I had a meeting today with Clare about the review panel presentation. We looked at the powerpoint I have prepared and she thought it was quite good. I have quite a few slides in and need to keep in mind that the presentation is 15 minutes only. When I tried it out in front of her i managed to go through it within time. … Read more »

As I am thinking about the choice of Heuristic Research as methodological stance for my PhD, I can see more and more the importance of reflexivity and acquiring a perspective and way of being at all stages of the research where i can find a balance between my ‘own story’ of the phenomenon I am exploring and that of the co-researchers. … Read more »

As I am reading and writing about research methodology, i have been having an onlinse discussion with Ann and William about the whole debate around pehnomenology and heuristic research (where the stances, boundaries are etc). I wrote:  So, here I am with two concepts of GREEK etymology: Phenomenology and Heuristic…bloody Greeks again ? … Read more »

Having reflected earlier upon the ‘dualities’ and ’splittings’ occuring both in my personal and research process, i can recognise the urgent need to ground myself. As my supervisor put it: “you need to embed yourself”. I am contemplating on the meaning of this word, for which I found a number of definitions, depending on the context,such as: To become an integral part of something or to enclose closely; implant: fix or set securely or deeply; attach to. This also explains my need lately to in-bed (put myself to bed) and sleep, as if there is work to be done at an unconscious level, hence my vivid dreams. … Read more »

I have been feeling very frustrated today with trying to phrase both research and interview questions in a ‘corresponding’ manner….i guess i have left the topic too broad, involnving many variable that are not visible from the beginning until one attempts to narrow things down in the ‘how to do’ phase…I feel that this has been my difficulty from the beginning of the year: i wasnt clear as to what is my focus and what to ask participants so i have been collecting some data ‘in blind’, going with the flow…I have mentioned this to my supervisor before and he said that in heuristics, you dont necessarily need a question or questions but an ‘area’ of study is enough, especially if it is exploratory…..BUT…this leads me in chaos,i constantly feel that i ‘do not know what I am doing’ and i can see now that this chaos will be increasing…and imagine what will happen at the data analysis stage where i will have large ammount of data…if it is not ’structured’ in some ways, i do not think i will manage ever to identify common themes and patterns…..i need more detail and clarity otherwise i do noyt feel i can manage … Read more »