Maybe it was the slurpee I had earlier, or maybe my weekend off is starting to pay off, but I feel like I’m on a roll with my discussion. Better get back to it while it lasts!
Last weekend I took a weekend off from thesis duties, which was great. I was hoping that doing so would help me with my discussion.
During the week I read through my thesis from start to end. I’m generally happy with it, except for the discussion. It has no impact. The ideas are there, the information is there, but it just leaves me cold.
Today is the last day I’m going to dedicate solely towards the discussion. I feel like I’ve hit a road black just as I get to the end of the road!
On the plus side I tallied up all the references that I have used in my thesis - 55. I can remember looking at a thesis from a student in the year before me and thinking how on earth am I going to read so many books. Nearly three years on, and somehow I have.
Why is it that the closer you get to finishing your thesis, the longer it seems to take to actually finish it?
I’m so close to finishing the draft. I’ve now gone back and added in the extra bits and pieces that Grant recommended so now I just have to finish the discussion. I seem to remember thinking that about a month ago!
I think part of the trouble is I keep seeing things that I think I need to fix up. I think need to resign myself to the fact that I will never really feel like it’s finished. Still I am making progress…just keep chipping away.
Task for to complete by next Sunday - finish the discussion and thereby finish the draft.
So I’ve located my missing file and organised things a little better. Well tried to. I was quite disappointed today that my ergo keyboard appears to be missing from the studio…hopefully it’ll turn up.
Watched a video last night called Advertising and the end of the world which Grant recommended I watch. So for the next week I need to:
- Add in the extra bits from my extra readings (this afternoon)
- Finish off the discussion (next weekend)
Caught up with Grant during the week which was good. Everything seems to be on track. He gave me another couple of good references to follow up on and some good pointers about my discussion.
I feel a little frustrated today - maybe it’s the weather. Despite my best efforts to save everything several times and in several places I can’t find the latest draft of the main body of my thesis. I know it will be there somewhere but just annoying not to have it right at your fingertips. Will have to set aside some time for ‘admin’ and ensuring all my work is properly organised.
So for this week I need to:
1. Spend some time ensuring I have the latest versions of all my files saved in several places and organised in a logical way.
2. Read and take notes on media and power from the few references I have collected.
3. Read and take notes from ABC Charter and work out where this will go in the main body of my thesis.
Next weekend - add in the bits from points two and three above to the main body of my thesis.
By 1 June - finish discussion.
It’s been a while since I’ve had a ‘eureka moment’.
Last night I was chatting to Steve about how I need to do a solid day’s uni today, and how I was a little stuck with my Discussion.
I just started explaining my ideas and suddenly it all seemed really clear how I would ‘bring it all together’ and relate the information in my literature review with my primary research. Hence today I’m not actually writing, well not yet, but just going through and doing all my notes so I can write (well attempt to) a well structured Discussion.
I am friends with my thesis today.
Ok so I’ve finished my results section (yay!) and have sent it to Grant for his comments. I’m about to get started on the discussion, which is a little scary. I feel like I need to clarify what a discussion should be before I start writing it. I’m not procrastinating - I have my ideas!
Oh and I updated my abstract. I still don’t like it though…I don’t like the word ‘allegedly’ in the first sentence.
The pursuit of profit is allegedly causing a decline in the quality of commercial television news. Existing research attests that this compromises the ability of members of Western liberal democracies, like Australia, to gather the information necessary to make informed and balanced decisions about the way they are governed. This research explores to what extent Australian commercial television news is comprised of publicity material generated to enhance marketing efforts, and the motivations behind commercial television news in Australia. This is of consequence as it will help reveal how, if at all, these motivations vary from expectations of what the function news should be.
Despite a nasty bout of gastro (and a stay overnight in hospital) I’m almost finished the results section of my thesis. Just a bit of a polish up is all that required before I send a copy to Grant. I’ve also penned a list of initial thoughts for my discussion.
I think I’m going to miss study next year. It’s become such a part of my life and my routine after three years. Still it might be nice to have a break…no doubt I’ll still keep asking questions!
PRIA is calling for academic submissions for their 2008 Conference in October. I’m thinking about submitting.
I’ve checked and they’re happy to receive submissions as part of an honours program.
It will be a little extra work to pull my work down to 5,000 words by the end of June but I think it could be both a really good challenge and a great opportunity.
I’ve been granted an extension on my abstract (great incentive to revise that too) until next Tuesday. Just waiting on some advice from Grant.
Last week I wrote my overall results. This week I’d like to knock off two of the three individual channels results. It’s so good to be writing again after all that codification!
