This past week, Jamal Madison, a second semester research assistant here at the FF-TIP lab, gave a step-back presentation regarding his current research on the effects of peer influence on suicide risk assessment. He started the presentation out by discussing the current suicide rates in the U.S., noting that there is currently an average of over 100 suicides per day. He went on to tell us that 83% of suicide patients saw a mental health professional within a year but did not receive a diagnosis. In fact, clinicians are rarely able to predict suicides in patients better than chance. Based on this information, it is clear that there is a great need for research on suicide risk assessment. Jamal’s research intends to fill in the gaps that currently exist in the literature surrounding this topic.
After providing the lab with the background information that set up the foundation for his study, Jamal talked about the hypotheses, measures, and preliminary results of his current research. He went on to ask important questions about his current research and ways to improve it. For instance, he asked questions regarding what additional factors could be considered when analyzing data and testing his hypotheses.
Once he asked his fellow lab members questions that were pertinent to his current research, Jamal took a “step-back” while the lab discussed his project as if it was their own. The lab went on to contemplate plans of analysis as well as what variables might be important to further explore. Jamal took notes during the lab’s brainstorming session and will apply some of the ideas discussed during the step-back to his current project.
Jamal’s study is still ongoing, and we look forward to seeing the final results of his research project in the upcoming months!
FF-TIP LAB 