Quick recap
The meeting began with Jen congratulating participants on their timely concept note submissions and outlining key graduation requirements and timelines for upcoming activities including proposal preparation. Jen emphasized the importance of academic writing and research skills, providing detailed guidance on structuring academic papers, presenting data effectively, and connecting research objectives to results. The session concluded with discussions on thesis proposal finalization, team coordination, and task management, with Jen expressing her commitment to supporting the team's development.
Next steps
All students to read and gather literature daily for 30 minutes to 1 hour
All students to avoid social media distractions during thesis preparation
All students to start data gathering and catalog survey from August 1st
All students to prepare 10-slide PowerPoint presentations for proposal defense
All students to write abstracts connecting problem, method, and results
All students to write coherent paragraphs connecting background, rationale, and literature review
All students to include theoretical framework and conceptual diagram
All students to write results and discussion connecting to objectives
All students to write summary, implications, and recommendations sections
Summary
Graduation Journey and Proposal Timeline
Jen welcomed the participants and congratulated them for submitting their concept notes on time, emphasizing that it marks the beginning of their journey towards graduation. She outlined the main goal of completing all tasks on time to graduate, and discussed the timeline for upcoming activities, including proposal preparation and submission deadlines. Jen encouraged the group to contribute 30 minutes daily towards achieving their weekly targets, aiming to submit proposals by November, well ahead of the December deadline.
Academic Research and Thesis Planning
Jen discussed the importance of reading and writing in academic research, encouraging students to allocate time for meaningful activities like reading literature instead of social media. She outlined a timeline for thesis preparation, with August set as the month to start gathering data and writing concept notes, aiming for a completed proposal by September. Jen also planned to conduct a workshop on effective presentation skills, drawing parallels between public speaking and thesis defense. The group agreed on the proposed timeline, and Jen congratulated them on their improved proactive attitude.
Academic Paper Structure Guidance
Jen provided guidance on structuring academic papers, focusing on the abstract, background, and rationale sections. She emphasized the importance of coherence and cohesion in writing, suggesting a subject-object sentence pattern to connect ideas smoothly. Jen also discussed the need to connect the rationale to the background and highlighted the significance of addressing research gaps and proposing solutions. She advised students to review published papers for structure and content, and to clearly state the study's objectives and contributions.
Academic Paper Writing Guidelines
Jen discussed the structure and organization of academic papers, emphasizing the importance of clearly defining research gaps and contributions. She advised on how to present methods, results, and discussions in a logical sequence, with a focus on connecting objectives to results. Jen also suggested using tables and summaries to enhance readability, and provided guidance on describing figures and conclusions concisely.
Data Presentation and Analysis Techniques
Jen discussed techniques for describing trends and presenting numerical data, emphasizing the use of varied vocabulary and adverbs to enhance clarity and avoid plagiarism. She provided tips on interpreting graphs, summarizing data, and writing conclusions, including the importance of summarizing objectives, reflecting on study goals, and highlighting the significance of findings. Jen also advised on structuring recommendations and areas for further research, stressing the need to avoid introducing new information in the conclusion.
Thesis Proposal Finalization Discussion
Jen discussed the need to finalize a thesis proposal by the end of August and provided a template to ensure unnecessary parts are removed. She emphasized the importance of originality and proper referencing in academic work. The group also talked about scheduling and managing tasks, including using Google Sheets for tracking progress.
Project Updates and Team Coordination
The meeting focused on project updates and team coordination, with Jen emphasizing the need for timely progress and documentation. Team members provided updates on their tasks, and Jen encouraged collaboration and continuous improvement. The group discussed upcoming deadlines and the importance of maintaining momentum, with Jen expressing her commitment to supporting the team's development.
