Thesis advisor

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by cookderosa, Jan 2, 2014.

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  1. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    Quick question for those of you who've done original research for your thesis.

    Just the quickie facts: I'll be collecting data and compiling a huge database as the meat of my research. Something like 750-1000 colleges and then doing evaluation of their nutrition courses, which will result in recording maybe 20 columns of info for each college.

    I'm allowed to choose my advisor. I think I want to choose my former stats / research professor. He is adjunct, however, I think he'd be excellent since I expect my speed bumps to be more related to the data as opposed to nutrition content. I'll have to lobby hard for him if I REALLY want him (since he's adjunct). So, my question is if that seems reasonable to look for an advisor with a numbers background instead of in my actual field?
    Anything I'm not considering or missing?
     
  2. soupbone

    soupbone Active Member

    Can you provide the tentative topic? For mine, I wasn't given a choice and was provided one as part of the course. Luckily, he was a PhD in a very similar field with extensive background in advising students.

    Personally, I would prefer someone in the same field simply because they really know the topic, have likely completed a thesis of their own in the same/similar topic, and can understand the mindset required for that particular field.

    In my humble opinion, I would find it rather frustrating to have an advisor that had little knowledge of the field because I would not be able to effectively communicate with them on a level that they could understand. I do get though that this may not apply to your field.

    On the other hand, when compiling a large amount of statistics for a project, it helps to have someone that can guide you to make sure you're obtaining exactly what you need.
     
  3. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    No. Having been there, done that, and been there again, I say don't do it.

    When it comes to examining your thesis/dissertation, your methodology will not likely cause you too much trouble. But your research's place in your academic discipline will. Your advisor will help you place your research (and you) in the middle of things. Don't go there on your own.

    You can certainly retain your stats person separately, if you choose. Also, you could make a case to your school to add that person to your committee as a technical advisor. Ask.
     
  4. edowave

    edowave Active Member

    I would agree with what Rich said.
     
  5. Phdtobe

    Phdtobe Well-Known Member

    Can a Phd student hire a private advisor to supplement or complement the official advisor assigned?
     
  6. Helpful2013

    Helpful2013 Active Member

    I'll agree with Rich here, too. You'll be far better served by someone with expertise in the field you're studying.
     
  7. Shawn Ambrose

    Shawn Ambrose New Member

    Totally agree with Rich as well. You want a subject matter expert as your chair. Bring the stats person onto the committee.

    Good luck Jen!

    Shawn
     
  8. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    Yes. Just as one might hire a proofreader or even an editor, one can hire someone to help with the stats. But just as in those other cases, the work must be your own. And during your viva voce, you'll have to "own it." You'll have to be able to talk about your research methods--why you chose them, the logic and science behind them, how you employed them, and what the results mean.

    But see if you can add this person to your committee.
     
  9. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    Thanks everyone!!!

    I'll try to hit on the questions asked. I don't have a committee, just an advisor. I also won't have to go there and defend verbally.

    My topic- I will generate an original research paper reporting the current prevalence, scope, and form of nutrition education in culinary arts. An attempt will be made to identify and document >90% of nutrition course occurrences found in the entire population of degree-granting culinary arts programs at regionally accredited colleges or universities in the United States. This part will take 90% of my time/work. The remaining 10% is where I make a case for chefs learning nutrition inside culinary degree programs. The database doesn't exist now, so that will be all organic, and my hope is, that once I have that in one neat place, I can do a follow up project later.....lol
     
  10. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    oh the drama since January....I'll spare the details- the highlights are that my advisor told me not once....not twice...but THREE TIMES that if I wasn't seeking publication that I'd better find a new advisor. (how about, let's just friggin try and get me graduated, then we'll worry about that) But, since he's a user of eyejot, I got the messages loud and clear, and the publishing thing was non-negotiable for him. So, having a different set of priorities, I messaged my dept head - sent her his messages and agreed to work with a new advisor, any advisor....since my research was already finished and I just needed an reader - anyone would do (though I wasn't quite so condescending). Fast forward, my dept head asks me to please reconsider working with my advisor again. (huh? he quit, not me) So, without a single word exchanged, 15 minutes ago I submitted my 1st draft to my original advisor. I've got 28 days until the end of this semester to get this squared away, this is going to get interesting.
     

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