Dissertation research suggestions

[ycbm]

We all fed up with questionnaires, so can we suggest some research projects that wouldn't cost an arm and a leg that equine studies people can do?

Probably too late for this year but we can always hope.

Mine:


Do the hooves of working barefoot horses grow faster than shod ones and if so by how much. Easy peasy, very low cost and something I want proved (I know the answer already!)


What's yours?

 

[Flicker]

I’m not fed up with questionnaires. I like to see what people are interested in, and if I can help out in any way I am glad to.

As far as topics go, I’d be interested to see whether application of learning styles theories to training methods results in improved competition outcomes. In other words, if trainers recognise how people prefer to learn, and adapt their training style to suit learners’ preferences, would the learners perform better?

 

[MotherOfChickens]

tbh a good library project would do these students more good than these stupid surveys.

 

[Rowreach]

I’m not fed up with questionnaires. I like to see what people are interested in, and if I can help out in any way I am glad to.

As far as topics go, I’d be interested to see whether application of learning styles theories to training methods results in improved competition outcomes. In other words, if trainers recognise how people prefer to learn, and adapt their training style to suit learners’ preferences, would the learners perform better?

That's an interesting one, given that a recent report (which I shall now go and look for) suggested that the perceived wisdom behind learning styles and teaching methods was wrong. Now, from first hand experience of both learning and teaching, I would disagree.

I recently did a REC2 training course which was 100% role play based. I hated every single minute of the two days, felt incredibly self conscious, there was tension between me and the trainer (who could not adapt her training style) and I felt I learnt far less than if I was shown how to do a task and allowed time to practise it. I'm quite good in an emergency, but I'm no good at acting!!

 

[ycbm]

I hate role play, completely false!

 

[Keith_Beef]

I hate role play, completely false!

I'm told that if you do the dressing-up as well as the role-playing, it helps.

But, yes, I know what you mean. It's hard to behave as if the situation is real.

Roll 3D4 to find out how many feet you slide down the bank before you stop yourself.

 

[Batgirl]

If I were doing one I would be looking at a robust literature review on ulcers in horses. I am really intrigued that they are different to human ulcers in treatment etc.

I love a good literature review - I did one in my Physiotherapy degree on the efficacy of post sports massage. REALLY interesting.

 

[JFTDWS]

I recently did a REC2 training course which was 100% role play based. I hated every single minute of the two days, felt incredibly self conscious, there was tension between me and the trainer (who could not adapt her training style) and I felt I learnt far less than if I was shown how to do a task and allowed time to practise it. I'm quite good in an emergency, but I'm no good at acting!!

I despise role play. I deeply object to being forced to participate in it (rarely, I avoid it as much as possible). It is a worthless and unpleasant experience for me - I will remember the information much better if it's just given to me - ideally in writing, or orally and I will take notes, and, where necessary, practise in a low pressure environment.

I am pathologically incapable of seriously pretending to do something which goes against my nature.

That's off topic, though. A good lit review would be fine - or a meta analysis, even. Lots of raw data is published if you look for it.

 

[Flicker]

That's an interesting one, given that a recent report (which I shall now go and look for) suggested that the perceived wisdom behind learning styles and teaching methods was wrong. Now, from first hand experience of both learning and teaching, I would disagree.

I recently did a REC2 training course which was 100% role play based. I hated every single minute of the two days, felt incredibly self conscious, there was tension between me and the trainer (who could not adapt her training style) and I felt I learnt far less than if I was shown how to do a task and allowed time to practise it. I'm quite good in an emergency, but I'm no good at acting!!

That is very interesting, I would like to read that article. Personally, I have found that identifying my preferred style (theorist, pragmatist) has really helped me to understand why I learn the way I do. My horse trainer has a strong theorist preference and totally gets why I ask the questions I do, and takes the time to explain the thinking behind the training. My horse has also benefited from a considered, methodical and evidence based approach - my trainer and I are more interested in developing good muscle tone, fitness and suppleness in him than winning prizes. He looks fab, carries good weight and is more consistently sound than younger horses on the yard.

From the experience you describe, I’m guessing you are more pragmatist, reflector? Jumping into role play would be hideous for someone with those preferences and not conducive to learning at all! Not good technique on the part of your trainer if she couldn’t flex to fit the learners (after all, you are the reason she’s there) and poor course design if it doesn’t recognise the different ways people learn.

 

[Flicker]

I despise role play. I deeply object to being forced to participate in it (rarely, I avoid it as much as possible). It is a worthless and unpleasant experience for me - I will remember the information much better if it's just given to me - ideally in writing, or orally and I will take notes, and, where necessary, practise in a low pressure environment.

I am pathologically incapable of seriously pretending to do something which goes against my nature.

That's off topic, though. A good lit review would be fine - or a meta analysis, even. Lots of raw data is published if you look for it.

I deliver training and do include some ‘skills practice’ (we don’t call it role play anymore lol) for people who prefer to ‘have a go’ and put theory into practice. For some people, sitting down all day and having someone talk at them is their idea of pure hell. The trick is to mix it up and give everyone a chance to learn in their own preferred way: theory, practice, big groups, small groups, individual reflection etc.

 

[DabDab]

I despise role play too, but I do find that it is quite good for me to be forced to do it. I don't really learn anything information-wise from it though.

I would be interested in how/why horses play, both with each other and with 'toys'

 

[Rowreach]

More theorist, I really like to understand why I'm doing things and how they will work.

As a teacher, I really like to understand how my students best take on board what I'm trying to teach them. I particularly enjoyed teaching a few equine students I had with Aspergers/ADHD - they really made me think about what and how I was teaching them.

As a dissertation topic, the way equine students are taught might be interesting, but probably not altogether popular with the colleges

 

[Rowreach]

I deliver training and do include some ‘skills practice’ (we don’t call it role play anymore lol) for people who prefer to ‘have a go’ and put theory into practice. For some people, sitting down all day and having someone talk at them is their idea of pure hell. The trick is to mix it up and give everyone a chance to learn in their own preferred way: theory, practice, big groups, small groups, individual reflection etc.

I wouldn't have minded that, as I would have gleaned plenty from the training even if I'd had the odd uncomfortable moment! As it was, I learned more from reading through the course notes, which we were given at the end of the two days, than I did from wallowing about in mud and water pretending to rescue casualties or pretending to be one.

I did of course excel at the bandaging (and rolling them up again afterwards), but then a lifetime of working with horses' legs tends to have that effect

 

[Dave's Mam]

I despise role play. I deeply object to being forced to participate in it (rarely, I avoid it as much as possible). It is a worthless and unpleasant experience for me - I will remember the information much better if it's just given to me

Oh me too.

 

[Dave's Mam]

The only time I found "Role Play" useful was in First aid training, as the role play was the physical moving of the "Injured Party" & learning the proper & safe way to do so, which can really only be done with an actual human.

 

[MotherOfChickens]

I deliver training and do include some ‘skills practice’ (we don’t call it role play anymore lol) for people who prefer to ‘have a go’ and put theory into practice. For some people, sitting down all day and having someone talk at them is their idea of pure hell. The trick is to mix it up and give everyone a chance to learn in their own preferred way: theory, practice, big groups, small groups, individual reflection etc.

this is how they deliver First Aid at Work now, well St Andrews do. Although I generally hate role play, I have to hand it to them in the way they teach different people at the same time, they are very good at what they do. some of the professional training givers I've been to in the last few months could learn something from them!

 

[Hack4fun]

I would like to read the dissertations that are eventually written after the questionnaires.

 

[Rowreach]

The only time I found "Role Play" useful was in First aid training, as the role play was the physical moving of the "Injured Party" & learning the proper & safe way to do so, which can really only be done with an actual human.

But that is practical application of a skill, in much the same way as practising CPR on a dummy is, or using a defib on a dummy (which I found particularly useful to do).

 

[Keith_Beef]

The only time I found "Role Play" useful was in First aid training, as the role play was the physical moving of the "Injured Party" & learning the proper & safe way to do so, which can really only be done with an actual human.

Ah, a bit of dressing-up.


I've been the "accident victim" in first-aid training... It's hard to behave like a genuinely unconscious or injured person, meaning that the one doing the first aid gets something less than the real practise.

Sitting still while somebody puts on a bandage is of some use, but how do you know how to simulate the reaction of somebody with a broken finger when the trainee is binding that finger to the next with a lollipop stick as a splint between the two?

 

[Dave's Mam]

But that is practical application of a skill, in much the same way as practising CPR on a dummy is, or using a defib on a dummy (which I found particularly useful to do).

Yes, I concur.

 

[MotherOfChickens]

Ah, a bit of dressing-up.


I've been the "accident victim" in first-aid training... It's hard to behave like a genuinely unconscious or injured person, meaning that the one doing the first aid gets something less than the real practise.

Sitting still while somebody puts on a bandage is of some use, but how do you know how to simulate the reaction of somebody with a broken finger when the trainee is binding that finger to the next with a lollipop stick as a splint between the two?

short of coshing passers by and breaking the fingers of attendees, what would you suggest in a FA training scenario?

 

[Dave's Mam]

Ah, a bit of dressing-up.


I've been the "accident victim" in first-aid training... It's hard to behave like a genuinely unconscious or injured person, meaning that the one doing the first aid gets something less than the real practise.

Sitting still while somebody puts on a bandage is of some use, but how do you know how to simulate the reaction of somebody with a broken finger when the trainee is binding that finger to the next with a lollipop stick as a splint between the two?

It does get you to realise the techniques that can be used to move a body much larger than yours into the recovery position, for example.

How to clear an airway, how to make sure the injured party is safe.

I trained with St John Ambulance.

 

[JFTDWS]

I don't mind practical skills application with an immobile mock casualty. I'm capable of allowing myself to be manhandled for that purpose. It's sitting around pretending to be a teenager telling their youth group leader that they're pregnant I object to (safeguarding training), or pretending to deal with an upset client whose dog needs to be put down (uni - I'm capable of empathising, but not when it's a fictional dog which belongs to a fictional client!).

I've done a fair few first aid courses - they really differ in quality. The best one I've done was through Scouting with someone who usually does it for the Red Cross or St John's (I can't remember now, it was a few years back). The worst was equine specific, and consisted of an entire day of informal sharing of anecdotes - utterly useless.

 

[daffy44]

I’m not fed up with questionnaires. I like to see what people are interested in, and if I can help out in any way I am glad to.

As far as topics go, I’d be interested to see whether application of learning styles theories to training methods results in improved competition outcomes. In other words, if trainers recognise how people prefer to learn, and adapt their training style to suit learners’ preferences, would the learners perform better?

The simple answer is yes. When you do the UKCC and other coach development courses this is exactly what you are taught, find your clients prefered learning style and adjust your coaching style to suit your clientslearning style and maximise how they can learn.

 

[Flicker]

short of coshing passers by and breaking the fingers of attendees, what would you suggest in a FA training scenario?

My OH is a Medic and they are required to complete Advanced Life Support training every few years as part of revalidation. The ALS trainers provide volunteer actors, fully made up by professional film / TV make up artists to look like casualties of whatever ‘incident’ the trainees are dealing with on the course. I’ve seen photos from the course and the make up is staggeringly realistic. The actors also moan and cry out in ‘pain’ like real casualties too (or don’t make any noise, which is more serious to see in an injured person). They do that so that the training and assessment is as close to real life as possible. OH says that, with the added pressure of an assessor looming over him, the stress levels are about the same as if he was treating a genuine patient and really sorts those who know what they’re doing from those who don’t.

I am chuckling at the thought of SJA coshing people just so they can bandage them up again though!!

 

[Flicker]

The simple answer is yes. When you do the UKCC and other coach development courses this is exactly what you are taught, find your clients prefered learning style and adjust your coaching style to suit your clientslearning style and maximise how they can learn.

I sincerely hope that approach starts to be adopted by equestrian trainers in my area. Too often I see people being ‘taught’ the way a trainer wants to teach, with little recognition by the trainer of why the pupil may not be improving.

 

[Flicker]

More theorist, I really like to understand why I'm doing things and how they will work.

As a teacher, I really like to understand how my students best take on board what I'm trying to teach them. I particularly enjoyed teaching a few equine students I had with Aspergers/ADHD - they really made me think about what and how I was teaching them.

As a dissertation topic, the way equine students are taught might be interesting, but probably not altogether popular with the colleges

Teaching students with Asperger Syndrome must be very interesting. What were the considerations you had to take into account when teaching this group?

 

[Keith_Beef]

short of coshing passers by and breaking the fingers of attendees, what would you suggest in a FA training scenario?

I suppose you could use anaesthesia or hypnosis for the unconscious. And maybe recruit people who have suffered the injury in the past and can remember what it felt like at the time. Or maybe hire actors.

 

[OldFogie]

....... The ALS trainers provide volunteer actors, fully made up by professional film / TV make up artists to look like casualties of whatever ‘incident’ the trainees are dealing with on the course. I’ve seen photos from the course and the make up is staggeringly realistic.

Many years ago I took one of my daughters to the Army at Home, Aldershot - the Medics were applying all that gore to lads & lasses that volunteered - daughter insisted having a piece of schrapnel in her arm (for which we waited in line for an hour!) her mother was traumatised when we came home! However, daughter went on to be a Nursing officer in the Army and did this kind of thing for real.

 

[spookypony]

I agree that there are lots of interesting collections of data out there that could be mined for good topics: the various disciplines' competition results, for example, things to do with breeds, land registry, all sorts! There'll be quite a lot that is public, but not digitised, allowing for archival research.

Or a student could do something treatise and text-based. For example, we've seen a few surveys about Rollkur/LDR. Why not instead trace the development of a particular movement or technique through the writings of trainers, for example? That could involve reading lots of magazine interviews, textbooks, TV interviews, going back all the way to historical treatises, if the student has the language skills or there are good translations available. Just off the top of my head, I can think of loads of ideas that could be cut down in size and scope well enough to fit into an undergrad dissertation.