I Love My Topic, but will anyone else?

Wow, I have been reading and reading and the more I read the more I have second guessed my thesis topic. Then I read more, and then I think yeah, I think I have it and know what I really want to do, but then here comes the doubt again! Well, it really is time to check in with my advisor, and thank goodness I have such an understanding advisor. He did assure me I would figure it out eventually, and that after just a bit more research and writing down all my thoughts even though it may seem trivial, it is really important to write down everything. No editing at this point, just read and summarize.

Well, this is what I did all weekend I read and summarized, read and summarized, and continued this process until I thought my mind was as full as it had ever been in my total educational experience since kindergarten. But the wonderful thing is it is now making sense and I am beginning to love my topic again. I thought I was going to have to start all over, but now I do see a glimmer of hope. With that being said, now I need to focus on my audience, do I want to be published, well, I really didn't think it really made a difference but my advisor does not believe that line of thinking. He feels if it is worth researching it is worth doing it well enough to be published. And yes, he is of course right again, and does have my best interest in mind. So if it is going to be published then I must also consider my reader when doing the research.

The purpose of research can be a way to get my degree which is the outcome of doing a good research project. But the purpose is really why I have decided to do the thesis option in the degree plan. I am truly hoping to make a big difference in the students I am serving, and if my research does this then I will have met my objectives. So the lesson I have taken from the assignment this week is to write down everything and don't discount anything as this point. Writing down not only what you think you should write but everything that comes to mind when you review your topic.

And finally, don't forget that you have just finished over 30 hours of solid coursework, you are a subject matter expert in the area you have chosen, and you do have something worthwhile to say. With this confidence you will further motivate yourself, and motivation is the key to progress. I have found the following link within one of my links on my netlinks, and it had some real useful ideas on getting from a concept to a thesis. If you get a chance check it out.

invention techniques

Peace!

A sense of investigation

Okay, I have finally caught up on enough items that I can spend a bit of time updating my journal entries for this project. I have started with my review of research from the literature, to get an idea of what is out there and how much information it will provide. I was amazed at the amount of research on attrition of traditional students and the lack of research on non-tradtional online learning. I suppose this is pretty normal given the relatively young age of online learning.I did choose a few very notable researchers in the field with the help of my advisor Dr. Yoon. Tinto, Garrison, Metzner and Bean, Kember, Ji-Hye Park, and Rovai. I have also viewed the information from Sloan C authored by Allen and Seaman to give me some basic statistics with which to work.

I have used the searchable databases from the WIU Library website, as well as ERIC to this point. I have run into a few snags which is mainly finding enough current information within the literature, so the search will become more narrowed using the advanced features of truncation, field searching, proximity searching, etc. I also plan on using the "invisible web" in my searching which was a new thing to me until I began this class. These types of issues will work themselves out given the amount of time and energy I am expending on this project, but I am still struggling with making the logical connection between non-traditional students and the specific program I am researching.I will be posting the methods of my searching next week along with the results of my labor in the form of an annotated bibliography for several of the readings.

Until then "peace". And remember the only failure is a failure to try.

An ending to my story.

Well, this is just the beginning of the end for me. I am just about done with all the learning that was given to me before attempting to complete my final project for this program, A THESIS. Yes, this is what I have chosen to complete my degree with. I must say that this course has proven quite useful in that endeavor, and I am so pleased with Dr. West, giving us a wide choice of options for the final project. I have found the thesis to be a daunting task, especially since I have chosen Dr. Yoon as my primary advisor. He is quite a taskmaster but he also has taught me many great things about writing and research on quite a variety of topics. My topic and actual research questions are still a work in progress but I have been reading countless articles and taking rigorous notes and so far have it narrowed to the following:

The attrition and retention of online learners, and the effect of the characteristics of the learner and the relationship of internal and external variables on the success of the nontraditional student.

I have determined that the blog would have been a great thing to have started a long time ago, so I could have a quick synopsis of the many projects, readings, papers, and discussions that I have grown to appreciate and enjoy. If you are one who is early in the program, I have just two pieces of advice.
1. Never, underestimate the value you have to contribute to a discussion.
2. Don't give up on a group project, they really are a GOOD thing.
3. At least one time take an opposite side of something even if it isnt something you really think or subscribe too. Try and justify the opposite of what you believe. Some of the most worthwhile discussions I had were when I argued the unpopular side.

Okay, so that was 3, who's counting. At any rate, you may take my advice with any amount of salt you wish a grain or a whole shaker full, I just wanted to give those of you who are early in the program something to think about. Lastly, I hope we all have had a good experience from our work and discussions. I am fortunate to have met a few of you and those of you who know me personally, I hope I was able to provide some help to you in your time at WIU. Until next time PEACE!