Over the last couple of weeks, I have been participating in bilingual research through Ohio State’s School of Communication. This fulfills my International Affair service requirement for the Spring Semester.
As part of this research, I spent 90 minute sessions in the journalism building helping researchers defend their hypothesis, taking tests, and filling out surveys. The research was very interesting. Its focus was to determine wether or not bilingual individuals interpret messages (mostly political ones) differently depending on which language the messages are presented in. The hypothesis of the sturdy declared that individuals were more like to agree with a statement in the native language, compared to their second language. I was only one of over one-hundred students involved in this process.
Undoubtedly, participating in research was wildly interesting. The researchers tracked our eye-movements as we read statements in English and Spanish using an infrared eye-trackig device. Afterwards, we would take ‘tests’ over what we had read. Then we would complete surveys. Participating in this type of research was definitely an educational experience. It was quite fun too!
At the same time I was giving my time to help a team of researchers, I was also able to practice my Spanish skills. Reading policies and political messages in Spanish is not something I’m very used to. Without a doubt it was a learning experience I would love to do again.
For now, I will await eagerly the results of the study. I’m extremely interested in what the data may say. Looking forward, I believe I will help the School of Communication with other research projects. Wether they focus on bilingual students are anyone, I believe there is a lot to be gained from these unique experiences.
Participating in this research has only excited me more about conducting my own. Research is definitely something I’m interested in.