Reviewing my Research

So I defended the next stage of my research as challenged.  Kinda.

I clarified a lot of things which I had forgotten to say and learned some important lessons:

• Be explicit
• Focus

I shaped an analysis plan for this coming year which effectively showed I need to:

• Work very hard
• Focus

Unfortunately some issues are still unresolved.  As I am looking for my hypothesis to arise from my data I am currently in the worrying position of being able to produce a thesis suitable for social science and of interest to practitioners, but that in itself isn't necessarily a passable informatics thesis. 

This could be a serious problem, especially if my data proves less amenable than I hope.  Sadly my data doesn't support incremental analysis - it is all or nothing, so I cannot fail fast.

I know I can do this, but I am mildly amused that I have effectively just argued that I be allowed to conduct waterfall research.  Single loop: Gather, Analyse, Deliver.

I have also promised to focus.  This means cutting back on all my other commitments and getting on with my research for a change.

We shall see next Easter how well this has all succeeded.  Until then, wish me luck.