Welcome. :)

Welcome to my blog. Here I share my successes and failures along my journey to becoming an anthropologist. My most prominent interest anthropologically are the new approaches to handing food security/healthy eating in the US, particularly in urban "food deserts". I enjoy the Anthropology of Tourism as well; combining food and tourism has scholarly promise. My other interests which have converted into anthropological hobbies of sorts include converts to Islam, diaspora of Muslims, and MENA in general. I also have some interest in historical archaeology.

I welcome comments, discussion and even respectful debating. I will however keep discussions to a respectable level. I reserve the right to ban anyone from this forum.

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

thoughts about the future

Hey all...

Just sitting here working on the "international" section of the IRB (International Review Board) and my mind drifted elsewhere as always when working on the dull IRB certification. This certification protects human subjects from my nasty questions. :D Seriously, I need to write a proposal to the IRB after finishing the tests (of which there are many) and get this study ready to rock for the fall. I could use a few suggestions for the title of the study! I need input. I have three ideas.

First--this is an extension of my crazy fishing paper (on my blog). Here however I will be interviwing contemporary visitors to the Oakland Nature Preserve and maybe the lake itself. Maybe the alligators will leave me a lone if I jump in! LOL

Ok, here are the ideas I have crafted thus far:

1. Lake Apopka Tourism: The Slow Road Back From Environmental Destruction to Eco-Tourism Growth

2. Lake Apopka Tourism: Oakland Nature Preserve Brings Back Nature Lovers

3. Community Initiatives In Oakland, Florida Bring Lake Apopka Tourism Back to Life

I checked out (via home delivery because of my broken car) Grant Writing for Dummies...we shall see. I have no clue how to write a proposal. I am on my own with very little guidence.
Another item of buisness I have been in serious convo mode with myself about are graduate school programs.
I have narrowed them down to three. Preference from 1-3
1. University of Michigan (pie-in-the-sky school)
2. University of Wisconsin
3. University of Central Florida (where I am now)

Wisconsin has a prof who specializes in converts to Islam but U of Michigan is in the top 5 in the country. :P

Ok, hodgepodge of stuff...but I felt the urge so I wrote.
Comment as you will. Insh'Allah

6 comments:

Chiara said...

LOL :) As far as I know, all IRBs are "institutional review boards" ie the institution under whose auspices the study will be conducted must guarantee the science and the ethics of the research proposal involving human subjects.

You need written approval BEFORE starting any study with human subjects otherwise you will not be accredited for the study, and will not be able to use it for academics or academic publications.

The study title shouldn't assume the conclusion at this stage, ie the grant proposal stage.

Grant writing is an art and a science, look for seminars on it on campus, or in the learning counselling centre.

Good luck!

Anthrogeek10 said...

Chiara....

Some are called different things but under similar parameters. I know I need approval first. That is why I am doing the online training. :) I need to then present a proposal to them. I was throwing ideas for the title of the study not necessarily for the proposal. I do not think I will be requesting a grant for this work. I have no clue about this. My grad prof told me I could qualify though. I will need to get with my supervising prof on it (not the Ant of Tourism prof..she is/was sick). Incidentally, I hope she is ok. I have been tempted to ask her for a letter of rec but I do not want to put pressure on her.

I do not have a car that is currently moving forward so I do not know how many trips to the uni I will be making any time soon. :)

Thanks!

Chiara said...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Institutional_review_board is a good overview.

The study title at the IRB stage shouldn't look so much like the one on the report on the publication, was my only point.

Go for the grant! Grants = money, prestige, promotion (easier acceptance into grad school)

Anthrogeek10 said...

I see.

I do nto know where to begin with a grant. I am thinking it is too late for a fall study?

Let me investigate.

TRG said...

Tiff- Dearborn, Detroit and Ann Arbor in Michigan all boast a large Muslim community!

Anthrogeek10 said...

Salaam Tara...

I know. :) Uni of M may be out of my reach. I know U of W is well within the bound os acceptance.
Insh'Allah