It depends on The Sources.
This term I begin figuring out exactly what my dissertation is going to be, and how exactly it's going to work out. To that end, I have been meeting with various of my supervisors, trying to develop a research plan. This has been frustrating. Maybe it's an English thing, or maybe it's a historian thing, but everyone seems to be in a secret club that I am not allowed in. And what's the benefit of the secret club? Why, the keys to the room with The Sources, of course.
Most of the conversations go like this:
ME
So, I'm interested in writing about problem X, in region Y, in time period Q.
SUPERVISOR
Mmmmmm. Yes, that is interesting.
ME
And I have written this methodology thing here (waves paper in air), and now I am wondering, what do I do next.
SUPERVISOR
Ahh. (looks thoughtful) Well, that will depend on The Sources, of course.
ME
Right.
SUPERVISOR
So the best thing to do, really, is see what The Sources are like.
ME
Where are they?
SUPERVISOR
Where are what?
ME
Where are The Sources?
SUPERVISOR
(with manic cheerfulness and a glance over the shoulder, making a 'shh!' motion) Oh, look at the time! I'll see you next week, then? Cheerio!
This much is clear - The Sources are in a nondisclosed location, under secure twenty-four hour guard, and to go see them one must pass certain tests. It's very much like a Tibetan monastery. One friend suggested that perhaps the League of Shadows are the keepers of The Sources. This makes a lot of sense to me, and will probably direct the next phase of my research.
Most of the conversations go like this:
ME
So, I'm interested in writing about problem X, in region Y, in time period Q.
SUPERVISOR
Mmmmmm. Yes, that is interesting.
ME
And I have written this methodology thing here (waves paper in air), and now I am wondering, what do I do next.
SUPERVISOR
Ahh. (looks thoughtful) Well, that will depend on The Sources, of course.
ME
Right.
SUPERVISOR
So the best thing to do, really, is see what The Sources are like.
ME
Where are they?
SUPERVISOR
Where are what?
ME
Where are The Sources?
SUPERVISOR
(with manic cheerfulness and a glance over the shoulder, making a 'shh!' motion) Oh, look at the time! I'll see you next week, then? Cheerio!
This much is clear - The Sources are in a nondisclosed location, under secure twenty-four hour guard, and to go see them one must pass certain tests. It's very much like a Tibetan monastery. One friend suggested that perhaps the League of Shadows are the keepers of The Sources. This makes a lot of sense to me, and will probably direct the next phase of my research.
posted by Katie at
9:28 PM
5 Comments:
The sources are all the studies around the topic you intend to write about. It is stunning that you can't already talk about those sources at length. It is also incredible that you are in a department that might not have any expert on which you intend to write.
You end up storying your paper within the context of a collection of prior work. You must extend the ideas by ONE concept. So you have to understand the concepts in the sources.
So say that a paper by LEIGF makes the claim A therefore B and SMITH makes the claim C therefore B, you could establish that C+D therefore A, which would add to the body of work. Find a gray areas between the current papers, explore it, add it to the body of work. Sources are surrounded by gray areas. That's why you must know what the sources say.
Really? I had no idea. Thank you for your insights on what "sources" are and how "research" and "academic inquiry" might work.
To be fair, however, as a lobotomized drooling half-wit, I cannot be expected to know these things. Nor can I speak at any length about them. Mostly, this is because I can only communicate through sounds which vaguely resemble human speech paired with hand gestures. Thus, any attempt at irony or light sarcasm is destined for utter failure.
K, quit whining. Your sense of irony is obviously impaired, and needed a kick in the ass by a Hint from Good 'ole Fuckin' Heloise: "To make a joke, with best results, use rubber-bands wrapped around the jar lid. Squeeze tightly, the joke should..." wait, wrong hint.
Though, the anonymous caller has a point: Your stupidity is as ubiquitous as "The Wafting Presence of The Sources".
You know, Opus Dei and the Priory of Scion are probably in cahoots with your professors, in an effort to guard a thousand-year old secret about... oh whatever, you can do all your research when Dan Brown's next book comes out.
Very cool design! Useful information. Go on! here
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