It’s time for our second research journey update, where we share the recent developments and challenges we’ve encountered. As our inaugural blog post outlined, we were preparing the Institutional Review Board (IRB) protocol for our study. After several back-and-forths, we secured the approvals from Harvard and the local IRB in India in mid-August.
Our current endeavors revolve around securing participants for the initial phase of our study-a pivotal screening survey. Our strategy involved reaching out to student communities in Delhi via WhatsApp groups and email lists. Through the screening survey, students can express their inclination to participate in any of the three distinctive stages of our study:
· Anonymous Online Survey
· Zoom or In-Person Surveys
· Phone Interviews, where parental involvement is also required
The roadmap appeared promising, but the actual execution turned out to be more challenging than anticipated. The quest to gain access to these groups and encourage participation in our surveys proved complicated. Currently, only six individuals have taken our screening survey. Most have shown an inclination towards the online anonymous survey, whereas enthusiasm for the subsequent phases appears more reserved. For instance, none of our respondents expressed an interest in having their parents join the study.
Our original aim for the summer phase was to achieve a count of 250 respondents for the online anonymous survey. Given the current trajectory, we’re exploring alternative avenues to connect with potential participants. A strategy we’re actively considering involves a personalized, in-person approach - our team, led by Sachet and Shreya, is currently stationed in New Delhi (attached pictures of New Delhi). Together with our enumerator, Rupal, they plan to engage directly with students outside the university premises.
While this marks a momentary pause in our progress, we maintain an optimistic outlook. We will keep you updated on our progress; stay tuned for more updates!
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