SCOTT, Douglass

Research Classification：

Allocation Class：￥16460000

Embodiment:Joint research programs

2011

Research Results Outline：This special project funding was used to expand our research on young peoplThis special project funding was used to expand our research on young people’s use of mobile phones in different countries. ...This special project funding was used to expand our research on young people’s use of mobile phones in different countries. The original study was funded by the Advanced Research Center for Human Sciences in the School of Human Sciences, Waseda University, and focused on American, Japanese, and Chinese young people's use of mobile phones. This study was based, in part, on a data collection tool created by our group to deliver online surveys that can be completed on any mobile telephone with a Web browser. Three data sets were collected: Demographic data, gender communication, and a study of interpersonal closeness. The output of each research project will include conference presentations, journal articles, and improved course content. Based on the original study, our group sought to expand our research into more countries, focusing on places with large native English-speaking populations. The current Special Funding was used to develop our contacts and run pilot studies in these countries in preparation for full-scale data collection. Our original intent was to conduct research in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. However, the difference between these countries' academic calendars--especially those in the southern hemisphere--and Japan was problematic enough to compel the authors to shift and limit our focus to the UK and Canada. Based on this new focus, the researchers visited various universities in these countries to develop contacts and conduct preliminary research. In Canada, our primary contacts were professors in the Business College at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, outside of Toronto. Although their research focus is on business-related topics, these professors were willing to help us collect data for our study. In the UK, we contacted researchers at London University, Oxford University, and Cambridge University. Our colleague at Cambridge was particularly helpful in distributing our pilot study. We received a satisfactory return rate giving us confidence in our ability to collect data at that university. If additional funding can be secured, we should be able to collect sufficient data in these two countries to expand our cross-cultural comparison on mobile phone use.

2012

Research Results Outline：This special project funding was used to expand our research on young peoplThis special project funding was used to expand our research on young people’s use of mobile phones in different countries. ...This special project funding was used to expand our research on young people’s use of mobile phones in different countries. The original study was funded by the Advanced Research Center for Human Sciences in the School of Human Sciences, Waseda University, and focused on American, Japanese, and Chinese young people's use of mobile phones. Three data sets were collected: Demographic data, gender communication, and a study of interpersonal closeness. Based on the original study, we want to expand our research into more countries, especially those with large native English-speaking populations. The current Special Funding was used to develop our contacts in these countries in preparation for full-scale data collection. Although America was part of the original study, it was retained in the current study because of its heavy influence on technology development and use. In addition to maintaining our established contacts, we visited some new universities (e.g. University of California Los Angeles, University of Southern California) to expand the pool of potential study sites. We also continued our discussion with professors in Canada about conducting research on their campuses. We received positive feedback and believe we can collect sufficient data for our project. If additional funding can be secured, we should be able to collect enough data in these two countries to expand our cross-cultural comparison of young people’s mobile phone use.

2013

Research Results Outline：This special project funding was used to lay the groundwork for studying JaThis special project funding was used to lay the groundwork for studying Japanese exchange students’ use of communication te...This special project funding was used to lay the groundwork for studying Japanese exchange students’ use of communication technologies in their adjustment to life in America. Original pilot studies were conducted by Waseda University students under the direction of the lead author. These initial studies helped refine the data collection instrument and focus the scope of the current research. Research goals for the current study include: 1) Study the role of social networks in the cultural adjustment of Japanese exchange students in America. 2) Analyze the function of communication technology use with American and Japanese friends on the 
cultural adjustment of Japanese exchange students. 3) Identify communication strategies that contribute to positive cultural adjustment. 4) Develop successful communication strategies to stem the declining number of Japanese studying 
abroad. Fund provided by this special grant were primarily used to visit Michigan State University, one of the planned research sites. I met with faculty, staff, and administrators at MSU to discuss my proposed research project and learn how to get permission to conduct research on that campus. These discussion were productive and I will continue them in the future.