I'm about halfway through reading Kozinets' book Netnography, which I borrowed from one of my dissertation committee members. And I have a few ideas stirring around in my head, I'd like to jot them down now before more ideas come and I start forgetting the first ideas. Before I begin, I'm not certain that I will do a netnography, which requires the researcher to participate with a community online or an online community. The difference between these two is that the former is a community that also exists offline.
If I were to quickly choose a community online, which I may discover to be an online community, is one of the many forms found on Dave's ESL Cafe. I haven't used that site much since I have become more established in my profession as it seems the target audience is for new ESL instructors, who are the target for my study. There are 3 different forums I am interested in, two are specific to countries (China & South Korea) and the third is for international jobs specifically.
I wanted to check if someone had already investigated Dave's ESL Cafe for research. I found one peer-reviewed article published in the Journal of Language, Identity, and Education in 2010, written by Kristene K. McClure. Her study is not what I intend to investigate, but her findings may help me understand the forum as it was during her data collection period. I'm very interested in her findings, and I will definitely read the article once I finish reading Kozinets' book.
McClure also investigated another website a4esl.org, which I haven't used much and it doesn't seem to offer much in terms of an interactive community. It's a lot more Web 1.0 then Web 2.0, but perhaps I haven't explored the site enough.
There's somewhat of a community online of EFL teachers in Japan found in the blogosphere. I have written a document analysis paper covering three blogs written by EFL teachers in Japan, but this wouldn't count as a netnography because I did not participate in their blogs. Some of these blogs aren't really written for participation, but I could seek out ones that have consistent commentary by a regular group of people. Some of these blogs also provide a helpful blogroll of other blogs about Japan or teaching ESL or both. In passing, I noticed that some of these bloggers interact with one another.
I feel strongly to collect data from some of these blogs, especially if they are active and frequently written. At this point, I am not sure if I would like to dive into participation, thus qualifying my study as a netnography. I have to keep asking myself how much I would gain from it and how much it would answer my research questions, which may be modified anyway.
Just as I was about to end this posting, I remembered another online community that I have joined but have participated solely as a lurker. It is EFL Classroom 2.0, and the last time I check it seemed to be dominated by local and sojourning EFL teachers in South Korea. I will have to explore it more fully after finishing Kozinets' book. From what I remember, it was a bit chaotic to explore. I hope it's a little bit more user-friendly now.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Netnography
I have had 3 opportunities to present my research proposal before entering the official research proposal phase that occurs after one successfully completes comprehensive exams. The first was in the spring semester of 2011 for a final paper in my Cultural Curriculum course. The second was a presentation to my colleagues at the Summer Intensive English Program at the International University of Japan. And the third was appropriately in a course called Proposal Writing that I just completed a few weeks ago.
First, I will briefly describe how my research interest developed over the past year through those 3 opportunities. Then, I will introduce how my first post-comps meeting has presented new ways of approaching these research focus that I was narrowing.
In the Spring of 2011, I was still undecided about collecting data in Japan or South Korea, but I was leaning towards South Korea. This first proposal was written as if were granted a Fulbright grant to conduct my research in Seoul. My primary interest was the intercultural communication competence of American English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers in their schools and communities. During the summer, I leaned towards Japan as a potential site as I made stronger contacts there over the summer. I also encountered two ideas that I grasped on to strongly, Holliday's host culture complex (1994) and Ting-Toomey's revised W-shaped cultural adaptation model (1999). These two ideas helped me change and narrow my focus to the adjustment process of new EFL expatriate instructors. From the fall of 2011 through this past semester (Spring 2012), I have been reading a lot more about the sociocultural context of education in Japan, specifically English education as well as the psychology of culture shock or acculturation. For my research proposal in the Proposal Writing course, I wrote about my interest in the adjustment process of new EFL instructors sojourning in Japan. I had planned to conduct a multiple case study over a 4-6 month period with at least 2 interviews per participant, which I have re-labeled sojourner instead of expatriate based on the literature on cross-cultural training and acculturation psychology.
My oral comprehensive exams and my first meeting thereafter have jolted me out this fixed research proposal. Firstly, it was suggested that I incorporate readings about the naive teacher adjusting to the new teaching environment in the United States, such as a suburban white teacher in an urban school that is mostly black or Hispanic school. I can also incorporate my second research interest about multiliteracies in that schools nowadays have students with various literacies, including little to none, when entering the classroom. The new teacher must be able to cope with students with different backgrounds and understandings of schooling.
The most liberating change was to incorporate some aspect of netnography (Kozinets, 2010) into my research methodology. At this point, I'm planning to conduct interviews online as well as collect data from blogs written by my target participants, past or present and maybe immediate future. I just started reading Kozinets' book yesterday, so I can't really elaborate on this concept yet. All I can say is that it excites me.
In the next few weeks, I will be exploring the various ways of conducting a netnography, in part or whole, and seeking approval for this type of research from IRB. So late May 2012, I will have netnography and its variants on the brain.
First, I will briefly describe how my research interest developed over the past year through those 3 opportunities. Then, I will introduce how my first post-comps meeting has presented new ways of approaching these research focus that I was narrowing.
In the Spring of 2011, I was still undecided about collecting data in Japan or South Korea, but I was leaning towards South Korea. This first proposal was written as if were granted a Fulbright grant to conduct my research in Seoul. My primary interest was the intercultural communication competence of American English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers in their schools and communities. During the summer, I leaned towards Japan as a potential site as I made stronger contacts there over the summer. I also encountered two ideas that I grasped on to strongly, Holliday's host culture complex (1994) and Ting-Toomey's revised W-shaped cultural adaptation model (1999). These two ideas helped me change and narrow my focus to the adjustment process of new EFL expatriate instructors. From the fall of 2011 through this past semester (Spring 2012), I have been reading a lot more about the sociocultural context of education in Japan, specifically English education as well as the psychology of culture shock or acculturation. For my research proposal in the Proposal Writing course, I wrote about my interest in the adjustment process of new EFL instructors sojourning in Japan. I had planned to conduct a multiple case study over a 4-6 month period with at least 2 interviews per participant, which I have re-labeled sojourner instead of expatriate based on the literature on cross-cultural training and acculturation psychology.
My oral comprehensive exams and my first meeting thereafter have jolted me out this fixed research proposal. Firstly, it was suggested that I incorporate readings about the naive teacher adjusting to the new teaching environment in the United States, such as a suburban white teacher in an urban school that is mostly black or Hispanic school. I can also incorporate my second research interest about multiliteracies in that schools nowadays have students with various literacies, including little to none, when entering the classroom. The new teacher must be able to cope with students with different backgrounds and understandings of schooling.
The most liberating change was to incorporate some aspect of netnography (Kozinets, 2010) into my research methodology. At this point, I'm planning to conduct interviews online as well as collect data from blogs written by my target participants, past or present and maybe immediate future. I just started reading Kozinets' book yesterday, so I can't really elaborate on this concept yet. All I can say is that it excites me.
In the next few weeks, I will be exploring the various ways of conducting a netnography, in part or whole, and seeking approval for this type of research from IRB. So late May 2012, I will have netnography and its variants on the brain.
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Comprehensive Exams
Yesterday, I successfully passed my comprehensive exams, which means a few things. First, I'm cleared by my advisor, my department, and the graduate college to start the research proposal phase of my PhD candidacy. Second, I'm not a PhD student anymore. I'm a PhD candidate, and now I have five years to get my dissertation done. So the deadline is official: I must finish by May 4, 2017 or I will never get my PhD from the College of Education at the University of Iowa.
The initial reaction of passing the exam was only a slight relief because it occurred at the end of the semester, and I still had to complete three final papers. I'm writing this now as I have finished two of the three, so the feeling of relief is a little stronger. I believe I should be completely relieved of my PhD student responsibilities by the end of tomorrow, and then I can enjoy complete relief.
I don't want to think about how much time I should give myself off before I engage in writing my research proposal, of which I already have a first draft completed. Another big summer project is to complete my application to the Internal Review Board. I'll give myself at least a week off before I dive into that. So after tomorrow, my next destination is to form my dissertation committee so they can approve of my proposal once my advisor and I believe it is ready. I'm hoping for sometime in September or October.
The initial reaction of passing the exam was only a slight relief because it occurred at the end of the semester, and I still had to complete three final papers. I'm writing this now as I have finished two of the three, so the feeling of relief is a little stronger. I believe I should be completely relieved of my PhD student responsibilities by the end of tomorrow, and then I can enjoy complete relief.
I don't want to think about how much time I should give myself off before I engage in writing my research proposal, of which I already have a first draft completed. Another big summer project is to complete my application to the Internal Review Board. I'll give myself at least a week off before I dive into that. So after tomorrow, my next destination is to form my dissertation committee so they can approve of my proposal once my advisor and I believe it is ready. I'm hoping for sometime in September or October.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Let the Writing Begin
Last week I started writing Chapter 1 for my dissertation, which will act as a part of my research proposal. I'm taking a class about proposal writing, and in the second half of the class we must write the first 2 chapters of our dissertation. The official research proposal requires the first 3 chapters, and my committee will tentatively accept take a look at it in the fall semester of this year.
The picture above represents most, but not all, of my physical books that I need just to write Chapter 1. There's a few more e-books that couldn't be photographed for obvious reasons. Also not included are the many articles I have stored electronically to help me write Chapter 1. Perhaps this pile of books represents at least 1/3 of my cited sources for that chapter.
At the same time, I'm writing two papers that overlap quite a bit with Chapter 1. One is about how the English language policy of Japan affects my target participants of my dissertation and the other is a research proposal for a mixed methods study, which is heavily influenced from my "unmixed" methods dissertation. Writing three papers that overlap that much is easy in that I don't need to collect much more literature, however having a distinct mindset for each paper is the challenging aspect, especially that my arguments differ.
At this point, in my early stages of my dissertation, I enjoy the writing process, especially because I have been collecting and reading a lot of literature over the past couple years. I wonder how long it will take before I become sick of writing. I hope it's later than sooner.
My dissertation time frame so far is as follows:
- In late April, complete my comprehensive exams and form my dissertation committee.
- By early May, complete drafts for chapters 1-2 for my proposal writing class, when I finish my last full semester of courses
- Over the summer, write chapter 3 and complete my application for the Internal Review Board (IRB)
- By September, submit my research proposal to my committee and prepare to collect data.
Data collection will commence once I have IRB and dissertation committee approval. This should take 4-6 months. Data analysis will take another 6 months. In the interim, I should be editing chapters 1-3 and slowly writing chapter 4 as my research is longitudinal, meaning I collect and analyze data in stages. Optimistically, I could have the dissertation completed before the summer of 2013. But I was told that it may take until the winter of 2013/14 to be done to the satisfaction of my committee.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Stress and Coping
I find it interesting that I find that my research interest can be categorized in the field of psychology as a study in stress and coping when that's how I feel this semester--I'm stressed and coping to get through.
The purpose of today's posting is more to serve myself: to visualize my stressors in order to organize a coping strategy now and to show my future self how the last semester of courses felt. Hopefully, I will be less stressed a year or so from now.
List of Concerns in order of my brain's dedication from most to least
The purpose of today's posting is more to serve myself: to visualize my stressors in order to organize a coping strategy now and to show my future self how the last semester of courses felt. Hopefully, I will be less stressed a year or so from now.
List of Concerns in order of my brain's dedication from most to least
- The physical, mental, and psychological wellbeing of my family
- Comprehensive exams
- Research proposal (and course assignments related to it)
- Current and immediate future income (paying the bills)
- Future employment in 2012-13
- My daughter's schooling
- Presentations and publications
- Course assignments not related to my research proposal
- Future employment once I obtain PhD
- Teaching assistantships
- Visiting family and friends
- Maintaining the house (cleaning chores)
- Planning getaway trips for spring break and early summer
- The world economy and its effects on my profession
- My social life in Iowa City
- The direction of my country
By the start of the fall semester, I hope to have removed numbers 2, 5, 8, and 10 from the list, and reorganizing the rest except for #1. There is a strong relationship between numbers 5 and 10, so I hope to have at least one of them removed to enjoy a slightly less stressful end of 2012.
One way to analyze this list is to see how much of it is in my control. Another way to analyze it is to see how much of it is in the present moment. What can I do about these things now? I am strongly tempted to answer "not enough." I feel guilty if I'm not doing anything to improve these conditions unless it's after 8pm when I am too exhausted to solve problems well.
Someone should investigate the adverse effects of going through a PhD program. Perhaps when I'm finished, I can quantify the sacrifices (material and immaterial) and compare them to the rewards of the degree. Am I setting myself up for surprise or disappointment or is there another emotional response?
The good news now is that I am not giving up and that thought is very far removed at this point.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Obstacles and Opportunities
The past month has been an exciting roller coaster ride of emotions. This week I almost felt like I was going to fall off or out, but isn't that part of the thrill? I half-heartedly jest. Let me first describe the aggravating part of the ride, and then finish with the invigorating part.
In the middle of January, right before my last full semester of classes was about to begin, I started receiving hints that my best plan for data collection was not going to happen. This set off my mind to turn on the back burners of alternative plans for data collection. (I already had plans B through E written out with my wife's help.) Because the time of data collection for plan A was soon approaching, we were both getting excited to see my research finally getting done physically, out in the field, rather than mentally and on paper. But then, I got that warning sign. Two weeks went by when I would switch between optimism and pessimism. I wasn't too worried because all my eggs were not in this basket.
Earlier this week, I got confirmation that plan A was not going to happen from two different sources. The first was from an important contact overseas where I had planned (and still may plan) to collect data. The second was from my department. I somewhat agree with those in my department that I may be rushing things too hastily. The rush is partly due to seeing the light at the end of the tunnel with full support of my wife. The other rush is financial, meaning if I could get done faster my family and I can improve our current standard of living. Being the spouse of a PhD student is more punishing than being the actual PhD student during these times because, where I feel somewhat powerless, my wife feels even more powerless in the progress of our lifestyle. Any bad news I receive about the delay or hiccups in my plan to obtain the PhD degree impacts my wife twice as badly.
In the past few days, I have been dealing with the fact that plan A will not happen. And so I was ready to look over plans B through E. When I started organizing my thoughts on paper, I realized that I had nearly twice as many back-up plans, B through I. None of them, however, were as glorious as plan A to me and my wife. When I started analyzing each back-up plan, it seemed that the major concerns for each plan had to do with money, time, rigor, and modifications of the research questions. The most efficient plan in terms of time, rigor, and modifications was actually the most expensive plan and nearly impossible for this year. The most rigorous plan would take the most time, but it didn't necessarily require more money or modifications.
At this moment, I have taken into consideration that time is the least in my favor now, and this acts like a dagger stabbing my wife in the heart. If we can survive this wounding, I have at least 2 very good alternative plans, new B and new C, and I can foresee at least 3 more other options that are less favorable. And this time, I will have to sit on these plans until the semester is over.
OK, that's the nearly end of the aggravating part of the ride. On the same tracks of this roller coaster metaphor were some very exhilirating climbs. Firstly, I have completed the second drafts of all of my comprehensive exam papers. With the due date postponed 5 weeks, I have the chance to improve as many of those drafts as I want. Because I had completed the bulk of that task, a window of opportunity to read literature I had earlier collected opened up. From these few articles and books, I found stronger footing in my research proposal and even more literature to collect. This all happened days before the semester started.
The biggest treasure trove opened up after the first day in a course I felt was least relevant to my research this semester. It turns out that the readings and my ideas for the seminar paper for that course may actually amplify the impact of the first two chapters of my dissertation. In my first step into searching for literature for the seminar paper, I stumbled upon nearly the same amount of literature that I had previously collected, therefore almost doubling my literature of primary resources. I wrote about this a little in the last posting.
What inspired me to write this posting was Twitter, which I only use for professional purposes. I noticed that I haven't been paying too much attention to my small group of followers, and today I looked at the very few who were following me that I wasn't following. Two of them were actually publishers in my area of research interest. It was then I really felt the impact of this aggregate technology. If publishers can find researchers before the researchers find them, that can really speed up the process. I'm not talking about sketchy publishers who will print anything. One of them actually has a good reputation in my field, and I'm surprised that I have overlooked several of their books.
So although this past month has shown to be punishing in terms of plans for data collection, it has actually been the most rewarding month for building a strong case for my research, which in turn will enhance my data collection methods when the time comes. Although I feel much better now, the wounds haven't completely healed yet, and I must remember that my wife's wounds are deeper.
In the middle of January, right before my last full semester of classes was about to begin, I started receiving hints that my best plan for data collection was not going to happen. This set off my mind to turn on the back burners of alternative plans for data collection. (I already had plans B through E written out with my wife's help.) Because the time of data collection for plan A was soon approaching, we were both getting excited to see my research finally getting done physically, out in the field, rather than mentally and on paper. But then, I got that warning sign. Two weeks went by when I would switch between optimism and pessimism. I wasn't too worried because all my eggs were not in this basket.
Earlier this week, I got confirmation that plan A was not going to happen from two different sources. The first was from an important contact overseas where I had planned (and still may plan) to collect data. The second was from my department. I somewhat agree with those in my department that I may be rushing things too hastily. The rush is partly due to seeing the light at the end of the tunnel with full support of my wife. The other rush is financial, meaning if I could get done faster my family and I can improve our current standard of living. Being the spouse of a PhD student is more punishing than being the actual PhD student during these times because, where I feel somewhat powerless, my wife feels even more powerless in the progress of our lifestyle. Any bad news I receive about the delay or hiccups in my plan to obtain the PhD degree impacts my wife twice as badly.
In the past few days, I have been dealing with the fact that plan A will not happen. And so I was ready to look over plans B through E. When I started organizing my thoughts on paper, I realized that I had nearly twice as many back-up plans, B through I. None of them, however, were as glorious as plan A to me and my wife. When I started analyzing each back-up plan, it seemed that the major concerns for each plan had to do with money, time, rigor, and modifications of the research questions. The most efficient plan in terms of time, rigor, and modifications was actually the most expensive plan and nearly impossible for this year. The most rigorous plan would take the most time, but it didn't necessarily require more money or modifications.
At this moment, I have taken into consideration that time is the least in my favor now, and this acts like a dagger stabbing my wife in the heart. If we can survive this wounding, I have at least 2 very good alternative plans, new B and new C, and I can foresee at least 3 more other options that are less favorable. And this time, I will have to sit on these plans until the semester is over.
OK, that's the nearly end of the aggravating part of the ride. On the same tracks of this roller coaster metaphor were some very exhilirating climbs. Firstly, I have completed the second drafts of all of my comprehensive exam papers. With the due date postponed 5 weeks, I have the chance to improve as many of those drafts as I want. Because I had completed the bulk of that task, a window of opportunity to read literature I had earlier collected opened up. From these few articles and books, I found stronger footing in my research proposal and even more literature to collect. This all happened days before the semester started.
The biggest treasure trove opened up after the first day in a course I felt was least relevant to my research this semester. It turns out that the readings and my ideas for the seminar paper for that course may actually amplify the impact of the first two chapters of my dissertation. In my first step into searching for literature for the seminar paper, I stumbled upon nearly the same amount of literature that I had previously collected, therefore almost doubling my literature of primary resources. I wrote about this a little in the last posting.
What inspired me to write this posting was Twitter, which I only use for professional purposes. I noticed that I haven't been paying too much attention to my small group of followers, and today I looked at the very few who were following me that I wasn't following. Two of them were actually publishers in my area of research interest. It was then I really felt the impact of this aggregate technology. If publishers can find researchers before the researchers find them, that can really speed up the process. I'm not talking about sketchy publishers who will print anything. One of them actually has a good reputation in my field, and I'm surprised that I have overlooked several of their books.
So although this past month has shown to be punishing in terms of plans for data collection, it has actually been the most rewarding month for building a strong case for my research, which in turn will enhance my data collection methods when the time comes. Although I feel much better now, the wounds haven't completely healed yet, and I must remember that my wife's wounds are deeper.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Crunch Semester
Last week, the spring 2012 semester began, and I have a full load. Firstly, I am enrolled in my final 3 required courses in my department. Secondly, I am comping during the first half of the semester. Thirdly, I hope to have my research proposal completed with IRB approval by the end of the semester. Yes, my plate is very full.
By this time, I had hoped that the most of my literature was collected for my dissertation's literature review. However, one of my courses this semester has directed me to more literature, some of which is very useful to build an even stronger case for my research. This has come as a surprise to me because I expected this course to be the least relevant to my dissertation and the other two, and, just in the first week, it has shown to be the most helpful in terms of collecting literature.
With my new armament of literature, I have found a few researchers that I would like to contact sometime this semester for their guidance. I have already contacted one but was a little disappointed that he has recently moved his attention away from my research interest. One of the researchers seems to be headed in the same direction as me, but he has the advantage of being a well-established researcher in the field. At this moment, I do not know how to tactfully approach him as his publications and his website indicate that he's an incredibly busy man. I will seek one of my professor's advice on that.
On another topic, I am waiting to hear from my previous employer in Japan if I am invited back to teach for a second summer. If I am, it would provide an ideal opportunity for me to collect data. I am waiting for this green light, so I may continue the IRB process and make contacts to set up interviews upon my arrival. If I do not get the green light, I have several alternative plans but they are not as convenient in terms of time, finances, and support as the present one.
By the end of the semester, I hope to have the following tasks accomplished:
By this time, I had hoped that the most of my literature was collected for my dissertation's literature review. However, one of my courses this semester has directed me to more literature, some of which is very useful to build an even stronger case for my research. This has come as a surprise to me because I expected this course to be the least relevant to my dissertation and the other two, and, just in the first week, it has shown to be the most helpful in terms of collecting literature.
With my new armament of literature, I have found a few researchers that I would like to contact sometime this semester for their guidance. I have already contacted one but was a little disappointed that he has recently moved his attention away from my research interest. One of the researchers seems to be headed in the same direction as me, but he has the advantage of being a well-established researcher in the field. At this moment, I do not know how to tactfully approach him as his publications and his website indicate that he's an incredibly busy man. I will seek one of my professor's advice on that.
On another topic, I am waiting to hear from my previous employer in Japan if I am invited back to teach for a second summer. If I am, it would provide an ideal opportunity for me to collect data. I am waiting for this green light, so I may continue the IRB process and make contacts to set up interviews upon my arrival. If I do not get the green light, I have several alternative plans but they are not as convenient in terms of time, finances, and support as the present one.
By the end of the semester, I hope to have the following tasks accomplished:
- Comprehensive exams completed to the satisfaction of my committee
- The last 3 required courses of my department completed
- Chapters 1-3 of my dissertation completed
- IRB application sent and approved
- At least 3 contacts made to help with finding participants
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)