Day 2

Day 2

I feel as if I learned a lot more today than I did yesterday. While the amount of work outside of class is a little overwhelming (largely because I am extremely inept when it comes to aesthetic design with specific regards to things that have an overwhelming number of options such as ShareLaTeX) the lectures were all engaging and interesting. I particularly enjoyed Sriraam’s talk about learning programs, which is a relief since I’ll be working under him this summer. I found his speaking style to be very engaging and his research to be incredibly fascinating. I hope at some point to find some time outside of work to learn more of the inner workings of his program from him.

Observations

Note that these observations are from ~11:30 – 11:50pm, meaning that the data is likely different from what it would be during daytime. The most noticeable difference is the small number of patrons. Observations are from a Steak & Shake, and only account for ~ half the restaurant as the other half was concealed from my view by booths, though I sat in a corner which did give me a good view of the entirety of the unobstructed portion.

[observations before starting timer] Currently observing six patrons. Two men in button up shirts, one wearing baseball cap seated across from each other (table=t1), appear to be in their late 20s to early 30s. No phones currently visible on them. Two young looking women also seated opposite each other (table=t2). The one furthest from me has her phone on the table, the booth is obstructing much of my view of the other one. Older man wearing blazer and sweater vest(?) sitting alone (table=t3). Man with ponytail sitting alone (table=t4), also obstructed by booth. On the other side of the restaurant there are four more individuals, but I will likely be completely unable to tell if they are using their phones at any given time. Those obstructed by booths on this side are at such an angle to me that there is a chance of some findings, though it is not ideal.

~0:15: visible individual(f1) of t2 presses power button on phone, looks down for a moment then re-engages in conversation with her companion.

0:51: Man furthest from me at t1 (m1) pulls phone out of pocket and appears to read until ~1:00. Conversation halts.

~1:30: f1 checks again. This time picks up phone after checking, continues talking though more slowly as she types something. Phone back is now visible. Case appears to be blue with zig-zag stripes in soft yellows and pinks.

M1 had no phone case.

~1:45 – ~5:00 (~5:50 after writing this para): Distracted by waitress. Didn’t collect accurate data during this time but saw M1 take his phone out of his pocket again and type something, ceasing conversation. After a moment of him typing his conversation partner (m2) took out his phone as well (also without a case) and began swiping vertically. f1 checked phone at least two more times during this period.

6:16: f1 checks phone again.

~6:20: it is likely that a motion that f1’s conversation partner (f2) has been making with her right arm has been turning on her phone’s screen similar to f1, as she just made this motion again before picking up her phone from beyond my vision and staring at it for ~15 seconds.

~7:00 f1 checks phone

~7:30 Man with ponytail (m3) angles himself so that I can see he is on his phone. No clue how long he has been.

~9:00 M3 changes angle, can no longer see phone, but he was on it for this entire period of time. Appears to have finished eating, (waiting for check?)

~10:00 f1 checks phone.

~12:00 f1’s phone noticeably vibrates on table, appears engrossed in conversation and either doesn’t notice or ignores it.

~12:30 – ~16:30: distracted by the arrival of food/moving computer to accommodate. No observations during this time except that m3 appears to have left.

~17:15: older man leaves. I did not observe him checking his phone once.

~18:00: m2 takes phone out of pocket and begins scrolling. He and m1 appear to have finished eating, m1 does the same at ~ 18:45

Note that during this time two new people (separate) entered the restaurant, but seated themselves on the far side beyond where I was observing.

IRB

As to the question of what category the above methods should be considered as, I would have to argue for Expedited. While it could easily be argued that it could fall under exempt as public observations, I would voice two concerns. Firstly, there is no guarantee that none of the observed are not under the age of 18. Secondly, it could also be argued that the fast food restaurant is private property and therefore not considered a public space. If I were unable to speak to an IRB representative I would classify it as expedited for these reasons to be on the safe side, however the most logical option here would be to speak to someone more knowledgeable on how strictly such technicalities might be enforced.

ShareLaTeX

Bio

Kids Bio

Paper Summary

Predict health issues to increase efficacy of treatment without increasing cost. Use statistical models/learning algorithms to achieve this. Very interesting but dense, reread when possible.

2″ x 2″ x 2″

https://www.tinkercad.com/things/cncbYnMelN4-fantastic-albar-waasa

Nametag

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