A Moment for Optimism

Apologies if it appears that all I have to write about is getting the data into SPSS but it has taken nearly all my spare time! Two weeks ago I attended my son's graduation at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester. It was a very proud occassion that I thoroughly enjoyed - but of course interrupted my time for working on the thesis.

Last week I attended the Pan Commonwealth Forum which was held at IOE. Apart from hearing a lot of interesting talks and presentations worthy of the international education taught module, and catching up with a number of friends and acquaintances, it also gave me an opportunity to check my data and to see my supervisor. All seems well on all fronts so I progress!

I said 'nearly all my time' as I have also created the latest questionnaire for the longitudinal time study. In this one I am repeating some questions but have reframed others to ask about the effect of work, domestic, personal problems on the time available. I am also interested to find out whether students have settled into a pattern of weekly study that enables them to 'protect' time ie hours when they are definately studying and which are ring fenced against interuption or interference. I have sent this to the 41 students who answered my previous questionnaire and already 6 have responded. I anticipate that the number completing will drop off with each new questionnaire so hope that I started with enough to see the study through!

Last Thursday we had about 200 students come to a face to face workshop in Reading which gave me the chance to talk to some in the breaks. They are interested in the outcomes and I have been able to use some of their comments to frame the latest set of questions. Of course another questionnaire means yet more data but as the saying goes 'you can never have too much data'!!

This week my aim is to start the analysis of the data in earnest. My plan is to use one-way ANOVA to identify where there is significant variance in the data and then to use this to review the printed profiles. Currently I have 323 variables (not all of which I intend using!) and will pick off the main areas likely to impact on time in clusters. Hopefully my next posts will start to summarise findings.

All in all I'm feeling pretty optimistic about the research - long may that continue.

Where does time go?

So two weeks on from my last post and not a lot to report. Mainly this is because family matters are absorbing the precious weekend time. The last two weekends my son and his girlfriend have been staying with us. He has just completed his Event Management degree at Manchester so is now looking for work (if anyone knows of openings anywhere in the world let me know!!). This morning was the ceremony for my students who have completed their course, and tomorrow I go to Manchester to attend his graduation ceremony. It will be wonderful to see him receive his degree but it does mean I have less time!

Mostly I am still sorting out SPSS data. I had forgotten how long it takes to set up variables and with 323 so far it has been a lengthy process. I have also had to resort to IOE for assistance in getting clear how to deal with missing data. With Charlie Owen's help I think I have the solution now so hopefully can get on with the analysis.

One thing I will need to do in the next week or so is to create the next tracking questionnaire as my sample of students are about to finish their latest module. No rest for the wicked!!