I just went back to read the main module blog and yes, yesterday was thing five not four although we were continuing with Building a network.
Today is thing six and we are talking about digital content curation.... I know what the heck is that. I don't know and that is why I am on this module to find out more and to develop my digital skills. Anyway we have been introduced to Scoop.it and storify . I have just read and re-read, had a break and a cuppa but I still cannot get my head around the concepts. Anyway the point is to make things look pretty or professional looking and then link it to your accounts which for me is the millions that I have swimming about in the world wide web (scary :0) So the point of both sites is to help publicize events and stories live. I have to say I have just about given up creating new accounts and so I'm afraid I cannot give you my views on these sites. The thought of creating one more account any where is just too much for me. I feel though that for most of these sites etc, the main aim is really from a business point. It can help you expand your target market, reach out to new customers etc. Although I see how some may apply this within academia I fail to see this. I mean take for instance - little old me doing research in a specialised field (not really but I like to say that to make myself feel extra special), there are at least 10 people out there who might have an interest in what I do, and to be honest if I don't know these people by name then I am fighting a loosing battle. After the 10 people, there may be another 5 who have a slight interest as their work may have some link, and these will contact me from my correspondence information when they read my article. And finally on the off chance, there are 2 people who might find me on google, exclude my stalking ex and we have 1. So now I have to create 10 accounts on all these sites just to reach that 1 person? Someone help me out here because clearly I am failing to see the beneficial use of all this hard work and time to find that 1 special person. I am not a skeptic but isnt there a better more efficient way to do all this?
Anyway that's all for today folks and see you next week for the final segment in our endevour to be digitally skilled :) Thing 7 : Maintaining and preserving your online identity and can I add dignity to the end of that sentence.
Thursday, 14 February 2013
Wednesday, 13 February 2013
Thing Four - continued
I guess today we are still on Thing Four. Today we explore academia and LinkedIn. My immediate question is how do these promote networking as compared to the kind you would do at a conference. I have set up accounts with both previously and I have to say they have not helped much. I think the way that technology is advertised and promoted is slightly misleading (and this is coming from a lover of technology). Well, I do not see how having an account in any of these would increase or help collaborations etc. Although researchers are very happy to get an e-mail from anybody and nobody, it is very rare from my experience that they would take a collaboration request that seriously. This is were I still believe in the six degrees of separation. Unless you know someone who knows somebody who get introduce you to someone who has met somebody that has worked with somebody's partner then your chances are pretty slim. This still works in research and within social media. So I would apply that in either academia or LinkedIn, and make sure that you know or get a link with someone who knows somebody.
On the other hand in aspects of giving greater visibility online, yes I have to say it works as they do rank highly and are picked by google HTML robots, but still I would say you need to do twice as much if not more work than you would do at a conference. This is a playing field without visual cues etc which is quite difficult and people tend to need more assurances on deliverables etc which is understandable. So I think if you are someone like me (very limited time to network online) it might still be better to do things the old fashioned way and either pick up the phone or better still spend the money to make a personal visit. If all else fails, stalk people at conferences and meetings but please don't say you read it from this blog because by that time I will have deleted this post :). Besides I wouldn't want word to get round that I am a conference stalker!!
So back to the task in hand, I have accounts with both sites, but I could not remember my password for LinkedIn and so had to create another one. I am now trying to merge the two accounts but they will not let me as I cannot remember the e-mail account that I created the other account with (2 years ago), so I guess its goodbye to all those people I was LinkedIn with before :(. I guess this week for me is about pulling the people in before I start pushing information out. Do not want to drive people away by information overload (well not just yet:) anyway).
Liked the exeter university information on LinkedIn, I thought it was very helpful. And on that note it is goodbye for today and see you sometime soon. As I said I am trying to keep up with this blogging thing even if I may fail in everything else on the module - perhaps I am in the wrong profession - should have been a journalist, this writing thing is growing on me although I am still in the Introduction page of a paper I have to submit end of the month. ...
Anyway where was I , or yes on the farewells and all that jazz - Goodbye Folk see you tomorrow
On the other hand in aspects of giving greater visibility online, yes I have to say it works as they do rank highly and are picked by google HTML robots, but still I would say you need to do twice as much if not more work than you would do at a conference. This is a playing field without visual cues etc which is quite difficult and people tend to need more assurances on deliverables etc which is understandable. So I think if you are someone like me (very limited time to network online) it might still be better to do things the old fashioned way and either pick up the phone or better still spend the money to make a personal visit. If all else fails, stalk people at conferences and meetings but please don't say you read it from this blog because by that time I will have deleted this post :). Besides I wouldn't want word to get round that I am a conference stalker!!
So back to the task in hand, I have accounts with both sites, but I could not remember my password for LinkedIn and so had to create another one. I am now trying to merge the two accounts but they will not let me as I cannot remember the e-mail account that I created the other account with (2 years ago), so I guess its goodbye to all those people I was LinkedIn with before :(. I guess this week for me is about pulling the people in before I start pushing information out. Do not want to drive people away by information overload (well not just yet:) anyway).
Liked the exeter university information on LinkedIn, I thought it was very helpful. And on that note it is goodbye for today and see you sometime soon. As I said I am trying to keep up with this blogging thing even if I may fail in everything else on the module - perhaps I am in the wrong profession - should have been a journalist, this writing thing is growing on me although I am still in the Introduction page of a paper I have to submit end of the month. ...
Anyway where was I , or yes on the farewells and all that jazz - Goodbye Folk see you tomorrow
Tuesday, 12 February 2013
Thing four - Building a Network
I know I am so far behind in this module but I am determined to complete it and do the next one as well. I guess my attempt to write for 30 minutes a day has failed as well, but I do not give up so easily. I guess that's why I am were I am in life (depends which way you look at it). Anyway thing four is building a network.
So - Twitter. I have created a twitter account, but I always find I have nothing new to tweet about. I either am re-tweeting other people's ideas or have lame twits. I am not sure how I can stay on top of this. By nature, I am a round about speaker. I say what I have to say in three or more sentences and so micro-blogging may not be for me. Or maybe I need a better smartphone - that way I can always be on the ready to tweet. But then I get to crossroads with the work, life balance because if I am using my phone to twit about work etc I can never switch off completely - One can never win can one?
I was not aware that I could tweet a new blog post. Maybe if I manage to keep my writing for 30 minutes each day I could try tweeting that. I really like the idea of all this but I just wonder when people get the time to do this. Better time management - I hear someone say, but I feel I manage my time so much that I have become a micro-manager and trust me - it takes all the fun from living. My life has become too rigid, I think there is more to life than watching the clock tick and counting down the seconds and minutes to the next task - although having said that I really like the feeling that accompanies ticking off a task from my to do list. I am still not sure how I can tweet a blog post as I am not using word press (so if anyone out there knows how to do it in blogger please help!)
Thats all for today, and with the way I am feeling, I will be back tomorrow. Oh by the way I am feeling the way I am feeling because of the new book I am reading, by Dale Carnegie. I would greatly recommend the book. I am only in Chapter 3 and I am buzzing, and trust me, buzzing is not a word I use normally but in this case I am with a Capital Z, so go and beg, borrow or steal if you have to the book, How to stop worrying and start living (I think thats the Title). More about it tomorrow.
So - Twitter. I have created a twitter account, but I always find I have nothing new to tweet about. I either am re-tweeting other people's ideas or have lame twits. I am not sure how I can stay on top of this. By nature, I am a round about speaker. I say what I have to say in three or more sentences and so micro-blogging may not be for me. Or maybe I need a better smartphone - that way I can always be on the ready to tweet. But then I get to crossroads with the work, life balance because if I am using my phone to twit about work etc I can never switch off completely - One can never win can one?
I was not aware that I could tweet a new blog post. Maybe if I manage to keep my writing for 30 minutes each day I could try tweeting that. I really like the idea of all this but I just wonder when people get the time to do this. Better time management - I hear someone say, but I feel I manage my time so much that I have become a micro-manager and trust me - it takes all the fun from living. My life has become too rigid, I think there is more to life than watching the clock tick and counting down the seconds and minutes to the next task - although having said that I really like the feeling that accompanies ticking off a task from my to do list. I am still not sure how I can tweet a blog post as I am not using word press (so if anyone out there knows how to do it in blogger please help!)
Thats all for today, and with the way I am feeling, I will be back tomorrow. Oh by the way I am feeling the way I am feeling because of the new book I am reading, by Dale Carnegie. I would greatly recommend the book. I am only in Chapter 3 and I am buzzing, and trust me, buzzing is not a word I use normally but in this case I am with a Capital Z, so go and beg, borrow or steal if you have to the book, How to stop worrying and start living (I think thats the Title). More about it tomorrow.
Thursday, 18 October 2012
So... Bibliometrics
As I have said several times I am still behind in the DH23 module but well I am still keeping at it. This week I am doing the Bibliometrics part of the module.
Quite interesting I have to say. As much as I do a lot of work on cyberspace I am still in awe at how much more you can do. I guess my defense is that I research how other people use the internet and not how I do it. Maybe I should change agendas and look into what I am missing out in cyberspace.
I have managed to update my profile on google scholar but as a new postdoc it just seems so scary as I do not have citations etc yet and I have had a peek at other people's citations which are very very long. Anyway I am still at an early stage of my career and hopefully will watch that list grow.
When it comes to Researcher ID, I think I am a bit safe there. This is where having a unique name comes in handy - as there are a few people that share my name. Having said that I have not created a profile on Researcher ID as I seem to be creating profiles everywhere and anywhere which leads back to the question of professionalism etiquette in cyberspace. I do not believe I will use this facility and so I will skip creating a profile that I will probably never use although it is a brilliant idea, especially for those that are publishing 3+ papers a year - which I am not.
It was quite easy to create the profile on google scholar and I also like the idea that its linked to most of my accounts and so I don't have to remember many passwords ( Although LastPass is brilliant for doing that sometimes I have some hiccups but I have put it down to the learning curve on my part).
I am still not sure how this helps raise my profile online. For some reasons I didn't see anyone who had similar research interests as mine even though I used really common words.
I also feel that profiles online are seen by a few individuals - mostly my friends etc. As there are so many places to create a profile, I believe a recruiter, PI or whatever when you apply for jobs would go to 2 or 3 specific sites (which may/may not be the ones I have used) and thus they may/may not see my research profile online. My evaluation of this exercise is that one should create an online profile for personal satisfaction and not the intention of building a network profile. I still think the best way of networking or forming collaborations is to attend conferences and call individuals and ask to meet them etc. Face to face contact is still the best for me. Who knows I might change my mind by the time we get to Thing 23.
Quite interesting I have to say. As much as I do a lot of work on cyberspace I am still in awe at how much more you can do. I guess my defense is that I research how other people use the internet and not how I do it. Maybe I should change agendas and look into what I am missing out in cyberspace.
I have managed to update my profile on google scholar but as a new postdoc it just seems so scary as I do not have citations etc yet and I have had a peek at other people's citations which are very very long. Anyway I am still at an early stage of my career and hopefully will watch that list grow.
When it comes to Researcher ID, I think I am a bit safe there. This is where having a unique name comes in handy - as there are a few people that share my name. Having said that I have not created a profile on Researcher ID as I seem to be creating profiles everywhere and anywhere which leads back to the question of professionalism etiquette in cyberspace. I do not believe I will use this facility and so I will skip creating a profile that I will probably never use although it is a brilliant idea, especially for those that are publishing 3+ papers a year - which I am not.
It was quite easy to create the profile on google scholar and I also like the idea that its linked to most of my accounts and so I don't have to remember many passwords ( Although LastPass is brilliant for doing that sometimes I have some hiccups but I have put it down to the learning curve on my part).
I am still not sure how this helps raise my profile online. For some reasons I didn't see anyone who had similar research interests as mine even though I used really common words.
I also feel that profiles online are seen by a few individuals - mostly my friends etc. As there are so many places to create a profile, I believe a recruiter, PI or whatever when you apply for jobs would go to 2 or 3 specific sites (which may/may not be the ones I have used) and thus they may/may not see my research profile online. My evaluation of this exercise is that one should create an online profile for personal satisfaction and not the intention of building a network profile. I still think the best way of networking or forming collaborations is to attend conferences and call individuals and ask to meet them etc. Face to face contact is still the best for me. Who knows I might change my mind by the time we get to Thing 23.
Tuesday, 2 October 2012
My Online Identity
I have to say I am so behind in this course but as I had a chance to reflect this week I decided that even though it mey mean a few weeks of trailing behind its still worth persuing, and so there I was at 10:00am this morning googling myself. I have to say I always thought it a bit vain to google oneself but today I had an excuse - I was doing homework for my course.
So here goes nothing - having a foreign name does not do one any good in the blogosphere or the digital world, but I have decided to stick to using my real name. Can't handle multiple personas:
I guess the big question as I see everyone else is asking - how do I create and maintain and online profile. There are so many tools and programs out there in cyberspace and everytime something comes I have been guilty of jumping on the band wagon in an attempt to stay visible and I confess that this does not work.
After reading the article about online personas in the times highe, I think a personal webpage is the way to go. http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?storycode=413005
Having one personal website with all papers etc and careful maintanance is good as well as manageable over a long period of time. One can post pictures, papers, articles and anything they read in one place and link it to the ac.uk work page but have the ability to take it with you when you move on to the next job. There are also no limitations on the content that you can post and chances of forgetting the password are very slim, unlike having a dozen pages (facebook, twitter, linkedIn, academia etc).
Having said that I dont know whether I am ready to give up all the other accounts I have created, even though I rarely ever use them - well once or twice a month really, but I may soon come round to using them one day - when I do not have a mountain of data to analyse, grants to apply for, funding to seek etc and all the rest that comes with being a contract post doc researchers.
So here goes nothing - having a foreign name does not do one any good in the blogosphere or the digital world, but I have decided to stick to using my real name. Can't handle multiple personas:
- the first site that came up unfortunately was an unused linkedIn page. I had the idea to create my online identity last year and so I set up a few accounts. Few months later with all the work pile up I have forgotten the passowords etc and basically havent used the account for a while. I guess the logical thing would be to find a way to retrieve and revive this account otherwise as mentioned it does look unprofessional.
- second site was facebook
- third was a site with information on my current research by the UKCRN (Sharing Bad News Study).
- fourth is 192.com - really bad going for me I think
- fifth is the university website profile
- sixth is twitter
- and then the rest are not worth mentioning. With the images my name is quite common in my home country and so really I do not feel this can be improved in anyway.
- Personas
- I still do not have a clear concept of what this does or how it does it, but my profile looks something like this :
- Social mention
- According to this tool, the likelihood that my name (brand) is being discussed in social media is 1%, but then again I dont know how accurate this tools are considering all the cultural differences of namenames, and other situational contexts.
I guess the big question as I see everyone else is asking - how do I create and maintain and online profile. There are so many tools and programs out there in cyberspace and everytime something comes I have been guilty of jumping on the band wagon in an attempt to stay visible and I confess that this does not work.
After reading the article about online personas in the times highe, I think a personal webpage is the way to go. http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?storycode=413005
Having one personal website with all papers etc and careful maintanance is good as well as manageable over a long period of time. One can post pictures, papers, articles and anything they read in one place and link it to the ac.uk work page but have the ability to take it with you when you move on to the next job. There are also no limitations on the content that you can post and chances of forgetting the password are very slim, unlike having a dozen pages (facebook, twitter, linkedIn, academia etc).
Having said that I dont know whether I am ready to give up all the other accounts I have created, even though I rarely ever use them - well once or twice a month really, but I may soon come round to using them one day - when I do not have a mountain of data to analyse, grants to apply for, funding to seek etc and all the rest that comes with being a contract post doc researchers.
Friday, 21 September 2012
I have moved again!
Well it has been a while and then I lost my passwords and everything else that happens. My blog is still do with weblogs in palliative care but I am opening it up to a wider field to include academics who blog.
I have just started the DH23 Things digital course which is quite interesting. I have also installed LastPass which is helpful for me as I have so many passwords that I always have to remember.
To those who do not know LastPass, you can read about it in one of the posts in the DH23 Things blog.
Anyway, I am hoping this will get me back to blogging and writing in general. I was told that if I try to write for at least 30mins everyday then writing will come naturally to me and so this blog is one way of doing that. Apparently it does not matter what you write e.g academic work or creative work - the point is to get into the habit of writing. 30 mins seems to be such a long time and I am not sure that I will succeed but maybe I will try 10minutes and increase that each week or month - which ever works for me.
Well, I am now working for the Centre for Family Research and the University of Cambridge. Still working in palliative care which I enjoy and hoping to develop and set a career in the field (although funding etc in that area is a nightmare).
I will like I said be showing up on a weekly basis initially and then hopefully I will post more frequently. I am also hoping that the blog will take shape as time goes on so please bear with me and continue to read and comment as well.
Ta!!
I have just started the DH23 Things digital course which is quite interesting. I have also installed LastPass which is helpful for me as I have so many passwords that I always have to remember.
To those who do not know LastPass, you can read about it in one of the posts in the DH23 Things blog.
Anyway, I am hoping this will get me back to blogging and writing in general. I was told that if I try to write for at least 30mins everyday then writing will come naturally to me and so this blog is one way of doing that. Apparently it does not matter what you write e.g academic work or creative work - the point is to get into the habit of writing. 30 mins seems to be such a long time and I am not sure that I will succeed but maybe I will try 10minutes and increase that each week or month - which ever works for me.
Well, I am now working for the Centre for Family Research and the University of Cambridge. Still working in palliative care which I enjoy and hoping to develop and set a career in the field (although funding etc in that area is a nightmare).
I will like I said be showing up on a weekly basis initially and then hopefully I will post more frequently. I am also hoping that the blog will take shape as time goes on so please bear with me and continue to read and comment as well.
Ta!!
Tuesday, 26 June 2012
Its been a while
I know it has been a while, but I just wanted to say I am back in the world of blogging. I dont know if I should change the title of my blog as I have finished my studies now. I might keep it the same as I still am interested in the field of weblogs in hospice and palliative care. I will update you all soon with whats new in my life and research world. good to be back
Monday, 27 July 2009
Long time, no post
Hi
I know it has been a while since I last updated my blog, but in my defence I have been extremely busy with the thesis and changes to be made and just running around like a headless chicken. I guess it is that time in the course of a PhD process to start panicking at the slightest thing to be done or changed. I mean you would think after 3 years of doing this I would be a bit more relaxed, but no it just gets more stressul with the nearing of submission, and dont get me started on the viva. I have decided I am not going to even think about that otherwise my whole time will be spent biting my nails and a consequence of that - no work done (because my fingers will be in my mouth instead of on the keyboard) and lets not even talk about the sleepless nights.
I have been slacking with my supervision notes although I have been writing them. Its just that because most of the meetings are a discussion of the chapters, most of the notes are stuck on the hardcopy of the chapters so that I dont forget waht to amend etc.
Anyway I will try to popo in more often now. At the moment I am working on a chapter that I am contributing with another colleague in Netherlands and I am also working on amendments of the chapters in order to develop a complete draft. I should get this done by the 17th of August and hopefully get feedback ob the 25th so that I can start working on the final draft of what should be in or out of the thesis. Well at least thats what we discussed in the last meeting, so I have to go because the more time I spend here the less I do on my thesis - ah yes and the conference paper for September - forgot all about that. Now I really have to go.
Bye and take care see you soon.
P/S Read the pallimed blog, its brilliant
I know it has been a while since I last updated my blog, but in my defence I have been extremely busy with the thesis and changes to be made and just running around like a headless chicken. I guess it is that time in the course of a PhD process to start panicking at the slightest thing to be done or changed. I mean you would think after 3 years of doing this I would be a bit more relaxed, but no it just gets more stressul with the nearing of submission, and dont get me started on the viva. I have decided I am not going to even think about that otherwise my whole time will be spent biting my nails and a consequence of that - no work done (because my fingers will be in my mouth instead of on the keyboard) and lets not even talk about the sleepless nights.
I have been slacking with my supervision notes although I have been writing them. Its just that because most of the meetings are a discussion of the chapters, most of the notes are stuck on the hardcopy of the chapters so that I dont forget waht to amend etc.
Anyway I will try to popo in more often now. At the moment I am working on a chapter that I am contributing with another colleague in Netherlands and I am also working on amendments of the chapters in order to develop a complete draft. I should get this done by the 17th of August and hopefully get feedback ob the 25th so that I can start working on the final draft of what should be in or out of the thesis. Well at least thats what we discussed in the last meeting, so I have to go because the more time I spend here the less I do on my thesis - ah yes and the conference paper for September - forgot all about that. Now I really have to go.
Bye and take care see you soon.
P/S Read the pallimed blog, its brilliant
Tuesday, 28 April 2009
Supervision meeting
Supervision Meeting for Nothando Ngwenya on the 28th of April 2009 at 11am at Beaconside
Present: SM, and NN.
1) We discussed the themes for the second study and the categories derived from the data.
2) SM suggested reviewing all the categories and making a better description/explanation of the tables and also to justify the categories. A better, clearer and appropriate sense of data audit trail is necessary for readers to understand how the themes emerge from the data and the process I used.
3) We agreed that I would need a tree diagram that showed how I got from the data to the codes that led to the categories used to build the themes.
4) We then discussed the content of the themes, and we agreed that the themes should be linked to ones from the previous study. I should include the theme about research and show that it is a recurrent theme from the previous study.
5) An interesting category I identified within the data is the use or non-use of new technologies by elderly people. Although one person mentioned this it will be interesting to explore this as I have interpreted that it as an explanation to the answers in the previous study of old people not using technology.
6) SM advised to refer to the cultural lag literature and look at the history of technology and backward compatibility. Some useful references are Jenny Preece, and Shirley Turkell
7) With the discussion I get add another sub section of other points and discuss interesting points that have come up within the study.
8) SM advised to do a trend analysis of the blog contents for the LIWC as I would have to explain and justify why I have decided to use only two blog posts (1st and last) for analysis and results.
Things to do by next meeting
1) NN to do a trend analysis of the blog post LIWC results
2) PK and SM will decide and bring some names for examiners
Present: SM, and NN.
1) We discussed the themes for the second study and the categories derived from the data.
2) SM suggested reviewing all the categories and making a better description/explanation of the tables and also to justify the categories. A better, clearer and appropriate sense of data audit trail is necessary for readers to understand how the themes emerge from the data and the process I used.
3) We agreed that I would need a tree diagram that showed how I got from the data to the codes that led to the categories used to build the themes.
4) We then discussed the content of the themes, and we agreed that the themes should be linked to ones from the previous study. I should include the theme about research and show that it is a recurrent theme from the previous study.
5) An interesting category I identified within the data is the use or non-use of new technologies by elderly people. Although one person mentioned this it will be interesting to explore this as I have interpreted that it as an explanation to the answers in the previous study of old people not using technology.
6) SM advised to refer to the cultural lag literature and look at the history of technology and backward compatibility. Some useful references are Jenny Preece, and Shirley Turkell
7) With the discussion I get add another sub section of other points and discuss interesting points that have come up within the study.
8) SM advised to do a trend analysis of the blog contents for the LIWC as I would have to explain and justify why I have decided to use only two blog posts (1st and last) for analysis and results.
Things to do by next meeting
1) NN to do a trend analysis of the blog post LIWC results
2) PK and SM will decide and bring some names for examiners
Tuesday, 7 April 2009
Spervision Meeting
Supervision Meeting for Nothando Ngwenya on the 7th of April 2009 at 15:00pm in Paul’s Office, BL167.
Present: PK, SM, and NN.
1) I submitted Chapter 6 of the thesis which is the study of the hospice officers.
2) We briefly discussed the contents of this chapter and how it links with all the other chapters.
3) PK and SM advised on the layout of the thesis and also advised on the importance of chapters 8 and 9. Chapter 8 is the synthesis chapter which brings together the three studies and also builds the framework developed within the thesis. Chapter 9 is the conclusion which should review the strengths and weaknesses of the thesis.
4) We all agreed I would continue to work on the analysis of the next study, which is about the online participants.
5) We discussed the time schedule and tentative deadlines for the chapters (about 6 weeks each) and the complete draft of the thesis (August).
6) PK said if I had not completed by the end of my funding there was a possibility (not guarantee) of getting a part-time extension for 2 or 3 months.
7) I have also decided to look for and possible apply for jobs with a start date after September. SM, and PK advised not to lose focus on the thesis but we all agreed it would be okay to do so.
8) We had a brief discussion about examiners, but PK and SM will make the decisions.
9) Next supervision meeting will be Tuesday 28th of April at 10am.
Things to do by next meeting
1) NN to complete the preliminary analysis for the 2nd study and send to supervisors for approval before completing the chapter
2) PK and SM will try to bring feedback of Chapter 6.
Present: PK, SM, and NN.
1) I submitted Chapter 6 of the thesis which is the study of the hospice officers.
2) We briefly discussed the contents of this chapter and how it links with all the other chapters.
3) PK and SM advised on the layout of the thesis and also advised on the importance of chapters 8 and 9. Chapter 8 is the synthesis chapter which brings together the three studies and also builds the framework developed within the thesis. Chapter 9 is the conclusion which should review the strengths and weaknesses of the thesis.
4) We all agreed I would continue to work on the analysis of the next study, which is about the online participants.
5) We discussed the time schedule and tentative deadlines for the chapters (about 6 weeks each) and the complete draft of the thesis (August).
6) PK said if I had not completed by the end of my funding there was a possibility (not guarantee) of getting a part-time extension for 2 or 3 months.
7) I have also decided to look for and possible apply for jobs with a start date after September. SM, and PK advised not to lose focus on the thesis but we all agreed it would be okay to do so.
8) We had a brief discussion about examiners, but PK and SM will make the decisions.
9) Next supervision meeting will be Tuesday 28th of April at 10am.
Things to do by next meeting
1) NN to complete the preliminary analysis for the 2nd study and send to supervisors for approval before completing the chapter
2) PK and SM will try to bring feedback of Chapter 6.
Sunday, 22 March 2009
Monday, 2 March 2009
Work, work, work
I know I havent written in long long while. I have been very busy so far but I just got some time to jot a short message just to say I am still alive for those who might have been worried (not that there will be many who would have been worried but anyway....)
I have finished data collection and analysis for Study 1 and am trying to write up the chapter now. I am a bit behind, (well not just a bit) with my schedule, so I am trying to catch up on the work. I have just about completed data collection for the 2nd study and have to do the analysis of the blogs and decide which stats if any to use. For the next two weeks I will just concentrate on writing up the Chapter and then I have the interviews for study 3 and then writing, writing ,writing and more writing. I am hoping to get a complete 1st draft by June and after that just work on editing. Well when I put it like that I can see a light at the end o the tunnel and maybe this is doable after all. well it should because if I have to do this for another year I just might.... who knows what I might do.
I have actually enjoyed doing the interviews with the online paticipants. It did get a bit stressful because of lack of technology and one or two of the interviews we had to resrt to e-mail as the internet phone would not log on and 2 of the interviews had to be done via landline as the internet service was down, and I was running around like a headless chicken all stressed out, but hey hooo cest la vie.
I am thinking of putting up my current schedule, and where I am so that I can keep a check on myself and get my head down and do the work. I will also post up my supervision meeting minutes so that I can remind mself what was discussed.
I have finished data collection and analysis for Study 1 and am trying to write up the chapter now. I am a bit behind, (well not just a bit) with my schedule, so I am trying to catch up on the work. I have just about completed data collection for the 2nd study and have to do the analysis of the blogs and decide which stats if any to use. For the next two weeks I will just concentrate on writing up the Chapter and then I have the interviews for study 3 and then writing, writing ,writing and more writing. I am hoping to get a complete 1st draft by June and after that just work on editing. Well when I put it like that I can see a light at the end o the tunnel and maybe this is doable after all. well it should because if I have to do this for another year I just might.... who knows what I might do.
I have actually enjoyed doing the interviews with the online paticipants. It did get a bit stressful because of lack of technology and one or two of the interviews we had to resrt to e-mail as the internet phone would not log on and 2 of the interviews had to be done via landline as the internet service was down, and I was running around like a headless chicken all stressed out, but hey hooo cest la vie.
I am thinking of putting up my current schedule, and where I am so that I can keep a check on myself and get my head down and do the work. I will also post up my supervision meeting minutes so that I can remind mself what was discussed.
Thursday, 29 January 2009
Supervision meeting
Supervision Meeting for Nothando Ngwenya on the 29th of January 2008 at 3:30pm in BL167.
Present: NN, SM and Nardia Corp observing
1) We had a brief discussion on the guidelines I have done so far. Stella advised to look at the user profiles in more depth and match their needs to the guidelines.
2) We looked at the templates that are used on blogger.com. We decided it would be better to select the templates that are in sync with the guidelines. Participants would then be advised to use the selected templates.
3) We also discussed on the use of colours for the website. I will need to research into colours and their associative emotions for the design guidelines.
4) Next meeting will be on Monday 11th of February at 10:00am
Things to do by next meeting
1) Read on safety critical systems for interface design.
2) Research into cognitive load and computer use
3) Design the website prototype
Present: NN, SM and Nardia Corp observing
1) We had a brief discussion on the guidelines I have done so far. Stella advised to look at the user profiles in more depth and match their needs to the guidelines.
2) We looked at the templates that are used on blogger.com. We decided it would be better to select the templates that are in sync with the guidelines. Participants would then be advised to use the selected templates.
3) We also discussed on the use of colours for the website. I will need to research into colours and their associative emotions for the design guidelines.
4) Next meeting will be on Monday 11th of February at 10:00am
Things to do by next meeting
1) Read on safety critical systems for interface design.
2) Research into cognitive load and computer use
3) Design the website prototype
Friday, 9 January 2009
Supervision meeting
Supervision Meeting for Nothando Ngwenya on the 9th of January 2009 at 14:30pm in Paul’s Office, BL167.
Present: NN, SM, PK, and NLM
1) We discussed feedback on the Methodology chapter. PK advised to give careful attention to the titles and headings of sections.
2) We all agreed that I should work on the layout of the chapter and rearrange the ethical section to include research ethics and how their impact on internet research
3) PK advised on how to make the chapter flow better by always telling the reader what they will read and where to find specific information within the chapter or thesis.
4) We also agreed that the chapter was too dense and needed some diagrammatical and pictorial illustrations to break up the text and make it less boring. The chapter should include a table or flowchart with justifications of my chosen methodologies and paradigm.
5) We then discussed the preliminary analysis of the first study from the hospices on the response rate. A clearer table is needed to indicate the source and the interviewee and the frequency of the codes.
6) NN to condense the categories into the themes and its sub categories which will then be confirmed and validated by both supervisors and Nick before I start writing up
7) We also briefly discussed on the time schedule and career progression.
8) We decided to continue this discussion of job applications at a later date when I have finished data collection and completed the first complete draft of the thesis.
Things to do by next meeting
1) NN to condense the categories into the themes and its sub categories on a tree diagram
Present: NN, SM, PK, and NLM
1) We discussed feedback on the Methodology chapter. PK advised to give careful attention to the titles and headings of sections.
2) We all agreed that I should work on the layout of the chapter and rearrange the ethical section to include research ethics and how their impact on internet research
3) PK advised on how to make the chapter flow better by always telling the reader what they will read and where to find specific information within the chapter or thesis.
4) We also agreed that the chapter was too dense and needed some diagrammatical and pictorial illustrations to break up the text and make it less boring. The chapter should include a table or flowchart with justifications of my chosen methodologies and paradigm.
5) We then discussed the preliminary analysis of the first study from the hospices on the response rate. A clearer table is needed to indicate the source and the interviewee and the frequency of the codes.
6) NN to condense the categories into the themes and its sub categories which will then be confirmed and validated by both supervisors and Nick before I start writing up
7) We also briefly discussed on the time schedule and career progression.
8) We decided to continue this discussion of job applications at a later date when I have finished data collection and completed the first complete draft of the thesis.
Things to do by next meeting
1) NN to condense the categories into the themes and its sub categories on a tree diagram
Thursday, 11 December 2008
Supervision meeting
Supervision Meeting for Nothando Ngwenya on the 11th of December 2008 at 11:30am in Paul’s Office.
Present: NN, SM, and PK
1) We discussed the outcome and feedback from the RDC2 MPhil to PhD upgrade which included the following:
a. Include references in the literature review and also include in depth research into palliative care
b. Amend the document to include the revised sample and sample size after ethical approval – (including the online sample)
c. The document to be revised to include current stage, timescale of the project and plans for writing up and submission.
d. Review the aims and objectives of the project in light of the revisions and changes made to the studies. Instead of developing ‘policy recommendations’, the project is most likely to develop ‘recommendations’ for practice rather than for policy.
2) NN to work on the changes and submit before Christmas break. The PhD has a conditional transfer and confirmation of the transfer will be given by the Chair of the transfer after successful completion of the conditions.
3) We had a discussion on the Austria conference and possible collaborations and publications.
4) We discussed the recruitment stage for the hospice participants and the interviews on the response rate from the hospice CEOs. End of the recruitment phase will be on Monday the 15th of December 2008 in …….. The last interview for the response rate will be on the 23rd of December with Dr …….
Things to do by next meeting
1) NN to submit the methodology Chapter
Present: NN, SM, and PK
1) We discussed the outcome and feedback from the RDC2 MPhil to PhD upgrade which included the following:
a. Include references in the literature review and also include in depth research into palliative care
b. Amend the document to include the revised sample and sample size after ethical approval – (including the online sample)
c. The document to be revised to include current stage, timescale of the project and plans for writing up and submission.
d. Review the aims and objectives of the project in light of the revisions and changes made to the studies. Instead of developing ‘policy recommendations’, the project is most likely to develop ‘recommendations’ for practice rather than for policy.
2) NN to work on the changes and submit before Christmas break. The PhD has a conditional transfer and confirmation of the transfer will be given by the Chair of the transfer after successful completion of the conditions.
3) We had a discussion on the Austria conference and possible collaborations and publications.
4) We discussed the recruitment stage for the hospice participants and the interviews on the response rate from the hospice CEOs. End of the recruitment phase will be on Monday the 15th of December 2008 in …….. The last interview for the response rate will be on the 23rd of December with Dr …….
Things to do by next meeting
1) NN to submit the methodology Chapter
Wednesday, 26 November 2008
Has been a while
I know it has been a while since I last updated my blog, but in excuse I have been very very busy, not that I am saying you out there reasing this blog are not busy, but you know an excuse is an excuse.
I am well at the moment, I just went through my MPhil upgrade a few weeks back and got a few knockbacks and so have been licking my wounds (Jokes it wasnt that bad). I have a few amendedments to do and then the upgrade will pass and then back to the field.
I have started doing some interviews within the hospices but at this stage it is mostly with the professionals within the hospice just to clarify a few points like research in palliative care and gatekeeping. I have had some interesting views and I cant wait to muck it and start working with the data. I am hoping to start doing the online interviews soon as well. I think this weekend will be spent following and chasing up participants online and asking them to take part in the interviews and looking into e-consent.
I will log back soon to let you know how it all went and how its all going. I finish this session of interviews on the 5th of December and thats all the data for study 3, which reminds me I have to look at the layout of my thesis again.
I have had a good response from some people online which is really good and I am pleased about it all.
I am well at the moment, I just went through my MPhil upgrade a few weeks back and got a few knockbacks and so have been licking my wounds (Jokes it wasnt that bad). I have a few amendedments to do and then the upgrade will pass and then back to the field.
I have started doing some interviews within the hospices but at this stage it is mostly with the professionals within the hospice just to clarify a few points like research in palliative care and gatekeeping. I have had some interesting views and I cant wait to muck it and start working with the data. I am hoping to start doing the online interviews soon as well. I think this weekend will be spent following and chasing up participants online and asking them to take part in the interviews and looking into e-consent.
I will log back soon to let you know how it all went and how its all going. I finish this session of interviews on the 5th of December and thats all the data for study 3, which reminds me I have to look at the layout of my thesis again.
I have had a good response from some people online which is really good and I am pleased about it all.
Friday, 17 October 2008
Supervision meeting
Supervision Meeting for Nothando Ngwenya on the 17th of October 2008 at 2:00pm in K352.
Present: NN, SM
1) We discussed the layout and content of the thesis. We tentatively agreed that the thesis would have 2 studies on a large scale. The 1st study would be using the online recruits and would report on whether the blogs are therapeutic and an observation of the emerging themes.
2) The 2nd study would be using hospice participants. The conclusion will then be used to develop a theoretical framework on the usage (how, when, what for) of blogs within an end of life context. The studies are measuring the wellbeing of participants after blogging through positive and negative emotions. The theoretical framework would be further used to inform and develop general practice guidelines on the use of weblogs in palliative care.
3) We had a discussion on the original contribution of the PhD in preparation for the RDC 2 transfer viva on Monday the 27th of October at 11am. SM contacted the chair of the transfer viva to confirm on the content of the interview.
4) SM advised on potential information to revise for the interview.
5) We also had a brief discussion on the presentation of the Austria conference (3rd – 5th of November) Paper. Mock run of the presentation will be held on Thursday the 30th of October at Blackheath Lane. Rob Merchant and Stella will be present.
Present: NN, SM
1) We discussed the layout and content of the thesis. We tentatively agreed that the thesis would have 2 studies on a large scale. The 1st study would be using the online recruits and would report on whether the blogs are therapeutic and an observation of the emerging themes.
2) The 2nd study would be using hospice participants. The conclusion will then be used to develop a theoretical framework on the usage (how, when, what for) of blogs within an end of life context. The studies are measuring the wellbeing of participants after blogging through positive and negative emotions. The theoretical framework would be further used to inform and develop general practice guidelines on the use of weblogs in palliative care.
3) We had a discussion on the original contribution of the PhD in preparation for the RDC 2 transfer viva on Monday the 27th of October at 11am. SM contacted the chair of the transfer viva to confirm on the content of the interview.
4) SM advised on potential information to revise for the interview.
5) We also had a brief discussion on the presentation of the Austria conference (3rd – 5th of November) Paper. Mock run of the presentation will be held on Thursday the 30th of October at Blackheath Lane. Rob Merchant and Stella will be present.
Monday, 29 September 2008
Supervision meeting
Supervision Meeting for Nothando Ngwenya on the 29th of September 2008 at 12:00pm in K352.
Present: NN, SM
1) We discussed the ethics application details and how to contact the online users for the Austria paper. SM called Professor David Clark Carter who confirmed that the ethics application had been approved and advised on how to inform the participants that their blogs would be used in a conference paper.
2) SM advised that I should go and draft an e-mail to be sent to all the online bloggers.
3) We discussed the draft paper for the Austria conference and statistics that would be appropriate for the paper. We both decided and agreed that only descriptive statistics would be relevant to the abstract submitted and a discussion of the results from the LIWC programme.
4) We agreed that I should write a cover letter to the Chair of the Faculty research degrees committee to update on the methodological changes of the project and the new ethical approval gained. This letter would also be sent to the examiners of the RDC 2 upgrade interview.
5) The next meeting will be on Friday the 17th of October at 2pm.
Things to do by next meeting, NN:
1) Send letter to Chair of the Research degrees committee with the latest amendments of the project.
2) E-mail the online bloggers and inform them about the Austria conference paper.
3) Submit the draft paper for the Austria conference paper to SM for feedback.
Present: NN, SM
1) We discussed the ethics application details and how to contact the online users for the Austria paper. SM called Professor David Clark Carter who confirmed that the ethics application had been approved and advised on how to inform the participants that their blogs would be used in a conference paper.
2) SM advised that I should go and draft an e-mail to be sent to all the online bloggers.
3) We discussed the draft paper for the Austria conference and statistics that would be appropriate for the paper. We both decided and agreed that only descriptive statistics would be relevant to the abstract submitted and a discussion of the results from the LIWC programme.
4) We agreed that I should write a cover letter to the Chair of the Faculty research degrees committee to update on the methodological changes of the project and the new ethical approval gained. This letter would also be sent to the examiners of the RDC 2 upgrade interview.
5) The next meeting will be on Friday the 17th of October at 2pm.
Things to do by next meeting, NN:
1) Send letter to Chair of the Research degrees committee with the latest amendments of the project.
2) E-mail the online bloggers and inform them about the Austria conference paper.
3) Submit the draft paper for the Austria conference paper to SM for feedback.
Thursday, 11 September 2008
Supervision meeting
Supervision Meeting for Nothando Ngwenya on the 11th of September 2008 at 16:00pm in BL167.
Present: PK, NN, SM
1) We discussed the recruitment situation and all agreed that it would be useful and helpful to include existing blogs written by terminally ill patients. A letter will be sent by NN to David Clarke-Carter to request ethical approval for the changes being made to the methodology of the project.
2) Stella brought feedback on Chapter 4 but we decided to postpone the discussion to a later date due to the changing focus of the project
3) The date for a meeting with ……at…..hospice was set for Monday the 22nd of September at 3:15pm.
4) ………….. Hospice are not happy to have a presentation day for their patients as they feel this might put the patients under pressure to participate. At the moment we have not received any interest from the patients at the hospice, awaiting response from the carers and staff. The hospice is happy for NN to interview some of their staff as to why there is so little interest in the project. Paul suggested that it would be good to try and interview the C.E.O. at every hospice and to have one-to-one interviews rather than focus groups with the nurses.
5) We discussed the paper for the Austria conference. 5 blogs have been selected written by terminally ill patients who are all based in America. The data from these blogs will be used for the Austria paper and the thesis.
6) The next meeting will be on Monday the 29th of September at 12pm
Things to do by next meeting, NN:
1) Work on the ethics application for the amendments to the project.
2) To do some form of statistical analysis of the blogs NN will be using with information such as frequency of posts, length of posts.
Present: PK, NN, SM
1) We discussed the recruitment situation and all agreed that it would be useful and helpful to include existing blogs written by terminally ill patients. A letter will be sent by NN to David Clarke-Carter to request ethical approval for the changes being made to the methodology of the project.
2) Stella brought feedback on Chapter 4 but we decided to postpone the discussion to a later date due to the changing focus of the project
3) The date for a meeting with ……at…..hospice was set for Monday the 22nd of September at 3:15pm.
4) ………….. Hospice are not happy to have a presentation day for their patients as they feel this might put the patients under pressure to participate. At the moment we have not received any interest from the patients at the hospice, awaiting response from the carers and staff. The hospice is happy for NN to interview some of their staff as to why there is so little interest in the project. Paul suggested that it would be good to try and interview the C.E.O. at every hospice and to have one-to-one interviews rather than focus groups with the nurses.
5) We discussed the paper for the Austria conference. 5 blogs have been selected written by terminally ill patients who are all based in America. The data from these blogs will be used for the Austria paper and the thesis.
6) The next meeting will be on Monday the 29th of September at 12pm
Things to do by next meeting, NN:
1) Work on the ethics application for the amendments to the project.
2) To do some form of statistical analysis of the blogs NN will be using with information such as frequency of posts, length of posts.
Tuesday, 5 August 2008
Lit Review Chapter 3
I guess all I can say for now is I am busy trying to complete my Literature review. I have so many other things going on, but I have to finish this in order to concentrate on my other work.
I am going to Barnsley hospice on Thursday and hopefully I will have some good news after that. Although most of the hospices were enthusiastic about the research, the response is still very slow and does not look promising at all, I am thinking of changing the study to incorporate existing blogs. At least that way I can catch up on the time I lost dealing with NHS ethics and get on with the field research. I will wait till end of August and then review to see if the change is necessary. I will not remove the hospices completely because if I do get participants then it would still be useful data that I can use to compare with people who are already blogging on their own initiative.
Anyway I have to head home now, I will write soon.
I am going to Barnsley hospice on Thursday and hopefully I will have some good news after that. Although most of the hospices were enthusiastic about the research, the response is still very slow and does not look promising at all, I am thinking of changing the study to incorporate existing blogs. At least that way I can catch up on the time I lost dealing with NHS ethics and get on with the field research. I will wait till end of August and then review to see if the change is necessary. I will not remove the hospices completely because if I do get participants then it would still be useful data that I can use to compare with people who are already blogging on their own initiative.
Anyway I have to head home now, I will write soon.
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