Alert! Class will be in SciTech II 242 tonight. I was given a construction-related cancellation for our other room yesterday... sorry for the delay is passing that on.
Aaron's note to himself... I have a mid-term evaluation survey I want to give you guys next week. Thanks to Beckyanne for reminding me about this.
Reminders for 11/3
-Obviously if I don't have your annotated bibliography and background literature review, those are absolute priorities at this point.
-Some of you have already posted Research Log #6 (any topic). If not, write that whenever the mood strikes you this week.
-Read Booth: Chapters 7-10, 12-13
-I'd also like you to read this brief handout about distinguishing scholarly sources from other types of sources.
-We will cut the Eby article on “Data Collection Strategies” from the syllabus. Unless your project involves interviews (e.g. Julie, Jeremiah), surveys, or behavioral observation (e.g. Jenifer). In that case you'll find it really helpful - click here to read the article. Something else you may find useful is this great handout about concept mapping... I'm sorry this got swallowed by my inbox mess last month.
-The whole deal about meeting with the writing fellow that you see mentioned in the syllabus has been cut. I think what happened is they were only able to pay the person for a limited number of hours, so they are trying it on an experimental basis in Jeannie's section of 390 only.
-Next week's major writing deadlines (11/3 before class) are an expansion that takes the annotated bibliography to 25 sources (15 for Nina). Use the same format and just add to what you already have; our main purpose in class today is to suggest additional areas to explore. And then of course a corresponding revision to the background literature review; I will be emailing you some suggestions over the next few days. Note for fair warning: according to the syllabus this is the point at which I will grade the annotated bibliography.
Reminders/Notes for Later
-We will push the next phase to 11/10 (which you will note is another no-class day). That means the first draft of the methodology section and of the evidence/analysis section. One thing I will note about the methodology section is, this might also be a good place to discuss what the limits of the scope of your project are. As to the other part, the more I consider it, the less it makes sense to me that you are able to have "evidence" or "analysis" at this pre-proposal stage. So let's re-name this something more like "hypothesis and outline of major ideas/arguments." That would also include anticipated objections, which is a major emphasis in both Craft of Research and They Say / I Say. As well as any preliminary reasons or evidence you do have at this point.
-Apparently you're supposed to write a conclusion as well, but that seems even more bizarre to me. How would you be able to render conclusions about something you haven't even done yet? The instruction handout for the proposal mentions that you might discuss "possible outcomes," but that would be pretty well covered by "hypothesis." If it was meant to be some statement of the importance of the project, you would probably have already covered that in the introduction. So I need to think about this some more, but at the very earliest it would be due on 11/17.
I tremendously enjoyed the class last nite, It was very encouraging. Thank you to Dr. Winter and all for providng a great support. I found an overwhelming comradership.
ReplyDeleteLog #6
ReplyDeleteThe work we do for this class (the research, the reading, the thinking) is mostly done in isolation so it was helpful to hear the experience of other students and see that I am not alone in how I feel, sometimes freaking out about deadlines, being distracted, struggling with ideas or with our advisors. Although this class is difficult, I like that I am more connected to other students than in other classes and that we can learn from each other besides learning from the text and the professor.
Research Log #6
ReplyDeleteClassmates, it has been a pleasure in getting to know you, but I fear that I will not being going forward with you into 490/491. Thank you, to those who have encouraged me, and to those who I have gotten to know a little better. I’m feeling kind of bummed at this time but have some hope. Aaron I have enjoyed your classes, and have learned much about writing and research. Keep up the good job. Your round tables have been enlightening and I have appreciated the input of my classmates.
I am lagging a little behind still but I hope to catch-up this week. I still have not been able to speak to my faculty advisor but hope to do so soon.
My speech recognition program has quit on me for some reason but that is just how this semester has been going for me.
Research log #5
ReplyDeleteNow that i have communicated back and forth with my advisor a few times i can say that our relationship is very good. She is quick to respond to my questions and offers very good feedback on drafts i have sent. What i like most is she provides possible alternatives or revisions and just doesn't say i don't think this works. in addition to reviewing my project during the various development stages my advisor was very helpful in working with the BIS department to get my suggested concentration title accepted, and helping to explain the interdisciplinary aspects of the concentration.
Research log #6
ReplyDeleteNow that this course is about half way over I can say that I am looking forward to the second half more than the first. Not being sure about the subject of a research project that makes up the subject area of my final courses is not a good feeling. Now that I have decided on a topic and received feedback from my advisor, professor, and classmates I feel very good about the next few months in this course and the upcoming final semester. The research of the topic is coming along more as well as I continue to narrow the focus of my topic and listen to ideas and feedback from others.
Research log #6
ReplyDeleteI have a clear timeline in my head of how the pieces of my proposal are going to fall into place. However, my BIS progress in hindered by my scholastic identity crises. I think it is a symptom of multi-disciplinary research. Every week I go through the mental evolution of being an international conflict resolution practitioner, national security scholar and arabic student. All of these disciplines need to be treated like they are the focus of my research. I wonder if this divided attention dilemma is a similar hurdle to what polygamist have to face.
What I Have Learned in This Course and My Progress
ReplyDeleteI definitely felt very cold feet on my first day. I know that I would be meeting classmates that are the non-traditional students who are more experienced, knowledgeable and very serious with the writings. The thought that being with competitive classmates this time really scared me. The worse feeling was the unpredictable requirements of the course…intensive research and writings.
I have sighed a few times during the beginning of the class, saying how I really miss those young kids who were on most of my classes and they all made me feel quite intelligent or more serious than they were. I have become the young ones role model as most my professors said. However, I am at the end of my rope and I must take the BIS 390 class.- no other class to go to and hide from BIS 390 and 490.
The guidance and patience of Dr. Winter have helped me survived my writing dilemma. At the beginning, confusion was my best friend as my head kept spinning inside the blender. After having written the back ground literature review, I was starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I would like too extend my warmt thank you to several of my classmates who have helped me digest my writings as we exchanged our papers for comments.
The readings have guided me diligently and I like reading Booth’s book as it was more simplified for my style. Since I have written facts about my job, it has been very therapeutic for me, whenever I started writing about my draft, I did not pretend, but I really felt like talking to my boss and discussing all my issues of concerns. After doing the methodology, hypothesis, conclusion and timetable; I finally saw my draft of research proposal as a woman who is all dressed up in her captain gown (green and yellow). It is an overwhelming joy and I find myself in tears as I go thru my paper- I am close to finally making my dream happened- my graduation.
The progress I felt was from the feeling of gaining confidence with my draft. I was always embarrassed in sending any of my papers to Dr. Winter and not knowing what to expect. As time went by, my self esteem in doing the draft research proposal has elevated a few. At this end, I am again starting to feel scared of the unknown. Who is BIS 490. What will it/he like? How much more writings and research do I have to do? However, the thought that I have survived pleasantly with the help of my BIS 390 classmates and Dr. Winter’s patience, I know that I will do the same survival for 490.