A different approach to writing

The old pen and paper. I haven't used just pen and paper to write in a few years. I find typing a fast way to get my thoughts down and save to the appropriate file that I can edit later. 

I'm reading a book by Mitch Albright-the PhD manual- 132 tips for surviving and thriving whilst writing your thesis and one particular point inspired me to stop and write this post. You see, his point about writing with just a pen and blank page has set me on a challenge. The challenge is to just write with no documents, texts, or devices, just a pen and a blank page. 

My challenge tomorrow is to write for at least 15 minutes with just a pen and a blank page in front of me on a subtopic of my research- the theory -practise gap and write. Surely I can do this. I have been reading an avalanche of papers related to my topic over the last few years. 

So here it is, my challenge to write tomorrow for 15 minutes on my chosen topic with nothing else but a pen and a blank page. And this blog is going to keep me accountable.😉

24 hours later, I have returned to this blog post to write an update.

I'll be honest, this approach didn't work for me, however, what it did provide was inspiration to contiNue writing - on my keyboard.

I need to tap away at my keyboard so my writing keeps up with my thoughts. I also need just a single piece of work that I can use to write productively. It could be anything, an article, a mind map, a page of notes. But I need just something to work from. 

I'm glad I tried this approach because although i didn't write anything productive to begin with, I was able to transfer to my laptop, realise what I needed to get back into the swing of writing. So yes, it did help break the drought of writing for my thesis.

Read, scribble, read, idea, scribble

As I get my head around a possible methodology and way to conduct my qualitative research, I realise I have a lot of work ahead of me- mostly writing that makes sense. After reading a few papers in my new way of inquiry, I rush to write ideas so not to forget them. It looks more like a preschooler's scribble but it makes sense to me. Now to put my scribble or lines into paragraphs so that I might include some of it in my thesis. I've remembered what I need to do to ensure I keep waiting - write about anything and everything even if it's not direct,y related to my topic and only a few sentences. Once I start writing, I'm usually in a better headspace to write on what I really should be writing about- my research topic. Thought it's not just writing about my topic, it's also writing about the process and why or why I haven't included particular items. So I thought I would share below my latest scribble that needs to be written up in academic speak.

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/

Graduation Day!

12 months ago I graduated from my Master's program. This year's graduation for the School of Education, I was invited to attend not as a graduand but as part of the ceremony's academic procession. I must admit it was fun donning the academic robes again and sitting up on stage looking out across the sea of mortarboards with their tassel swinging side to side.

Standing with the academics in their doctoral gowns has increased my motivation to complete my thesis. Sometimes, motivation to write wanes and attending the graduation ceremony as part of the academic procession and recession has reminded me of my goal. It has made me determined to get to my graduation ceremony where I wear the big floppy hat or the velvet tam.

So, how's your thesis writing going?

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?

I have 'readitis'

This is the realisation that I had today during a workshop presented by Hugh Kearns. 'Readitis' is where I read and read and find more wonderful things to read from what i just read that I don't actually give myself a chance to write.

You may remember from my 'PhD must-reads' post that I recently added a series of books by Hugh Kearns and Maria Gardiner. Today's workshop was based on one of their books, The Seven Secrets of Highly Successful Research Students. 

Kearns presents an engaging workshop that provides a real and doable guide to successfully complete a Higher Degree by Research. Check out his website www.ithinkwell.com.au for free tools and resources.

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!'.

Must reads in the PhD journey

I'm going to keep adding to this list of must reads for anyone doing an HDR.

First on my list is 

1.The PhD Manual: 132 Tips For Surviving And Thriving Whilst Writing Your Thesis [Kindle Edition]

By Mitch Albright

This is an easy to read, point by point ebook. Inexpensive and it had good coverage of the ,any dimensions that encompass the PhD journey. Oh did I mention he also recommends my favorite blogger, researcher, tweeter aka the Thesis Whisperer: Dr Inger Mewburn?

2. Digital Tools for Qualitative Research
By Paulus, Lester and Dempster, 2014

A new book published this year, I borrowed this one from my Supervisor. However, I think I may need to purchase this one. I found it a very useful handbook and covers using digital tools for literature reviews, Nvivo, Livescribe pen and analysis of data just for starters. It is well set out, making an excellent handbook to keep close by.

3. A series of books by Hugh Kearns and Maria Gardiner

I) The seven secrets of highly successful research students II) The PhD Experience III)Turbocharge your writing IV) Defeating self-sabotage and V)Time for Research

4. Succeeding with your Literature Review: A handbook for students by Paul Oliver

Available as an ebook, it has excellent suggestions on how to approach  doing your literature review including how to sort the literature. Definitely a book to take notes or in my case highlight in my Kindle important tips.

5. Qualitative Data Analysis: A methods sourcebook

This book by Miles, Huberman and Saldana is one that I cited in my Master's thesis and it's exciting to have my very own copy on my bookshelf. It covers qualitative data analysis mainly but it does describe the difference in strategies of data analysis between qualitative and quantitative. I believe this is a book that is needed before data collection is started not just when data analysis is being completed.

6. Ethnography: step by step third edition by David M. Fetterman

An easy and informative read for ethnographers and those thinking about doing ethnography. This book provides a greater understanding of what ethnography really is. It's not just about immersing yourself into a culture to observe.

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?

Using a Mind Map to Explore a Potential Research Topic

It is still early days but I've been working on a potential PhD research topic. To do this, I approached it the same way I did my Masters by Research - using a mind map. There some great applications to to do this and I chose a program called Prezi that I downloaded onto my iPad.
See below my prezi that I have been working on;

I still have approximately six months to define and refine my research topic. But I find the best place to start is to just get all your ideas out of your head and into a visual space.

Jillian

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