Chapter 1 of a book I reviewed: A Practical Guide to Research Methods suggested that before embarking on a research project it is a good idea to consider the 5Ws as they relate to the project. In this entry I have captured my thinking with regard to the 5Ws and my research project.
What is my research?
Possibility 1. Pre game development: To create a design for a digital game that could be used to prevent the negative effects of child sexual abuse.
Possibility 2. Post game development: To assess the effectiveness of the computer game in addressing issues associated with preventing the negative effects of child sexual abuse.
At the moment I am leaning towards possibility 1. My research will create a design for a digital game that could be used to prevent the negative effects of child sexual abuse this will include prevention strategies as well as disclosure/treatment strategies.
Why do I want to do this research?
I want to do this research because:
- statistics suggest that as many as one in four children are sexually abused
- the lives of many victims of child sexual abuse continue to be negatively impacted long after the abuse stops
- the issues of child sexual abuse and ways of dealing with it need to be more broadly promoted and known in society
- I have known several victims of child sexual abuse and I want to do this for others like them – so that they can be prevented from becoming victims or at least receive the appropriate support if it does happen to them.
Who will be the research participants?
- students aged 8 – 10 (school years 4 & 5) in Queensland schools
- teachers and auxilary staff working with these students
- parents of these students
When will I be doing the research?
I will be conducting the research in 2010 so that it can be analysed in 2011.
Where will I conduct the research?
I will conduct the research either online through simple pre and post game surveys and perhaps through interviews. Any interviews will most likely be done on-location at a school. Closeby schools may like to send staff, parents and/or students on-site to USC.
Note: If I am looking at possibility 1 then the research will be conducted using game prototypes and maybe even other social-impact games using similar strategies to gauge effectiveness.