Week 3 of Second Semester

 This week we had 8 new pages due for thesis. I was excited to actually get started on writing the paper, but I unfortunately had some technical issues and did not get to write as much as I hoped. The writing process was a bit slow going because I needed to go back to a lot of my sources and do more research, which was beneficial, but took more time than I had anticipated. I learned so much more by actually going through and really reading my sources, and it was thrilling to learn things about my topic that I didn't even know! I need to fix my abstract and my introduction, but for now, I am focusing more on the body of the body and then will go back and refine the parts that need changing. 

research research research

With the first big thesis deadline of the semester, I'm solidifying how I enjoy organizing. I work better when I can physically move around my sources and the paragraphs I've written. When writing my literature review, I took notes on my sources on index cards. I've continued to do this and it's been so helpful to be able to line them up to see where I'd like to highlight them in my thesis. I also printed my literature review before adding to it to cut out each paragraph and test out where they might work better and flow smoother for my thesis. Hopefully this style of organization will continue to help me as we move along!

Thesis Second Semester: Week Two

     Tomorrow is the first major checkpoint of this paper -- eight new pages due. I'm excited to finally start putting my ideas down into these cohesive sentences, but also worried as well. I think what I'm struggling with the most right now is correctly and smoothly incorporating my sources. I find myself wanting to write a bunch of sentences that need to be backed up by a source, and just add a note that says "find and add a source later." However, I know that will make the work a lot harder for later me. All that being said, I'm trying to remember that these eight pages are a first draft. They don't have to be perfect; they're not going to be perfect. Just getting them done is a huge step.

Thesis week 2 (second semester)

 Since going on winter break, I've been a little slow to get started on really diving into this project because school started. I felt like I got a lot of research done over break and had a break through with what direction to go in in terms of the exhibit concept I am working on. Now, I want to start developing that concept through poster selection, developing a theme for the exhibit, and label copy. I have been working on including a timeline into the exhibit. 

Thesis Week 14

 Well my thesis has changed a lot since I first started. I know this is a good thing and it means that I'm making progress and cutting out things that don't work and adding things that do, but it is a bit nerve-wracking changing things around in ways I hadn't originally imagined. For example, this entire time I was sure I was focused on digital preservation, and after much thought I realized that I am actually working on digital reconstruction. I've also realized that I am goin to dive deeper on cultural heritage, whereas before I thought the majority of my time and research would be on education. So although I have made a number of changes, I think I am now on a better and more focused track than I was before, which I guess is good progress. Hopefully this will help me over break so that when I come back next semester I have a lot of good work done.

Thesis update

Things are now living and breathing. Since my last post, I've come up with an attractive title and drafted up a thesis proposal. I have now received feedback on my literature review and proposal, so I'm creating a revision plan and outlining all of the work that needs to be done over winter break. I'm excited to make some real progress in the coming weeks. I feel there's not much else to say about my project at the moment, but exciting developments are on the horizon. Huge thanks to the entire MUSE 489 class for all of the encouragement! 

Thesis Progress

Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My! With the amazing crowdsourced title for my project and the final project proposal turned in, things really feel like they are coming together at this point. My next big step is writing the protocol for my research, and submitting it with my IRB form. I just booked my flight to Berlin so there's no turning back now! I am both super excited and super nervous for this adventure, but I am extremely grateful to Dr. Decker and my classmates for all of their support and advice through all of the preparation. 

Thesis: Week 10

 After finishing the lit review, I'm not sure if I feel better or worse. I feel good knowing that I'm actually bringing my research together and am able to write something about it, but I also feel like there is so much I still don't know. There are aspects of my own topic and of information I have that I do not fully understand myself. I feel like I need to read more books or more sources if I'm going to accurately convey certain topics within my thesis, such as the history of Pakistan and the Mughal Empire. I know where I am going from here though and what my next steps are, which will involve interviewing Atia Newman, a primary source. I know this will probably make the biggest difference in my thesis as I'll get an abundance of information from her, but it's also daunting at the same time. I've never interviewed someone as a primary source before, and coming up with the right questions to ask is stressful and nerve-wracking.