Backroom Research

For the group activity last Monday, my group read and discussed a winning SSHRC application that proposed to research "how cyborg theory can be used to inform and advance the lives of people with disabilities, as an avenue for self-sufficiency and self-actualization." The applications were anonymized before being distributed to the class. It was interesting to read and discuss this proposal in light of the last weeks readings on formulating a research question and our discussion in class on what to include in and how to structure a successful SSHRC application.

First, the research question emerges out of the "gap in research" approach to formulating the question that Luker discussed in last week's readings. The author asserts that, although there is a large body of research on cyborg theory, most of it does not address the "ethical and sociological modification in individuals with physical disabilities." From this gap, the author proposes to investigate questions regarding the formulation of appropriate ethical and legal guidelines for decisions around technological enhancement of disabilities and who or what organization should establish and enforce these guidelines.  Finally, the author asks whether or not all forms of technological enhancement should be encouraged or not and which ones.

The author organizes the proposal into three sections: 1) an introductory section where the topic is introduced, along with the a brief mention of the relevance of the topic and the significance of the author's background to the research and interest (the author has a disability). 2) The author gives a theoretical framework for cyborg theory and disability studies--- pointing out in more details the problems with each and positioning her/himself in a position to address the gap, ending the section with the research questions and methodology. 3) The final section is dedicated to the personal background of the author which details their qualifications for undertaking the research and receiving the grant, concluding with the more detailed description of the larger impact and aim of the author's research for both the field, society, and the academic goals of the author.

The application covers all the main areas that we discussed in class regarding a successful application. There is the hook and impact, a theoretical framework, evidence of extensive research and literature review, personal background, and relevant coursework. As Luker discussed, the author describes the field of study that they are positioning themselves in-- Disability Studies, Sociology, and Cyborg theory. The research questions bridge all of these areas. I can see why this application was successful in securing a SSHRC grant.

The only question I have with the application concerns the research methods for carrying it out. The author writes, "I will examine such questions by bridging relevant cyborg theories, and biotechnological breakthrough, to disability culture discourse." Obviously, this was not seen as a weakness by the SSHRC committee; however, as a research methods student, I would have appreciated more elaboration on the proposed methodology for this research project. It sounds to me like this is a more of scholarly text based research project more in the realm of critical studies, then using any of the social science research methodologies that we have been learning about in class. The author may intend to go beyond scholarly research and use other qualitative and quantitative research methods, but no mention is made of that.

I would like to read or hear about other SSHRC proposals that use some of the research methods that we have been studying in our class. Particularly, proposals that exemplify Luker's "salsa dancing" approach and utilize a variety of methods and approaches.