Lab Philosophy
We conduct methodologically rigorous research with the long-term goal of ensuring children have opportunity for physical activity and free-play. We operate under three guiding principles:
- Nothing happens in a vacuum
Our research focuses on the context of behavior because context, like when or where something happens, matters. Similarly, your context influences your goals, needs, and performance in the lab. Maybe you have a job, a particularly hard course-load, a family thing, or are just having a bad day that means you need to reschedule a meeting last-minute. Maybe you have relevant work or life experience that means you think our project would be better served with a change in approach. We should all consider and work within this context. Never hesitate to come talk to me.
- Methods first
We can't successfully complete any of our research projects without methodologically sound approaches. In addition to considering the validity, reliability, and sensitivity of our approaches, we need to be detail-oriented, rigorous, and consistent. Take notes. Double-check. Triple-check. Ask me to check. Ask questions. Reproduce.
- The greater good
The goal of our research is to help people, not just complete study after study while only disseminating our findings in academic journals or conferences. We should always keep in mind what our larger goal is and how we can translate our findings in to positive community change. Our goal is also to positively contribute to the scientific landscape. We do this by helping each other and making our work widely available.