Literature Review

I am beginning my process of reading journal articles and some books for the thesis literature review.

Right now, I'm (still) reading a thesis written by a graduate of the program. He did something similar, pertaining to healthcare.

Besides EBSCO and Proquest, does anyone know of other database where I can search for materials related to my research area?

Question: Do I need to cite the readings for my initial proposal? (Only A. can answer this... I think)

Spoke with Grad Adviser
(November 15, 2005, 2:40pm)

How amazing. The meeting can be described in four words:

Smooth Sailing Extremely Insightful

Really, I was scared stiff about this meeting just because I'm not sure how he will react when I tell him that the committee is formed! (It should not happen till next semester, by the way, so I'm quite... early)

Well, let's just say he was very supportive. The meeting went well, with him approving with all three members in my committee (he has to check though).

We also talked about the research topic and he gave a few really good pointers about the type of questions I should keep in mind when doing my research:

1. What is the philosophical assumption I have of the world?
2. How does my method relate/subscribe to that assumption?

Wow. A. told me something about it and it's kind of easy to think about it but difficult when actually doing the research. Like the methods must reflect the philosophical assumption I'm using to view the world.

So right now, the only thing I can do is 1. read more and 2. talk to more people to gain more perspectives.

Any articles, research on the following topics will be deeply appreciated:
older adults
long term/congregated living area
stroke rehabilitation and education
health communication
chronic disease management
source credibility
perception
organization discourses
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I was so nervous during the meeting that I asked him if he has any warnings for me. Really, like I was half expecting him to ask me to drop the idea or gave me some BIG RED SIGN that says NO-GO.

But he was nice. It was a very encouraging and yet educational session. I must say I learn more about what writing a thesis entails and (hopefully) that makes me more prepared for it.

And yes.

I LOVE MY TOPIC!

Can Leave Comments

Due to popular demand (notice no 's'?), I shall enable comments but PLEASE be merciful and constructive ok?

So, my third member of the committee has been selected and it was a wonderful conversation. She told me, that she is personally going through what my research is about! That was so awesome! And yes, she is very interested in this area of research and wants to see where it leads to.

As usual, choosing the methodolgy will be crucial and it is good that I'm starting WAY early. (Thank you A. for that assurance.)

SAY 'NO' TO PROCRASTINATION!

Prof MG (thesis adviser) slipped a whole set of readings into my mailbox. Very helpful stuff.

And the library has this huge resource of journals but for some reason I cannot access them. They keep asking me for the ISSN number, WHICH I'VE ALREADY TYPED IN WITH THE TITLE OF THE JOURNAL! I wonder why. If you know how to do it, I'm actually interested in "Ageline" by the way. Thank you thank you...

Prof TS will be checking with her husband (who's a psychology professor by the way) for more resources (yay...more readings) and will be identifying a lot of articles that I can read. Apparently, she is experiencing this (my proposed research idea) right now with one of her family members! What a coincidence!

Prof JK has already given me the titles of journals I should look at (the elusive Ageline being one of them) as well as a whole bunch of people whom I should talk to. I will email him soon, I think, just to keep him in the loop.

So yes.

Accomplishment of the day:
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Formed my thesis research committee (November 14, 2005)

Next I will come up with the draft timeline, and also find all the resources with all my human capabilities. Judging by my research area, I must do A LOT of readings which spans A LOT of areas...

And I think I will fix a time to talk to Prof GR, my graduate adviser, just to keep him informed.

See, I can be responsible.

Another professor likes my research idea!

I am so happy and excited! I really pray that this research will turn out awesome.

Next step is for me to:

1) Do some preliminary readings

2) Talk to more people

3) Form my research committee (2 down, 1 more to go? Or do I need the 3rd?)

4) Write the proposal

5) Develop a timeline for my progress and submit to Prof M. (my-hoped-for thesis adviser)

I will meet this professor from the gerontology institute hopefully next Tuesday. She was so excited and that made me feel really happy about the topic. At least, it means that the topic's not stupid, at least.

From here, I think I need lots of help. Any kind of comments, suggestions on writing proposals and timeline is deeply and gratefully appreciated.

I want to shoot myself in the foot

I had one of the most enlightening conversation yesterday. I was talking to the professor whom I am interested to have as my thesis adviser. We talked so much and by gosh, she gave me so many pointers that I've never thought of before e.g. variables, comparison, research methods, steps, possible approaches....

Later I was trying to write down what we've discussed and guess what?
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(Blank)
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I should've taken out my notebook when I was talking to her and write everything down.

Brilliant.

What happened to me last Friday?

I think I had one of the best conversation with Adriana last Friday. In case you still don't know, she is writing her research thesis now and even though she is extremely up to her nose with work (THANK YOU!), she found time to meet ME! Yay!

And I just found out from her blog that she met her deadline. No more sleepless nights! Oh and Adriana is the one who FULLY inspired this blog. Three cheers!

For one, I am glad I started this early. At first I was worried and even amused by the fact that it is ONLY my first semester and I am already thinking of my research area. Until Adriana assured me that it is not too early to start. And with the teensy weensy extra time, I can first do my readings as well as gathering primary sources.

The fact that I should have my topic decided by CHRISTMAS 2005, I'm glad I'm starting NOW. In case you don't know, I work about 582 times slower than the rest of the human population. So there.

To those who are grasping bits and pieces from thin air, I want to do my research on (finally decided):
1) Communication
2) Older adults population
3) Stroke education

A BLEND OF THOSE.

And something else I don't know about writing a thesis:


I have to be prepared to stay in Ithaca over the Summer.

I have to prepare for HSR (some human subject study approval)

I have to defend my thesis TWICE.

I have to buy special paper to print the report on (?!?)

I have to spend money, lots of money...

Which means....


I'm PERFECTLY COOL with the fact that I'll be staying in Ithaca over the Summer.

But I'm still gonna write a thesis!


Thank you for your advice, A.