Ethical Clearance Approved!

I received a letter from the Ethics Committee that my application was officially approved and confirmed. Now I can start collecting data. Yes, Yes!!

It took longer time than I imagined. However, it was not as difficult as I thought. Some students took more than 3 months that is usual. One example took almost a year!

I am so happy. Now I only have to wait for a reply from organisations which I am accessing.

This is the letter: PhD Confirmation

Dear Kay,

I am pleased to advise that the Dean, Griffith Graduate Research School has executively approved the recommendation from the Griffith Business School that your Doctor of Philosophy candidature be confirmed. Please find a copy of the assossors' comments to guide you in your research.

Congratulations on this achievement and best wished for the reminder of your candidature.

Yours sincerely

Research Higher Degrees Officer


... That's it!

Methodology: Take 2

This semester is over. Bye-bye, students! I can have a peaceful time for a while.

My article got another twist and was sent to "Management Decision" journal. My supervisors say, "Squeeze your lemon". This is to be my second publication. I wish it will be accepted.

I have to start organising my finance for next semester as International students have to pay upfront. It costs over $9000 per semester. Everytime I prepare this amount of money, I think of a car. Doing PhD or buying a brand-new sport car... which is better option in my life? Although I get a $700 fortnightly stipend, it just passes from one account to another. Hum... do not worry about it! My partner got me a brand-new car anyway.

The biggest concern for me at this stage is still about Methodology. How many times did I mention it? But I am getting there. Where? It is the right direction (hopefully). The key is, "Back to basics".

As my research is in the field of management, I looked at scholars' works in "Management Research" and "Organisation Studies". Some scholars talk about methodology, such as in the book of Management Research: An Introduction by Easterby-Smith and others (2002, 2nd ed. London: Sage). I have found that case study research involves two approaches!

I am going to read this and sum up my thoughts. I feel I can get there (where?).

Post Conference

ANZAM Conference in Melbourne was really successful. I enjoyed everything (me - wearing a red top). I met some supportive people who offered me to conduct a study. My problem is becoming resolved.

I got some good news. Firstly, I obtained a provisional ethical clearance only with minor changes which is unbelievable. Many people complained about the long process of ethical clearance. I just got through pretty easily.

Secondly, organisations who I can access required to see my research summary. My supervisors had to work on it. It was just a lucky as those organisations were really supportive. I think I can access at least two organisations.

Thirdly, I got an official letter from the Graduate Student Office that I was certainly confirmed as a PhD candidate with no revision. This was a miracle because I was expected to provide some responses to comments by an independent assesor (examinar). But it did not happen. The assesor reported, "No revision is needed". It was only suggestions in the letter. That made me so happy.

In fact, I am still working on the methodology, epistemology, ontology, and so forth. I used to be with critical realist's epistemology to interpretivist's one. I still do not understand how many epistemological options are available.

I just wonder about my research design and what scholars said at my confirmation, the doctoral workshop and the conference. My design aimed at achieving a theoretical replication logic but it was almost ignored by many scholars. They were more interested in just a comparative study. This indicates that not so many researchers understand what the case study really is. This scares me a bit.

ANZAM Workshop & Conference

I had a really good time in Melbourne. Although the schedule of both events were tight, I enjoyed everything. I got along with many people. I used to be extremely shy, but not any more. I spoke up, introduced myself and my topic, and discussed with others.

I met some female students and became friends. Their names were like US presidents' wives so I named our group as "First Ladies Club". They loved it. We had nice coffee chats. Two of them recently changed their supervisors that was the most interesting.

At the doctoral workshop, the main topics of discussion were:

• Dilemma in publishing to journal articles and conference papers;
• Battling against first authorship;
• Supervision disasters;
• Miserable isolation;
• Scary confirmation seminar (for early candidates);
• Access to organisations (data collection stage);
• Annoying ethical clearance procedure;
• Developing a career in the white, male dominant world;
• Methodology disasters; and
• Time, stress, motivation and health management.

At the conference, guest speakers came from a large enterprise and its major suppliers. It was lucky that I could take a seat with professors and the guest speakers. They were interested in my topic and a manager of the large enterprise offered to support for data collection. Yeah me!

I also had a quick, but invaluable discussion with a delegate. His question was, "Why don't you use SH's articles more? I think he is a leader in your topic area". I answered, "Well, I wish I could do so... but I found that his series of articles are identical to texts in TO's book".

"Hey, hey, really? You need to be careful to say it. It sounds the matter of plagiarism!"

"Yest, I guess so. I know SH is a visiting professor here (venue of the conference), a leader in my topic area, an editor of journals I want to publish my articles. I am annoyed and scared."

"Well, talk with your supervisors. I think you should mention it somewhere at some stage. Your thesis will be stuck, otherwise."

"Yes, it is one of the biggest issues at this stage. Thank you very much for your consideration. I will think about it more and talk with my supervisor. But he knows SH very well..."

"Oh, well, I think you really should find a way to deal with SH's articles. Your examiner might have the same question I gave. You will need to explain it in your thesis anyway."

It reminds me a case about David Robinson, a former vice-chancellor of Monash University who resigned over plagiarism claims.

I think I should raise a voice.

At the PhD Confirmation Seminar

This is myself at the PhD confirmation seminar. My friend DC sent me some photos today. I cannot believe that the seminar was held almost a month ago! Somehow I look so happy. Unfortunately, other photos were not clear enough to see. I feel strange and nervous when I see this photo because it reminds me that time. Hope I can perform better at a conference next Wednesday.

What I learnt through that experience is how I can engage audience and keep them being interested in my presentation. Interacting with audience is essential. Presenters should pay attention to not only their talk contents but also other verbal aspects including: tone and pitch of voice, pace in talk, and pose between sections. Non-verbal aspects are also vital, such as gesture, eye contact, position, posture, and appearance. Body language needs to be aware of because some hidden intentions are revealed to audience that sometimes gives them surprising meanings.

I will definitely use a technique, posing between sections, and a magic word, "Are you comfortable so far?" People suggested me just to say, "Are you with me?" or "Are you following me?". But somewhat I am really uncomfortable with using these phrases. So, I used the first one. It worked! The audience nodded with smile. Then I said, "Then, we shall move onto next section". Some people grinned.

After the presentation, my friend DC said, "You were too polite. It was a little bit strange". However, I cannot change my style so easily. Perhaps I will do the same thing next Wednesday.

MELBOURNE

Wow, Melbourne looks like Tokyo!!
MELBOURNE Train & Tram map

I will attend the ANZAM 2007 Mid-Year Doctoral Workshop on the 5th and 6th held at Monash University Clanfield Campus. It takes only 20 minutes away from CBD (Flinders Railway Station). This is the first trip to Melbourne so I think it must be safer if I catched a train. I would like to try a tram so I will catch it on return.

On the 6th and 7th, 5th ANZAM Operations Management Symposium is held at RMIT University. It is just 10 minutes walking distance so it should be no problem. However, the Conference Dinner is held at University of Melbourne. This must be another change to catch a tram.

Gee... I will travel across three universities!

Hope I won't get lost.