2020 Fiscal Year Research-status Report
Corroborating the controversial Bilingual Advantage hypothesis using functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) neuroimaging
| Project/Area Number |
20K20152
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| Research Institution | Kyushu University |
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Principal Investigator |
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| Project Period (FY) |
2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
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| Keywords | fNIRS / bilingual advantage / verbal fluency test |
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
This research will investigate the putative neural correlates of bilingual advantage using a convenient neuroimaging modality (fNRIS) in combination with verbal fluency tests in Japanese university students of differing English proficiency. Because my research is "clinical" in nature, I created and submitted a lengthy application to the Institutional Review Board of the Faculty of Medicine, completed a training program to complete the process, and was officially certified as a "Clinical Researcher" by the Clinical Research Center. I have also purchased and optimized mobile devices and software for administration of the chosen English test. Finally, despite the sudden end of the orginally-agreed-upon rental program, I have recently procured the services of another provider.
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| Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
3: Progress in research has been slightly delayed.
Reason
Because data collection is dependent upon meeting students in person, COVID restrictions have prevented me from beginning the experiment until now. Originally, I had planned to begin collecting data in the final quarter of FY2020. Also, my liaison from the equipment manufacturer (Shimadzu) was transferred to Tokyo at the end of March 2021, and I have been assigned a new representative whom I just met the day before the time of this writing. In addition, for FY2021, the equipment provider Shimadzu Adcom changed its terms of service and ended its rental program, necessitating the finding of another provider. The details of the equipment rental contract, this time with Mitsubishi Capital, is only now being confirmed.
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| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
While I negotiate terms with a new equipment rental provider, I plan to begin collecting the data that is not contingent upon the use of the fNIRS system. This is the administration of the chosen method for establishing English proficiency: Pearson Clinical's EVT-3 test. After confirming rental details of the fNIRS system, I will then plan on renting the system for one week of data collection with students during a convenient time from May - July, 2021. Another round of data collection will then be scheduled with a new group of participants during Fall Semester 2021, performing as many measurements as students' convenience and my time will permit.
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| Causes of Carryover |
COVID restrictions to campus activities have until now prevented accelerated research progress. I was planning on doing an initial round of data collection and pilot study during the second half of 2020. However, students were discouraged from coming to campus, and face-to-face contact with them, necessary for data collection, was prohibited. The remaining funds will now be applied to rental of the necessary equipment now that face-to-face activities have resumed. The spectre of further COVID restrictions may provide further difficulty, however.
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