Recently, Amani Qaqish, a senior at Oakland University and a research assistant here at the FF-TIP lab gave a step-back presentation on her Honors College thesis that she is currently working on with Dr. Malatesta regarding the impact of self-control on work/life balance for remote employees. In her presentation, she spoke about the methodology behind her online survey and what hypothesis she is currently testing.
After setting up the foundation for her presentation by going over the background of her study, discussing matters such as environmental distractions, strategies, and self-control. Amani presented her hypothesis in vivid detail. She discussed the strategies that remote employees may experience a better work life balance, such as by creating a routine and setting up “work” and “non-work” times.
After presenting, Amani took a “step back” to allow her fellow lab members and Dr. Taku to discuss potential ways to examine or test her hypothesis. The goal of this process is to allow others to think about a study as if it is their own. When fellow lab members take on projects as their own during a step-back, it opens up the door for alternative ways to view the research, and can produce new ideas.
Amani’s study is still ongoing, and we look forward to her thesis defense next month!
FF-TIP LAB 