I have been personally involved with a research project in the past and I found it very rewarding and interesting. I am the mother of fraternal twin boys who were born in 1986. They were premature but had no life-threatening health conditions. While in the hospital with the boys I was asked if I would participate in a twin study with the University of Virginia until the twins reached their 18th birthday. I read all of the paperwork, discussed it with their father and decided to enter the study.
The first year of the study included answering a questionnaire of over 200 questions. The questions asked about their birth, eating habits, overall health, and their growth and development. During the first year the study sent me a questionnaire every other month.
Between the boys second and fifth birthdays I received a questionnaire 4 times per year and the questions were basically the same as the first year with more questions about social development and the boys relationship with each other and any other siblings in the family. The researchers also sent us charts about development and growth that was geared towards each age and stage.
During the rest of the study I received one questionnaire per year and the questions were more about academic development, social development, and items related to puberty. Upon the twins 18th birthday we received a certificate of completion for each of them and a small report on how our participation in the study allowed the researchers to compare twin development with development of single births. We also learned about some comparisons between fraternal twins and identical twins.
Through this research project I was able to learn a lot about the development of my children and was also introduced to support projects and social groups for mothers of twins. I enjoyed participating in the project and hope that we helped researchers learn something of value.
One of my favorite sites for mothers of twins is the national organization of mothers of twins club and you can check it out at:
http://www.nomotc.org
This site has a research tab that links you to all types of research on multiples. Happy reading!
Thanks!
Monette
Dear Monette,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your personal research journey. It is great that you decided to be a part of it. Your contribution is invaluable and will help give deeper insight into the development of fraternal twins.
Best wishes,
Sonali
Hi Monette, that is amazing! I loved reading about the research your family partook in over the course of your twins' life. Thanks for sharing your experience and I am glad it was a positive experience.
ReplyDeleteJanine
Great post Monette! I've read quite a bit about longitudinal research but this is the first time I have heard first hand how they really work. That is very interesting! It must have been great learning so much about twins over the years. I commend parents of twins because although I am a mother of four, I couldn't imagine having two the same age!
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Berdetta
Monette,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the great post and sharing your personal experience with research. As we have looked at ethical considerations this week, do you remember the measures the researchers took to get your informed consent? Did you ever wonder along the way if you made the right decision. Did you ever feel like the questionnaires were burdensome or wish you weren't participating? Thanks so much and I don't want to overwhelm you with questions! It is so much better to have a live example versus reading about the issues in our text book. It is also great to have positive examples of research impacting lives with the heaviness of our chapter...considering the dark history of research with children and learning of deception. Thanks again Monette, and loved the post. Tammy
Tammy,
DeleteI don't mind the questions! The researchers gave me an written overview of the research project and also discussed it with me for about 30 minutes after which I gave informed consent. I think the twins were around 8 or 9 when they also talked with them about the research and got their consent (or assent as we have learned). I loved being part of the research and actually looked forward to the questionnaires and conversations with the researchers. I would do it all over again!
Monette
That was very interesting to read. I felt like I was reading a documentary. It must have put you in the mindset that every moment was special to you regardless of the survey and questions. I like that you discussed everything with you husband and one question that I have is: Was he actively involved with the study as well? How did he feel at the end of it? Also, in the process of the study, you were given charts to record their progress and growth; how did it make you feel that you were sharing that kind of information with strangers. I know that it was to help them measure the differences between twins and single born children, but what that point in your life the point in which you decided to open a childcare center?
ReplyDeleteI am asking because me and my wife have been discussing opening a childcare center and I have friends that have one or more open and they tell me that funds from the government and state have been put on hold because of changes they are making to the state law mandates. Has this happened to you at all?...
Oba Bomani...