Researchers are people who are puzzled about something and use rigorous methods to resolve those puzzles.
I cannot help getting this sense when I read research of people and in their research is not just hard, cold stone facts, but soft, experiences from their very own lives.
Why is is that so many witnesses of Israel-Palestinian conflict and Holocaust survivals study patriotism and nationalism?
It is magical to me.
They are truly puzzled why such conflicts exist and how people are capable of such atrocities, and it drove them to seek answers.
My puzzlement also drove me to conduct my masters research. I was sincerely baffled why so many good Singaporeans could not distinguish between a love for the nation, separate from love for the state and love for the government. Why is there in the Singaporean identity, a respect for our leaders and forefathers?
Why are 51, 000 Singaporeans praying for their Prime Minister to govern well?
Why is there such trust in the government?
I am sincerely puzzled.
Maybe, what characterizes people who go on to do graduate studies, and who go on to become academics, is not merely intelligence and knowing-it-all, but humility and lack of knowledge. Because people do not have the answers, and want to seek them... they do research.
If this is so, my utmost respect for individuals in this profession.
Thursday, July 23, 2015
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
Writing is Social
"The best writing is created in community with a strong sense of audience."
"Do not get distracted into reading yet another article when a conversation with someone in your field can better help you to shape your ideas and direction. You should be spending as much time on establishing social scholarly connections as you do on writing, for the best writing happens in active interaction with your potential audience.
The more you participate, the better your experience of writing will be. This is partly because others give you ideas and language. But it is also because you must relate your ideas to others' ideas. You must know what theories professors in your discipline are debating, what their primary research questions are, and what methodologies they consider appropriate. You can only know this if you are an active member of the community." (p. 7)
Hey! This book is good!
Belcher, W. L. (2009). Writing your journal article in 12 weeks: A guide to academic publishing success. Los Angeles: SAGE.
"Do not get distracted into reading yet another article when a conversation with someone in your field can better help you to shape your ideas and direction. You should be spending as much time on establishing social scholarly connections as you do on writing, for the best writing happens in active interaction with your potential audience.
The more you participate, the better your experience of writing will be. This is partly because others give you ideas and language. But it is also because you must relate your ideas to others' ideas. You must know what theories professors in your discipline are debating, what their primary research questions are, and what methodologies they consider appropriate. You can only know this if you are an active member of the community." (p. 7)
Hey! This book is good!
Belcher, W. L. (2009). Writing your journal article in 12 weeks: A guide to academic publishing success. Los Angeles: SAGE.
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