UROP Project
Digital Diaries and Artifacts
digital life, diaries, artifacts, qualitative research
Research Mentor: Dr. or first name is okay, too. Vanessa Dennen, she/her
Department, College, Affiliation: Florida State University, Education
Contact Email: vdennen@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Florida State University, Education
Contact Email: vdennen@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 1
Relevant Majors: open to all majors
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: No, the project is remote Remote or In-person: Fully Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Wednesday Sept 6 5:30-6 pm
Thursday Sept 7 12:00-12:30 pm
Same zoom link for both sessions: https://fsu.zoom.us/my/vdennen
Number of Research Assistants: 1
Relevant Majors: open to all majors
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: No, the project is remote Remote or In-person: Fully Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Wednesday Sept 6 5:30-6 pm
Thursday Sept 7 12:00-12:30 pm
Same zoom link for both sessions: https://fsu.zoom.us/my/vdennen
Project Description
One way researchers can learn about people's lives is through digital diaries and artifacts. Sometimes these items are naturally generated during the course of a day. Other times, researchers may ask participants to generate and share them so we can see what their everyday lives are like.This project explores the use of digital diaries and digital artifacts as a form of data collection. Drawing upon the literatures and existing data sets for empirical studies on topics like youth social media use and professional identify development as well as narratives of researchers' experiences, we will explore best practices related to this form of data collection. Additionally, there is the potential to engage in new data collection in the spring and/or to connect with a project actively collecting artifacts and video diaries in the fall.
Research Tasks: At a minimum, you can expect to be involved in systematic literature review, data coding, and data analysis (videos, images, interviews). You will learn to use a variety of tools and techniques. Should we collect additional data in the spring, you will be involved in qualitative interviewing.
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Strong organizational skills and attention to detail are needed.
Mentoring Philosophy
UROP offers a great opportunity for students to have early research experiences. I apply the cognitive apprenticeship model in my research teams, in which my UROP mentees are full members of the research team. As cognitive apprentices, you get to see all parts of the research process, contribute your own insights along the way, and gradually gain responsibilities as you learn how to perform different research tasks. I have high expectations for our research outcomes, and will train and support you to meet them. I will also seek ways to help you work toward your long-term educational and professional goals.Above all else, I believe in kindness, respect, and lifelong learning, and aim to foster a research environment that supports these ideals.
I have worked with many UROP students over the years. Many have become collaborators on presentations at national conferences and some have published with me. The opportunity is there for you if you seek it. :)