Updates from August, 2016 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

  • adamflindeers 10:39 am on August 31, 2016 Permalink | Reply  

    How to enhance your editing traits? 

    I am on the writing phase of my thesis, where I am just done with the literature review chapter. As per my university rules (Northwestern University), I have to send my chapters for review as and when I am done with it. The thing is that my first chapter was way below the bar set by my supervisor and therefore, it came back with a lot of editing and remarks. But well I got through the corrections, while I was working on chapter 2. But now, I don’t want to make the same mistake and send it without editing. So, I am on second page and I haven’t got a single thing to change, except some typo and grammar errors. And I also know that that’s not it. There has to be something which I am missing as no way can I be so neat.

    This is why I am writing, searching for ways to increase my editing skills. I would like to know about the ways you can go about editing and what should you be looking for while doing so. Thanks for any inputs to that.

     

    • brunoperryblog 4:36 am on September 19, 2016 Permalink | Reply

      For academic writing, the proper flow between the sentences and paragraphs the most important thing. So you should focus on the transition and structure of your chapter. And to increase your editing skills, maybe you can use a tool. Stylewriter and grammarly are two such tools which can help you out.

    • tedg8 6:41 am on September 26, 2016 Permalink | Reply

      I don’t think you can teach someone to edit, moreover edit a thesis chapter. My only suggestion is to know how you want your writing to look and what you want to do for that. So prepare a structure and then check your chapter, does it look okay? Then you move forward to changing it.

    • jackthomas01 6:45 am on September 26, 2016 Permalink | Reply

      I have no idea how people can edit their own papers. For me, it’s impossible because I wouldn’t wanna change what I wrote. So the best method I find is to give your paper or thesis to your girlfriend/boyfriend and take them out to movies. Simple as that.

    • robertmaxeey 11:53 am on September 27, 2016 Permalink | Reply

      Take some time out in-between the writing and editing. Don’t just finish writing and get on with editing immediately, that ways you won’t find anything wrong. Take your time, do something else in between, and only start editing when your mind is fresh enough.

  • davidm34 11:46 am on August 29, 2016 Permalink | Reply  

    MANCOVA statistics: Query 

    I am trying to conduct repeated measures MANCOVA in SPSS software, where I need to measure my dependent variable at 4 periods of time (years). Also, the dependent variable at each year is related with 2 independent variables. To be honest, it is a very complicated for me, I am unable to understand the concept of MANCOVA and running it on SPSS is the icing at the top. Any help regarding this would be really appreciated.

     

    • brunoperryblog 12:48 pm on August 30, 2016 Permalink | Reply

      MNACOVA is not that complicated if you get a hang of it. As I am not a professional, I can’t explain it to you. But I found a similar kind of query in the following link. May be useful.

      How to conduct Repeated Measures MANCOVA in SPSS

    • terrywellch 5:56 am on September 1, 2016 Permalink | Reply

      Hey, you can also do repeated measures in the general linear model menu in SPSS. Now keep the variables constant for testing the effects in that model. You can probably get an SPSS guide for the same.

  • leatriceamar 7:59 am on August 29, 2016 Permalink | Reply  

    Advice for meeting PhD deadlines 

    Never knew that time management can be an issue, until now when I am most definitely unable to meet my deadlines. My poor capabilities have led to:

    1. A pissed supervisor. He is so pissed at me right now, where he is sure I can never complete my thesis in time.

    2. A room of tensions. I cannot organise my work and there is too much to do, which is simply piling up.

    3. Sleepless nights. Not that I try, but all those research-related-tensions have left me with insomnia. It’s so bad now that I can’t concentrate on my work.

    I am in serious need of some help and advice with which I can complete my work on time and meet deadlines.

     

    • sharonbaneey1 11:42 am on August 29, 2016 Permalink | Reply

      What you lack here is planning, majorly so. I suggest that you maintain a schedule for that, like a time table, where you allot a minimum of 2 hours to your research. The following blog will give you some great tips regarding that. Hope you’ll find it useful.

      http://www.fivevidya.com/blog/work-to-rule-advice-for-meeting-a-deadline/

    • alexoliphaant 4:33 am on September 3, 2016 Permalink | Reply

      Procrastination is the only reason for not meeting the deadlines and the best way to stop stalling is ‘motivation’ and ‘determination’. In my case, I was too lazy to do anything and only started doing something when I was on verge of meeting a deadline. You can imagine how it must have meant. I joined the ‘art of living course’ just for the sake of going out and I must say that it did wonders for me. I actually feel motivated and active to do my job now, you know. So be a little active, go for exercises, or start some creative course. That’ll keep you at your best. It’s important to do other activities as well.

  • morry1 4:44 am on August 19, 2016 Permalink | Reply  

    When and where to use references? 

    What exactly is the importance of referencing? And in what portions of the thesis should you use references/in-text citations??

    I am new to this whole concept of writing thesis and these points were just bugging me a bit, because I can’t really find much references. Everyone seem to emphasise on including references but actually, I am not that aware with its significance. Any inputs for the same?

     

    • davidbergeviin 7:47 am on August 29, 2016 Permalink | Reply

      Technically, you need to reference every time you write a point/idea which is not yours, but of another writer’s. Let’s say, you read something of worth in an article and you decide to write it in your paper in your words, then you need to cite that article, because those may be your words but not your ideas. So, wherever in your thesis, when you make such points, you mention the source of that information.

    • adamflindeers 7:54 am on August 29, 2016 Permalink | Reply

      References in a thesis are counted as highly valuable as it shows the amount of extensive research you have done. It means that you have thoroughly conducted your research. That is why it is so important.

    • terrywellch 11:33 am on August 29, 2016 Permalink | Reply

      The major use of referencing is in the literature review section of the thesis. You can find references using the computer and electronic databases on web such as EBSCO, Google Scholar, IEEE, Google Search Engine, online newsletters, existing thesis on this subject, peer reviewed journals, SANS report, NIST standard and other databases. Apart from these, you can refer books from your college library and also look into your supervisor’s work. I am sure you can find something there.

    • jackthomas01 12:34 pm on August 30, 2016 Permalink | Reply

      In a thesis, referencing is mostly done in the initial chapters: Introduction, literature review and research methodology. Analysis, results and conclusion are refereeing to your own findings, therefore, they don’t need references. However, discussion chapter is something where you put in a lot of references, which are again taken from the LR chapter. So yeah, that is all.

    • tappedward 10:35 am on August 31, 2016 Permalink | Reply

      Well, my supervisor asked me to put in at least 20 references in my literature review chapter. That is the most important chapter, which involves a lot of referencing. Now there are also various methods of structuring and referencing an LR such as the annotated form, the matric form etc. I think you should first consult your supervisor about it.

    • morry1 5:19 am on September 12, 2016 Permalink | Reply

      Hey thanks a lot guys for the response. What I am understanding is that I need to cite the source from where I take the facts. Is there a rule about what all references should be used and what all must not be taken?

  • louise0924 9:58 am on August 12, 2016 Permalink | Reply  

    Research Ideas for Topic Selection 

    Hey all, I was wondering if anybody could guide me in selecting a dissertation topic in Human Resource department. My concern is that, this domain is very common, yet, making it extremely difficult for me to choose a trendy and fresh research topic. I was interested in something around interviews and screening process, or how to improve that. I would really appreciate some help regarding this. Thanks all.

     

    • robertmaxeey 4:20 am on August 19, 2016 Permalink | Reply

      I think for interview and selection department in HR domain, you can study the methods of recruitment, or something along the similar lines. Social and e-recruitment are really in.

      I came across some more trendy topics, follow the link for the same.

      http://www.mbathesis.eu/blog/know-what-are-the-trending-research-areas-in-human-resource-management/

    • dolliejgandy 7:44 am on August 29, 2016 Permalink | Reply

      Hey I think you can definitely work something around interviews and screening process and how you can improve them. Maybe you can investigate the existing techniques in this department and the new means that have now emerged. Even the suggestions given by Robertmaxeey are quite good. Now to come up with a topic, you first need to research a lot in this domain and find out existing studies. Read them, confirm the stream you want to get into and them formulate a topic. You can even merge the topics of 2-3 research papers to make yours.

    • louise0924 12:43 pm on August 30, 2016 Permalink | Reply

      Hi, thanks for the replies. There are a lot of studies in e-recruitment and traditional approaches of recruiting, so I am unable to find anything new.

      @robert: After reading the blog, I think training and development in HR could be a potential stream. So can I somehow merge it with e-recruitment?

    • robertmaxeey 4:29 am on September 3, 2016 Permalink | Reply

      Yes you can. There are e-recruitment training courses, where individuals are imparted with skills and practical knowledge for landing a job. But, this is different from the selection and recruitment process. I think that you can merge the two of them, show some kind of comparison between the skills imparted to the individuals via recruitment training and the skills needed in the selection process. Rest, you can search for the same, look out for similar research papers, and then see the scope of this area/topic.

  • jackthomas01 9:35 am on August 10, 2016 Permalink | Reply  

    What is the worth of PhD? 

    I am in the second year of my PhD program in sports management and just weighing my career options. Before PhD, I was sure that I’d do teaching in business schools, but lately, I am having second thoughts.

    See, PhD is highly valuable in the academic and research world, but will it benefit me if I choose a different direction, such as something in marketing, sales or merchandising? If it won’t benefit me then should I just drop out and save all the money and the tensions with it? I mean what will be the worth of PhD in those fields?

     

    • tedg8 4:41 am on August 19, 2016 Permalink | Reply

      PhD is one of the most reputable degrees in the ambit of educational courses. Of course it is worth full, irrespective of the field you choose. It may not seem to be beneficial at the beginning of your career but in the long term, it raises your pay scale. More so, your status will certainly climb a ladder. So I am gonna vote completely against you dropping out.

    • sophiaw740 7:56 am on August 29, 2016 Permalink | Reply

      I would like to advice you one thing, that if you do not find PhD interesting enough to pursue, then you shouldn’t.

      Yes we all know how important PhD is, and its value in the society is impeccable, and it raises the bar of that status we all crave for. But honestly, if you don’t think that you need it to boost your career, then you should drop it. I mean, you put in all your time and money in PhD, which by the way, if used in your career alone can do wonders. Also, I haven’t heard much of PhD holders in the field you are talking about.

      Do consult with your peers and supervisor before coming to the conclusion though.

    • minttyt 5:21 am on September 12, 2016 Permalink | Reply

      I don’t think there is a need for doing PhD as you would definitely be OVER QUALIFIED. It’s not that people don’t go for PhD in Sports Management, they do, but you can land your dream job with the master’s degree too. So if you’re thinking about saving your resources, then dropping out can be good.

    • brunoperryblog 4:35 am on September 19, 2016 Permalink | Reply

      PhD is not just meant for career boost, it’s for your own personal growth too. And as you are looking at your career graph, with PhD, you will be able to run for the top-level positions. I’d say that DO NOT dropout.

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