Dissertation motivation!

Jolaaled

I think i'm making a bit of headway..i can now find some threads that link my literature search to my research study. I've got a better idea about formulating the research questions and hypotheses now, hopefully.
I know that ideally, you are sposed to devise your research questions on the basis of reading, and, having got your questions, then devise your experiment..

however

with me..cos uni deadlines are short...it's all been a bit topsy turvy. In essence, i seem to have sorted out may experiment on the basis of small amount of reading, and from that, am now having to devise the actual questions...all a bit contrived, i know, but i think i've managed it.
Has anyone else structured their masters research study a bit 'back to front'??? (just looking for reassurance, i spose!)

shoeaddict

Oooh this thread has brought back memories of my final dissertation....

I remember doing a class at University, in about the first week, about working and studying practices. We had to do a test, and I discovered that I was an 'anxious motivator'. I think that was a wordy way of saying that I leave everything until the last minute :rolleyes:

True to form, I do leave everything until I absolutely HAVE to do it - I can't seem to get round to things if I have got loads of time. I too wrote my dissertation within the last two weeks - although that was down to family issues as well as my inherent procrastination. Still, I got a first for it so can't have been too bad! :rotfl:

And my method of working has stayed with me since I graduated - even in my current job, I leave everything to the last minute. And I work with constant deadlines! But it seems to work for me, so I guess you just need to find your own way of approaching things.

My thoughts go out to all of you doing your dissertations now. And also wanted to say please enjoy your last few months of being a student - I'd give anything to go back and do uni all over again!

shoeaddict

Oh and PS - very impressed with everyone doing a masters. It's something I really want to do but can't afford to go back to uni full time and not sure if doing it 'distance learning' is a good idea?

meema

Hi and good luck to everyone doing their dissertation!

I've only recently started posting on this website and now that I've started to get my finances in order I've decided I'd better get back on track with my thesis

I was thinking about setting a 'thesis challenge' for myself as I'm starting to fall behind and the anxiety is really building up (hence the reason for sitting at my computer at 7.30 on a saturday night). Also, I suppose a good first step is to work out exactly how much I've got to write by when etc..

I've enjoyed reading the thread so far and lovin' the mother/daughter duo!!!

meema

OMG!! I'm very glad I worked it out, but am terrified at thesis SOA!!!! I really needed this wake-up call. Also have essay due 9th May...eek!

1st complete draft due: 1st May 2008

Introduction - 3896 /10,000
Method - 752 /2,500
Results - 0 /2,500
Discussion - 0 /10,000

Total - 4648/25,000

sali_mali

Hey meema, welcome to the club! I don't envy you, you could fit my dissertation into your thesis 5 times! Glad you've worked out your deadlines though, I always feel better when I give myself a schedule and timetables.

Good luck, and remember to pop back for regular ranting, it helps!

ames123_2

5,000 words sali? Wish mine was that short! Mines got to be 10,000-12,000, though that's still half of meema's! I'm still so behind on it, i'm still researching and it's in for 25th April! I don't think i'll have enough to write about either! Why did I leave it this late?!

meema

Hi sali_mali, thanks for the welcome

I don't think size really matters (snigger)..My thesis is so long because it's a doctorate but it's all relative - I was almost as stressed doing my undergrad dissertation. The thesis might be a bigger project but I'm more prepared for it by doing a dissertation in the past (and obviously a longer time frame).

I will definately be checking in here regularly for rants and support. I'm just having a nice big mug of coffee as I need some waking up time before starting studying at 9...then I'm gonna try stay away from the internet for 3 hours and get writing! hahahaahhah..we'll see

sali_mali

Yeah ames, I was suprised it was that short too! Not complaining though!

I'm off to the library today too meema, I have got way too much to do and no time to do it! Story of my life really haha

cupid_s

I envy you all. My thesis has to be around 70000 words. I've done 22221 words so far though so I'm about a third there yay!!!!!

The problem I have is that I keep making deadlines that I think are realistic, but then I 'find' so many other things I should include on that topic that instead of having to write the 1000 words I thought I did, I suddenly have about 5000 to write to get me to the same point.

I've been promising my supervisor my draft of the introduction and methods for about 3 weeks now and I'm still not finished. Maybe today though....

And then I can concentrate on preparing for my interviews on friday and next week for a bit