This class, which I was sure was going to be the bane of my existence, I'm actually quite stoked for. Today, Cameron went over all the elements of a research paper (which we all already know - but it's nice to go over what he likes to see).

Our particular study doesn't fit the norm, though, because we're doing more of a qualitative study. (In other words, we're not gathering numeric data and having to use statistics and junk.) So Cameron is going to go over what a qualitative paper should look like next time.

After class, I was totally excited to do this study. Oh ya - we're going to see if we can't make the UVU Student Health Services intake form better. Sounds lame, right? We initially went with it because it's pretty straightforward, involves no stats, and can be easily done in the 7 1/2 weeks of the block. Oh! And since it's not a human study - we don't have to worry about IRB (Institutional Review Board) approval! After today, I decided I really like what we're doing. Not because I'm excited about intake forms, mind you. Not even because there are no stats (which is seriously a big deal to me!). Mostly, it has real-world application on lots of levels.

First of all, we're not just doing research to do research or get a grade. We're doing it to improve the Student Health Services. Plus, I can see such a task being useful if someone were to go into consulting or occupational psych. Knowing about different intake processes and what they're used for will help if any of us go into practice, especially private practice. It's not only designing an intake form, but realizing what variables affect the design of the form. For example, the Student Health Services (for therapy) is designed for short-term care. They probably get depression and stress related stuff most often. Their needs are going to be different than like a residential treatment center, where clients will be there 6 months, 1 year, 2 years - and probably with a lot more severe issues.

Mostly, I think I really like knowing that the research we're going to do can have a direct benefit somewhere. We're doing it specifically for an organization. We're not just doing research to find out about some random thing (which *can* have practical implications, but typically less directly noticeable).

Also, we'll be able to present it to Jack, who's the director of the Student Health Services, which will earn me a sweet APA reference on my vita - again, should I decide to go to graduate school. Granted, I'm still screwed if graduate school makes me do quantitative research. I think the Statistics for Behavioral Sciences classes at UVU need re-vamping. I got lucky. My teacher sounds like one of the few who even touch SPSS (statistical package for the social sciences). I was the only one in my group of four in my Research Methods class who had used it... but I didn't know what to do with the data! Then once we figured that out - we had to figure out how to interpret it!

UVU thinks students shouldn't get calculators (regular math classes, not stats) or use software to do their math. They want you to understand the methodology behind it and not start with short-cuts. I get that, but the real world uses machines - and larger sample sizes with more data.

Well that was a fun tangent. Right, so screwed if I have to get into that again. But it looks like my advanced research credit will be nicely filled.

Just wanted to share my excitement about intake forms lol.

Grades were posted yesterday. I was right - A, A, B, and E. I have decided they went with E because F has a lot of negative stigma about it. You see E and know you failed, but it doesn't hurt as badly. :)

Matt got C-s in his two major classes. I think a C in Ethics, B in Human Sexuality, and some other grade in whatever other class he took :) Point is he passed all of his classes.

I started summer semester yesterday. In Clinical Research, my group is going to design an intake form (and maybe a progress tracking form) for the Student Health Services on campus. I like not having to A) do surveys and gather data, B) go through the IRB, and C) deal with SPSS. This should be a pretty sweet research project - especially since we only have 7 1/2 weeks to do it in. We are first gathering intake forms from lots of places, including the Health Center. We are also going to talk to the therapists there to see what works, what doesn't, and what they need to know from an intake form. We'll probably talk to some other staff too who don't work at the center, but do have practices. Then we will design said forms and do our paper. Ta-da! Done! Then, we shall also present it to the director - and that becomes a sweet line on my vita should I decide to go to graduate school.

Infancy and Childhood Development (the other class I'm taking) seems pretty standard. Three tests and one APA paper. Now I just have to decide a topic ASAP and do the dang paper. I still hate papers, btw.

Work is going well. We have one project that is keeping us pretty busy - and allowing me to work in the day time between my day class and my night class. I still work evenings the days I don't have class, but twice a week isn't too bad. And I'm scheduled 30 hours a week now. Yay for more money!

Matt is really liking Monarch. He goes for rides a lot after work since I'm always gone. I know gas is cheaper for the bike, but that doesn't mean we need to use more of it to make up the difference! Oh well. He enjoys himself.

Matt on his first day at Monarch

I start school again tomorrow. Clinical Research with Cameron John, and some other class that, judging off of comments on Rate My Professors, should be an easy A (have to replace Archaeology with something...). Hopefully I'll be able to pass both classes this time :) Then, I will be done FOREVER! Unless, of course, I decide to do grad. school. However, I am in much need of a break. It's kind of weird to think that I will be entering the stage of life where all I do is go to work and come home. Weird. Hopefully my house will get even cleaner then!

In other news, we've looked at some houses here in the county. Actually gone to visit them, that is. There are a few that I wouldn't mind (note, these are mostly townhomes or condos, one twin home we liked too). But, we can't make an offer yet because Matt still needs to talk to the mortgage guy about the change in jobs. HOPEFULLY that happens today. (It's been like a week.... grrr.) Even then, we probably won't buy anything because we are poor. The real goal is to get my car paid off.... then I would like to get another vehicle paid off before we buy... but Matt seems to think my car will be enough. We just have to figure the best way to do that.

Anyway, that's pretty much all for now by way of updates.