Week Thirteen: Mining for Gold

In some of the small amount of my free time I have taken to watching the television show Gold Rush.  Within the show several groups of miners are on the quest for gold amidst the recent Alaskan gold rush.  I cannot help but reflect on the fact that to me the process of determining a research interest or dissertation topic is much like the process of mining for gold.  It involves sifting through many topic options, at first large and then progressively smaller until the final stages where nuggets are uncovered.  As graduate students we develop inquiry depth within our courses over time.  Throughout that process we narrow down interests.  Topics narrow first in large chunks, either by eliminating or highlighting potential options.  As time passes, interests continue to narrow until there a research need, the gold at the end of the mining process is found.

In a previous entry I mentioned the venn diagram that represents the need for research to fit within an area of need within a field of research.  Further reading on that post is located in the Week Nine entry.

Like mining, research also involves instincts.  At first we follow our gut to places that feel like they might be a good fit.  They are exciting, intriguing and spark additional curiosity.  In time we continue to read and stumble upon resources that refine our research topics.  Throughout this process we also are afforded the chance to network with other researchers who have input, ideas and resources that can continue to add depth.

At a conference this past weekend I interacted with a prominent researcher in Higher Education that made a great point about how her research interests unfolded that resonated with me.  She said that throughout her career she had things that caught her interests and somehow an opportunity serendipitously was presented that allowed her to pursue.  Each step she took, another opportunity managed to present itself to her leading to her current work.  She referred to opportunities as doors that opened that she just had to “walk through”.  To me this spoke to the patience required to pursue passions.  There is time needed to network and build resources worth chasing.  All of this time is worth using and remembering.  The process of narrowing research is not easy, and I am sure at times is frustrating.  Reminders like this  are important to hold onto throughout the process that lies ahead.

Remember that what lies ahead might be a challenge but it is worth every minute.

Week Twelve: Writing with Style

As writers we have a lot to learn.  At least I know I do.  At a recent conference I heard several veteran writers in Higher Education say that they too always worked on improving their writing.  So I am hoping that I am not alone on this one.

John Trimble in his book Writing with Style: Conversations on the Art of Writing now in its 3rd edition he addresses some basic strategies that help a writer improve writing style and practice.  I admittedly have not read it yet but it is at the top of my end of semester reading list.  The reason I bring this up is the writing process as a graduate students is in my experience one that takes ownership by each author.  I need to take responsibility for myself as a writer and challenge myself to continue to grow as a writer.  Starting with books like Trimbles.  At this point of my academic journey I have identified the following steps that I need to pursue to improve as a writer.

• Practice writing in different styles.  To be an effective researcher and scholar each writer needs to develop different styles to use to address the different media types available.  The style I use on this blog (a rather non-academic approach) is not even remotely the same as the style it would take to be considered for an academic journal.  To improve as a writer I need to practice writing in different media and have experience writing through different "lenses".
• Accepting feedback.  On a run this evening I saw a sign in the football weight room that read "Pain is weakness leaving the body".  This is not a unique sign to this campus or to this weight room but it got me thinking about feedback and writing.  As writers we need a tremendous amount of feedback to develop good work and publish professional materials.  As a graduate student is we had a mythical "weight room" I think this sign would read "Feedback is key to weakness leaving your work".  It is important to learn to embrace feedback.
• Build a network.  In a recent conference session I heard a speaker discuss her network of writing friends who promise to critique and be honest about each others work.  Even though I am early in my academic career I find myself on the lookout for people who might fit this mold.  Folks who I can benefit as much or more than could benefit me.  It will take the help of others for me to learn and grow to my potential.  I too want to pay that forward to others.  Now is as good a time as any to get that process started.
• Write every day.  I heard it recently said that writing is a habit that needs to be practiced.  This applies to graduate students too.  While it is not easy to write additional work than is expected of us it is important to keep the writing muscles sharp and practiced.

Remember that what lies ahead might be a challenge but it is worth every minute.

Materials to support writing:

Belcher, W. L. (2009). Writing your journal article in 12 weeks: A guide to academic publishing success. Los Angeles, CA: Sage.

Bolker, J. (1998). Writing your dissertation in 15 minutes a day: A guide to starting, revising, and finishing your doctoral thesis. New York, NY: Henry Holt and Company.

Graff, G., Birkenstein, C., & Durst, R. K. (2009). They say/I say: The moves that matter in academic writing : With readings. New York, NY: W.W. Norton & Co.

Trimble, J. R., (2010). Writing with style: Conversations on the art of writing (3rd ed.). Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.