thinkPhD

I received activity 1 paper back, called “Discuss Worldviews,” and was pleased to find that I earned a 10/10. I suppose I am always nervous about assignments, but have been able to keep a 4.0 during my work at NCU. I am ready to start on activity 2, “Facts and Theory, Concepts, and Variables,” yet dreading it at the same time. This next assignment is an “answer the questions” assignment…the type that I absolutely do not like. I am supposed to read the Zikmund text and answer questions 1-9 on page 51. Ugh. The next assignments will be:

3 – Conceptual or Theoretical Framework
4 – External, Internal, and Construct Validity
5 – Measurement and Scaling Concepts
6 – CITI Course and Ethics Paper
7 – Design a Research Study Plan
8 – Experimental Research
9 – Exploratory Research
10 – Mixed Methods Research
11 – Three Hypothetical Designs
12 – Propose a Research Method and Design

I am taking some vacation time this week and hope to knock out a few of these papers. When classes have so many assignments, it really pushes the course to its max length because professors are given a certain number of days to grade papers. If I have several completed then I can turn them in back to back with returned assignments.

I took a little “leave of absence” from classes in September. I really thought I would be able to get ahead, but circumstances prevented me from making a dent in the assignments for RSH9102B. So October 1st brought not only some lovely fall weather, it also brought me back to reality: I have 12 assignments due in RSH9102B. Ugh.

I worked on Activity 1: “Discuss Worldviews” a little bit in September, and finished it up and turned it in today. The assignment states that I must use my dissertation problem statement to develop a hypothetical discussion of how each of the worldviews mentioned might apply to my study. The worldviews are post-positivism, constructivism, advocacy/participatory, and pragmatism. I had only heard of two of these, and so I had to do some research to figure out what the assignment was all about. I think I finally figured it out and hope that my approach is correct. My paper ended up being 6 pages when 4 were required. I have yet to figure out how anyone can write a 4 page paper – I don’t think it is possible! I have all the grammar underlinings turned on in MS Word 2007 and so my horrible use of the passive voice stuck out like a sore thumb. I was able to manipulate most of them into sensical statements. I am just hoping Dr. R does not have his MS Word fully turned on to see the passive voice!

The next assignment entitled “Facts and Theory, Concepts, and Variables” is to read Chapter 3 in Zikmund and answer questions 1-6 on page 51. Oh, and the answers should be 125 words – what? only 125? Now this assignment is going to be a challenge for me!

I have a Secret Weapon…

When I read or study in the evenings, I am easily distracted because Husband has the TV on. Our house is not very big so the sound travels back to my office on the other side of the house. He and I like the same kinds of programs so I catch myself listening and not thinking about what I am working on. I hear the theme song from the Sopranos and I am done for! The TV or Husband on the phone with one of the children is a powerful draw…but I have a SECRET WEAPON to keep me on track.

My Secret Weapon has been a lifesavor so many times. I almost say that I owe my success to my ear plugs! I can muffle the distracting noises around me. My ear plugs don’t block out all noises – they simply make noises demand less of my attention. I can read or write without losing track because I am surrounded by silence!

I have a few different varieties of ear plugs, with the foam squishy kind (the yellow ones in the photo) are my favorite. They are pretty cheap at the big box stores or any hunting equipment store. I also travel with a pair to block out city noises in hotel rooms.

My Secret Weapon keeps me from asking for quiet – I just take charge of the noise and enter my own little “cone of silence”!