Today is Sunday August 3. I have been busy reading, writing, dictating and soon going back to the library to obtain studies which I can start to memorize and pick apart in preparation for my exam scheduled sometime in September. The one thing I have a problem with is sitting down and just writing and reading. Somtimes I lack motivation, however being that I view this as do or die time, I simply must do everything I can do to hedge my bets if you will. Last week I contacted one of my former professors and inquired as to if he would be writing one of my exam questions. He was shocked (pleasantly I take it) to hear from me. That said he simply did not know if he was or was not so he voulentered to contact the department chair to ask on my behalf. He called and left a v-message stating that we were all in a holding pattern because no committee has been formed yet and I present a somewhat unusual case. I took two independent studies and one course off campus in another program which could roll into my program of study. Looking at the courses I have which complete my specialization, I have 1) Critical Race Theory, 2) Whiteness Studies (CRT II), 3) Gender Sex and the Body (at Georgetown), 4) Popular Culture, 5) International Communications and a 6) Readings Course in Mass Communication Media Studies. -- When he said this, needless to say I started linking conspiracy theory together which unequivically is not a good idea. So, I did a little retail therapy. In helping me prepare for these exams (now know as the GRAND INQUISITION) I purchased a micro audio recorder which could upload my audio files as MP3 files. I also purchased a copy of Dragon Speak so that I could dictate my answers and or transcirbe my answers into my computer and compare them with the actual published research. This, I am hopping will allow me instant feedback and self coaching which allow me to boost my confidence.
Sections I have been going over recently include-- Basic Research Methodology and Critical Theory. With a bulk of the questions now in my possession, I really should have no excuse but to sit my tail down and knock this project out. Looking at a bloggers site they had a quote from the Bible which talked about positive speech.
For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.
I read this as I chant Nam Myōhō Renge Kyō
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
Day 2 : This Can Be Done
Today I am feeling a bit better at the same time a bit of healthy agitation. Yesterday my department chair actually responded to an email regarding my comp test and this morning finally sent the study guide. Seeing the previous questions releived a bit of my tension and let me know that I was headed in a bit of the right direction. Later today, after I go for my run, I am going back to visit my answer I submitted yesterday and get the independent and dependent variables down cold. -- More to come after my run and study session.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Phd Comps Study Session Day 1
This is going to sound kinda crazy but I got the idea while looking at others who are in the same boat... Its almost like there needs to be a PhD. student support group called Doctoral Students Anonymous. Here is my contribution. Lately I have noticed I have been doing a lot of blogging. Then I put it together-- what better way to review than to blog about my study sessions.. Hence Day 1
Today I am working in the basic area of research methods. Being that I am planning on using mixed methods in my dissertation, i feel it is a good idea to really review this so that I can talk intelligently about it in my methods section and there is a high probability that I will need to draft a research design.
Lets start:
Mixed methods design represents a research strategy in which one type of data is complemented by another. Oftentimes according to Creswell and Clark, this involves quantitative being backed up with qualitative data. Quantitiave data explores correlations, frequencies and or trends with certain populations. Additionally a quantitative study examines the cause/effect relationship of one variable against another (the independent variable X as it relates to the depenent variable Y). For example, if we were looking at student attitudes about gender bias in relationship to university campus newspaper press coverage, a study to collect this data would independent variable, campus press coverage and the dependent variable student attitudes. From there I would need to I would need to formulate my research questions.
RQ1 What effect does campus press coverage have on gender perception within my population?
Rq2 Does campus press coverage promote a gender bias within my population?
From here I would need to design a data collection strategy and in this case I would opt for a survey methodology that would allow me to collect basic frequencies. The sample size would have to be enough to gain statistical significance. Once the numbers are collected, I have skeletal information answer my research questions from a stand point of statistical signifigance. However, this information could be argued as being somewhat skeletal. It tells the reader where numbers fall but it fails to inform the reader of the narrative of its respondents. To cross validate this data, with particular emphasis to an conceptual definition of gender bias and gender perceptions, the respondents experiences could possibly confirm the statistical outcomes. Data collection in this manner could consist of focus group data collection or in depth interviews. Of the two, I would opt for the focus group data collection method for the fact that it allows for multiple batches of data to be collected in a more expedient manner.
PAUSE...
This is where I will check my work and of course engage in more reading so that my answer can be more concise.. I will additionally consult w- fellow students and recent grads to obtain their opinion...
Checking in soon
Today I am working in the basic area of research methods. Being that I am planning on using mixed methods in my dissertation, i feel it is a good idea to really review this so that I can talk intelligently about it in my methods section and there is a high probability that I will need to draft a research design.
Lets start:
Mixed methods design represents a research strategy in which one type of data is complemented by another. Oftentimes according to Creswell and Clark, this involves quantitative being backed up with qualitative data. Quantitiave data explores correlations, frequencies and or trends with certain populations. Additionally a quantitative study examines the cause/effect relationship of one variable against another (the independent variable X as it relates to the depenent variable Y). For example, if we were looking at student attitudes about gender bias in relationship to university campus newspaper press coverage, a study to collect this data would independent variable, campus press coverage and the dependent variable student attitudes. From there I would need to I would need to formulate my research questions.
RQ1 What effect does campus press coverage have on gender perception within my population?
Rq2 Does campus press coverage promote a gender bias within my population?
From here I would need to design a data collection strategy and in this case I would opt for a survey methodology that would allow me to collect basic frequencies. The sample size would have to be enough to gain statistical significance. Once the numbers are collected, I have skeletal information answer my research questions from a stand point of statistical signifigance. However, this information could be argued as being somewhat skeletal. It tells the reader where numbers fall but it fails to inform the reader of the narrative of its respondents. To cross validate this data, with particular emphasis to an conceptual definition of gender bias and gender perceptions, the respondents experiences could possibly confirm the statistical outcomes. Data collection in this manner could consist of focus group data collection or in depth interviews. Of the two, I would opt for the focus group data collection method for the fact that it allows for multiple batches of data to be collected in a more expedient manner.
PAUSE...
This is where I will check my work and of course engage in more reading so that my answer can be more concise.. I will additionally consult w- fellow students and recent grads to obtain their opinion...
Checking in soon
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