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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by cubic_me on November 12, 2004, at 17:15:50
I'm currently taking a degree in psychology (I do a degree in a year in the middle of my medical degree - the UK is wierd!), and in a couple of months I've got to have planned my Major project (dissertation). I want to do something studying interactions in suicide/self harm internet forums, but I'm not sure what I could do to get decent research, or how to go about it ethically.
Any ideas? I'd be really grateful for any, however small.
PS, I'm sorry I haven't been around properly for ages, my computer at home is messed up :(
Posted by alexandra_k on November 13, 2004, at 2:56:06
In reply to My Major Psychology Project, posted by cubic_me on November 12, 2004, at 17:15:50
>I want to do something studying interactions in suicide/self harm internet forums, but I'm not sure what I could do to get decent research...
I guess that I'd start by seeing what other people have done on that kind of topic. I'd have a go at searching a database such as PSYCH-INFO. Then you might be able to narrow down what you want to do, and you shouldn't have too much trouble placing it in the context of current research.
>or how to go about it ethically.
I guess that you would probably have an ethics committee that the project would need to be approved by. Do you have a supervisor for your project yet? They should be able to help you with what is required for ethical approval.
Hope this helps a little.
Bummer about your computer :-(
Are you on holiday at the mo?
Posted by alexandra_k on November 13, 2004, at 2:58:10
In reply to My Major Psychology Project, posted by cubic_me on November 12, 2004, at 17:15:50
And if you get stuck, there is always this...
Posted by cubic_me on November 13, 2004, at 6:51:13
In reply to Re: My Major Psychology Project » cubic_me, posted by alexandra_k on November 13, 2004, at 2:56:06
LOL! I love the link!
I've got a load of papers off psych-info, but I haven't read all of them yet, just the abstracts. It seems there is a little research out there, but nothing large or systematic. I want to do something that will actually mean something, rather than just a few questionnaires and so on.
I don't have a tutor for it yet, I should really look into that. No-one who I can choose from seems to be overtly interested in this sort of thing, but maybe I can ask around.
Thanks!
Posted by gardenergirl on November 13, 2004, at 11:16:23
In reply to Re: My Major Psychology Project » alexandra_k, posted by cubic_me on November 13, 2004, at 6:51:13
Good luck on your project. Just a couple pieces of advice, since you are going to be living with this for awhile. (hopefully not as long as I have...)
First, do pick a topic of interest to you. Try not to accept something handed to you (if any faculty tend to do that) if you really aren't interested in the topic. It will be tortuous at times if you aren't interested.
Also, I completely understand wanting to do a project that matters and leaves a mark on the field. But...you have a career for that. Your primary task now is to do the project so you can get onto that career. Thay may mean that you do soemthing smaller than you would if you were already done, but at least you get the ball rolling. It's your body of work that will be important, not one individual project.
'K? But that said, go knock 'em dead! Also, another good database is the Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection.
Good luck,
gg
Posted by cubic_me on November 13, 2004, at 11:26:53
In reply to Re: My Major Psychology Project, posted by gardenergirl on November 13, 2004, at 11:16:23
Thanks GG, it's great to hear from an old pro! I'll try to keep it small and manageable, not large and unwieldy (sp?!)
Posted by cubic_me on November 13, 2004, at 11:27:54
In reply to Re: My Major Psychology Project » cubic_me, posted by alexandra_k on November 13, 2004, at 2:56:06
PS I'm not on holiday at the moment, but I keep popping back home to do stuff there, then when I'm at uni I have to catch up with everything. C'est la vie.
Posted by alexandra_k on November 13, 2004, at 17:41:56
In reply to Re: My Major Psychology Project » alexandra_k, posted by cubic_me on November 13, 2004, at 6:51:13
PSYCH ARTICLES is all full text which is useful though I don't think it is as good.
I do know what you mean about choosing something that you are really interested in and wanting to do something meaningful. The trouble with meaningful is that it tends to be unweildly (??? I am sure that typo is a shocker!). And the trouble with interesting is finding the two or three other people in the world who also find it interesting.
I have been having discussions with people all year about whether it is best to do what you most want or whether it is best to adopt a topic of a respected supervisor. Different people have different opinions on that. I think that a comprimise is best (after having resolutely ignored my supervisors interests and gone on my merry way for the last three years). It pays to remember:
* No matter how interesting your topic seems to start with, it will become sheer slog soon enough..
* This is especially true given that meaningful tends to be that word I can't spell...
* It is intended to be practice so that you can do what you want at some point or other, but at this stage it is just getting it done to a good standard that is important.
* That tends to be easier when you have a supervisor who is at least mildly interested, and it especially helped if they know a bit of what you are on about.I would email potential supervisors and say what you want to do and see what sort of response you get. I would also have a look at their homepages to see what they are into. If you can get mildly interested in something they are mildly interested in then I think it is easier to do better at it at the end of the day.
Good luck.
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