As I look back over the course of the year, I believe I have successfully learned how to conduct literature reviews in developing my three manuscripts.  Through this process and the class, Current Issues in Special Education, I have learned how to analyze, integrate, and synthesize research data into coherent manuscripts that are easily understood. 

     Through my internship at Johns Hopkins University with Dr. Erica Sibinga I have been exposed to how a research study can be conducted with middle-school students.  The process enabled me to practice my skills of cleaning up collected data that I had previously learned with Dr. King-Sears as her Graduate Research Assistant (GRA).  I learned the importance of having “clean” data to analyze in order to interpret the results correctly. 

     The most valuable competency I learned through this internship was the ability to develop a coding matrix of which assessment tools could be used to gather data during the study.  The research study that Dr. Sibinga conducted used eleven different measurement tools to collect data.  I analyzed and developed a coding matrix spreadsheet to organize the key concepts of each measurement tool.  The process taught me the importance of using multiple tools to collect data.  For example, she used the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory and the Differential Emotions Scale to measure the different emotions related to anger to validate that the intervention actually had an impact on anger.  By using multiple assessment tools Dr. Sibinga hopes to show that the intervention does have an effect, as opposed to relying on one assessment. 

     I was unable to enhance my skills on developing research interventions or collect data because that portion of the study had already been completed before I arrived.  In place of developing research interventions I was hoping to work with the statistician to gain hands-on experience in analyzing and interrupting data.  However, the statistician left the organization before the process started, which resulted me missing another opportunity.  Fortunately, the internship did teach me how to research assessment tools in order to pick the right tool to measure an intervention and how to develop descriptive statistics. 

     Over the course of the Fall 2010 and Spring 2011 semesters I will gain additional research experience through EDRS 812: Qualitative Research Method and EDRS 821: Advanced Applied Quantitative Methods.  Both classes will provide me with experience in collecting and analyzing data. 

     I believe over the course of the past year I have done an excellent job of finding ways to enhance my overall experience in research development.  I will continue to look for and capitalize on opportunities to enhance my skills in instrument development, data collection, data analysis, and research writing.  These opportunities will come in the form of academic courses I will complete over the next two semesters, developing a research proposal for a pilot study, and developing an additional manuscript.