Extended Graduating Project Part 1: Research Ethics Board Application and Beginning Recruitment with Essya Nabbali

Self Submission, Spring 2022

This term had me feeling like a real researcher. Though completing the research ethics board’s research application was an intense process, it really helped me to solidify the vision for my research project. Having to articulate each step, possible risk factor, design, and methodology in detail completely solidified my own research goals (which, up to that point were still kind of murky). It was really helpful to meet with my research supervisor to talk through questions and possibilities before actually writing anything on the application. By the time I began filling out the REB form, I felt quite grounded in my next immediate steps. 

One thing I didn’t anticipate but am very thankful for is how detailed the risk assessment in the REB application was. The amount of detail really forced me to be specific about how exactly I am going to protect participants’ information and identities. There were a lot more options and paths for identity protection than I had initially realised; talking through some of these options with my supervisor was an invaluable part of the process. I was so pleased when the REB approved my application without any need for alteration. That proved to me that I had done a thorough job in completing the application; having my application approved also affirmed how important my research topic is. 

The next challenge that I foresee is in recruitment. As of today, I have one participant already. Over the summer semester, I plan on putting more effort into distributing my recruitment information to pregnancy care centres and also queer community hubs. Getting a reasonable number of participants is one of my largest sources of stress currently—it was already a concern at the beginning of the semester as I solidified my research design. I just want my research to be the best that it can possibly be and I truly believe that having more participants will contribute to the quality of my work. My hope is that once I have time (after the spring semester is over) to reach out to more organisations, I’ll be able to reach more people.