I use memos a lot in data analysis, but an unintended benefit I only just recognized today is a psychological one.

Memos feel way more low stakes than adding paragraphs to my dissertation chapter drafts. I'll probably cut and paste today's memo directly into my dissertation, but I wrote it with none of pressure I'd normally feel to "get it right."

#AmWriting #dissertating #gradchat #QualitativeMethods #QualitativeResearch #PhDChat #DissertationProgress #AcademicChatter

Transcribing interviews has me measuring time in pages.

"Wow we talked (about X) for 8 pages!"

"Oh they only had a half a page to say on Y?"

#dissertating #InterviewResearch #transcription #DissertationThoughts #DissertationProgress

I may have scheduled too many interviews this week. Not sure my interviewing stamina is back where it needs to be yet.

But today's first interview was a no-show. This might be fine. 🤷🏻‍♀️

#DissertationThoughts #dissertating #phdlife #InterviewResearch

Books next to the other book that I was to borrow are my favorite historical data. Love the serendipity that bookshelves create. #dissertating #historicalsociology

Resumed interviews again this week. Relieved and pleased to report that they are still a blast. Maybe this is why I haven't abandoned academia.

#DissertationThoughts #dissertating

I'm having a hard time getting back into things this semester, so I thought I might start doing consistent #DissertationThoughts posts as form of accountability, venting, & processing ideas.

#phd #dissertating #AmWriting

Well now I'll be paying extra close attention to when/how my multiracial participants talk about blondes 👀🍿

#AcademicChatter #race #blond #blonde #AcademicMastodon #sociology #dissertating #interviewing

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/19/opinion/the-enduring-invisible-power-of-blond.html?unlocked_article_code=z9osTdG5cH3tdxOQPb82egQY9TTNO7Bas1gqT3W7cg6yAEsm9_6EOWSSfZuFsL3WUL9_DSmh3RJc-rS_ZMu_7JtHM5N-TIO46dWqqqAIuCQCi7BCE3oioy7pDm5qBEVt4SzpJLyWSUfWhmdfI_jDbFbtkr5ut_3_SxDoBAQu3ke-vAMb_YYeM4tQu8yDvt5ufX0Fr0Kp2meKp4INLVjSuOvHQOfQs4Pr1D-YLmG2YhvNXLeM3m7R8ieSjIXqCB0aleE8RRWDzS0JNMmPXdUrlox3AtCYVffBGQe5hDUgS0ndvjizEz_harTR-HtKa_yuW3z9wzU_GDm0DyaY7WGgMw4oYIs9UiGdt1jCwR7ukyY&smid=share-url

How did I only work for one full day and then expect it to be the weekend oh no

#dissertating #OhNo #SendHelp

I was pretty down about the whole #dissertation proposal process though. Part of this was because everything seemed so unclear, even when I'd ask for guidelines. That lack of clarity also led to some critical #feedback.

So I reflect on feedback in #gradschool (again). This post is more... reflection I needed to process & get off my chest. Hits on #HiddenCurriculum themes again & #MentalHealth in grad school/while #dissertating.

http://monicaheilman.com/feedback-again/

I've found that the best thing to do when stuck (with anxiety or imposter syndrome or just writer's block) in the #dissertation process is to talk to someone else (that you haven't before) in your field/area about your ideas and outstanding questions.

Nothing motivates me like having a great chat with a colleague... and then hearing that they're excited to see where my work goes.

#amwriting #dissertating #phdlife #gradschool

Met with my #researchmethods TAs and now to do some more #courseprep and then #dissertation #research.

Anyone else on the #dissertating journey? Or #jobsearch? It's stressful!