'The Discussion Chapter'

 

#phdchat tweet log - 12th September 2012

 

@NSRiazat - Welcome to #phdchat - the topic for tonight is 'the discussion chapter'. #Phd #research #academia

@JaneDavis13 - @NSRiazat hi Nasima, hi everyone. Who's working on the Discussion Chapter then? #phdchat

@jaymelinton - Any doc students interested in participating in a mixed methods study of your experiences as online learners? Please reply if so. #phdchat

@strictlykaren - Hi, I'm still working on finding ch but looking for tips on disc ch tonight :) #phdchat

@shellsparkles - @JaneDavis13 @NSRiazat not yet but in 2 weeks #phdchat

@strictlykaren - @jaymelinton Dm me with study details, may be able to help you #phdchat

@shellsparkles - @jaymelinton #phdchat dm me

@EmmaBurnettx - @NSRiazat looking forward to hearing everyone's experiences of this to help me when I get there! #phdchat

@JaneDavis13 - @shellsparkles I'm hoping to tie mine up this weekend #lookingforflyingpiglets #phdchat

@Comprof1 - @EmmaBurnettx @NSRiazat This was the most difficult chapter for me to write. I ended up changing it completely. #phdchat

@nicoleastephen - I'm also interested in disc ch tips! Seems to be the most daunting part of a phd. Where do you start? #phdchat

@srossmktg - So I get the data, I write the results, now what? #discussion #phdchat

@strictlykaren - @Comprof1 How did you tackle it, what didn't work in early drafts? #phdchat

@daciatakesnote - #phdchat not sure what is meant by "discussion chap" per se, I'm in American Studies in the US, each chap presents findings & discussion.

@EmmaBurnettx - @Comprof1 What was your main challenge? #phdchat

@shellsparkles - #phdchat how do you keep it positive when you feel so down about your phd?

@EmmaBurnettx - @strictlykaren: @Comprof1 How did you tackle it, what didnt work in early drafts? < same questions from me! #phdchat

@daciatakesnote - #phdchat But happy to share painful/gleeful experience of "writing up"

@Comprof1 - @strictlykaren I thought I had a great discussion chapter. My committee didn't like it. Partly due to their diversity. #phdchat

@EmmaBurnettx - @shellsparkles #phdchat helps hugely!! :) #phdchat

@rou09 - @daciatakesnote #phdchat there s a discussion chapter..am in NA system, and am writing it.

@strictlykaren - @thesiswhisperer blogged some useful tips on getting started the disc ch http://t.co/bT5pxheW #phdchat

@Comprof1 - @strictlykaren I didn't make the strong links they needed between my discussion and the literature. #phdchat

@londonaesthetik - #phdchat hi everyone!

@strictlykaren - @Comprof1 Ah that is often a prob all way through #phdchat

@daciatakesnote - @rou09 hmm, maybe I'm doing it wrong? #phdchat

@Comprof1 - @strictlykaren What helped in the rewrite was to go back to intro and lit review and address all points with my data. #phdchat

@strictlykaren - @londonaesthetik Hi, we are talking about tackling the discussion chapter #phdchat

@JaneDavis13 - Important point RT @Comprof1: @strictlykaren I didn't make the strong links they needed between my discussion and the literature. #phdchat

@rou09 - @Comprof1 @strictlykaren #phdchat yea.am told to link findings to LR, introduction,research question..

@Comprof1 - @strictlykaren I.e. Make sure I answered completely research questions (repeat the ? & answer it) & tied in key theories from lit #phdchat

@ajwooff - I always worry I have missed some major literature when writing and linking research to literature #phdchat

@londonaesthetik - #phdchat I think that one of the main things to remember is compare and contrast...

@daciatakesnote - @shellsparkles ah ok. It's amazing how disciplinary differences lead to confusion. :) In my dept that's the "Conclusion." Thanks! #phdchat

@NSRiazat - @JaneDavis13 @shellsparkles - hoping to find a few hours of peace and quiet to get mine started and work on it properly. #phdchat

@strictlykaren - What about structure? Do u use themes, research questions... Other? #phdchat

@NSRiazat - @Comprof1 @EmmaBurnettx - thinking of structure this week and layout. Sub headings etc. #phdchat

@Comprof1 - @ajwooff I just focused on what I laid out in prospectus/intro. Don't worry about new lit unless u need it to support conclusions #phdchat

@NSRiazat - @nicoleastephen - guess part of proposal but it's never as simple as that in research. Thinking of mine as come to write it. :) #phdchat

@londonaesthetik - @strictlykaren I'd make sure to address research questions! #phdchat

@JaneDavis13 - @NSRiazat @shellsparkles spent all last weekend on it for a net gain of 300 words :( #phdchat

@VHalliwellOT - First draft sent to supervisors - arrrggghhh #phdchat #EdD #Phd

@ajwooff - @strictlykaren I find emerging themes round RQ's works better than systematically answering RQ's 1 after other. #phdchat

@EmmaBurnettx - @JaneDavis13: @NSRiazat @shellsparkles bet they were 300 wonderful words though! :) #phdchat

@ajwooff - @Comprof1 Prob is policy literature changing around #ASB at the moment and that stuff needs constant updating! #phdchat

@leahmacvie - This is a great topic this week- I am learning a ton from these conversations! #phdchat

@NSRiazat - @JaneDavis13 @shellsparkles - net gain this week of 0 words written. Done a bit of reading but nothing major. Weekend of study. #phdchat

@Comprof1 - @ajwooff @strictlykaren That's what I did initially, but my committee wanted me to link questions more systematically. #phdchat

@blalockmoore - @Comprof1 @strictlykaren That's what I am afraid of when I get to mine - diverse committee is great, but can backfire. #phdchat

@blalockmoore - @Comprof1 @strictlykaren Makes it sound so simple in a tweet, right? #phdchat

@leahmacvie - Agreed! RT @emmaburnettx: @JaneDavis13: @NSRiazat @shellsparkles bet they were 300 wonderful words though! :) #phdchat

@Gtrombone - I am thinking of writing a cook book for #phd researchers called 'forget the beans on toast,have a pint and eat well.' #phdchat

@NSRiazat - @VHalliwellOT - all feedback is useful and valuable + brings you one step closer to getting a PhD. #phdchat #EdD #Phd

@ajwooff - @strictlykaren Yes- U dont want is to look silly by missing something key. But this thought process also leads to writing paralysis!#phdchat

@NSRiazat - Do people allocate a word limit/percentage of thesis to discussion chapter? Approx half of thesis/less/more? #phdchat

@jennacondie - @JaneDavis13 me:) But no chapter called discussion, got two analysis ch's & a conclusion ch, anyone else got similar structure? #phdchat

@EmmaBurnettx - @londonaesthetik @strictlykaren I have my research questions on a big poster on my office wall so they are always there... #phdchat

@Comprof1 - @martin_eve Since you got thru w/out revisions what strategy did you use for discussion chapt.? #phdchat

@JaneDavis13 - @leahmacvie @emmaburnettx @NSRiazat @shellsparkles #laughingmuchly #phdchat

@NSRiazat - My toughest challenge will be deciding what to put in and what to leave out od discussion chapter. So much data. #phdchat

@martin_eve - @Comprof1 I had an intro chapter that gave methodology & literature on that. Then each chapter had its own literature discussion #phdchat

@srossmktg - @blalockmoore @Comprof1 @strictlykaren Agreed. Lucky to have a handsoff committee. Else too many cooks. #phdchat

@londonaesthetik - @EmmaBurnettx @strictlykaren I just got a whiteboard for that! #phdchat

@Comprof1 - @NSRiazat think it depends on school and discipline. My dissertation did not even need "discussion" but I wanted to include it. #phdchat

@strictlykaren - @EmmaBurnettx Good idea, I have mine printed on inside of notebook #phdchat

@ajwooff - @NSRiazat Think it depends on how you plan to structure your thesis - I plan on having two methodology chapters in my final draft #phdchat

@strictlykaren - @martin_eve Did you not need a discussion of finding ch as well? #phdchat

@Comprof1 - @NSRiazat My research was qualitative so it was discriptive/discussion throughout. #phdchat

@strictlykaren - @NSRiazat Keep some for papers then #phdchat

@ajwooff - @NSRiazat Perhaps weave discussion all the way through your chapters, organised thematically? Better too much data though #phdchat

@NSRiazat - @EmmaBurnettx ~ me too. :-) #phdchat

@NSRiazat - @strictlykaren @EmmaBurnettx ~ mine on study wall in front of desk. #phdchat

@martin_eve - @strictlykaren OK, my apologies, it seems this use of term "discussion chapter" is discipline specific. I had a 2 page "conclusion" #phdchat

@strictlykaren - @NSRiazat I have tentatively allocated a word budget of 20k words for disc but findings will be about same with analytic disc inc #phdchat

@NSRiazat - @strictlykaren ~ saving all sections not used in thesis. I went off ona tangent and lost focus at one point. Will use later on. :-) #phdchat

@martin_eve - @strictlykaren briefly suggested problems w/ brief critical reference and future directions. #phdchat

@JaneDavis13 - @NSRiazat my conceptual categories have pretty much provided the key points for discussion #groundedtheory #phdchat

@EmmaBurnettx - What about if you have a few findings chapts? A discussion chapt for each or one big one at the end bringing it altogether? #phdchat

@srossmktg - @martin_eve That seems about right. Mine might have a discussion/conclusion section following the results. No chs. @strictlykaren #phdchat

@strictlykaren - @martin_eve no Aprils necessary, you got thro in a clean sweep so we will cling to your words of advice ;) #phdchat

@NSRiazat - Thinking also in discusion chapter where stages of my analysis changed over the course of the thesis - timeline? #phdchat

@londonaesthetik - @EmmaBurnettx I would go for one chapter. A synthesis of it #phdchat

@NSRiazat - @martin_eve ~ like the idea of looking at limitations and possibilities of the research in thie discussion chapter. #phdchat

@martin_eve - @strictlykaren remember that Ph.D. is a disciplining exercise, designed for conformity. Own discipline standards are priority #phdchat

@EmmaBurnettx - @londonaesthetik Was my thinking too, & a small discussion at end of each findings chapters #phdchat

@martin_eve - @strictlykaren looking at other theses in your discipline will help you decide what discipline-specific discussion you need #phdchat

@londonaesthetik - @NSRiazat limitations definitely go in discussion. #phdchat

@NSRiazat - Definitely the most challenging chapter for me. Expecting to rework this one quite a bit following feedback. #phdchat

@NSRiazat - @londonaesthetik ~ have some jottings on limitations but nothing written as yet. #phdchat

@rou09 - @daciatakesnote #phdchat not necessary.depends whatnsupervisor says. But discussion chapter is where u put all. Where z story is

@rou09 - @NSRiazat #phdchat I believe u need to put what helps u to answer ur research questions plus z most important findings

@rou09 - @martin_eve @comprof1 #phdchat interesting...details plz

@bookworm_29 - I've come in a bit unexpectedly so sorry if it appears that I am randomly responding to some #PhDchat comments!

@EmmaBurnettx - @bookworm_29 @londonaesthetik that certainly makes sense :) #phdchat

@londonaesthetik - @NSRiazat same here! Been jotting them as I go #phdchat

@NSRiazat - Is the discussion chapter the main section of the viva or is that a misconception? #phdchat

@EmmaBurnettx - @bookworm_29 Randomly respond away! :) #phdchat

@strictlykaren - @bookworm_29 welcome to #phdchat

@martin_eve - @bookworm_29 @strictlykaren absolutely, but getting a feel for the discipline is still crucial, IMO #phdchat

@lizith - @jennacondie similar - I was advised to include discussion in findings chaps - then drawing threads & look fwd in conc @janedavis13 #phdchat

@JaneDavis13 - @NSRiazat I'm hoping not to have to rework too much after feedback - that's why is a struggle now. Really thinking this 1 through #phdchat

@NSRiazat - @lizith ~ Hi Liz - great to see you. :-) #phdchat

@strictlykaren - @martin_eve @bookworm_29 would def agree, see what passes and demystify #phdchat

@martin_eve - @strictlykaren @bookworm_29 if in the UK, ETHoS is your friend! #phdchat

@bookworm_29 - @strictlykaren thank you - haven't managed to make the last few, but seen the comments tonight and just had to join in :D #phdchat

@NSRiazat - @JaneDavis13 ~ hoping to give mine some thought but know I haven't got the brain capacity for it this week with being back at work. #phdchat

@lizith - @NSRiazat not sure how long I'll be around - poor bandwidth here :) #phdchat

@gawbul - @martin_eve I've been looking at a few recently! Has helped me to start thinking about content and structure :-) @strictlykaren #phdchat

@bookworm_29 - @lizith @jennacondie @janedavis13 think this sounds similar to what I have been doing #phdchat

@strictlykaren - @martin_eve gulp, what's ETHoS #phdchat @bookworm_29

@londonaesthetik - @NSRiazat I've always heard that methods ch is a big focus too. All about justifying why you did it. #phdchat

@gawbul - Sorry I'm late, had the little ones to see to! Reading Little Mr and Miss stories ;-) #phdchat

@martin_eve - @strictlykaren @bookworm_29 the British Library's thesis retrieval system! All UK theses go here: http://t.co/3UZenzo0 #phdchat

@JaneDavis13 - @NSRiazat have set myself the challenge. I'm about half way through. Got stuck but have thought of a way thru now #phdchat

@strictlykaren - @martin_eve I just googled it, thanks very much. I had looked at some from institutional repositories inc my own which helped #phdchat

@Comprof1 - @JaneDavis13 @NSRiazat Jane isn't that the best feeling when you finally "get it"? #phdchat

@NSRiazat - @lizith ~ been having issues with mine too - was late starting #phdchat - both Blackberry and netbook - must be the weather. :-)

@Comprof1 - @JaneDavis13 @NSRiazat I think it makes the process easier if you assume you're going to have to rework it for the readers. #phdchat

@JaneDavis13 - @Comprof1 @NSRiazat trouble is .. Getting it is easier than writing it! #phdchat

@gawbul - @EmmaBurnettx Mine has been largely data driven, so found it hard to formulate specific hypotheses initially! Questions came later! #phdchat

@JaneDavis13 - @martin_eve trouble is I'm at work all week so can't do much about it til the weekend! #phdchat

@bookworm_29 - @jennacondie @janedavis13 yep - no discussion - basically lit, data/method and then analyses b4 conc - discussion occurs throughout #phdchat

@readywriting - Good and bad news for new graduates http://t.co/vYufJ9IV via @ @selloutsoul #highered #college #phdchat #debt

@Comprof1 - @EmmaBurnettx @martin_eve @strictlykaren @bookworm_29 I wonder if we could get it in the US. Our university publishes in google #phdchat

@lizith - @NSRiazat we're on holiday and the wifi is very up and down in room - great elsewhere in building http://t.co/lwOJ5dFO #phdchat

@rou09 - @Comprof1 @martin_eve #phdchat I found it easier when I know what do, rather than just writing

@JaneDavis13 - @Comprof1 @NSRiazat my long suffering husband has provided some feedback in terms of readability #luckyme #phdchat

@JaneDavis13 - @martin_eve searched my Evernote files and found relevant notes. Woohoo! #phdchat

@EmmaBurnettx - @gawbul sometimes I wish I had gone that way too... #phdchat

@Comprof1 - @Comprof1 @EmmaBurnettx @martin_eve @strictlykaren @bookworm_29 Google books. Not sure if mine's available yet. #phdchat

@martin_eve - @Comprof1 @EmmaBurnettx @strictlykaren @bookworm_29 try signing up; you can get British theses but mayn't be relevant for structure #phdchat

@gawbul - @lizith Its okay for some ;-) Can't wait to have a proper holiday, post-phd :-P @nsriazat #phdchat

@Comprof1 - @JaneDavis13 @NSRiazat How did you get him to do so? Mine only read intro! Son read lit review. #phdchat

@strictlykaren - @Comprof1 What's your thesis title #phdchat

@gawbul - @EmmaBurnettx I have a lot of freedom too, so hard to keep myself disciplined & not go off on tangents at times! #phdchat 1/2

@gawbul - @EmmaBurnettx Got so much cool stuff I could do with all the genomic data available out there! Sometimes wish it was opposite! #phdchat 2/2

@strictlykaren - @JaneDavis13 is he for hire ;) @comprof1 @nsriazat #phdchat

@JaneDavis13 - @Comprof1 @NSRiazat letting him know that I'd value his opinion & (more importantly) reflect on his input without fuss or arguement #phdchat

@gawbul - @Comprof1 Lol! Mine just tell me they don't understand it! My uncle gives me some great advice though! @janedavis13 @nsriazat #phdchat

@SarahAlden1 - sorry have missed #phdchat - only just got back, though as just starting 2nd year have a bit to go before discussion chapter needed!

@EmmaBurnettx - @gawbul you can do it all post PhD! ;) #phdchat

@shellsparkles - @Comprof1 @JaneDavis13 @NSRiazat ps/i know he didnt read it #phdchat

@gawbul - @comprof1 He has MBChB & MSc + teaches @ medical school, so his input is always valued & extremely useful! @janedavis13 @nsriazat #phdchat

@JaneDavis13 - @gawbul @Comprof1 @nsriazat OH is rather a clever chap himself. Had to make him gauge feedback at macro not micro level #phdchat

@shellsparkles - @SarahAlden1 start writing now! #phdchat

@gawbul - @EmmaBurnettx Yeah, have my whole career in front of me! Although, have so many interests & field so broad, might not have time? #phdchat

@SarahAlden1 - @shellsparkles Yes, I agree, have started, it is a bit of a mish mash of literature at the moment, just commencing fieldwork :) #phdchat

@gawbul - @Byteman62 I agree! Way too much to make sense of & the amount just keeps increasing! #bioinformatics #phd #phdchat

@shellsparkles - @SarahAlden1 i had 4 different clinical studies& bench work.get a thinking book put conclusions/random ideas makes things easier #phdchat

@Comprof1 - One thing I discovered at the end (wish I knew in beginning) is importance of a good intro. ? may change but purpose should be same #phdchat

@NSRiazat - 8.30pm brings us to the end of #phdchat - thank to all for valued contributions as always. Great to see so many of you joining us tonight :)

@EmmaBurnettx - @Comprof1 Is it best to write the intro at the end? #phdchat

@drwcarter - @AllanMcDougall Good one. If weighlifting is your dissertation then your committee are your spotters (Come on, you can lift more). #phdchat

@londonaesthetik - @Comprof1 agreed! I started writing mine this past week. Helps solidify the structure/aims/objectives that I need to answer #phdchat

@NSRiazat - Hope everyone has a productive remainder of the week working on discussion chapters (or others chapters!). :-) #phdchat

@JaneDavis13 - @NSRiazat thanks Nasima :D #phdchat

@EmmaBurnettx - @NSRiazat Thank you for facilitating Nasima. Have really enjoyed hearing everyone's perspectives :) #phdchat

@shellsparkles - @EmmaBurnettx @Comprof1 #phdchat i'm writing mine as I speak, nearly all results chapters completed

@Comprof1 - @NSRiazat Well into semester and home from Chicago so I should be able to participate more. Hope to get colleagues to participate #phdchat

@rou09 - @EmmaBurnettx @comprof1 #phdchat I wrote my intro while writing z results

@strictlykaren - Thanks a lot everyone, lots of useful tips #phdchat

@londonaesthetik - @EmmaBurnettx some say yes. But I'm following @3monththesis' advice instead. It has clarified my thoughts. #phdchat

@dbaQ8 - @martin_eve Congratulations, Dr. Eve. #phdchat #ecrchat

@SarahAlden1 - @shellsparkles seem to have too much software downloaded mendeley,endnote,evernote,delicious etc... think I need to cut them down! #phdchat

@SarahAlden1 - @SarahAlden1 @shellsparkles great to have so much choice for organising work but think I am overwhelmed with it! #phdchat

@strictlykaren - @londonaesthetik what advice was that? @emmaburnettx @3monththesis #phdchat

@drwcarter - Persistence not Perfection #phdchat

@gawbul - @EmmaBurnettx Perhaps side by side? The discussion should critique & answer that which you lay out in the introduction?? @comprof1 #phdchat

@shellsparkles - @SarahAlden1 you dont need them all.a few word documents titled with key ideas do search paste links write a bit #phdchat

@EmmaBurnettx - @rou09 have heard others say that also #phdchat

@EmmaBurnettx - @gawbul sounds like a good idea #phdchat

@gawbul - @SarahAlden1 I know that feeling! You have to work out a system/workflow that works for you & that can stick too! @shellsparkles #phdchat

@EmmaBurnettx - @shellsparkles @Comprof1 sounds like a good time to write it #phdchat

@SarahAlden1 - @shellsparkles thanks for the advice will streamline! #phdchat

@gawbul - @sarahalden1 to* even :-S @shellsparkles #phdchat

@EmmaBurnettx - @martin_eve just registered & had a quick search. Brilliant!! Had no idea it existed. Thank you! @strictlykaren @bookworm_29 #phdchat

@SarahAlden1 - @gawbul yes, I am going to get back to basics; worry less about the software packages and more about writing! #phdchat

@strictlykaren - @EmmaBurnettx looking @ other thesis was a turning point for me, made the mysterious doctoral level thesis seem doable @martin_eve #phdchat

@gawbul - @EmmaBurnettx Me too :-) Thanks!! @martin_eve @strictlykaren @bookworm_29 #phdchat

@JackieKirkham - @strictlykaren @EmmaBurnettx yes me too - also helped me choose external examiner, having read her methods, knew she'd 'get' mine! #phdchat

@keithschofield - Referencing done. Now just need to change names>pseudonyms in appendices & final typo check. Then submit. Whoop! #phdchat

@gawbul - @SarahAlden1 I've been pretty much all digital since I started, so software is integral to my workflow! Just what works best for u #phdchat

@gawbul - @strictlykaren I felt the same, after getting rather overwhelmed & anxious these past few months @emmaburnettx @martin_eve #phdchat

@gawbul - Right! Sleep! Long day of awesome #science research tomorrow, & meeting with my #phd supervisors too! Night all :-) #phdchat

@laurapasquini - Digital Frontiers 2012 | #THATCamp Digital Frontiers 2012 http://t.co/ymsayMqW #CFP #phdchat

@bronwynah - #SLPeeps don't forget to submit your papers for @speechpathaust #SPA2013 on the Gold Coast Due in Sept: See http://t.co/gPS6fENB #PhDchat

@ianrobsons - On the last stage of data analysis prior to taking it back to participants. #phdchat (visit link on my profile page to get to blog)

@ConstanceIloh - Excited to be speaking to phd students on conference etiquette... Am I really a 3rd year ? #PhDgrind #phdchat

@KidadaEWilliams - #Academic Must-read: On the importance of assessing your personal needs when applying for jobs. #Profgrind #PhDchat http://t.co/Hx8JuNyx

@strictlykaren - @JackieKirkham well planning viva for June/July next year but think REF may mean examiners in demand so trying to be organised #phdchat

@JackieKirkham - @strictlykaren ah ok - that is very organised, but better to know than have last minute panic! #phdchat

@tressiemcphd - hmmmm rt @KidadaEWilliams Must : the importance of assessing your personal needs when applying for jobs. #PhDchat http://t.co/PoqEjOQM

@MsFloraPoste - I'm a little bit in love with #sociology at Glasgow University. Full of awesome. #academia #phdchat

@jswann - Love it. Do it. "Join some kind of chat / coffee / complaining group with other grad students" http://t.co/xu45N0Uv #phdchat

@Lafrenchfille - New post: The fine line between colleagues and friends http://t.co/rpa1RuBi via @wordpressdotcom #PhDchat

@AmandaMichelle - oh dear... we lost a member of my cohort. she's decided to pursue a different program. #phdchat

@DaeraCshikoe - Keeping fit is as important as #literature #review in #Phd #phdchat just ran for 2 miles in 15 mins! Wohoo!

@ConstanceIloh - #Skills Gap? Employers and Colleges Point Fingers at Each Other http://t.co/TBqwi0lY #highered #access #phdchat via @chronicle

@kiranjoza - @EmmaBurnettx @martin_eve @strictlykaren @bookworm_29 All research theses @dundeeUniv go here: http://t.co/hTkAepzP #phdchat // @PureDundee

@thesiswhisperer - Here's the presentation I am giving at ANU today "Hacking the literature review" https://t.co/Ajoj2JaF - feedback welcome #phdchat

@vickytnz - @thesiswhisperer It's probably not very useful to say 'OMG this looks amazing, I want this', right? :) #phdchat