yeah, i kinda enjoy developing models n stuff. been doing research for about a decade but i still feel like a newbie at this :)

i try to make most of them in the present tenses. LOL

THESIS TITLE : The Complexity of Tenses in Postgraduate Writing

INTRODUCTION
writing IS a challenging endeavour for most postgraduate students. this IS further exacerbated by the disheartening complexity of tenses in asserting a particular point in their thesis.

LITERATURE REVIEW
MrBean(2010) ARGUES that the complexity of tenses is due to the fact that most students are concerned of portraying an accurate impression of the thought processes that occur in relation to the temporal domain, when it is not really a necessity to do so.

METHODOLOGY
to analyze the complexity of tenses, 50 students ARE studied. they ARE told to write a simple but elaborate tractate that would put other students to sleep almost immediately upon sight.

RESULT & DISCUSSION
the result SHOWS that 80% of the postgraduate students would fluctuate between four different tenses in a page. this IMPLIES a high complexity of writing.

CONCLUSION & FUTURE WORK
in conclusion, postgraduate students have a high tendency to employ complex tenses in their writing.
possible future work can expand further on this affinity as to whether postgraduate students would exhibit the same predilection of complexity over informal exchanges in a forum, like the one we're roaming right now. :)

yeah mhmd did a great job of explaining what a conceptual model is! :)

basically, the model includes all the IDEAS that are needed for ur research to take place.
it should also include how each ideas CONNECT to one another ie how they affect each other.

if u're researching on how tasty a particular ice-cream is, the conceptual model could include these ideas ..

1. ice-cream
2. flavour
3. topping
4. human
5. preference

the model should also include the relationship between those ideas.. so, for instance
1. flavour => (must be at par with) => preference
2. human => (subjectively define) => preference

u could draw the IDEAS and CONNECTION in a diagram as mhmd proposed, which would be best!

the introduction should include the ideas required to understand the scenario of the research without serious regard of the problem. on the other hand, the problem statement should clearly state the problem that will be encountered in a particular situation. let's look at a simple example.

INTRODUCTION
one of the most popular problem in computational graph theory is finding the shortest path between two vertices. this can be achieved using djikstra's algorithm. the algorithm proceeds by ...
(the description of shortest path algorithm etc)

PROBLEM STATEMENT
the current shortest path algorithm requires a complete cycle to generate the shortest path. in a very large graph where the search can be terminated at any time, the algorithm would not be able to generate any solution, optimal or otherwise.
(shortest path algorithm is ok BUT it won't work in a situation where the size is very large and time is chaotic)

OBJECTIVE
develop a new algorithm that can be terminated at any time.
if the algorithm is allowed to complete the cycle, the result would be optimal.
if not, it would be sub-optimal, where optimality is proportionate to the time invested.
(what you intend to do to solve the aforementioned problem above)

hope it helps

ps : i'm assuming that u're doing research on graph theory given the reference u were looking for earlier.

hey mhmd,

regarding ur concern over the model, let's go through each of em one by one. :)

1. regarded old stuff and nothing new
there's always a way to repackage a model to imbue originality of work. should this be the case, insyaAllah we can always find a new angle for ur model.

2. it's so good that it gets stolen
people don't usually steal management models. from my experience, they'd usually go for something that's technologically oriented. for instance, a model to perform heart surgery via multidimensional laser.

3. it's too big for a phd
if the model is too big, then break it down to a few sub models. u can focus on one of the sub models for ur phd.

4. it's not enough for a phd
u can always deepen ur analysis for the model to make ur contribution more substantial for the phd. for instance, u could include an analysis from the perspective of system theory and game theory.

would writing a paper on ur own count as academic paper? how much would that help?
yes. it would stamp u as the originator of the model ie accentuate ownership of idea.

mechanism to copyright ideas?
yes, there is. however, it is quite costly, unless u plan to do the groundwork on ur own without the help of a legal team. usually the university would pay for it, if u're attached to the unie.

do normally PhD students propose management models, or are they developed after lots of experience?
it can happen both ways. some ppl develop new model via theoretical research (without experience). on the other hand, some would resort to action research and develop the model by capitalizing on their experience.
the academics would definitely question ur model, that's where u justify and rationalize ur model with in depth research.

How do other academics develop models?
they do it in two ways, either top-down (from theory/framework to model) or bottom-up (from data/experience to model).

hope it helps :)

what are u trying to achieve with ur research?
are u planning to do qualitative or quantitative?
what kinda methodology are u using specifically? action research? grounded theory etc?
how many samples did u take?

these are the common questions the examiner would ask. it's a way to check ur methodology. hope it helps!

hey eimeo,

is there a way for u to repackage ur phd into something technologically oriented?
i've heard of an arts postgraduate student who became a successful consultant by finding a way to market her knowledge in term of I T.

for example, she found a way to channel her research on personality in figuring out the predisposition of a person when working in a group. she repackaged the finding into something that can be applied in a job application software and got hired straight away.

i think u have a lot to offer the industry, eimeo. it's all about how u market what u have. all the best! :)

hey festive,

in which area specifically do u intend to do the EdD? t's doable to finish your EdD within 3 years part time, but u have to be really focused in your research. for instance, it's more cost effective to outsource the data collection part to reliable undergrads instead of doing it your own. blog's a great way to speed up ur research by writing bit by bit everyday and then assembling it on one day. u can also save time by asking for advice from experts in that area prior to beginning your research. this way, u can zoom precisely into what u need without the inclination to deviate. there's a bunch of ways to save time in research. if u apply the best practices of research consistently, u can graduate the same time as the full time student insyaAllah.

dude, i think u could get the experience u need by being a research consultant. the remuneration of being an RA does not do u justice. still, if u don't mind the sacrifice, go for it. :)

if the proposal was in pdf form, i think there'd be a way to check its date of authorship and compare it to the one in ur personalia, emmaki. u have to be FIRM in handling this issue. if the website is ignoring u, ask an official from the upper management to put more pressure on them.

academic plagiarism is usually measured by "turn-it-in". if more than 30% of ur work resembles others', it is normally deemed plagiarized. in ur case, u should inform the person in charge and voice ur concern by attaching the link as proof. this way, even if the percentage is high, there would be a sound justification for it.

things like this makes one sad in being a researcher.

hey emaa,

have u read the four hour work week? u should. i think u're depressed because u dont have a clear and specific goal in mind. u feel that ur effort is not getting u anywhere. u're all alone working and lost. (okay, if im wrong, then i'm sorry.. been watching too much of *the mentalist* these days haha)

what do u love to do emaa? motivate urself by deciding to spend at *most* 4H/day to do research. so, u can spend the rest of ur time doing something good that u enjoy. well, i don't consider partying as something good, u better scrape that.

psychologically, people feel happy at doing research when they have a clear direction of where to go. they feel happy when their effort moves them closer to the goal. again, if my prognosis is wrong, u must forgive me :)

the best strategy to keep in mind is simplicity.

make sure u truly understand the ROLE of each information u've digested for the last 5 weeks.

it's good to break an essay into :
1. outline
2. question
3. answer
4. justification

then formalize the answer of each question into actual writing ie paragraph and what not.

example? (i'm gonna use a really simple example here, so don't laugh)

QUESTION :
write an essay on the procedure of brushing ur teeth. explain the difficulties that may arise, as well as the appropriate measures that can be taken. finally, discuss the best alternative in term of the trade off available.

OUTLINE
1. introduction
2. background
3. process
4. difficulty
5. solution
6. best solution
7. conclusion
8. references

OUTLINE - QUESTION
3. process
steps?
rationale?

OUTLINE - QUESTION - ANSWER
3. process
steps? put toothpaste on toothbrush and sprinkle water onto it.
rationale? water can enhance the fluidity of toothpaste by reducing its viscosity.

OUTLINE - QUESTION - ANSWER - JUSTIFICATION
rationale? water can enhance the fluidity of toothpaste by reducing its viscosity.
Justin and Timberlake (2011) in their recent experimentation on toothpaste effectiveness has confirmed the probable impact of water by examining 300 men and women in their pre-sleeping repertoire.

this way, u can control ur writing and systematically check its flow and completeness.

hope it helps.

i only spend about 30mins mon-thu for my research. on fridays, i spend about 1 hour to assemble the weekly findings into a coherent piece of work.

i think off days are important if ur research is *strenuous*. u need time to recharge and stuff.

however, if u're doing it more like a hobby, it wouldn't make much difference i guess. do u ever take any day off from playing games (hobby)? well i dont. :)

whatever u do, keep all the proof of discrimination / victimization.
a friend of mine tried to retaliate, without much success. they made it look like she was the culprit.
the professor was quite influential and records of any misconduct had conveniently disappeared from the office.

a more diplomatic approach is finding an *ambassador* ie an equally influential professor with a kind heart to handle the case.
the ambassador can earnestly communicate with ur supervisor to resolve the current calamity without making wave.
this way, u can continue ur study and save $15K.

hope things will turn out well for u dude.

Our doubts are traitors,
And make us lose the good we oft might win
By fearing to attempt.
(measure for measure, shakespeare)

don't stop praying and leave everything to God. have faith.. :)

Empty and dark shall I raise my lantern,
And the guardian of the night shall fill it with oil and he shall light it also.
(The prophet, khalil gibran)