not try and prove mysen right or obsess about existing games. Fill a new hole. Got some direction.

-                Parents want to get involved

Last question was whether they’d be interested, they were, they wanna help.

-                Got a relationship going with Mina Munn

She runs the parent child drop in centre, got her details and the start ups of a relationship, she’s happy to help from here on.

-                How not to conduct an interview

I got far too personally involved, took the idea of building a rapport with the subjects to a painful level. I’ve learnt what not to do, Lack of preparation and direction lead to a scatty approach.

-                I’ve done a flow diagram of my process for this artefact, sort of structured up an approach for each artefact.

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-                Readings gonna be incredibly important

To back up what I find out, or help me move forward if my results aint what I expected.

What I’ve gotta do now:

Do some research and take a peek at how to gather unbiased data

That’s probably impossible, but I want to work with my mom and brother, and that’s gonna be biased as hell. So what I wanna do is take a look at the different control measures that I could put in place, and get to grips with how to make my data as accurate as possible, whether it be conducting 3000 surveys afterwards to back it up, or whether reading supports it, whether its not me conducting the interview or focus group. Whatever. That’s what I’m gonna do now.

Artefact 1 - What I expected and What I got

A mini evaluation.

I made very few predictions or assumptions, my artifact was carried out more so to boost my confidence, tell me I was doing something relevant than with predictions, expectations and results in mind. I assumed parents attitudes to technology to be informed by their own experiences, through their work life or whatever, and this would subsequently affect the exposure of technology to children. I assumed that as curriculums and school itineraries are progressing and developing to incorporate the use of technology that parents would too share the vision that technology will play an important role in their child’s future, professional and personal lives, and is something they should learn from, through and about.

The results I got from my interview questions, and natural interactions between parents were surprising in some ways.

Parents concerns included the unfiltered nature of the Internet; one parent referred to her younger sister accessing inappropriate videos through a smartphone, and mentioned the lack of parental controls as a negative thing.  Conversation progressed to technology designed specifically for children, mobi-go’s, leap pads and such, and both parents criticized the devices as unnecessary and expensive. From this I sorta realized the approach from both parents seemed to be that technology was a convenience incorporated into their lives, effortlessly, they didn’t see it as a separate entity or something they had to maintain, but more an integral feature. Kids technological devices have parental control, specifically educational content and combat nearly every concern parents voiced, but they were uninterested in ever purchasing such an unnecessary inefficient, costly product, external from the convenience of their lives. Both parents expressed the importance and relevance their smartphones had on their daily lives, their attitudes to kids technology illustrated the way their personal devices were almost seen as furniture.

Parents expressed the importance of a balanced lifestyle for their children; it was something that got mentioned a lot when asking about their child’s daily routine. They referred to the balance between educational content or activities and free, unstructured play, they mentioned regulating the amount of hours spent watching television in comparison to the amount of hours spent running around or outdoors. The most expected result, which sort of re-affirmed the motives of my project, was the mention of how much time children spent playing with technology in comparison to socializing or advancing social skills. My project seeks to explore co-operative play as a means of engaging children, parents seemed eager to get involved at the mention of my project and are interested in the ways interactive media can be used and manipulated to offer parents a more active role.

Parents mentioned social skills as more important for their children at this age than exposure to educational content, using educational material as a controlled base of content, something taken from the curriculum, I could look at ways of enhancing social relationships as a byproduct of engagement, my desired end result.

Piaget mentions symbolic play; a representation of a childs internalized conceptualization of reality. Pretty much they copy stuff they see their parents doing to understand it, and organize it within their heads. Imitation is a kids way of getting to grips with action or scene, knowing it and understanding it. Children are eager to replicate things their parents do as a means of impressing and pleasing them, to get attention, and because they think it’s something they should be doing, lead by example. Both parents mentioned free play consisting of ‘kitchen’, one mentioned how her child liked to use her smartphone to play ‘call Daddy’. Imitation is a way of development and learning, my results back up my primary research, this will be included in my later artefacts.

ARTEFACT 1 –WHAT AM I !?

I’m an interview with parents.

Based on my excessively long and tedious document I did some thinking and concluded some conclusions. Armed with the knowledge and understanding gained from reading and secondary research, illustrated in my document, I made some reasonable assumptions.

Or I took a read of my document, had a look at some of the notes I’d made and evaluated the stuff I’d gotten to know. I did a thought shower, a brainstorm and a spider diagram to see what started to make sense, organizing my thoughts in a semi-coherent way.

Theories of cognitive development and learning within a child’s mind supported the idea of co-operative play being a concept worthy of testing, Bandura, Erikson and a fair few more go on to second third and forty fifth this idea, adding techniques and approaches that work collaboratively with the idea. Market research indicated the room for such a notion to be explored without too many of the answers existing, how exciting. SO. I had my theory, my idea, my go to guy.

How can Interactive Media be used to engage children aged 3-5years ?

I say co-operative play is a bloody good guess.

Why tho eh.

Artefact one is an interview with some parents. I chose parents because:

My research exaggerated the importance of the parent/child relationship, in play, in learning, in development, in getting a nappy changed. I’ve spent a fair bit of time with my own mom, she’s useful, and I wouldn’t be where I am without her, obviously. I’ve spent some time around her and my younger brother, and experienced how I’m his best friend when everything’s right with the world, but if his heads full of snot or his eyes are heavy he needs nobody but my mom. In the field observation! She’s his base and he’s most comfortable and himself with her.

 The theories I’d explored through my document built the foundations for this and all had in common the importance of the relationship. Bowlby talks of a goal-corrected partnership, in which the wants and desires of the parent take over and begin to shape the narrative of the child’s life and of the attachment theory (you shouldn’t need that one explaining)… Vygostky mentions the idea of guided participation, the zone of proximal development (how much more a child can do with help of a wiser adult) and sociocultural learning, development motivated by the external world and relationships… Children communicate through their parents, so for me to understand how interactive media can be used to engage through co-operative play I need to understand the relationship. Essentially, the relationship is my data.

Parents Passion = Relationship       Relationship = Data

What I did.

Initially I thought I’d do a few telephone interviews with friends and parents I knew, of all age ranges. They’d be quick, I could do a lot of them, and I could record it easy as pie. I did some research into the sort of data different techniques and approaches would provide me with, and realized quickly that understanding a relationship is less about the individuals self awareness, but more about observation and understanding. The tangents and unorganized, natural bi-products of the interview would illustrate the lifestyle and relationship, the importance of building a rapport and being comfortable with an interviewee became more apparent. So I flicked the telephone interview and survey idea into the bin, despite their simplicity and convenience and set about finding me some parents. 

Long and long of it is. I called a local parent and toddler group and asked to go down for an informal chat, to ask 9 open-ended questions about technology and their lifestyles. I went armed with consent forms, question answered forms and a brief introduction to my project sheet. I was lucky enough to be able to find a group with the attendance of parents and children, so although for this artefact parents are the subjects, the relationship between the mother/father and child and the subsequent interactions and narratives would be something I was able to record. I spoke to 2 parents, both of a similar age, under 30, but of different lifestyles and backgrounds. I  recorded the verbal transaction between myself and the two parents via my smartphone, after talking to both ladies about my project.

What I wanted.

I fancied knowing what sort of parenting techniques both family’s took on to test the ideas of guided participation. I wanted to know parental concerns on the exposure of technology to younger children to use as a sort of guideline and rule system to build artefacts that would with those concerns to keep parents on board with my project. I wanted to better understand the parent/child relationship, and to get an idea of the sort of content to include.

More so than that, what I wanted was validation, that my project and idea was right. I’m an idiot though, that’s not even a slightly correct approach. More on that in the evaluation.