Today I met with the head of my committee who gave me some great advice on updating my methodology. Here's a few things I need to do.
- Instead of using the words "The researcher," change it to "I"
- Do not use the phrases "I believe" or "I think." If I am not sure about a particular statement I make, back it up with "so and so answers this by" etc... (use references and citations). Or say "this method has been used by others such as..."
- For my lit review say in the beginning "This lit review is about (in general). The next three sections are...
- For my research design, I need to talk more about what a digital ethnography (field notes) is and that it will be in Second Life accompanied by interviews and surveys of the actual people. (Research methodology)
- Theoretical framework: Talk about identity also in the literature review. I need to put in a diagram showing the framework (or create one and include it in the methodology).
- I need to include a section on "role of the researcher" after the "Participants and Sites" section.
- State I am using the constant comparative method for data analysis. My coding will be based on concepts from the framework. (note: I asked Peter what method he called his and he said there wasn't a name for it, just basic plain organizing LOL).
- State whether I will be coding throughout the research process or if I will code that in the end. If I code throughout then the framework could change. Look at Chris' dissertation.
- Fill out course sheet of what I took and when. Email Ellen, if I can't find the course sheet.
- I need to fix the normal text in my proposal. Go to Normal --> Modify style --> Format --> Paragraph --> Double (line spacing) --> First line (line and page breaks) make sure it is check marked. Click ok
- Then change "Heading 1" by going to "Modify style," paragraph, special:none, spacing: Before "0" and After "0". Line and page breaks, make sure "Keep with next" is checked. Make it bold.
- Format document Header is 1"
- Go to Insert --> Header --> Footer/alignment footer # left. I think...
- Use Adobe Acrobat to skip pages and put the abstract and signature document in the dissertation. Signature page is actually hard copy and separate from the PDF.
- For the Chapter headings, use Shift + return when separating Chapter III and METHODOLOGY onto separate lines.
- Do video for Peter.
- Consider qualitative research course during the summer 6 weeks total.
- Work on PowerPoint for tomorrow, possibly do it in Second Life
- I want to defend in May
