Six Aspects of Scientific Research include: 

1. Basics of Scientific Research Design:  Hypothesis building, Construct Definitions, Quantifying Data Analysis and Descriptive Data Analysis, Research Study Designs, Statistical Analysis Options

2. Scientific Journal Research: How to read scientific journal research. How to decipher statistical information. How to discern the quality of research. 

3. Review Board Proposal Preparation:  Scientific Research that aims to be published needs to pass a Review Board. Students will prepare a review board proposal, learn ethics guidelines for all human-related and device-related research, attend and participate in a Review Board panel Q&A.

4. Execution of Research Experiments: Students will participate in a one-month Beta formatted research project, alter the research process according to those results, and students will then implement an entire actual vetted research experiment over one to two months period of time. This is quite involved and active. 4.    

5. Data Analysis: All quantifiable and descriptive data will be analyzed using several statistical and probability tests. Mathematical, Data Processing, and Computer Programming through MATLAB will be discussed. Such background would be helpful.  Students will collect data, key in data, prepare data analysis programs, analyze the data, and write-up the data results.    

6. Journal-Ready Article Writing: Complete write-up of a research project in Scientific Journal Research format will be the final exam.  How to follow such a format and use related software will be covered in this program.  

Twelve Branches of Sciences which will be explored include: 
   a.    Neurology
   b.    Neuropsychology 
   c.    Physiology
   d.    Physiological Psychology 
   e.    Psychology (Personality Theory, Developmental Psychology, Psychopathology, Change and Psychotherapeutic Research, Psychometry Assessments and Measures – 7 tools) 
   f.     Statistics and Probability 
   g.    Computer Programming 
   h.    Computer/Device Brain Interfacing 

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These fields will be explored in terms of the research project.  

Students will be required to read high school and college-level materials regarding each of these fields of science which directly relate to the research project's goal. Students will be quizzed on a basic level of comprehension of those reading materials and will be using those materials for their final which will be a Scientific Journal Research project formatted journal article, prepared for submission. 

During the course the following constructs of Personality Functioning will be specifically investigated by the Project’s Research: 
Constructs of Personality Development that will be examined at length include the following:
   a.    Development of Self-Esteem, Good or Poor
   b.    Development of Self-Confidence, Strong or Weak
   c.    Development of Problem-Solving Skills Set, Inhibited, Creative, Linear, Circular, Conflict Resolution, Judgmental Foreclosure, Narcissistic Process, Group Process
   d.    Development of Mindsets (Change and Fixed)
   e.    Development of Identity (Marcia: Achievement, Moratorium, Foreclosure, and Diffusion) 
   f.     Construct of “Learned Helplessness” associated with Depression and Anxiety (Seligman)
   g.    Construct of Helplessness associated with Panic Attacks, Stress, “Overwhelm” 
   h.    Construct of Helplessness associated with Traumatic Events

 

During the course the following Constructs of Change and Self-Improvement will be specifically investigated by the Project’s Research:
   a.    Changing Brain Wave Patterns and Physiology by neuro/biofeedback equipment (six different noninvasive devices will be explored including Muse, Neurosky, Mindset, Epoch, BrainTapetc.)
   b.    Changing Physiology by Biofeedback equipment (three biofeedback devices will be explored and measured) 
   c.    Changing Mindset, Self-Esteem, Self-Confidence and Learned Helplessness using Brain Entrainment devices (including BrainTap, Muse, Auditory Protocols, Mindfulness Protocols, Halo)
   d.    BrainTap Device’s research and development will be focused upon as the key device used during the research.  

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During the Course the following 7 Psychometric Tools will be introduced and explored as pertains to the Research Investigation:
   a.    Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (30 Indices)
   b.    Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety      (30 Indices)
   c.    LHQ – Learned Helplessness Questionnaire or Learned Helplessness Scale by Quinlin (25 Indices)
   d.    Self-Esteem Measurement – Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (20 Indices)
   e.    MMPI R-2     (Over 100 Indices)
   f.     HRV – Measures of Biological Algorithms associated with depression, anxiety, stress, and health including but not limited to the following assessments:  cardiovascular and vegetative nervous system health, neuro-hormonal regulation and energy resources, psycho-emotional states, organism adaptation levels, biological rhythms of harmonization’s, patients biological age. (Over 100 Indices)
   g.    Neurotransmitter algorithmic measures by the HRV related program (Mike Porter has access) (Over 20 Indices)

 

During the course, the following statistics and probability tests will be introduced and explore and with Matlab the quantifiable data will be analyzed.
   a.    Spearman Correlation
   b.    Chi-Square
   c.    Paired T-Test
   d.    Independent T-Test
   e.    ANOVA
   f.     Wilcoxon Sign-Rank
   g.    Wilcoxon Rank-Sum Test

 

During the course the following aspects of computer science will be introduced and explored with regard to the Research Project:
   a.    Data Collection (Scoring and Data Entry)
   b.    Data Management and Organization
   c.    Computer programming data analysis via the statistical and probability tests used 
   d.    Data Analysis, Summary, and Write-up

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Initial Research Proposal Statement: 
We will examine how much BrainTap reduces a central issue or core issue of depression, anxiety, stress, trauma reactions, or underachievement: HELPLESSNESS.  
 
Issues Being Addressed:
Depression, anxiety, stress, trauma reactions, and underachieving have one feature in common: helplessness.  Learned helplessness is a key feature of depression according to Martin Seligman. Fear of threats, a form of helplessness that is either imagined or actual, is core to anxieties and panic attacks. PTSD flashbacks, nightmares, and startle responses are often reenactments of engrained helplessness in the face of horrific experiences. Fear of failure, lowered self-esteem, and lack of motivation or effort are four expressions of helplessness that typically characterize underachievement.
 
Hypothesis:
Helplessness, as an engrained or trained feeling or self-image, can be reduced by using brain entrainment technology combined with hypnotherapeutic suggestions and mindfulness meditative practices. BrainTap is a primary technology combining these three interventions. It is hypothesized that BrainTap will reduce the learned helplessness associated with depression, anxiety, stress, and PTSD as well as reduce the demotivating helpless self-image which plagues underachievement. 
 
Research Design:
This research project involves four steps prior to statistical analysis:

   1)    Utilize seven measurement tools associated with various features of helplessness.

      a.    Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (30 Indices)
      b.    Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (30 Indices)
      c.    LHQ – Learned Helplessness Questionnaire or Learned Helplessness Scale by Quinlin (25 Indices)
      d.    Self-Esteem Measurement – Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (20 Indices)
      e.    MMPI R-2  (Over 100 Indices)
      f.     HRV – Measures of Biological Algorithms associated with depression, anxiety, stress, and health including but not limited to the following assessments:  cardiovascular and vegetative nervous system health, neurohormonal regulation and energy resources, psycho-emotional states, organism adaptation levels, biological rhythms of harmonization’s, patients biological age. (Over 100 Indices)
      g.    Neurotransmitter algorithmic measures by the HRV related program (Mike Porter has access) (Over 20 Indices)
   2)    Measurements of helplessness (1c) and the associated measurements of depression, anxiety, stress, trauma or PTSD symptoms will be administered three to five times during the experimental phase. Such will provide the initial baseline measurements (prior to the use of BrainTap Protocols), the progressive changes during the 30-day period of the experiment, and the end results after a 30-day period of utilizing BrainTap.
   3)    Subjects will use BrainTap for 15 days over a 30-day period of time. They will be required to use one of the BrainTap protocols specific to motivation and success (20 minutes).
   4)    Subjects will also be required to choose one protocol from a list that either addresses happiness, stress relief, trauma recovery, success, or self-esteem.  They will use BrainTap with their chosen protocol for 15 days out of 30-days.
 
Statistical Analysis:
   a.     Statistical analysis will analyze the impact of BrainTap, the one selected protocol, and the different protocols used by each subject.
   b.     Correlational analysis of the variables measured by the seven tools will be performed by an independent analyst.
   c.     305 Indices will be compared over time (three times: before, during, and after the 30-day period) for change.
   d.     305 indices will be compared related to the prescribed BrainTap Protocol
   e.     305 indices will be compared related to the subject’s personally selected BrainTap protocol
   f.      Control group measures may or may not be provided depending on the financials and availability of subjects.