Dissertation Plans
As outlined in my Self-Assessment and Reflection, my focus during my PhD has been on privacy and computing security within the context of at-risk populations, particularly youth. Fortunately, at UMBC, I have had the opportunity to further explore and expand my research area and UMBC provides me with the ideal environment to pursue work that integrates all of my interests. I am now planning to extend my research beyond the online and digital privacy and security of youth and delve into the broader realm of healthcare systems.
Main Topic
My dissertation will revolve around the intersecting themes of computer security, privacy, inclusive design, technology policy, and digital health. The primary objective of my research is to focus on designing, constructing, and assessing sociotechnical systems tailored for individuals within the healthcare system, such as medical trainees and healthcare workers.
I aim to develop resources that enhance digital literacy, empowering individuals to make well-informed decisions regarding technology usage while also increasing awareness of digital risks. To achieve this, I employ qualitative and quantitative methodologies to create novel tools and theories aimed at identifying and mitigating digital risk promoting safety, and providing insights for policy formulation.
Moving forward, I would like to further explore digital safety and privacy in the healthcare system. I have completed a literature review in this field. Currently, my first phase of research involves understanding the awareness of medical trainees, such as surgical residents, regarding data collection during their training sessions. I aim to answer two research questions for my proposed work: ” How do medical trainees and healthcare workers perceive the different forms of data collected by training systems? ” and ” What technological solutions can be devised to enhance online data privacy and cybersecurity support for healthcare workers and trainees? ”
As I have already begun exploring this topic, I aim to write and defend my proposal before the end of 2024. I intend to utilize ethnographic methodology for my proposal. Ethnography is a time-intensive process that generates a substantial amount of data. Given my relatively new position in the healthcare field, I recognize the importance of establishing relationships with medical trainees and other staff members first. Therefore, I plan to dedicate 6 months to 1 year to closely collaborate with Johns Hopkins Hospital. Consequently, I anticipate completing my data collection by early spring of 2025. Then, I plan to devote the bulk of 2025 to analyzing my data and writing my dissertation, aiming for a defense in Fall 2025.
Here is the estimated timeline for my dissertation plan:
Spring 2024:
– Finalizing my proposal research questions.
– Completing the first phase of my proposal study.
Summer 2024:
– Completing the writing of the proposal.
– Finalizing the dissertation committee members.
Fall 2024:
– Defending the dissertation proposal at the beginning of Fall 2024.
– Collecting data for the dissertation.
Spring 2025:
– Analyzing data for the dissertation.
– Writing the dissertation.
Summer 2025:
– Writing the dissertation.
Fall 2025:
– Defending the dissertation.