Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
What Sample or Collection Will You Use?
The next important step after outlining your research question and deciding to conduct
case-based research is to identify the sample that you will use. There are several key factors
to keep in mind. First, you must have adequate access to a sample. You want to ensure that
you have clearly outlined your hypothesis, research methodology, and research timeline to
the curator of the collection and that everyone is in agreement. Also, be sure to be both real-
istic and generous with your timeline since more often than not research tends to take a little
longer than planned. Nothing is more frustrating than trying to cram two months of research
into a two-week time frame.
Second, make sure that the collection has an adequate sample size for your specific
research project. For example, a skeletal collection may contain 800 individuals. However,
if you are looking at skeletal trauma and only four individuals of the 800 exhibit trauma,
this would not be an adequate sample size. The curator of the collection should be able to
guide you here in advance. (Refer to DiGangi and Moore [Chapter 2], this volume for
more information on project logistics).
Third, ensure that adequate records of the sample are available. Especially in the forensic
area where you are trying to conduct research using known examples of trauma, make sure
that the mechanism of injury is indeed “known” and more importantly, documented. For
example, if you are conducting research on the sizes and shapes of entrance wounds and frac-
ture patterns from different calibers of weapons, ensure that you have access to the official
medical record that includes this information. It is best to adopt the standards of documen-
tation used in medicine or forensic pathology in which documentation includes a medical
record number or case number and an official document, not simply a self-stick note on
the box.
I Have My Hypothesis and My Sample Set Up, Now What?
You are ready to start your research! Before you begin, however, there are some key factors
to consider. First, decide how you will chart or document your observations. Having a clear
and concise plan will guarantee that no detail is overlooked as well as ensure that the
research is conducted more efficiently. Second, decide what type of imaging will be used
as further documentation. As the saying goes, “a picture is worth a thousand words.”
Make sure that all examples of trauma are clearly photographed from all angles and that
specimens are labeled in the photographs. (Refer to DiGangi and Moore [Chapter 2] and
Smith [Chapter 7], this volume, for more information on taking photographs).
Third, ensure that you are protecting the individuals' privacy, especially relevant for
studies of forensic cases. The United States Government Health Insurance Portability and
Accountability Act (HIPAA) mandates that no identifiable information be associated with
medical specimens or remains.
3
Be sure that you do not record the individual's name or
date of birth on any of your records, or have this information visible in any photographs.
If photographing radiographs or other images generated from sources such as computed
tomography (CT) scans or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) equipment, be sure the
3
For more information about HIPPA please see
www.hhs.gov
.
