[Blindmath] Survey regarding perceptions of stereotypes about blindness

[Steve Jacobson]

Sina,

It is my understanding that participating in a study is substantially different than analyzing the conclusions.  We cannot really 
assume exactly what she is studying even if we think it is clear from the explanation.  If we know exactly what she is studying, 
it would in and of itself bias our answers.  Therefore, I don't think you can really draw the conclusions you have drawn.  If you 
see the results, you could then certainly be critical of the survey and such if that was the case.  At this point, though, you are 
judging her survey on your supposition of what is being studied.

Best regards,

Steve Jacobson

On Mon, 26 Aug 2013 09:12:02 -0400, Sina Bahram wrote:

>Just to be clear, Arielle is not being attacked. The research question is,
>quite vigorously in fact. The reason for this is that I, just like her
>thesis committee and peers in the field, care about the state of these
>questions, and we want them to be answered scientifically and usefully so
>that many others may benefit. 

>This is absolutely nothing compared to the first five minutes of her
>eventual defense, but obviously she'll have data then and can point to both
>observations she's made and to citations of the underlying claims.

>I would much rather, and I hope she would too, have her deal with these
>questions now when she has the opportunity to reexamine the study, instead
>of when she's standing in front of a committee and is between a rock and a
>hard place.

>Take care,
>Sina

>Twitter: @SinaBahram
>Website: http://www.SinaBahram.com
>Blog: http://blog.SinaBahram.com


>-----Original Message-----
>From: Blindmath [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
>Littlefield, Tyler
>Sent: Monday, August 26, 2013 7:31 AM
>To: Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics
>Subject: Re: [Blindmath] Survey regarding perceptions of stereotypes about
>blindness

>Thankfully though, it's a world we don't have to live in. Arielle, I'm 
>sorry you're getting attacked over nothing, but good luck on your 
>research. Maybe you might include a bit for those living under a rock, 
>screaming that they don't get treated differently at all because they're 
>blind. Denial is a bad bad thing!
>On 8/26/2013 12:09 AM, Ken Perry wrote:
>> I think if Sina did all the research in the world it would be a different
>> world.
>>
>> Ken
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Blindmath [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Sina
>> Bahram
>> Sent: Sunday, August 25, 2013 5:12 PM
>> To: 'Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics'
>> Subject: Re: [Blindmath] Survey regarding perceptions of stereotypes about
>> blindness
>>
>> Dave,
>>
>> The below is presented as research, not reporting. This was exactly my
>> point. You just took your anecdotal experience and those that you have
>heard
>> from others that you associate with, extrapolated to a larger group based
>on
>> this knowledge, and then appeared to completely dismissed a counterexample
>> presented to you. this is why we don't do research in this manner. Your
>> beliefs are completely and utterly irrelevant from a scientific point of
>> view. So are Ken's, and so are mine. The facts are what should matter, not
>> the preconceived or pre-held notions that any of us bring to the table.
>>
>> The below study, in my humble opinion, however, appears to encapsulate the
>> concerns and experiences that you just laid out, without actually
>bothering
>> to ask the question, or cite the overwhelming evidence of, the underlying
>> claim.
>>
>> Is there even a control group in this study? For example, is the
>researcher
>> controlling for race, language ability, physical appearance, behaviors,
>> etc.?
>>
>> If you, as your email implies, already accept the claim that stereotyping
>> goes on, then you, by definition, must admit the pointlessness of the
>> research because you already accept the claim. Note, I'm not claiming the
>> research is pointless, by the way. Alternatively, if you approach it
>> scientifically whereby one does not assume, even despite overwhelming
>> personal experience, then one can generalize any facts that are learned,
>> using statistics and other evidence-based techniques, to a larger
>> population. Of course, then subsequent questions, which may address
>policy,
>> advocacy, and other such things can be asked and such research could be
>> useful in laying down the groundwork for those studies without having to
>> prove all over again that the stereotyping exists.
>>
>>
>> I'd love to see a study of whether self-reported stereotyping is higher
>> amongst individuals who claim that stereotyping occurs and those that
>either
>> have no opinion or do not claim this to be true. After all, if one
>controls
>> for the various confounds, then it would be fascinating to see a
>> correlation, or lack thereof, between those audiences e.g. if you expect
>> something to happen, then will it, or in more scientific words, a form of
>> confirmation bias.
>>
>> In fact, the below research could easily fold in such a research question.
>>
>> Take care,
>> Sina
>>
>> Twitter: @SinaBahram
>> Website: http://www.SinaBahram.com
>> Blog: http://blog.SinaBahram.com
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Blindmath [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of David
>> Andrews
>> Sent: Sunday, August 25, 2013 4:48 PM
>> To: Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics
>> Subject: Re: [Blindmath] Survey regarding perceptions of stereotypes about
>> blindness
>>
>> While such a discussion is off topic for this list, I frankly find it hard
>> to believe that you haven't been treated in a stereotypic manner in 20
>plus
>> years.  Have you ever been in a restaurant when the wait person asked you
>in
>> a loud voice what you wanted?  Or -- asked your
>> companion(s) what you wanted.
>>
>> I see examples of this kind of behavior almost daily and find it difficult
>> to believe you have had none in 20 plus years.  I suspect we just regard
>it
>> differently.
>>
>> Dave
>>
>> At 03:13 PM 8/25/2013, you wrote:
>>> Hmm I have been blind now 22 years and sighted 21 years.  I haven't
>>> been stereo typed that I know of since I have been blind so I agree
>>> with you Sina.  Now I have been stereo typed because I am short, white,
>>> geeky, conservative, X-military, Baptist, , muscly, etc etc so maybe I
>>> am just missing the relevance of this study if it doesn't include
>>> stereo types that happen regardless of you being blind or not.
>>>
>>> Ken
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Blindmath [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Sina
>>> Bahram
>>> Sent: Sunday, August 25, 2013 3:35 PM
>>> To: 'Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics'; 'NFB Young
>>> Professionals List'
>>> Cc: 'Advice and support for blind cooks'; 'blparent'; 'Colorado
>>> Association of Blind Students List'; acb-l at nfbnet.org; 'Blind Talk
>>> Mailing List'; 'National Association of Blind Students mailing list';
>>> 'Arizona Association of Blind Students List'; 'NFB of Colorado Discussion
>> List'
>>> Subject: Re: [Blindmath] Survey regarding perceptions of stereotypes
>>> about blindness
>>>
>>> Putting aside the relevance of whether this message is on/off topic
>>> (since similar studies have been forwarded on here before, and I do
>>> feel it's important to get as many participants as possible for such
>>> research), I do have some concerns about the wording below. The
>>> wording, frankly, is
>> neither
>>> here nor there, but the underlying semantics and assumptions
>>> encapsulated
>> in
>>> the questions being asked is quite significant, I feel. The wording
>>> below implies an acceptance that blind people are stereotyped somewhat
>>> always,
>> and
>>> you're simply interested in understanding how. While I feel that this
>>> is a fantastic position to hold, especially if one is attempting to
>>> promote a particular dogma or funding opportunity, for example, it
>>> might not be the best tact to take from a research point of view, if
>>> that's of interest, of course. For example, the email below, to me,
>>> seems to speak to an already self-selecting and rather biased
>>> prospective participant, namely that of a blind individual who has
>>> already been stereotyped or blind individuals who feel like such
>> stereotypes exists independent of their own experience e.g.
>>> insert anecdotal evidence here.
>>>
>>> So, essentially, what I'm asking is whether it might not be more
>> appropriate
>>> to examine If such stereotypes exist as strongly as one might believe,
>>> and furthermore to word the research query in such a way so as not to
>>> immediately bias the potential participant?
>>>
>>> Just some thoughts.
>>>
>>> Take care,
>>> Sina
>>>
>>> Twitter: @SinaBahram
>>> Website: http://www.SinaBahram.com
>>> Blog: http://blog.SinaBahram.com
>>>
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Blindmath [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
>>> Arielle Silverman
>>> Sent: Sunday, August 25, 2013 3:20 PM
>>> To: NFB Young Professionals List
>>> Cc: Advice and support for blind cooks; blindmath; blparent; Colorado
>>> Association of Blind Students List; acb-l at nfbnet.org; Blind Talk
>>> Mailing List; National Association of Blind Students mailing list; NFB
>>> of Colorado Discussion List; Arizona Association of Blind Students List
>>> Subject: [Blindmath] Survey regarding perceptions of stereotypes about
>>> blindness
>>>
>>> Hi all,
>>> My name is Arielle Silverman and I am a doctoral student in the
>>> Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of
>>> Colorado. As you may know, I am conducting a series of studies for my
>>> dissertation examining blind people's experiences finding employment as
>>> well as your experiences
>> in
>>> interacting with the sighted public. I would appreciate your help with
>>> a brief online study investigating your views about ways in which blind
>> people
>>> tend to be stereotyped by society.
>>> The study should take no more than 15 minutes to complete. In
>>> appreciation of your time, you will have the opportunity to enter a
>>> raffle drawing to
>> win
>>> a $50 gift certificate to a merchant of your choice (Amazon.com,
>> Itunes.com,
>>> Olive Garden, or AMC Theaters). All of your responses in the study will
>>> be anonymous and confidential. Anyone who is legally blind and at least
>>> 18 years old is welcome to participate.
>>> To begin please go to:
>>> http://ucsas.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_eEhW5bXJgyKeetT
>>> Thank you as always for your assistance.
>>> Best,
>>> Arielle Silverman, M.A.
>>> Doctoral Candidate, Social Psychology
>>> Department of Psychology and Neuroscience
>>> 345 UCB
>>> Boulder, CO 80309-0345
>>> arielle.silverman at colorado.edu
>>>
>>>
>>> On 8/25/13, Kevin Lowe <kevl2686 at aol.com> wrote:
>>>> Thank you Marisa. Unfortunately I have already been in contact with
>>>> the president of the travel and leisure division and she had no
>>>> other ideas
>>> from
>>>> what means I am currently using. Nonetheless I certainly do
>>>> appreciate
>>> your
>>>> suggestion.
>>>>
>>>> Thank you,
>>>> Kevin Lowe
>>>>
>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>
>>>> On Aug 25, 2013, at 10:16 AM, "M Lucca" <lucca.marisa at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Hi Kevin,
>>>>>
>>>>> I am not familiar with CRM software, albeit I know its purpose and
>>>>> importance. You may find the NFB Travel and Tourism Division a
>>>>> helpful resource, though. Perhaps you should contact one of the
>>>>> Division's board members or officers for guidance. I presume the
>>>>> Division may provide some sort of direction. Here is a link to the
>>>>> Division's website http://www.nfbtravel.org/
>>>>>
>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>
>>>>> Marisa Lucca
>>>>> NFB Florida Member
>>>>>
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: Young_professionals
>>>>> [mailto:young_professionals-bounces at nfbnet.org]
>>>>> On
>>>>> Behalf Of kevl2686 at aol.com
>>>>> Sent: Friday, August 23, 2013 10:39 PM
>>>>> To: young_professionals at nfbnet.org
>>>>> Subject: [Young_professionals] CRM software
>>>>>
>>>>> Hello,
>>>>> Owning my own travel agency I have been trying to find a Customer
>>>>> Relationship Management (CRM) program that is fully accessible with
>> JAWS.
>>>>> As of now I have yet to find one that will work.  So this brings me
>>>>> to my obvious question, do any of you know of a JAWS friendly CRM
>>>>> program?  Any thoughts or ideas would be greatly appreciated.
>>>>>
>>>>> Thank you,
>>>>>
>>>>> Kevin Lowe
>>>>> Better Days Travel, "We'll take you to a better place"
>>>>> www.BetterDaysTravel.com
>>
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>>
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>>
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>-- 
>Take care,
>Ty
>http://tds-solutions.net
>He that will not reason is a bigot; he that cannot reason is a fool; he that
>dares not reason is a slave.
>Sent from my Toaster (tm).


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