Defended my Master's thesis the other day
So as some of you know, I've been doing my Master's for a little under two years now. I started in September of 2007, which was right after I did my undergrad degree.
I've spent the past two years doing research on phys ed teachers (I want to be one once I'm all done with school). I was specifically looking at how experienced PE teachers adapted to a new curriculum, by looking at what "facilitated" and "inhibited" them to adapt to the change. Kind of a weird thing to research, I guess, but I was into it.
The whole first year I did all my secondary research, getting a whole bunch of journal articles on the subject, writing up a literature review, and planning the upcoming study. Then, this year, I actually went out and collected my own data. I interviewed a bunch of experienced PE teachers, and then asked them a whole bunch of crap.
Then was the analysis process, which involved me re-re-re-re-re-reading all of the transcripts (which I had to type up), trying to figure out what they were all saying, etc. After all that was done, I wrote up the results and stuff, and conclusion for it all. This was all done a month or so ago, and then I "submitted" it to the faculty that I am studying under (Human Kinetics).
The process then was for two "committee members" (basically, professors who kind of know the area) to read my document (which is about 130 pages), and evaluate it. Once they've both read it, the student (me) has to "defend" their paper.
Basically, the defense consists of me, my supervisor, the committee members, as well as anybody else who wants to come watch going to a conference room. In there, I do a short presentation on what I did, and what I found, and then my committee members try to rip you apart. It's not necessary that they are looking for a right or wrong answer, but they are trying to make you squirm, and trying to make you defend why you did what you did. Like, if they disagree with something in my thesis, as long as I was able to justify and defend WHY I did this, then that was good.
I've heard of people talk about the defense process, basically saying it was absolute hell. I'm not sure why, but mine was actually amazing. The committee did make me argue some key points, but I was always able to win them over to my side. After the defense, the student has like a month to do all of the changes that were suggested, and then the thesis is submitted, and then "published." After the defense, I just went right home and spent the next 24 hours making all my changes.
So, I'm basically done my Master's degree right now.
. My supervisor is going to take one last look at it all, and then I MIGHT have to make a few tiny tiny tiny changes to some things, but for all intensive purposes, I'm done my Masters
Such a weight lifted off my shoulders. For the past 2 years, even if I had absolutely nothing to do, I could ALWAYS "work" on my thesis... it was always lingering. Now its not
I've spent the past two years doing research on phys ed teachers (I want to be one once I'm all done with school). I was specifically looking at how experienced PE teachers adapted to a new curriculum, by looking at what "facilitated" and "inhibited" them to adapt to the change. Kind of a weird thing to research, I guess, but I was into it.
The whole first year I did all my secondary research, getting a whole bunch of journal articles on the subject, writing up a literature review, and planning the upcoming study. Then, this year, I actually went out and collected my own data. I interviewed a bunch of experienced PE teachers, and then asked them a whole bunch of crap.
Then was the analysis process, which involved me re-re-re-re-re-reading all of the transcripts (which I had to type up), trying to figure out what they were all saying, etc. After all that was done, I wrote up the results and stuff, and conclusion for it all. This was all done a month or so ago, and then I "submitted" it to the faculty that I am studying under (Human Kinetics).
The process then was for two "committee members" (basically, professors who kind of know the area) to read my document (which is about 130 pages), and evaluate it. Once they've both read it, the student (me) has to "defend" their paper.
Basically, the defense consists of me, my supervisor, the committee members, as well as anybody else who wants to come watch going to a conference room. In there, I do a short presentation on what I did, and what I found, and then my committee members try to rip you apart. It's not necessary that they are looking for a right or wrong answer, but they are trying to make you squirm, and trying to make you defend why you did what you did. Like, if they disagree with something in my thesis, as long as I was able to justify and defend WHY I did this, then that was good.
I've heard of people talk about the defense process, basically saying it was absolute hell. I'm not sure why, but mine was actually amazing. The committee did make me argue some key points, but I was always able to win them over to my side. After the defense, the student has like a month to do all of the changes that were suggested, and then the thesis is submitted, and then "published." After the defense, I just went right home and spent the next 24 hours making all my changes.
So, I'm basically done my Master's degree right now.
. My supervisor is going to take one last look at it all, and then I MIGHT have to make a few tiny tiny tiny changes to some things, but for all intensive purposes, I'm done my Masters Such a weight lifted off my shoulders. For the past 2 years, even if I had absolutely nothing to do, I could ALWAYS "work" on my thesis... it was always lingering. Now its not
Comments
i know the defense part isn't as bad as they say as long as you did your work. after writing 100+ pages on a topic, you usually know it pretty well
I know exactly what you mean about "the weight lifted off your shoulders", I'm doing my Master since the beginning of September, and I always have this annoying thought that I'm not working enough on it, and I know whatever I'll do, even if I'm working on it all day long, it will get off my mind only when I'll finish it.
~~NGD
by the way im curious what you found out about how PE is viewed today compared to the normal way of life days. Im asking this because I hear fat lazy kids cant be made to take PE due to discrimination nowdays
congrats now get off your %^#^ and get a real job LOL.
by the way im curious what you found out about how PE is viewed today compared to the normal way of life days. Im asking this because I hear fat lazy kids cant be made to take PE due to discrimination nowdays
Heh, no real job hunting yet. I've got one more year to do. Headed to Teacher's College in September
I didn't really research what you were asking, so I'm not sure about that. Never heard of fat-ass kids not having to take PE... it might be different in the US than in Canada.
I think PE should be mandatory throughout high school, though.
... but for all intensive purposes, ...
Only because this thread is about getting your Master's would I ever point out this malapropism (it's 'for all intents and purposes').
HUGE congrats man, that is a major accomplishment!!
anyway, excellent job^10
... but for all intensive purposes, ...
Only because this thread is about getting your Master's would I ever point out this malapropism (it's 'for all intents and purposes').
HUGE congrats man, that is a major accomplishment!!
Heh, I never knew that, actually. I always pronounced it "all intensive purposes"
Luckily, its not something that I say every day.
Al
What?! A Master's Degree? I thought we NES nerds were supposed to all be living in our mothers basements "working from home" and having our mothers yell at us through the grate? Now I find out I'm expected to do something with my life. Up sorry gotta go Mom says dinners ready.
Heh, well, I do still live at home
Bu thats because I'm a student