So, I went to the thesis defense today. It started at 2 p.m. I was a little nervous when I was doing the last run through. I was not scared of the presentation actually. I was more concern with the question and answer session. I was scared that I was not gonna be able to understand the question. I was afraid of practically everything.
I prayed real hard. I kept saying, "Father, help me." And, He did! I could sense His presence as I presented my research. I could sense His presence during the Q&A session. I totally felt the peace walking out of the room too.
At about 3:30 p.m., Dr. D, Dr. L and Dr. H came out of the room and told me the good news. Dr. D hugged me and said, "congratulations!" I felt so relieved!
She took me to her office to go over some minor revisions. And she asked me if I want to publish this work. She told me that she's gonna help me with that. She even mentioned that Dr. H will help me publish the same work using another angle. So, that means two publications!
Anyways, I'm just relieved that I passed!
Friends, thanks for your supports! Thanks for your prayers! And, thanks for being there to attend my defense!
Friday, April 28, 2006
It's time...
After pouring my sweat and blood to pages of research, today is the day.
I'm going for a battle to defend my arguments.
The clock is ticking and I'm not sure if I was ready.
Been having stomach cramps since this morning.
Father, help me!
I'm going for a battle to defend my arguments.
The clock is ticking and I'm not sure if I was ready.
Been having stomach cramps since this morning.
Father, help me!
Sunday, April 23, 2006
Special Thanks....
Special thanks to my wonderful faboulous friends who helped me out with the moving!
Niki Chow, Nic Huang, Cuyang, Pierre Hendrawan, Tze-Hoong Tan, Jeong Won, David Lim, Tony Ngansop, Jia Sheen, Sue Li, Vinsensius Tanoto, and others that have helped us during the process...
The Hendra girls
Niki Chow, Nic Huang, Cuyang, Pierre Hendrawan, Tze-Hoong Tan, Jeong Won, David Lim, Tony Ngansop, Jia Sheen, Sue Li, Vinsensius Tanoto, and others that have helped us during the process...
You guys rock!
God bless you!
Love,The Hendra girls
Monday, April 17, 2006
Just a quick flashback....
Sunday, February 19, 2006 08:39 p.m.
I received an e-mail from my Comprehensive Exam's (COMPS) chair saying:
Hello Amelia,
I have attached a copy of your comprehensive exam questions. In addition, I have placed a paper copy in an envelope in your box in the main office. I hope you will feel comfortable talking with any of your committee members if you feel you do not understand the way the questions are worded. I look forward to seeing you undertake and successfully complete this next step inyour journey toward your master's degree.
Prof. D
And here's what the actual questionnaire said:
The exam will take place at Elliott Hall on Saturday, April 1, from 1 to 5 p.m., in computer lab 234. Please arrive at least 15 minutes early so you can start on time. Questions used in the actual exam will be drawn from those listed below. During the preparation period, feel free to ask faculty members about any questions that you feel are worded in such a way that you aren’t sure you understand them.
Each of your answers will be judged on depth of understanding and breadth of analysis. You should be able to identify critical elements and essential implications of each question and then provide a well-considered answer reflective of a mature and comprehensive understanding of the material covered by the question. Usually this requires citation of significant supportive works and specific scholars in the topic area. Simply referring to a textbook is not adequate. Shallow or ill-defined answers will not be accepted. Such answers will require a rewrite and may ultimately result in denial of the degree. Since your degree will be in COMMUNICATION, it is critical that your answers clearly communicate your thoughts free of style, grammar, organization and spelling problems.
Here are your study questions:
1. What is qualitative communication research? In answering this question, analyze each term separately. In what ways is qualitative research different from quantitative research? What is triangulation? Provide a specific example of triangulation in communication research.
2. If you were assigned to give instructions to a group of research assistants on how to proceed methodologically in one of the qualitative research methods: i.e. survey, content analysis, or ethnography, how might you "walk them through" the various stages? Choose one method and outline the chronology of steps (or if little sequencing exists, then the essential tasks) Be instructive, clear, and thorough.
3. What are the strengths and weaknesses of survey research for communication? What are the strengths and weaknesses of ethnography for communication? Be specific. How are these two methods conceptualized at opposite ends of the research spectrum?
4. Discuss the following endeavors as they relate to conducting preliminary research in your area of interest:
a. use of on-line and other electronic data base searches.
b. familiarity with relevant indices.
c. knowledge of respected scholars and scholarly literature, in your area.
5. Distinguish the following forms or approaches to research. Be sure to provide definitions, examples, comparisons/contrasts, etc.
a. historical research
b. critical research
c. descriptive research
d. experimental research
6. The preparation of questionnaires in survey research is a significant part of the methodology. Discuss the various concerns which a researcher must deal with in preparing a field ready questionnaire.
7. How does the process of research evolve? Elaborate on the basic steps or stages involved in both qualitative and quantitative research.
8. Compare and contrast the social scientific and humanistic approaches to the study of communication. Which approach is better suited to communication? Why?
9. How does an individual's development of her/his concept of self fundamentally influence his/her approach to communicating with others?
10. Compare the classical and humanistic schools of organizational theory and the implications each has for the application of communication theory within the organization.
11. Compare and contrast three different methods of doing rhetorical criticism.
12. Compare/contrast the Aristotelian rhetorical critical method with one of the newer methods. Which do you prefer? Take a stand and defend it. Examples and well supported reasoning are expected.
13. Discuss the concept of scholarly objectivity in the field of communication research. Is it desirable? Is it attainable? Why or why not?
14. What are some of the current popular research areas in organizational communication? Who are the researchers and with what area are they associated?
15. Identify three critical developments in the history of communication research. How did these trends or events impact the development of communication research?
16. Identify and explain the parameters that enable you to develop a "communication perspective" of human communication theory. Compare/contrast your perspective as a student of communication with the perspectives of communication in psychology, sociology, and anthropology.
17. Describe and compare the perspectives of at least three communication scholars who have written on the phenomenon of social-networking software such as that used by the distributors of on-line dating websites.
18. In Comm 801, your instructor offered a distinction between the terms “discipline” and “field,” particularly as these terms relate to the teaching and study of communication. Explain this distinction as clearly and completely as you can.
19. The roots of the American communication discipline can be traced back to departments of English. Explain this as completely as you can, making sure to include in your discussion how journalism and speech chose different emphases or components in shaping their respective parts of the discipline.
20. The required general education public speaking course has come under attack at your university. Some departments want to eliminate it as a requirement. As a staunch supporter of the course, how would you defend its legitimacy to a Faculty Senate General Education Committee that is charged with recommending a position to the general faculty on the proposal to eliminate the course as a requirement?
21. A colleague of yours is having difficulty developing training programs that focus on specific training skills. Her sessions tend to be filled with lecturing and theory discussions. How can she make her training sessions focus on skills development instead of mainly on information sharing?
Thursday, Feb.23, 2006
I was burnt out. Deciding whether I should do thesis first or COMPS.
Sunday, Feb. 26, 2006
I broke down. Literally broke down... I couldn't take it anymore. I felt helpless. Thesis was not coming along well. COMPS are crazy! I cried and cried and cried...
Monday, Feb. 27, 2006
I woke up with red and swollen eyes. Went to teach from 8:00-9:15 a.m. Held my office hours while crying. Couldn't take it anymore... I called my mom... Didn't say a word, just cried cried and cried... Mom was worried. After I got off the phone, I received two text messages from my dad:
1. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phillipians 4:13)
2. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us (Ephesians 3:20)
I was encouraged and lifted up. But still, there are some works to be done.
Tuesday, Feb.28, 2006 - Thursday, March 16, 2006
I was frantically gathering the research materials and putting together my big fat COMPS binder. Working day and night for COMPS and Thesis.
Friday, March 17, 2006
I was officially done with all the questions. Decided to leave the thesis aside for the next couple of weeks.
Saturday, March 18, 2006 - Saturday March 25, 2006
Having fun while carrying my big fat COMPS folder everywhere. No motivation to study at all!!
Sunday, March 26, 2006
First day of panicking again. Got together with Becca at Barnes and Nobles studying.
Monday, March 27, 2006 - Friday, March 31, 2006
Religiously going to Barnes and Noble studying and memorizing. I basically didn't do anything besides studying. Totally isolate myself from anyone...
Saturday, April 1, 2006
Getting ready for the Test.
12:30 p.m. leave apartment
1:00-5:00 p.m. Taking the test
5:00 out of the room (happy and anxious)
Monday, April 17, 2006
1:40 p.m. Went to Dr. D's office.
She said with her smile, "YOU PASSED COMPS!"
Then, she gave me a hug. Oh man, what a journey!!!
I received an e-mail from my Comprehensive Exam's (COMPS) chair saying:
Hello Amelia,
I have attached a copy of your comprehensive exam questions. In addition, I have placed a paper copy in an envelope in your box in the main office. I hope you will feel comfortable talking with any of your committee members if you feel you do not understand the way the questions are worded. I look forward to seeing you undertake and successfully complete this next step inyour journey toward your master's degree.
Prof. D
And here's what the actual questionnaire said:
The exam will take place at Elliott Hall on Saturday, April 1, from 1 to 5 p.m., in computer lab 234. Please arrive at least 15 minutes early so you can start on time. Questions used in the actual exam will be drawn from those listed below. During the preparation period, feel free to ask faculty members about any questions that you feel are worded in such a way that you aren’t sure you understand them.
Each of your answers will be judged on depth of understanding and breadth of analysis. You should be able to identify critical elements and essential implications of each question and then provide a well-considered answer reflective of a mature and comprehensive understanding of the material covered by the question. Usually this requires citation of significant supportive works and specific scholars in the topic area. Simply referring to a textbook is not adequate. Shallow or ill-defined answers will not be accepted. Such answers will require a rewrite and may ultimately result in denial of the degree. Since your degree will be in COMMUNICATION, it is critical that your answers clearly communicate your thoughts free of style, grammar, organization and spelling problems.
Here are your study questions:
1. What is qualitative communication research? In answering this question, analyze each term separately. In what ways is qualitative research different from quantitative research? What is triangulation? Provide a specific example of triangulation in communication research.
2. If you were assigned to give instructions to a group of research assistants on how to proceed methodologically in one of the qualitative research methods: i.e. survey, content analysis, or ethnography, how might you "walk them through" the various stages? Choose one method and outline the chronology of steps (or if little sequencing exists, then the essential tasks) Be instructive, clear, and thorough.
3. What are the strengths and weaknesses of survey research for communication? What are the strengths and weaknesses of ethnography for communication? Be specific. How are these two methods conceptualized at opposite ends of the research spectrum?
4. Discuss the following endeavors as they relate to conducting preliminary research in your area of interest:
a. use of on-line and other electronic data base searches.
b. familiarity with relevant indices.
c. knowledge of respected scholars and scholarly literature, in your area.
5. Distinguish the following forms or approaches to research. Be sure to provide definitions, examples, comparisons/contrasts, etc.
a. historical research
b. critical research
c. descriptive research
d. experimental research
6. The preparation of questionnaires in survey research is a significant part of the methodology. Discuss the various concerns which a researcher must deal with in preparing a field ready questionnaire.
7. How does the process of research evolve? Elaborate on the basic steps or stages involved in both qualitative and quantitative research.
8. Compare and contrast the social scientific and humanistic approaches to the study of communication. Which approach is better suited to communication? Why?
9. How does an individual's development of her/his concept of self fundamentally influence his/her approach to communicating with others?
10. Compare the classical and humanistic schools of organizational theory and the implications each has for the application of communication theory within the organization.
11. Compare and contrast three different methods of doing rhetorical criticism.
12. Compare/contrast the Aristotelian rhetorical critical method with one of the newer methods. Which do you prefer? Take a stand and defend it. Examples and well supported reasoning are expected.
13. Discuss the concept of scholarly objectivity in the field of communication research. Is it desirable? Is it attainable? Why or why not?
14. What are some of the current popular research areas in organizational communication? Who are the researchers and with what area are they associated?
15. Identify three critical developments in the history of communication research. How did these trends or events impact the development of communication research?
16. Identify and explain the parameters that enable you to develop a "communication perspective" of human communication theory. Compare/contrast your perspective as a student of communication with the perspectives of communication in psychology, sociology, and anthropology.
17. Describe and compare the perspectives of at least three communication scholars who have written on the phenomenon of social-networking software such as that used by the distributors of on-line dating websites.
18. In Comm 801, your instructor offered a distinction between the terms “discipline” and “field,” particularly as these terms relate to the teaching and study of communication. Explain this distinction as clearly and completely as you can.
19. The roots of the American communication discipline can be traced back to departments of English. Explain this as completely as you can, making sure to include in your discussion how journalism and speech chose different emphases or components in shaping their respective parts of the discipline.
20. The required general education public speaking course has come under attack at your university. Some departments want to eliminate it as a requirement. As a staunch supporter of the course, how would you defend its legitimacy to a Faculty Senate General Education Committee that is charged with recommending a position to the general faculty on the proposal to eliminate the course as a requirement?
21. A colleague of yours is having difficulty developing training programs that focus on specific training skills. Her sessions tend to be filled with lecturing and theory discussions. How can she make her training sessions focus on skills development instead of mainly on information sharing?
Thursday, Feb.23, 2006
I was burnt out. Deciding whether I should do thesis first or COMPS.
Sunday, Feb. 26, 2006
I broke down. Literally broke down... I couldn't take it anymore. I felt helpless. Thesis was not coming along well. COMPS are crazy! I cried and cried and cried...
Monday, Feb. 27, 2006
I woke up with red and swollen eyes. Went to teach from 8:00-9:15 a.m. Held my office hours while crying. Couldn't take it anymore... I called my mom... Didn't say a word, just cried cried and cried... Mom was worried. After I got off the phone, I received two text messages from my dad:
1. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phillipians 4:13)
2. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us (Ephesians 3:20)
I was encouraged and lifted up. But still, there are some works to be done.
Tuesday, Feb.28, 2006 - Thursday, March 16, 2006
I was frantically gathering the research materials and putting together my big fat COMPS binder. Working day and night for COMPS and Thesis.
Friday, March 17, 2006
I was officially done with all the questions. Decided to leave the thesis aside for the next couple of weeks.
Saturday, March 18, 2006 - Saturday March 25, 2006
Having fun while carrying my big fat COMPS folder everywhere. No motivation to study at all!!
Sunday, March 26, 2006
First day of panicking again. Got together with Becca at Barnes and Nobles studying.
Monday, March 27, 2006 - Friday, March 31, 2006
Religiously going to Barnes and Noble studying and memorizing. I basically didn't do anything besides studying. Totally isolate myself from anyone...
Saturday, April 1, 2006
Getting ready for the Test.
12:30 p.m. leave apartment
1:00-5:00 p.m. Taking the test
5:00 out of the room (happy and anxious)
Monday, April 17, 2006
1:40 p.m. Went to Dr. D's office.
She said with her smile, "YOU PASSED COMPS!"
Then, she gave me a hug. Oh man, what a journey!!!
Friday, April 14, 2006
Wondering the wonderous...
Sometimes I wonder why things are the way they are.
Sometimes I wonder why I give in to things like these.
Sometimes I wonder why I choose this over that.
Sometimes I wonder why now or why not now?
Sometimes I wonder why I don't just quit this.
I guess I just wonder.
All this while, I just wonder and wonder and wonder...
When I helped my friend to move last week, I came across a poster that she had.
"Dreams without actions stay dreams."
Hmm, maybe it's time then.
Time to take actions.
Yeah, time to move on....
Sometimes I wonder why I give in to things like these.
Sometimes I wonder why I choose this over that.
Sometimes I wonder why now or why not now?
Sometimes I wonder why I don't just quit this.
I guess I just wonder.
All this while, I just wonder and wonder and wonder...
When I helped my friend to move last week, I came across a poster that she had.
"Dreams without actions stay dreams."
Hmm, maybe it's time then.
Time to take actions.
Yeah, time to move on....
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
You can take the girl out of Indonesia,
but you can never take the Indonesian out of the girl.
A friend of mine said that to me today. I've been in the states for more than five years.
My friends back home said I've changed (hopefully in a good way...).
But many here still find me as a very very Indonesian girl in a lot of ways. Haha!
But that's good! :)
I just feel that I have to blog this...
Anyways, I went for a complete manicure and pedicure today...
I feel sooo good now! It's been a while since I have a nice and relaxing moment.
Another good thing about it is that I went with my two sisters.
So, it's sort of a sister day thing today... It's fun!
I think I will be a 'lil lonely without my sisters around when I go home...
Sigh....
Big day...
Today is my parents' 26th anniverssary!
So, Mom and Dad, happy annivessary!! I'm really proud of my parents! I'm not who I am today, if it wasn't because of them! I'm blessed to have them as my parents...
Also, a friend of mine is celebrating his birthday today! Haha! Hope you have a blessed day, okay?
And one last thing, today I submitted my thesis' rough draft! Haha! I'm meeting with my chair tomorrow. I'm sure she's got lots of revisions for me to make! But, at least I'm a bit relieved now!
Oh well, gotta teach early in the morning tomorrow! Later!!
So, Mom and Dad, happy annivessary!! I'm really proud of my parents! I'm not who I am today, if it wasn't because of them! I'm blessed to have them as my parents...
Also, a friend of mine is celebrating his birthday today! Haha! Hope you have a blessed day, okay?
And one last thing, today I submitted my thesis' rough draft! Haha! I'm meeting with my chair tomorrow. I'm sure she's got lots of revisions for me to make! But, at least I'm a bit relieved now!
Oh well, gotta teach early in the morning tomorrow! Later!!
Saturday, April 01, 2006
The clock is ticking...
Yeah... the clock is ticking and I'm getting more and more anxious! Everyone has been asking me the same question, "Are you ready?" Haha! The truth is I don't even know if I'm ready or not.. I kept looking and reading my notes since last nite... And, my heart is beating ten thousand times faster! My hands are getting colder too... I was better last nite... All I can think of right now is that I just want to get it over with...
So, in less than two hours I'll be sitting in front of a Mac Computer and type and type and type and type until 5 p.m. Pray for me!
So, in less than two hours I'll be sitting in front of a Mac Computer and type and type and type and type until 5 p.m. Pray for me!
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