The verdict is in!

My Master's thesis is back from review. I have a report from an internal reviewer and an external reviewer to the university. And they're feedback is brutal! Some of it is constructive and I can take it on board when writing my next thesis. But other parts are questionable. Either way, I received my credit meaning I can go onto the PhD pathway.

After seeing my Supervisor today and going through the feedback, on the third reading, it doesn't seem so bad. I just need to do up a table suggested by a reviewer and send in my paperwork to graduate.

Unfortunately, I have to wait now until April 2014 to don my Master of Education gown and cap but it will give me some time to plan the afterparty!

How do you take on feedback? Do you even read the comments?

What's in a title?

A few weeks ago I wrote a post (here) about writing my first article or rather my procrastination getting in the way of writing an article.

Today, I started writing that article. I have gone from re-reading the journal's guidelines (choosing a journal is a whole other post!) and reading articles in the journal that were published on my topic.

So, how far did  I really get? A couple of hundred words? Well, eight words to be exact. Yes, eight. The eight words that I wrote formed the title. Okay, okay, it wasn't a whole heap of new writing on my topic BUT it was a new title.

I recently read a book by Professor Anne Sigismund Huff called Writing for Scholarly Publication (1999). Amongst many good writing points Anne makes, writing effective titles is one of them. She suggests writing down seven possible titles before making a decision. I wrote a bunch of titles down weeks ago and it is only today that I have thought 'you know, that sums up what I am writing about'. And it is now my working title - to be changed as needed.

How long did it take you to decide on your article title or even your thesis title?

Paperwork schmaperwork: the PhD application process

Scholarship applications for semester one next year are closing, so I thought I better take a look at the requirements for PhD candidature at my University. I have now realised I need to do my application for the scholarship and the University enrolment at the same time. However, as the closing date for scholarships is next month and I need my paperwork completed, including my research proposal, time is a big problem here. I'm only up to a mind map of my proposed research topic!

Then I get to one of the application questions - publications. Hmm...nope, nothing to write in here. My last blog post was about writing an article on my research and the fact is, well, I haven't written it yet!  See that blog post here

Looking at what I need to do inthe next six months, my goals to achieve are;

1. Write a research article and persevere with getting it published

2. Write a draft research proposal and ensure the literature review is strong

3. Find a willing secondary supervisor 

4. Complete my HDR application for enrolment (done scholarship application at the same time)

What was the process like for you when applying to do a PhD?

Write that article!

I have read many blogposts, books, articles recently about writing a research article for submission in a journal to increase academic credibility. 

It is recommended that I get writing sooner rather than later. I thought that now my thesis is in for review and I have goals for my writing that getting started would be a non-issue.

I was wrong! My article goals, topic focus, guidelines from selected journal, article l

Format and previous articles from the selected journal are still sitting on my desk, bulldogged clipped together.

My supervisor told me last week, to take this time while my thesis is in review to have a break. So why do I want to write this article now?

1. I love my topic and I have my focus - the area I want to hone in on is based on a finding from my thesis.

2. I want to practice my writing

3. I believe I have something that needs to be shared

4. I want credibility by adding a published article to my list of achievements- lots of published articles will get me a job, post PhD, right? (This is what has been drilled I to my head from some articles, blog posts by academics,

5. The satisfaction of having an article published after the huge review, edit process. 

So, why in the last two weeks, have I not reached my writing goals? 

Here's my procrastination list:

1. Family commitments

7month old baby, school child- I need to focus on them while they're young. 

2. Sleep deprivation.

One word - teething!

3. Pressure from reading too many articles on 'I must get published now'.

4. Back to work

Juggling work, family and the household is tiring and time-consuming.

5. Procrastination has never been a problem before, so what's the problem? Hmmm, confused?

What next:

Follow a '20 days of writing' program. I will start with an easy short goal of writing 'new' words for approximately 20 minutes a day, for 20 days, on my topic. Original form of program states the topic of writing can be on anything- well I do that, just not on my topic!

What do you do to overcome procrastination? (Especially if it's something you want to do!)

5 reasons my supervisor rocks!

Hand this is where my PHD journey begins. Actually,I guess I could say it started when I began my Masters in research.

Today, I had my Master's thesis printed and bound. I sign it off tomorrow and then it is sent to two reviewers - one internal and one external.

At my University, to go on with the PhD pathway. I need to receive at least a credit. I presented  my ideas in an earlier post, which will continue on with my current topic of research - TPACK in the classroom- except this time, I will be working with pre-service teachers. I have been tutoring since last month and it has reignited my desire to go back to my original ideas and interests- working with ICTs in the Teacher Education Program (TEP).

My next hope is that my current supervisor is willing to take me on again and see me through a PhD! I will keep you posted!

5 reasons my supervisor rocks

1) I like the way he thinks

Similar ideas and beliefs, have definitely helped produce an excellent working relationship.

2) I always receive constructive feedback

Constructive feedback and encouragement at each meeting- i always leave feeling motivated. 

3) He knows his stuff!

I'm always learning something new about research and academic writing. 

4) He has faith in me

Even when I went through the phase of doubting myself. His continuous support without micromanaging has given me more confidence. I don't want to let myself down but I don't want to let my supervisor down either.

5) He is highly respected in his field.

I certainly feel privileged to be his student. He is highly regarded, which makes me strive harder to produce a high standard of work everytime (even drafts!) and I ensure I'm prepared each time we meet. 

As I write this, it's clear that my supervisor is a source of motivation!

What attributes do you think an exceptional supervisor needs?

So close!

The count down is on until I submit my final copy to two reviewers. I now have only one and a bit chapters to go until the editing/proof reading process is finished. My supervisor will do a last check on Monday and then it's off to the print and copy centre to get my thesis printed and bound. 

The days are flying now I have returned to part time teaching at local schools and started tutoring at Uni as well. I have found the final stages of my Masters degree as well as working with pre-service teachers has re-ignited my enthusiasm for the classroom me and reminded me of my love of learning and helping others increase their knowledge base.

6 days to go...

The editing process is long!

As I mentioned in a previous post, I have a few changes to make on my thesis which were recommended by my supervisor. They're taking a little longer than I thought as I am back teaching in primary schools and also tutoring at University. The editing process I knew would be long but the fiddly last minute changes along with what life brings has drawn it out.

It may seem like I am complaining and I guess in a way it is a vent but that's only because I want to get started on writing my article and talking about my PhD topic! I must say though the editing process has made me realise I do know my topic well and these finishing touches in my thesis has increased my motivation and enthusiasm about my topic: TPACK.

A short post and there may be more as I document my PhD journey but they all mark important steps toward the bigger goal!

In the meantime...

While my complete thesis draft is with my supervisor and I wait to hear back as to what changes I need to make, I am making the most of this week by doing more reading and writing.

My supervisor has just returned from America where he was working at another University. While he was there he bought a book on scholarly writing. He lent this book to me this week to help me write my first article on my research.

The book is 'Writing for Scholarly Publication' by Anne Sigismund Huff. I found it incredible useful and wrote my own summary on what I needed to when I begin writing my article this month. Just on flipping through it, I was interested to see an annotated bibliography at the end of the book. Not only helpful to see what other books are out there on scholarly writing but also how Anne wrote an annotated bibliography.

'Writing for Scholarly Publication' is from Anne's perspective but I found that her work can be given extra credibility as she has included another perspective on article writing from a fellow academic.

This book covers what one needs to write a scholarly article from title and abstract to a complete draft. It guides you towards producing your best work for submission to a journal with exercises to help you achieve this.

The main message is to keep on writing. Identify when you do your best writing and write then. Is it in the early hours of the day when the sun is coming out and only the birds are waking or is it in the corner of your study late at night or is it in a busy café with the sound of the coffee machine and chatter in the background? Whatever helps you overcome any writer's block and allows your thoughts to flow free, do it and write!

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