Thesis Writing Workshop

I attended a thesis writing workshop by Dee Nicholls today. From the mind-mapping exercise I realise that I already have shifted my question a bit; it's different from the one I originally wrote for ReMe on February. 

I think this mind map shows the areas I am really interested in... In a way this can be my guidance for my future writing. 

Click picture to enlarge

I hope I'll stay focused on this one... and won't steer off too much... as such I hung this up on my wall. :)

Aside from mind mapping, I got a lot of insights on writing the dissertation! I got a bit motivated and excited to write after today's workshop. Now, I just have to finish off my April PMAs... so I can start writing my literature review.

03 April 2012: ReMe

Today's ReMe was definitely better than last December's. The discussions are a bit more generic, but this time it got me to do some thinking about my project. 

Here are the highlights for the day:

• Quality of Data Lecture: its about using statistical techniques to data. Even though my data might be more qualitative than quantitative, I am sure that I will use some statistical analysis to some extent in my dissertation. It was a good reminder to me that aside from reading literature, thinking/searching of the possible data source, reading about methodology, etc... I also have to revisit statistics for use in my analysis. But I think that's still a bit far off, first I need to concentrate on setting the base of my study.
• Qualitative Analysis Lecture: the lecturer touched on archival data. The main point was these documents (i.e. UNDP CPAP, AWP etc..) were not written for the purpose of my thesis. The challenge is coding these documents, finding patterns and relating it with the literature. I wish she discussed about it to some more detail, but she didn't. The focus of this lecture was more on ethics and interviews... which could still be helpful for me.
• 'How to avoid Failing' Lecture: First, on a higher note... I will remember the 'golden thread', a distinctive thesis seems like there is a 'golden thread' linking every piece of the thesis beautifully; it flows from start to finish.  But the rest of the lecture is spirit dampening... A lot of DON'Ts and DOs regarding the dissertation structure. The main point is: do not write/include anything that does not add value to the thesis. 

I really don't like the 'how not to fail' theme, it dampens my spirit. After the ReMe session, I felt stressed, anxious; and up to now a lingering feeling of silent panic. -.-

Keep Calm and Carry On...

Frog and the Lily Pad Dilemma

Not entirely related to my thesis, but just a food for thought...

I've been reading "Seeing the Forest for the Trees" to learn more about systems thinking for my Innovation assignment and I encountered an interesting snippet.

Click image to enlarge.

Answers:

• Exponential growth
• 49th day
• On the 40th day, the proportion of the pond covered by lily pads is very small! It would be less than one tenth of one percent! Computed as (1/2)^10

The moral of the story:

Click image to enlarge.

The book is quite interesting; it discusses systems thinking in a simple (ironic considering its a topic about complexity) yet really stimulating manner.

Images are all quotes from Sherwood. 

---

SHERWOOD, D. 2002. Seeing the forest for the trees : a manager's guide to applying systems thinking, London, Nicholas Brealey Pub.