We are approaching the end of 2010. Another year will soon be upon us. For me, early January is holiday time since I live and work in Australia and it is our summer. It gives me a time to reflect on the past year and a chance to think about the year ahead. In terms of research, I wonder what your plans are for 2011?
I want to work on revising some of my papers in progress and under review, to write at least several new papers, apply for some funding, go to a conference or two, take on some new PhD students, and try to help those I am working with where I can. Is this enough? Hmmm, not really. I have done this type of thing now for many years. What I really would like to do is scale up my research.
What about using this blog as a way of developing a research network for instance? Maybe we could decide on a problem, or class of problems and write papers together, explore funding, share knowledge, have exchange visits and try to make a difference on an international level?
Some suggestions for research topics might be:
Improving health and wellbeing in developing countries - the role of the Internet.
Supporting small business owners in developing countries via the Internet - a knowledge network.
New business models via the Internet.
Innovation networks - using blogs and online forums.
Just a few ideas.... what do you think?
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Has it any value?
This blog is now over one year old. Recently I haven't been posting much that's true. It really is more effort than I anticipated to get people talking about research. Over the year ther has been about 2500 visits to the sites and given that I have visited a few hundred times I can say maybe 2200 people have been. that's 42 a week on average.
The question is, is it worth carrying on? Not many people have contributed over the year except Anna from the UK. Her posts have been interesting. Even my own Phd students do not contribute. I have also noticed that with the lack of interaction and comments it doesn't encourage me to put effort into my writing. It is like writing for the sake of it and it becomes a chore.
So I will read the comments and find out if anyone thinks it has any value? I guess no comment means no value.
Has it any value?
The question is, is it worth carrying on? Not many people have contributed over the year except Anna from the UK. Her posts have been interesting. Even my own Phd students do not contribute. I have also noticed that with the lack of interaction and comments it doesn't encourage me to put effort into my writing. It is like writing for the sake of it and it becomes a chore.
So I will read the comments and find out if anyone thinks it has any value? I guess no comment means no value.
Has it any value?
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
AIM 2011 Information Systems Conference, 25-27 May, 2011
AIM 2011 Information Systems Conference, 25-27 May, 2011
Reunion Island
http://www.aim2011.iae-reunion.fr/
Dates for submission of papers: Two deadlines: 17th October (so people can plan well in advance) and 30th of January, 2011.
The early twenty first century is characterized by economic, environmental and technological dislocations. In this context, the 16th conference of the AIM addresses the question : How Information Systems (IS), their concepts, models, methods, practices and tools, can contribute to a harmonious and balanced development of individuals, organizations and territories?
The 16th conference of the AIM is a place for exchange between practitioners, teachers and researchers from different disciplines: Management Sciences (IS, Marketing, HR, Strategy ...), Computer Science, Economics, Sociology ... It deals with issues related to IS by comparing theoretical and applied works in order to allow a renewal of perspectives, thoughts and actions.
www.CompletePhD.com
Reunion Island
http://www.aim2011.iae-reunion.fr/
Dates for submission of papers: Two deadlines: 17th October (so people can plan well in advance) and 30th of January, 2011.
The early twenty first century is characterized by economic, environmental and technological dislocations. In this context, the 16th conference of the AIM addresses the question : How Information Systems (IS), their concepts, models, methods, practices and tools, can contribute to a harmonious and balanced development of individuals, organizations and territories?
The 16th conference of the AIM is a place for exchange between practitioners, teachers and researchers from different disciplines: Management Sciences (IS, Marketing, HR, Strategy ...), Computer Science, Economics, Sociology ... It deals with issues related to IS by comparing theoretical and applied works in order to allow a renewal of perspectives, thoughts and actions.
www.CompletePhD.com
Monday, October 11, 2010
The research landscape
The research landscape
Why is it that so few people in India publish in leading journals in my discipline of Information Systems? I have noticed in my blog for example that India is one of the leading countries for visitors. However, my discipline is dominated by a few countries when it comes to the leading journals. Clearly, there is a lot of interest in IT and information systems in India, they have a vibrant IT sector and a large university sector. Indians in the USA are doing well in research but what about those in India itself? Why aren't they publishing more in journals? Anyone any ideas?
www.CompletePhD.com
Why is it that so few people in India publish in leading journals in my discipline of Information Systems? I have noticed in my blog for example that India is one of the leading countries for visitors. However, my discipline is dominated by a few countries when it comes to the leading journals. Clearly, there is a lot of interest in IT and information systems in India, they have a vibrant IT sector and a large university sector. Indians in the USA are doing well in research but what about those in India itself? Why aren't they publishing more in journals? Anyone any ideas?
www.CompletePhD.com
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Expensive Conferences
Quite a few conferences are becoming very expensive. In fact, some are now $1000 Australian for the registration fees. Even for PhD students they are over $600. Not many PhD students can afford that sort of money.
The reason many conferences have become expensive is that they are organised by companies rather than by academics. Many academics would say they no longer have the time to spend on organising conferences. This is a pity since they have become too expensive for many students. I organised a conference in 2007 and the conference fees were $370 Australian but I organised everything myself.
The reason many conferences have become expensive is that they are organised by companies rather than by academics. Many academics would say they no longer have the time to spend on organising conferences. This is a pity since they have become too expensive for many students. I organised a conference in 2007 and the conference fees were $370 Australian but I organised everything myself.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
How to Complete a PhD
I have reduced the cost of my book "How to Complete a PhD" for those overseas. It is now Australian $40 + $6 for international buyers. The book has been selling well and has had a great deal of positive feedback. I really recommend it to anyone taking a PhD or thinking of taking one. It cover all the essential knowledge you need to know about taking a PhD and its contents will save you a lot of time and money.
If you are an academic and teaching a doctoral course then I can come to a special arrangement if you want to use it as a course text. It comes in hard copy and pdf formats. Also, please recommend it to your university bookshops.
The book can be found at:
http://www.justintimebooks.com
If you are an academic and teaching a doctoral course then I can come to a special arrangement if you want to use it as a course text. It comes in hard copy and pdf formats. Also, please recommend it to your university bookshops.
The book can be found at:
http://www.justintimebooks.com
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Research and Politics
It’s taken a while to get around to it but you can’t talk about research for long without getting on to the topic of politics. Yes, research, just like everything else is bogged down in politics both organizationally and at the national level.
Organizationally, your Faculty can either talk you up or talk you down, it’s as simple as that. Often when you are starting out and little or no threat to anyone then you may find you are talked up more often than talked down. As you find your feet in research, get promoted a couple of times, you will find you are talked down more and more. Your research is not high quality enough, you don’t work with enough with other staff, you don’t produce enough, you don’t obtain enough funding and the list goes on and on …..
The lack of resources for research is one of the main reasons for the politics. People will try to obtain an advantage by creating a perception about your work and so it is largely personally driven. It has been said that university politics is so heated because the stakes are just so low!
Organizationally, your Faculty can either talk you up or talk you down, it’s as simple as that. Often when you are starting out and little or no threat to anyone then you may find you are talked up more often than talked down. As you find your feet in research, get promoted a couple of times, you will find you are talked down more and more. Your research is not high quality enough, you don’t work with enough with other staff, you don’t produce enough, you don’t obtain enough funding and the list goes on and on …..
The lack of resources for research is one of the main reasons for the politics. People will try to obtain an advantage by creating a perception about your work and so it is largely personally driven. It has been said that university politics is so heated because the stakes are just so low!
Saturday, July 17, 2010
PhDs and Coursework
PhDs in Australia are usually threeyears of full-time research. Recently several universities have introduced coursework in the first year covering research methods and research philosophy.What are your views on these two kinds of PhDs? Do you think the coursework is valuable?
www.CompletePhD.com
www.CompletePhD.com
Thursday, May 27, 2010
What Motivates You To conduct Research?
I think I asked this before but what motivates you to do research? How much is it externally driven by your university? Do you think you are supported in your research? What are your plans for your research?
www.CompletePhD.com
www.CompletePhD.com
Friday, May 21, 2010
Research Proposal Presentations
Students presenting their PhD proposals often end up developing a lot of slides for a 30 to 40 minute presentation. My suggestion is to cut it down to 9 or 10 maximum.
1 Title slide
2 Practice or theory problem being addressed and significance of this
3 Literature or key theories
4 Research model
5 Research questions
6 Research design
7 Research design (sometimes only one is needed)
8 Expected contribution
9 Timeline for project
10 Any questions slide?
This way the presenter doesn't have to rush through many slides and can spend time making eye contact with the audience.
The key point is that the student should answer the questions and not the supervisor. It is research training and after all the student's project and it is good to get used to answering questions and thinking on your feet.
I hope this helps? Has anyone any suggestions for students presenting proposals? I think they often get very nervous because it is the first time they have presented as a researcher. I was nervous the first time I stood up infront of an audience to talk about research. Even though I was a lecturer and had presented for years my knees were knocking together lol.
1 Title slide
2 Practice or theory problem being addressed and significance of this
3 Literature or key theories
4 Research model
5 Research questions
6 Research design
7 Research design (sometimes only one is needed)
8 Expected contribution
9 Timeline for project
10 Any questions slide?
This way the presenter doesn't have to rush through many slides and can spend time making eye contact with the audience.
The key point is that the student should answer the questions and not the supervisor. It is research training and after all the student's project and it is good to get used to answering questions and thinking on your feet.
I hope this helps? Has anyone any suggestions for students presenting proposals? I think they often get very nervous because it is the first time they have presented as a researcher. I was nervous the first time I stood up infront of an audience to talk about research. Even though I was a lecturer and had presented for years my knees were knocking together lol.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Conversations on Research
I have been reminded recently that a good conversation about research has many benefits. It is enjoyable for starters to be able to discuss things that are on one's mind. One enhances one's knowledge because of what is said but also because of the chance to articulate partially formed ideas. Without these chances to discuss research, ideas are often left partially formed. It takes a certain level of trust between participants to have a good research conversation.
I'd like to see more comments appearing on the blog but they remain sparse. The numbers visiting the blog average around 40 or so a week. This is pretty good as I don't promote it much. Any suggestions on how to get more traffic would be appreciated. The more people that visit hopefully the better the dialogue we can have.
www.CompletePhD.com
I'd like to see more comments appearing on the blog but they remain sparse. The numbers visiting the blog average around 40 or so a week. This is pretty good as I don't promote it much. Any suggestions on how to get more traffic would be appreciated. The more people that visit hopefully the better the dialogue we can have.
www.CompletePhD.com
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Asking the Hard Questions: Contrasting Mobile Technology in Developed and Developing Economies (Elsie Gakere)
The ResearchGap Website features two interesting discussions on Mobile Technology. One paper examines Mobile technology in healthcare, while the other focuses on Mobile technology within banking, developing economies (a case of mobile banking culture in Ghana). These papers engage the paradox of why Mobile Technology, despite being relatively inexpensive, sufficiently sophisticated and seemingly well-positioned, has persisted in being of limited use particularly in healthcare. Fundamental systemic issues are attributed as the underlying obstacle to adoption of Mobile technology in the healthcare sector.
In my view, when placed side by side, mobile technology seems to yield differential outcomes in developing economies, contrasted with developed economies. I tend to agree that Systemic differences are the likely culprit behind the variance. In the case of developing economies, basic mobile technology has only recently become rapidly ubiquitous. For example in parts of Latin America, India’s and Africa’s technological hubs, much of the populace has access to basic mobile technology. Therefore systemic challenges for extension of mobile telephony for healthcare and banking to the underserved are rapidly becoming a well-occupied frontier, where funding remains the key constraint. Granted, such applications are at a very basic level. But again, such is compatible with resource-poor contexts. At a systemic level, perhaps rapid uptake of mobile technology in resource-poor contexts engages because there is an inherent consistency of basic architectures across the social and technological systems; Mainly the ‘basics’ of the mobile technologies are deployed in ‘basic ways’ for ‘basic’ healthcare and ‘basic’ banking, etc: In a word, ‘Keeping It Simple’!
So how is it that well-resourced developed economies, despite having highly sophisticated mobile telephony industries, and similarly highly techno-savvy healthcare and banking sectors, appear to struggle to establish convergences as effortlessly as we would expect? Is it possible that when technology is so highly advanced, competing alternatives as well as spikes in complexity, come into play to complicate the systemic puzzle? Is the crux of the systemic challenge of couched in the mandate to establish convergence across already mature, complex technologies that were originally designed for divergence?
True, in recent times electronic devices are increasingly being designed for convergence, but the complexities of social systems may yet have some catching up to do.
Elsie Gakere
www.CompletePhD.com
In my view, when placed side by side, mobile technology seems to yield differential outcomes in developing economies, contrasted with developed economies. I tend to agree that Systemic differences are the likely culprit behind the variance. In the case of developing economies, basic mobile technology has only recently become rapidly ubiquitous. For example in parts of Latin America, India’s and Africa’s technological hubs, much of the populace has access to basic mobile technology. Therefore systemic challenges for extension of mobile telephony for healthcare and banking to the underserved are rapidly becoming a well-occupied frontier, where funding remains the key constraint. Granted, such applications are at a very basic level. But again, such is compatible with resource-poor contexts. At a systemic level, perhaps rapid uptake of mobile technology in resource-poor contexts engages because there is an inherent consistency of basic architectures across the social and technological systems; Mainly the ‘basics’ of the mobile technologies are deployed in ‘basic ways’ for ‘basic’ healthcare and ‘basic’ banking, etc: In a word, ‘Keeping It Simple’!
So how is it that well-resourced developed economies, despite having highly sophisticated mobile telephony industries, and similarly highly techno-savvy healthcare and banking sectors, appear to struggle to establish convergences as effortlessly as we would expect? Is it possible that when technology is so highly advanced, competing alternatives as well as spikes in complexity, come into play to complicate the systemic puzzle? Is the crux of the systemic challenge of couched in the mandate to establish convergence across already mature, complex technologies that were originally designed for divergence?
True, in recent times electronic devices are increasingly being designed for convergence, but the complexities of social systems may yet have some catching up to do.
Elsie Gakere
www.CompletePhD.com
Doing Research and Having Fun ....yes we can! New Poster - Elsie Gakere
For many researchers undertaking their PhD, doing research is serious! Doing research and having fun are incompatible, right? Wrong! The Researchfocus Website has an article titled “Research as a social process” – a must read if it’s been a while since you had fun with your PhD. The article features a humorous account almost 3 decades old, but whose witty admonition on the vagaries of research work is not lost.
I would speak for researchers who work externally, in saying that isolated ponderings must quickly be accommodated as the norm. But reading through this article leaves one not only smiling, but also more aware of the importance of creating fun opportunities to make casual conversation out of one’s otherwise ‘serious research’. After all, until our research work can touch the real world, it remains utopian and unproductive. Also, the funny side of all-things-research can become a useful resource for critique and reality check (– in addition to being a curious ‘research archive’ that can span across the decades :)
Elsie Gakere
I would speak for researchers who work externally, in saying that isolated ponderings must quickly be accommodated as the norm. But reading through this article leaves one not only smiling, but also more aware of the importance of creating fun opportunities to make casual conversation out of one’s otherwise ‘serious research’. After all, until our research work can touch the real world, it remains utopian and unproductive. Also, the funny side of all-things-research can become a useful resource for critique and reality check (– in addition to being a curious ‘research archive’ that can span across the decades :)
Elsie Gakere
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Researchgap.com for business research
I have developed a web site for my business related research. It includes some video clips and podcasts. You can also downlaod some of the papers. Please let me know what you think.
http://www.researchgap.com/index.htm
http://www.researchgap.com/index.htm
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Does Research Pay?
Just thinking about various colleagues who don't do much research yet manage quite well, in fact some obtain more than those that engage in research. Some staff focus on teaching and along with this comes the reward of teaching offshore courses for which they are paid extra. Others have opted for consulting in some specialised area and can earn substantial amounts per day. What reward does the researcher get other than job satisfaction and a better CV?
www.CompletePhD.com
www.CompletePhD.com
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Call for Papers
The Journal provides an avenue for scholarly work that researches information systems, electronic business and information technology. Papers should examine the wider implications of the systems or technology being researched. This means papers should consider aspects such as organisational relevance, business value, cognitive implications, social implications, impact on individuals or community perspectives rather than focusing solely on the technology.
http://info.emeraldinsight.com/products/journals/journals.htm?PHPSESSID=c4fpgtdn3eum241nhso3c16jp7&id=JSIT
email c.standing@ecu.edu.au
www.CompletePhD.com
http://info.emeraldinsight.com/products/journals/journals.htm?PHPSESSID=c4fpgtdn3eum241nhso3c16jp7&id=JSIT
email c.standing@ecu.edu.au
www.CompletePhD.com
Monday, March 29, 2010
Words Don't Come Easy - Writing Top Research Papers
When explaining how to write journal papers I mention simple pop songs as a model. The old song by F. R. David called Words. You may remember it:
"Words don't come easy to me
I've got to find a way
To make you see, I love you
Cause words don't come easy"
Well that's my recollection of it. The point is, it is a very simple song that did well at the time. It is memorable, maybe not in this case for being high quality, but at least it is memorable.
A research paper should be easy to follow. Sometimes researchers try to make it all too complex. There should be a simple message behind the paper just as there is with each pop song. Don't try to have multiple competing messages in the one paper otherwise people get confused.
If you can stick to the pop song formula then people should actually read your paper, follow it and also remember it. "Words ......."
"Words don't come easy to me
I've got to find a way
To make you see, I love you
Cause words don't come easy"
Well that's my recollection of it. The point is, it is a very simple song that did well at the time. It is memorable, maybe not in this case for being high quality, but at least it is memorable.
A research paper should be easy to follow. Sometimes researchers try to make it all too complex. There should be a simple message behind the paper just as there is with each pop song. Don't try to have multiple competing messages in the one paper otherwise people get confused.
If you can stick to the pop song formula then people should actually read your paper, follow it and also remember it. "Words ......."
Monday, March 22, 2010
It Aint Easy!
Obtaining competitive funding for research projects in many countries is very difficult with success rates as low 20%, and in some cases even lower. I would be interested to hear about people's experiences in other countries related to what worked and was successful. Do people have strategies or just ad hoc approaches?
Saturday, March 13, 2010
All Research Is Flawed
This is not a criticism of how people conduct research but just to say that there is no such thing as perfect research. There is awalys some limitation, some aspect that could have been done better, even if it is just the write up.
The danger with not accepting that research is flawed is that researchers become paralysed and incapable of progressing with their work. Sometimes you just have to accept their are limitations with your work and get on with it and do the best job you can and of course, declare the limitations of your work!
The danger with not accepting that research is flawed is that researchers become paralysed and incapable of progressing with their work. Sometimes you just have to accept their are limitations with your work and get on with it and do the best job you can and of course, declare the limitations of your work!
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Friday, March 5, 2010
Group meetings
Yesterday, I organised a group meeting of my PhD students. It included 4 here in Perth, one in sydney and one on Victoria. Fot the remote students I used the speaker phone for one and Skype for the other. The line was poor for the Skype student but it worked out OK in the end.
There was a lot of value in having them all just explain where they are up to and what they have planned for this semester. Everyone thought it was of value. The benefits included:
1) A chance to talk about about their research in front of others (even though it is was a small group).
2) Finding out where others are up to and the challenges they face can help solve your own issues.
3) It provides a sense of not being on one's own but part of a team that together can make an impact. This should be encouraging.
4) Provides a wider circle of contacts to draw upon for advice, information and support.
Maybe it is worthwhile having these sessions at the start of semester and at the end of semester.
There was a lot of value in having them all just explain where they are up to and what they have planned for this semester. Everyone thought it was of value. The benefits included:
1) A chance to talk about about their research in front of others (even though it is was a small group).
2) Finding out where others are up to and the challenges they face can help solve your own issues.
3) It provides a sense of not being on one's own but part of a team that together can make an impact. This should be encouraging.
4) Provides a wider circle of contacts to draw upon for advice, information and support.
Maybe it is worthwhile having these sessions at the start of semester and at the end of semester.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Good week.....
Good week.....
I have just had another PhD student complete their thesis, take into account the examiners' comments and put it to bed as it were.
At the other end, I have had someone start out on the journey.
How wonderful! Supervision has to be the best part of being an academic without doubt because you have a chance to influence a person's life in a positive way.
I have just had another PhD student complete their thesis, take into account the examiners' comments and put it to bed as it were.
At the other end, I have had someone start out on the journey.
How wonderful! Supervision has to be the best part of being an academic without doubt because you have a chance to influence a person's life in a positive way.
ICISO 2010 PhD Consortium - CALL FOR PAPERS
Doctoral Consortium In collaboration with 12th International Conference on Informatics and Semiotics in Organisations
July 19th, 2010, Reading, UK
http:www.orgsem.org/2010
The 2010 International Conference on Informatics and Semiotics in Organisations (ICISO 2010), previously named International Conference on Organisational Semiotics (ICOS), is the twelfth in a series of international events devoted to the latest research in informatics in organisations and organisational semiotics. ICISO has always aimed to provide a focal forum for active researchers and academics, practitioners, business and industrial professionals from a diversified range of domains including information management, information systems, business and engineering.
In support of this aim, ICISO2010 are planning a one-day doctoral consortium for research students who wish to benefit from an environment in which they can share and discuss their goals, methods and results at an early stage of their research. Submitted papers will be assessed independently from those of the ICISO conference, and an electronic set of doctoral proceedings will be available. During the doctoral consortium, researchers will be asked to present their work either in the form of a poster or as an oral presentation. Additional time will be allocated for oral presentations to allow general discuss concerning interesting work in progress. In addition, commercial and academic speakers will lead informative sessions covering relevant research topics. Specific doctoral topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
• Information management
• Information systems
• Organisational modelling
• Information technology in built environments
• Alignment and integration of business and technical systems
• Collaborative systems for organisations
• Digital economy: theory, methods and techniques for design and applications
• Commercial focused research (e.g. EngD.) or tool / software demonstration
Important dates 300 word abstract: 12 April, 2010 Notification of acceptance: 3 May 2010 Camera-ready paper (maximum 6 pages): 11 June 2010 Consortium Date: 18 July 2010
Submission Guidelines Research students are invited to submit a 300 word abstract relating to original, unpublished research. The camera-ready papers (maximum 6 pages, in English), must be submitted via easychair in pdf file format. The paper template can be found here here. Registration cost for the PhD consortium, with full access to the ICISO conference, is fixed at the reduced fee of £280. Registration, to just the PhD consortium, or for ICISO conference authors, is £70.
Doctorial Chair Ana Canhoto, University of Reading, England Stephen Gulliver, University of Reading, England
Conference Contact Details Conference website: http:www.orgsem.org/2010 Conference email address: ICISO@reading.ac.uk
July 19th, 2010, Reading, UK
http:www.orgsem.org/2010
The 2010 International Conference on Informatics and Semiotics in Organisations (ICISO 2010), previously named International Conference on Organisational Semiotics (ICOS), is the twelfth in a series of international events devoted to the latest research in informatics in organisations and organisational semiotics. ICISO has always aimed to provide a focal forum for active researchers and academics, practitioners, business and industrial professionals from a diversified range of domains including information management, information systems, business and engineering.
In support of this aim, ICISO2010 are planning a one-day doctoral consortium for research students who wish to benefit from an environment in which they can share and discuss their goals, methods and results at an early stage of their research. Submitted papers will be assessed independently from those of the ICISO conference, and an electronic set of doctoral proceedings will be available. During the doctoral consortium, researchers will be asked to present their work either in the form of a poster or as an oral presentation. Additional time will be allocated for oral presentations to allow general discuss concerning interesting work in progress. In addition, commercial and academic speakers will lead informative sessions covering relevant research topics. Specific doctoral topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
• Information management
• Information systems
• Organisational modelling
• Information technology in built environments
• Alignment and integration of business and technical systems
• Collaborative systems for organisations
• Digital economy: theory, methods and techniques for design and applications
• Commercial focused research (e.g. EngD.) or tool / software demonstration
Important dates 300 word abstract: 12 April, 2010 Notification of acceptance: 3 May 2010 Camera-ready paper (maximum 6 pages): 11 June 2010 Consortium Date: 18 July 2010
Submission Guidelines Research students are invited to submit a 300 word abstract relating to original, unpublished research. The camera-ready papers (maximum 6 pages, in English), must be submitted via easychair in pdf file format. The paper template can be found here here. Registration cost for the PhD consortium, with full access to the ICISO conference, is fixed at the reduced fee of £280. Registration, to just the PhD consortium, or for ICISO conference authors, is £70.
Doctorial Chair Ana Canhoto, University of Reading, England Stephen Gulliver, University of Reading, England
Conference Contact Details Conference website: http:www.orgsem.org/2010 Conference email address: ICISO@reading.ac.uk
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Call for papers - Journal of Systems and Information Technology
One of the many hats I wear is that of the Editor of the Journal of Systems and Information Technology published by Emerald. Please take a look at the Web site for it and consider submitting a paper. It has a growing reputation and a good turn around time with reviews. I will screen your submission first to let you know if it is suitable for the Journal.
http://www.emeraldinsight.com/info/journals/jsit/jsit.jsp
http://www.emeraldinsight.com/info/journals/jsit/jsit.jsp
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Top researchers in your field in your country
Who are the top five researchers in your field in your country - who is still research active (over past 5 years)? You will soon realise that there isn't that much depth in terms of numbers. You may be in the top 5 or you can one day be in the top 5.
This is an exercise to make you think of what is required to be a top researcher. Just list them in a comment with a few words for each explaining why you listed each person - also provide the discipline and country.
www.CompletePhD.com
This is an exercise to make you think of what is required to be a top researcher. Just list them in a comment with a few words for each explaining why you listed each person - also provide the discipline and country.
www.CompletePhD.com
Monday, February 8, 2010
The Value of Research
Researchers often feel undervalued in their own institution. They work without much internal support such as research assistants, admin support and so on. They may even be unable to attract many research students because of their University's reputation.
Then I thought about the following. Think of Singapore and Hong Kong and how they transformed their universities by buying in good academics. Now they have their own staff in many cases. Think of this also. Korea choose ten discplines they want to excell in. They contact 10 leading academics from the work in each subject and offer them double their salary. They will provide them with admin and research support and build teams around them. I think the cost of the 100 salaries (at double Australian salaries) would be $30 million a year.
Considering they may be paying 15 million for present professors this seems a good deal for them. These academics will publish in the top journals, develop and mentor others and make Korea world leaders in these 10 discplines. I know that Korea is already doing very well in my own discpline and is ahead of Australia in top papers. The result is after a few years Korea is recognised as being a world leader in these 10 discplines and it has avery positive impact on their economy in terms of flow through such as attracting students, improved innovation in the economy and so. The extra 15 million seems trivial!
What I am saying is those same academics are probably undervalued in their own country and even by their own institution. Yet their abilities can change a country - strange but true....
www.CompletePhD.com
Then I thought about the following. Think of Singapore and Hong Kong and how they transformed their universities by buying in good academics. Now they have their own staff in many cases. Think of this also. Korea choose ten discplines they want to excell in. They contact 10 leading academics from the work in each subject and offer them double their salary. They will provide them with admin and research support and build teams around them. I think the cost of the 100 salaries (at double Australian salaries) would be $30 million a year.
Considering they may be paying 15 million for present professors this seems a good deal for them. These academics will publish in the top journals, develop and mentor others and make Korea world leaders in these 10 discplines. I know that Korea is already doing very well in my own discpline and is ahead of Australia in top papers. The result is after a few years Korea is recognised as being a world leader in these 10 discplines and it has avery positive impact on their economy in terms of flow through such as attracting students, improved innovation in the economy and so. The extra 15 million seems trivial!
What I am saying is those same academics are probably undervalued in their own country and even by their own institution. Yet their abilities can change a country - strange but true....
www.CompletePhD.com
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Problems with your supervisor
Doctoral students are in a vulnerable situation. Supervision at this level means that to a large extent the student is dependent on their supervisor. Without the support from a supervisor it is difficult to overcome the major obstacles that are part and parcel of doctoral studies. If the supervisor-student relationship is unsatisfactory from a student perspective then they may often feel powerless to change the situation and feel that there is nowhere to turn.
I suggest the following course of action when you feel that your studies are not going as well as they should. Reflect on what has been accomplished so far in your candidacy. Very often students get overly pessimistic when in fact they may be making reasonable progress. Try to pinpoint the reasons behind your dissatisfaction. Even try to think of some possible solutions to the problems. Arrange a meeting with your supervisor to discuss the issues. Try not to be too critical but to put your case in a neutral manner and then listen to what your supervisor has to say. Many of the issues that arise are due to a lack of communication. Once you have had the meeting, spend some time thinking rationally about what was discussed. If you think there is no real way forward you may want to talk to another academic about it in order to obtain a second opinion. If you have an associate or secondary supervisor you can talk to this person. If not, you may want to talk with the Head of Department. Try to be fair to your supervisor and keep him/her informed of your thinking or decisions. If you approach it in this way you are more likely to arrive at a reasonable solution that you are happy with.
www.CompletePhD.com
I suggest the following course of action when you feel that your studies are not going as well as they should. Reflect on what has been accomplished so far in your candidacy. Very often students get overly pessimistic when in fact they may be making reasonable progress. Try to pinpoint the reasons behind your dissatisfaction. Even try to think of some possible solutions to the problems. Arrange a meeting with your supervisor to discuss the issues. Try not to be too critical but to put your case in a neutral manner and then listen to what your supervisor has to say. Many of the issues that arise are due to a lack of communication. Once you have had the meeting, spend some time thinking rationally about what was discussed. If you think there is no real way forward you may want to talk to another academic about it in order to obtain a second opinion. If you have an associate or secondary supervisor you can talk to this person. If not, you may want to talk with the Head of Department. Try to be fair to your supervisor and keep him/her informed of your thinking or decisions. If you approach it in this way you are more likely to arrive at a reasonable solution that you are happy with.
www.CompletePhD.com
Follow Through
As you are as a person then so you are as a researcher. If you are persistant, hard working, creative and keep your word as a person then that will describe you as a researcher. What I have noticed over the years in my dealings with academics is that many, if not most, just don't follow through. They say they will do ABC but just never get round to it. Of course, they blame their high teaching workload, a change of dean and a million other things. The reality is that what they say is often not what they do.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Happy New Year to you all
Happy New Year to you all. It is that time of year when we should be thinking about our research plan for the year ahead. What should a research plan include? Well, it depends at the stage someone is at with their research.
If you are on a phd then you might be planning to gather data and write some papers, develop some skills and knowledge in data analysis and so on. The objectives can be well defined as taking a phd should be about following a well trodden research path.
If you have a PhD, your research plan might inlcude what projects you will start or continue and the papers you will write. You may also be thnking about your research network and how that will develop. You may be thinking about conferences to present your work and meeting people that you may collaborate with in the future.
If you are more advanced with your research you may be thinking about developing a research centre, expanding an existing centre, acquiring resources and funding, employing support and so on. You may be targeting certain journals or even organising a conference.
Your plan for 2010 should be part of a 3 year plan to take your research to a higher level. However, be careful that it doesn't get too mechanistic. Think about what you enjoy or might like to experience. Maybe you would like to go on a sabbatical to a beautiful part of the world and discuss your research with some interested people.
Whatever your plans are for 2010 I wish you success and enjoyment.
If you are on a phd then you might be planning to gather data and write some papers, develop some skills and knowledge in data analysis and so on. The objectives can be well defined as taking a phd should be about following a well trodden research path.
If you have a PhD, your research plan might inlcude what projects you will start or continue and the papers you will write. You may also be thnking about your research network and how that will develop. You may be thinking about conferences to present your work and meeting people that you may collaborate with in the future.
If you are more advanced with your research you may be thinking about developing a research centre, expanding an existing centre, acquiring resources and funding, employing support and so on. You may be targeting certain journals or even organising a conference.
Your plan for 2010 should be part of a 3 year plan to take your research to a higher level. However, be careful that it doesn't get too mechanistic. Think about what you enjoy or might like to experience. Maybe you would like to go on a sabbatical to a beautiful part of the world and discuss your research with some interested people.
Whatever your plans are for 2010 I wish you success and enjoyment.
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