Just a quick question I thought I would ask. I'm working on my methodology chapter and I'm using a sequential exploratory mixed methods approach. Anyway, all the books usually describe this methodology as consisting of 2 phases, but mine has 3 phases. I can't find any books or papers that describe 3 phase studies and so decided to ask some experts if it was okay by e-mail. They got back to me and said fine, critiqued the current books as being a bit to prescriptive and said I should go ahead. SO my question is, can I reference these as personal communications in my thesis?
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I say yes you can, I've seen instructions for referencing personal communications in my travels around academia somewhwere, although, I can't remember where now. Sounds like you're making a good development.
I'll put some of my marking in the post for you: I'm sure that's one dream that will almost certainly come true one day, any way.
Haha, thanks Eska. I can't say I know much about film and film culture I'm afraid, so unless you set them questions such as:
Rocky 2 was better than Rocky. Discuss.
or,
Compare and contrast Tropic Thunder with There's Something About Mary.
I really won't be much help. I'll take a look for guidelines on how to reference personal communications online now you've suggested it.
I didn't set those questions, but for some reason most of my studes seem to think I did... first years, first essays: clueless! Ahhhh time to teach the little blighters, so many thirds, so little time... mwwwwaaahhhhhhaahaha!
In my thesis (humanities) I have something like the following in a footnote:
In private correspondence *** expert *** *** observed that ‘QUOTE FROM THE PERSON SENT IN AN EMAIL'.
Yes you can reference this, if you are using Harvard, in the ref you just put the usual stuff, name, date etc. then personal communication- and make sure you keep a copy of the e-mail. However I would just check that whoever sent you this is OK with you quoting it before you do so, only polite really, and the ethical thing to do too.
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