Light blogging as of late. I'll be back soon--especially now that I have finally turned in to my committee my Official Dissertation Proposal. (YAY!) In the meantime, while I am preparing for my proposal meeting next week, I thought I'd share this random wisdom about research and writing. I should say this is wisdom from my chair; as they say in 'Netland, your mileage may vary...
1) Sometimes, dissertation work (and graduate school in general) is less about time management and more about guilt management.
2) Logic dictates that one begins writing once one has figured out what one needs to do; in practice, however, it is often the process of writing that helps you figure out what you need to do.
3) You can read all the "how-to" dissertation writing books you want, and it will still be the case that the most effective way to write (starting/resuming/finishing) is to put your hindside on a chair and to not move it until you've made progress. Lather. Rinse. Repeat. Daily. Really: Daily. (This actually was from one of my many, many dissertation how-to books. When I think of which one I'll pass along the title.)
4) There is no proof for the feasibility for a study quite like actually doing the study. Pilot studies are worth their weight in gold.
5) Pay no attention to those who say "All this 'the best dissertation is a done dissertation' stuff just leads to lowered standards". They will not be around to help you when you are ABD 10 years and shelving books at B & N.
6) All those nightmares (about you showing up at your prospectus meeting clad only in rumpled undergarments, or about you reading the print-out of your proposal--the very one that you just delivered to your committee members--and finding that you've written it entirely in wingdings) are terrifying at the time. But they have their purpose in making whatever reality that comes to pass look downright jolly by comparison.
Posted by perry032 at January 23, 2006 09:00 PM | TrackBackCongrats on getting your proposal in!! Best wishes on a stimulating and inspiring proposal meeting.
Posted by: Mon at January 23, 2006 09:21 PMSo, now that you've reached yet another huge milestone in THE QUEST, how long do you think we still have your golden blog reflections about the dissertation process? As I read today's post I almost got weepy: "Oh no, don't leave us now!"
Posted by: Gregg at January 24, 2006 08:50 AMOhhh, Gregg, never you mind. I have "many miles to go before I sleep"--and defend! I've stopped making public promises about when I'll be finished. Let's just say: It's not "just around the corner," but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. (And it's not an on-coming train!)
Thanks, Mon. You are setting a good pace and example for folks like me!
Posted by: Yvette at January 24, 2006 10:03 AMWell congratulations Ms.Yvette! You've passed another hurdle. I have to be honest and say I'm rather envious. I can't seem to put pen to paper (or finger to keyboard) in getting a draft started never mind finished.
I'm currently stuck in what I call a chicken or the egg loop. I can't really submit my IRB forms until I have a workable draft and yet I can't really collect data and begin writing until I have the IRB ok. Seems likes a funny wheel of turning.
Thanks for the many advices!
Posted by: Kevin at January 24, 2006 02:11 PM