Academic Writing/Dissertation Workshop
On April 4th, a significant milestone was reached for us, the students in semester 4, as our series of presentations came to a close. This period of presenting was particularly important for us, marking an opportunity to demonstrate our understanding and skills acquired throughout our journey of masters. While, in the initial presentation missed including a single point in my first presentation, I successfully articulated my arguments in subsequent ones. Each presentation offered a valuable learning experience, allowing me to refine my communication skills, organize my thoughts more effectively, and respond adeptly to questions or feedback.
As an integral part of our MA Semester 4 curriculum, we are having a dissertation paper. On April 4th, a significant milestone was reached as we had to present our work and findings from our respective dissertation projects. From the very beginning of this semester, we found ourselves wholly engrossed in the process of writing these dissertations, pouring countless hours of research, analysis, and composition into our work.
To ensure we remained on the right track and received proper guidance throughout this challenging endeavor, Megha ma'am and Vaidehi ma'am conducted various weekly dissertation review meetings. These meetings served as a invaluable resource, providing us with an opportunity to seek clarification, receive feedback, and obtain insightful advice on crafting a well-structured and compelling thesis for our dissertations.
Our journey towards completing this monumental task began with a comprehensive Research Methodology workshop facilitated by the esteemed Dr. Barad. This workshop catered not only to us, the MA semester 4 students, but also to the newly enrolled Ph.D. scholars, underscoring the significance of research methodology across academic disciplines. During this illuminating session, Dr. Dilip Barad sir equipped us with a wide array of tools essential for dissertation writing, including techniques for structuring our work, mechanics of effective academic writing, strategies for identifying and utilizing quality research material, and other crucial aspects of research writing.
This foundational workshop laid the groundwork for our subsequent dissertation review meetings with Megha ma'am and Vaidehi ma'am. Initially, the process of writing a dissertation seemed like a manageable task, akin to any other academic writing assignment we had undertaken in the past. However, as we delved deeper into the realm of research, uncovering new layers of complexity and nuance, we quickly realized the formidable challenge that lay ahead – crafting a dissertation is a demanding and intricate endeavor.
Fortunately, during these trying times when confusion and uncertainty loomed, we had the unwavering guidance and support of our lighthouse, Dr. Dilip Barad, and our mentors, Megha ma'am and Vaidehi ma'am. Their expertise, patience, and willingness to address our queries and concerns proved invaluable, steering us through the intricate maze of dissertation writing and ensuring we remained focused and on track.
Additionally, we have a paper on Research Methodology that proved immensely helpful in understanding each and every aspect of research writing. This comprehensive course enabled us to grasp the nuances and intricacies involved in conducting effective research and presenting our findings in a coherent and compelling manner.
From as early as Semester 1, we were guided by our teachers on the fundamentals of research writing, laying a strong foundation for the more advanced work we would undertake in later semesters. This continuous guidance and support from our faculty played a crucial role in our development as researchers and writers.
The journey of writing our dissertations was truly remarkable, encompassing a wide range of skills and activities. From identifying and evaluating quality research material to crafting well-structured drafts and meticulously editing our work, we were exposed to the various facets of academic writing and research.
We submitted the first draft of our dissertations on March 26th, and April 4th was the pinnacle day when we all demonstrated the research outcomes and thesis of our dissertations. However, before that, there was a research writing workshop presentation by Barad sir, where he addressed some points that we had already incorporated in our dissertation theses and some that needed to be included after analyzing our work.
Sir covered crucial aspects such as:
1. The dissertation should have five chapters.
2. Including a work-cited list after each chapter.
3. Including a comprehensive bibliography at the end of all five chapters.
4. Explaining how the topic and title should progress from general to specific.
5. Introducing relevant theoretical frameworks and contexts in relation to the topic.
6. Formulating clear research questions.
7. Presenting hypotheses in the form of concise statements or points.
8. The importance of in-text citations.
9. Writing an effective literature review.
10. Identifying and addressing the research gap, linking it to the research questions and thesis.
11. Chapters 3 and 4 should encompass core analysis, references from articles, texts, and theses, and reflecting our own understanding of the context while applying relevant literary theories.
12. In Chapter 5, all research questions should be answered, filling the research gap based on inferences drawn from Chapters 3 and 4, and discussing the contribution to the area of research.
Finally, sir emphasized the importance of self-evaluation, ensuring that we have addressed all the necessary components, maintained a smooth flow of ideas, used clear and concise language, checked for grammatical errors and spelling mistakes, proofread before submitting the final draft, followed ethical guidelines, and utilized linguistic markers that allow for drawing inferences.
During our dissertation presentation sir offered invaluable feedback and suggestions to further enhance the quality of our work. One crucial aspect he emphasized was the importance of acknowledging and discussing the pioneers in our respective areas of research. As these pioneers laid the foundation for our studies, it was essential to recognize and build upon their contributions. If we were employing questionnaires as part of our research methodology, it should be complemented by semi-structured interviews. This combined approach would allow us to gather more in-depth data and insights, strengthening the validity and reliability of our findings. He also stressed the significance of providing a clear and well-reasoned justification for the titles of our dissertations. The title should accurately reflect the focus and scope of our research, serving as a concise yet informative representation of our work.
Choosing my dissertation topic "Deconstructing Gender Stereotypes: A Feminist Study of Selected Indian Advertisements" initially appeared straightforward. However, as I delved deeper into the journey, I realized that analyzing and drawing feminist interpretations from advertisements posed significant challenges. Moreover, the dearth of substantial research in the realm of media studies and Indian advertisements further motivated me to contribute to this research area.
Throughout the process, I encountered obstacles, one of which was forgetting to cite Derrida while employing a deconstructive reading of the advertisements. Additionally, there was an error in my hypothesis. However, these setbacks served as valuable learning experiences, prompting me to rectify my mistakes and refine my approach.
Despite my initial apprehension regarding the clarity of my arguments, I found immense satisfaction in realizing that I had not faltered in articulating them effectively after an extensive period of research and analysis. This journey of self-discovery and academic growth has been both challenging and rewarding, underscoring the importance of perseverance and dedication in scholarly pursuits.
The presentation session was live-streamed on YouTube, allowing a wider audience to tune in and engage with our academic endeavors. Here is the link:
During the post-lunch session, our co-supervisors, Megha ma’am and Vaidehi ma’am, provided valuable feedback on our dissertations. They highlighted various errors such as issues with title writing, layouts, clarity of points, lack of justification for certain arguments, and the need for a well-balanced conclusion.
Following their critique, an open question-and-answer session ensued, during which we were filled with numerous inquiries. Our supervisor addressed each doubt with patience and clarity, making this session truly remarkable. It was an opportunity for us to gain deeper insights and refine our understanding of the research process.
During the post-lunch session, sir further guided us on the final submission of our dissertations at the university. He provided detailed information about the required elements for the front page, including the title, researcher's name, and other pertinent details along with university logo. Additionally, he explained the importance of the declaration and certificates that need to accompany the dissertation, ensuring compliance with university regulations and academic standards.
As we reflect on our journey, we recognize the profound impact of our mentors and the collective effort invested in our academic pursuits. The completion of our dissertation presentations on April 4th signifies not only the culmination of our academic endeavors but also the beginning of a new chapter in our scholarly pursuits. We are grateful for the guidance, encouragement, and support that have shaped our academic journey, and we look forward to continuing our scholarly pursuits with newfound confidence and determination.
Thank you sir and ma'am
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