PhD or MN Thesis Literature Review and Proposal Development

llg, PhD, RN · Aug 24, 2009

I wrote my dissertation a long time ago, but what I remember is this:

1. I read everything I could get my hands on ... made copies of almost everything ... made piles of articles, books, etc. on the floor of my apartment grouped by major focus. A lot of my friends and upperclassmen used that method to organize our literature. In a sense, we created our own physical libraries with the literature organized as if they were on library shelves. We could then go back to the originals fairly easily as we were writing. I still do that in my office with most of most important stuff.

2. As for methodology ... Again, I read (and copied) everything of relevance that I could get my hands on. Also, we were all advised by our advisors to chose someone with expertise in your method to be a member of your committee. That was a virtual requirement. That person would serve as a resource for you on methodological issues -- great because he/she would also be the one judging your methodology at the end. By having the "judge" serve as your teacher/resource throughout the project, we avoided methodological conflicts at the defense. One upperclassman put 2 methodologists on her committee and had conflict throughout her dissertation process.

Good luck! What is your topic? What methodology are you leaning towards?

canadiangradschoolrn · Aug 24, 2009

My topic is on the barriers facing Internationally Educated Nurses in Canada. I will be using a case study methodology. Has anyone used a case study methodology. I will also be using postcolonial theory. Has anyone used postcolonial theory. I had a rough road in first semester, first year. Although I did really really well at the end. Now, things are becoming more and more clear. However, there is always more to read.

What is your methodology and theoretical framework. May I also ask what your topic is.

llg, PhD, RN · Aug 24, 2009

I am very interested in case study methodology. In fact, I am trying to use it to write an article for publication on a program that I run. My problem is that I am going back "after the fact" to review the program -- and did not start the program with developing a case study from the beginning. My project is not going to be conventional research, but more of one of using the case example to illustrate points I want to make about the planning, implementation, and evaluation of such student extern programs.

I've been toying with the idea of the article for over a year now as I never seem to have time to devote to doing much writing. And when I start reading the literature on case studies, I get a little bogged down trying to decide exactly how I want to proceed.

canadiangradschoolrn · Aug 24, 2009

Same here, I am also trying to write some papers for publication now and it is quite difficult doing it. The main thing is motivation. You know, you see soo many obstacles along the road or impossibilities. It also almost seems like there is another project waiting for your attention, several other priorities. Keeping the motivation up is very important for PhD studies. I have a really good supervisor who I meet with every month. Its a good way to keep motivated. She also asks me quite often how my papers are going etc.

I just started reading about case studies I know Robert Yins book is one of the best in the field of case studies. Yeah, I know what you mean, it may be difficult for a case study after the program has been implemented.

elkpark · Aug 24, 2009

For the lit review for my Master's thesis, I made copies of everything, as llg stated, but also made up 3x5 cards with the citation and a summary of the article, so I was able to mostly deal with just the stack of 3x5 cards, rather than continually shuffling through all the physical articles. Seemed to me to streamline the "organization and assembly" process quite a bit.

Good luck with your D!

llg, PhD, RN · Aug 24, 2009

You know, you see soo many obstacles along the road or impossibilities. It also almost seems like there is another project waiting for your attention, several other priorities. .

Those are my big problems. I see all of the negative possibilities and obstacles -- and there are always other people wanting me to focus on other things.

canadiangradschoolrn · Aug 24, 2009

That is right. But I think having a good support system has always helped me. I try to find out from other PhD students in my program what they are doing. How there research is going. It motivates me. For example all of us in first year PhD met over the summer and from there I realized everyone was creating a table for literature review to get organized so I started that too. Even from there I also realized people were moving ahead faster than I was. I think having wonderful role models also helps. Not just your supervisor but other people. The problem is as you move up the nursing lader and you gain experience, your pool shrinks.

What my supervisor has made me start doing is submitting an abstract for research that I havent even started. It motivates me, because I know that there is a deadline I must meet wheather I like it or not. I have submitted 3 abstracts for October and November for a conference and the work is coming along just fine because I know I need to be done by a certain deadline. In preparing for the conference, my supervisor gets me to write a paper to present at the conference, once the conference is done, I will submit the paper for publication. This is a way, I have seen and known to be very helpful in getting organized.

allnurses Guide · Aug 25, 2009

I'm not doing a PhD yet, but I definitely do a few things when organizing lit reviews and writing for publication in my job

- As you said, I submit abstracts for things I have ideas about but haven't written yet - having something accepted for presenting at a conference definitely puts me in gear to get an article written!

- For lit reviews, I go back to beginning english literature and write an outline. In it, I start with bullet points or very brief topic summaries and outline the shape I'd like the paper to take. From there, I can go back and add to each idea/paragraph and flesh it out more. I just find it so much easier to have the overall idea of what I'm writing before I start. If I start cold, I just blather on and ramble. If I already know my major points to hit, I am much more focused.

Good luck! I love to hear about doctoral students and the challenges you face, as I hope to do the same in the next few years.

canadiangradschoolrn · Aug 25, 2009

Im already doing your first point. I will try your second point when Im writing next.

I tend to read a bunch of articles, highlight as I read. On the first page of every article, I scrible important points. When its time for me to write. I place, I place all the articles on the floor. I put together quick points. I then start writing. In my writings, I try to join articles together

The other method Ive used last time is to read and take notes on the computer including pertinent quotes. Then next, I write down the sub headings on the computer. I then cut and paste the notes I have taken under the subheading. Then I start writing and joining the ideas together.

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Aug 29, 2009

I do all of the above. :chuckle Except I keep my hard copies in a big file cabinet, once I'm done.

Canadian- I just ordered something today, that you might also find useful: http://www.amazon.com/Iris-USOA305-IRISPen-Express/dp/B000F7IXWU

It's a 'pen' that scans sentences, etc. from morificecripts, and uploads it into a Word document for you, so you don't have to highlight and re-write. It is a bit costly if you don't get an institutional discount through your school, but from what I've been told, it can be very useful with note-taking associated with lit reviews.

I also use EndNote to store & organize my references. It is a life-saver!

Some people make out a matrix, where each morificecript is listed, and variables you are interested in are listed in columns and checked. That way, you can see what variables they share, where they differ, etc. This is supposed to help with the flow of the lit review. I'll let you know how well that works, as I'll be trying this method soon.

Good luck to you, in whichever process you choose.