Two QoLEAD PhD students, Ellis and Teis, traveled to Sweden for an inspiring week of learning, research, and exchange at Linköping University. Read about their experiences!
“Recently we traveled to Norrköping, Sweden, to attend a course at Linköping University on how to critically approach data. Working with people with dementia, we’ve been aware for a longer time that researchers play a major role in how data is collected and interpreted. In fact, we leave a significant mark on the entire process.
During this course, we explored the meaning of the term “data” in depth. What counts as data? How do we collect it? And most importantly, how neutral is it in reflecting the reality of life with dementia? Or are our data shaped by our choices as researchers, the context in which we collect them, and the ways we “polish” and analyze them? One key takeaway: data is never truly neutral, no matter how hard you try to record it objectively.
We also learned that the way you visualize data has just as much impact on the message you convey. Which quotes do you choose to support a statement about people with dementia? Does the chart you select really communicate your main point? The second part of the course focused on critically thinking about how to communicate your (already non-neutral) data to the outside world. In the context of dementia, we find it especially important to reflect on the responsibility we carry as researchers to represent our target group in science.
We ended the week with a visit to the TEMA Faculty on the Linköping campus, where we were warmly welcomed by Ericka Johnson. By chance, we attended a seminar on qualitative research methods that perfectly complemented the course content. Later that day, we had the opportunity to present our PhD projects at the Department of Computer and Information Science (IDA) under the guidance of Tom Ziemke. It was incredibly valuable to receive feedback from his team.
And of course, we were in Sweden—which meant we enjoyed great food, explored the surroundings, and even experienced the first snow! All in all, a successful and inspiring trip for both of us.”
