Sunday, January 29, 2006
Going one baby step foward
OK, I got a working draft going with references to articles under each subtopic. With this, writing should be easier, I hope. Not done yet, only on my way ...
Saturday, January 28, 2006
Getting ready for Chapter 2
I think of the literature review as a big mess that needs to be put in order. I have all these articles, set in different piles by main topic, and I need to organize them in some way. I believe most people do the same thing. You sit down and start sorting and then you remember when your advisor suggested to use End Notes to keep keywords and summaries of your readings and you wonder ... Well, but it is not the time to look back, it is time to look forward.
So, you have read most of the articles; you have used them to write a paper or two. You have become used to them in one way or another. You start sorting and finding connections. You know you can tie it together, but it is still a big mess. Lets see! Oh, the outline ...
You go back to your initial outline, that old draft that guided you at the beginning of your research project. You look at the first outline draft, the second, you check the description you wrote for chapter two in your first chapter ... And it starts to make sense, to come alive, to stand on its own. But wait a minute, after looking at what you have, you notice there are still some gaps you need to work on. That means you still have to make other readings!
Well, it looks like you have accomplished one little task. Why not look at it from the bright side! Do you remember the movie Baby steps? I loved it! You don't need to do much in one day, one little thing every day or every other day will pile up and without you noticing it will become a big thing. [[Just think about your dirty clothes!!!]]
So, you have read most of the articles; you have used them to write a paper or two. You have become used to them in one way or another. You start sorting and finding connections. You know you can tie it together, but it is still a big mess. Lets see! Oh, the outline ...
You go back to your initial outline, that old draft that guided you at the beginning of your research project. You look at the first outline draft, the second, you check the description you wrote for chapter two in your first chapter ... And it starts to make sense, to come alive, to stand on its own. But wait a minute, after looking at what you have, you notice there are still some gaps you need to work on. That means you still have to make other readings!
Well, it looks like you have accomplished one little task. Why not look at it from the bright side! Do you remember the movie Baby steps? I loved it! You don't need to do much in one day, one little thing every day or every other day will pile up and without you noticing it will become a big thing. [[Just think about your dirty clothes!!!]]
Thursday, January 26, 2006
Welcome to my space!
No, don't start trying to guess what the "d" stands for, I know you have probably guessed it already, but if not, this is about a dissertation. What a big word, it almost feels like something terminal; although I believe it should be a start. Well, I should probably say, it should just be the continuation of your scholarly work. But it still sounds so BIG!! Let's see: D I S S E R T A T I O N !!!
Hum, if it only ended at dissert (please read as dessert), then it will make us smile and dream of our favorite sweets. But it doesn't. So, I should get back to work!
Hum, if it only ended at dissert (please read as dessert), then it will make us smile and dream of our favorite sweets. But it doesn't. So, I should get back to work!
