Saturday, December 10, 2005

A New Wave

I am pleased to announce that, after a neverending series of five meetings and a visit, I am actually making some headway.

Yes, I the Procrastinating Procrastinator deserve many pats on my back *pat pat pat pat pat pat pat pat pat pat pat pat pat pat pat pat pat*

My research topic is still the same, no great changes but it has narrowed by a huge deal.

My potential thesis adviser told me to start writing down thoughts, connect lines, jot down interesting discoveries and see where they all link. (Check)

One of my committee member counseled me when he realized I have too many ideas. My mantra for the next few months of my life is to FIND THE BOX. Things should fit nicely into a box. (Check)
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Sidetrack #1: Since when has having too many ideas been a problem? I always thought that the ability to have ideas is a gift. But truly, being able to manage these ideas is a virtue...which I have yet to find. God help me.
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A professor gave me a book on consumer direction, which pretty much outlined the history and assumption behind Independent Living. (Read. Check)

One PT professor volunteered to help me with designing an experiment. (Check and eternally indebted)

An ST professor volunteered to help me design questions for a very special population.

So far, all people whom I've spoken to have good comments.
1) Research area is interesting and vital. (You know there is NOTHING on stroke of whatsover in the pamphlets rack for elderly down at the library? I was utterly, downright SHOCKED.)
2) Research will be useful for health administrators, practitioners and academia.
3) The area is important, yet no substantial study has been done.
4) The issue is growing.

But I also have warnings.
1) Research methods will be tough
2) To narrow down my topic even further (box still too big)
3) No previous research to base my study on (which is a good problem)

I think I've passed my first hurdle. From these meetings, I can safely say that my topic is not too obscure or "useless". And the research will be highly useful for a growing problem.

Well, I can't wait to show my potential thesis adviser next week my wonderful page of lines and dots and circles. I am quite pleased to see how a lot of issues are actually connected and that I'm actually getting somewhere.
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Sidetrack #2: One of the profs I spoke to wants me to give a guest lecture about the topic in a new undergraduate class. I may die of heart attack...
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Now it's back to more readings. Will keep on posting.

PS: Before I thought it is sociocultural. Now after reading Littlejohn & Foss again, I think it's more sociopsychological and cybernetics. But, I don't like the research method for sociopsychological.

Saturday, December 03, 2005

Meetings, Meetings, Meetings

I wonder how anybody could've written a thesis in one year. It must consist midnight oils and coffee. *bows down in awe*

I am just beginning to gather data and research information for my thesis and since I am in my first semester, I thought I can take it slow.

NOOO...........

I think the effort put into my readings as well as my course work has to be in full tank in order for me to complete this on time, in three semesters. *Geez what was I thinking about...*

This week, I met with another professor in the Gerontology Institute.

I have four meetings planned for next week.

I have a meeting with my thesis adviser the week after next.

And besides that, my pile of readings have exponentially increased.

Yup. I am psyched.