Category: Dissertation

My first set of surveys is printed, packaged, and awaiting pickup by the FedEx man.  In other words: HOLY SHIT I’M REALLY STARTING MY DISSERTATION!

My survey instrument has been through its final design process and I’ve printed the first set.  The final design process moved things around a bit to make the instrument easier to scan and added a blank space for the survey ID. The final instrument was delivered to me not in the format I expected.  I… Continue reading Dissertation Journal: Final Instrument Designed and Printed

I sent the invitations to participate to the first group of institutions (I hope to invite more as more institutions register for BCSSE) about thirty minutes ago. And I’ve already received three “yes” responses! Additionally, it occurred to me that I may end up with three groups of participating institutions: Web-only participant in NSSE Paper… Continue reading Dissertation Journal: Participating Institutions

Last week, I ceased piloting my survey instrument and finalized it.  I submitted it to IRB as an amendment to BCSSE at the same time as sending it to my colleagues in IU’s Center for Survey Research who are formatting it for their scanners.  IRB approved the amendment and I will immediately begin soliciting institutions… Continue reading Dissertation Journal: Final IRB Approval for First Data Collection

The Human Subjects Committee at Indiana University-Bloomington has approved my pilot study.  I’ve delivered my first set of flyers (for cognitive interviews) to my colleagues in Residential Programs and Services so they can post them.  Now I’m waiting for the phone calls and the e-mails from students so I can start setting appointments.  So far,… Continue reading Dissertation Journal: IRB Approval and Beginning Pilot Administration

I’ve received feedback from nearly everyone to whom I sent my original draft instrument.  I’ve incorporated their feedback and both my synopsis and instrument are much improved.  In my synopsis, I was careful to document the changes I made to the original draft and why I made those changes.  I don’t know if that documentation… Continue reading Dissertation Journal: Draft Advertisements and Revisions to Instrument

I just sent my draft synopsis and survey instrument to several colleagues to solicit feedback.  I am particularly interested in feedback on the instrument as I am also in the process of completing the IRB documentation I’ll need to pilot the instrument. I have sent the materials to both content experts (student technology professionals) and… Continue reading Dissertation Journal: Draft Survey Instrument

It’s not directly related to my dissertation but I’m postponing my qualifying exam until the summer.  It is indirectly related in that one of the main reasons I’m doing this is so that I concentrate on my initial survey instrument so I can hit my data collection window this summer.  If I miss that window… Continue reading Dissertation Journal: First “setback” – Postponing Quals

This morning, I met with my advisor to discuss the second-day question for my upcoming qualifying exam.  As I understand it, most advisors write the second day question with a specific focus on their student’s dissertation topic.  Since my advisor is not my chair (nor is he on my committee-to-be; he’s a great guy who… Continue reading Dissertation Journal: New Support and Quals