Theories, methodologies and perspectives. Oh my!

Theories, methodologies and perspectives - what are they? It's been a long time between blog posts and I can say it's mostly because I have been disillusioned by the question - which methodology fits my research?

So after exploring Narrative Inquiry (NI) whereby the researcher retells participants' stories through listening, observing and interviewing their lived experiences, I've concluded that (insert family feud's wrong buzzer here) that NI is not quite the right methodology for my research project. It's not wrong just not right either.

The socio-cultural perspective is still on the right track and it fits with the current track of thinking with- Third Space Theory and Appreciative Inquiry. 

If you want to learn more about Third Space Theory (I'm still learning!) Check out Dr Adam Fraser and Appreciative Inquiry in a nutshell is in the below cartoon.

So until next time, I need to make sure that instead of read, read, read, I need to read, reflect and (w)rite and get back into the Phd life!

http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/programevaluation/2015/12/29/appreciative-inquiry/

3MT top tips to successfully compete

Last week, I finally competed in the much anticipated Three Minute Thesis or 3MT. As I am at the beginning of my journey, I didn't have data and I believe this will definitely be a plus the next time I take part in the 3MT.

After stalking previous 3MT winners on YouTube and following the 3MT hashtag on twitter, I have collated a list of tips for successfully standing up and presenting your thesis in three minutes. Now that I have completed my first 3MT, I can also add a little humour may help!

So here's my list:

• Interesting catchy title
• Engaging introduction/opening line
• The question/s
• How I went about it
• Final message
• Eye contact
• Enthusiasm
• Wear dark clothes
• No notes- from memory

Also include:

 

Recent research suggests (no refs)... What about exploring pre-service Teachers lived experiences and sharing their voice?

Results will lead to further research...

 

Now although I didn't win, I feel I did have success as I achieved my goals - one of them standing up there and getting through it!

 

What would you add to my list?

My first week as an HDR student - what are you doing today?

I knew that as soon as I was accepted into the PhD program I would hit the ground running.
My first week as an HDR probationary candidate entailed;

-meeting with my Supervisor
-scheduling workshops and research days
-beginning my research plan
-filling in a survey regarding supervisor and student roles
-watching HDR induction videos
-reading policies and procedures (recently updated)
-re-doing my research planner
-updating my research gantt chart (love my Gantt!)
-setting up NVivo for Lit review


A great tip from Dr Lee-Ann Bye, USC, when she was a PhD candidate, was if someone asks what you are doing today, reply with 'I am working'. This will be one of the best tips to keep with me as I found when I did my research for my Master's degree, others thought that if I was home, I was free to do as I pleased including odd jobs for them! So, instead of saying 'I am studying', I will be saying 'I am working!'.

The research question - which is?

It has taken me a good six months to refine my research question and redraft my proposal to begin my PhD journey. And even though I have a fair idea where my research is heading, the research question and design may still take a detour during the research process. My research design includes my methodology and methods that I will use to approach my research question and attempt to answer it while also filling a gap in the knowledge of my particular topic.

Are you still with me?

 Six months has passed since first starting to write my proposal and I thought I would be closer to submitting my application. The research question needs to be realistic and the researcher (me!) needs to find a method suitable to answering it. 

Three major redrafts and I have once again refined my question. Hopefully when I see my supervisor in the new week, I will feel more confident in knowing I'm closer to submitting my application to begin my journey as an HDR student and begin my dreams of furthering my knowledge through research and fulfilling my desire to write on something close to my heart and that in some way or another contribute at least a snippet to the literature on my topic.

So, before that application even gets submitted, the research question (which may transform later!) needs to be refined and a suitable research design needed to attempt to answer it. AND I need to prove or, I believe, argue that it is a worthwhile topic to research.

I will get there. How do I know that? Sheer determination. 

How did you work through refining your research question?

The very beginning

This blog has been started to document my journey from Masters Research Student to Doctoral Student and beyond.

Today marks the day, I handed in my research project for perusal by my supervisor to seek permission to submit (no doubt I'll have to make some changes!) . It is now that I believe my PhD journey begins. I need to think about my next research topic, find two supervisors and write a research proposal to be accepted for candidature into my current University.

I also hope to obtain a scholarship, however before I look any more into that,  the research proposal is more important to complete.

So, I hope you enjoy reading about my journey, the highs and lows, and if you are also a PhD candidate can share in the adventures that lay ahead.

Jillian