Hi TS, I've been reading lots of response from fellow forummers and would like to contribute relevant insights:

You're offered by doing Masters by research
my question -
1) how many years will you bond to uni?
2)you're in science or social science field?

It would be great fund by uni as you do not have to worry about financial. As a student masters by research (me), I've seen and learnt from my friends that you have to:
1)follow the time frame -
each semester has standard or indicator to achieve, make yourself follow the timeline.

2)independence study -
you do what you wanna do, total freedom.

3)sleepless night? -
I think degree life used to made my day turned upside down and turned me into living owl lol.

4) extend your study issue -
if you don't follow the timeline or your own schedule, well, you'll know where you'll end up at. Make a gant chart of your own study and always stick to it.

5) make your supervisor as your bestfriend-
you'll be treated as a friend or a guest-alike when you have a good manner towards uni staff and lecturer. Always be thoughtful, like wish your supervisor's on special days like CNY, holiday or birthday.

It's actually not that hard to do a proposal or to complete a theses, you'll be learning a lot stuff and have great in-depth of your research problem. You'll not learning if you never commit mistakes. Mistakes make you mature over time. You'll spend your time reading more facts and reliable sources of figures and so forth.
The beauty of research is, you only do one thing at one time.

You know that by conducting research, you actually will contribute a great insight to improve societies' lives. To measure your research or keep on track with research, always try to publish the progress of your work. It could be from your LR (publish as content analysis paper), from pilot study etc.

As long as you're on track of time doing your research, it's OK.
If you ask me why I vote for research mode, my answer : suka hati saya mau tulis apa dalam research saya la! itu saya punya hasil!!!!!!! leulz

As for coursework - you'll have to pay the fees from your pocket. hm.
You'll able to grad on time, just follow the syllabus. And, complete a dissertation.
Like degree, but higher passing marks and strict marking scheme lol.

Well, TS, based on your replies, I think you've made up your mind.

You prefer to do Masters by coursework.

So, does your financial is an issue?


BTW, bond with uni for 3 years is quite a short period.

I used to have diff/contradict ideas between 2 supervisors.
How I handle it:
1) If possible, set meeting with both supervisors at same time and same place.
2) If not, ask supervisor 1 to give his/her feedback and opinion to supervisor 2.
3) Supervisor 2 seems flexible, maybe he/she can persuade or talk to supervisor 1.
4) Usually, supervisor 2 provides good materials / readings/ideas. Use these strength to build your LR and write ups.
5)So, regarding method, you may refer to supervisor 1. HOWEVER, if supervisor 1 wants it to be his/her way, seek assistance/opinion from postgrad lecturers regarding your research (but this one must keep to your own only. If report to supervisor 1, confirm kena marah lol)
6) If you think your method is better, provide the significance and gantt chart to your supervisor 1 for consideration (if you insist to keep with your time frame)
7) If your supervisor 1 memang keras kepala kaw-kaw, then, just follow her way................ but, make use of your own method too if it seems possible.

8) Don't argue with supervisor 1, always sounds persuasive. If she/he talks, just follow and jot it down. Jadi lah anak murid yang baik.

9) Do your homework. Regarding your research, lets say you found 10 LR/journal - write down their
a) authors
b) empirical setting
c) method/sample size
d)research focus
e) results
Please refer to this link regarding LR comparison I've mention just now. (the picture's too big)



10) good luck in "negotiation" with super saiyan 1. lol

This post has been edited by leah235: Sep 4 2013, 10:41 AM

OK, I read it all.

TS, your supervisor is a male or female?
Maybe you can talk to SV that you can publish conference paper/proceeding paper.....and if you get lucky, you'll get to publish into ISI.

Have you talk about your concern to the main SV? Like how you share in LYN?
IMO, just follow for one semester first.
But, if you have discussed with SV and still not working, you shall seek assistance from Head of Postgrad / whoever incharge in student-SV relationship.

internal -> mediator -> external

Sure you do not want to cause any bad things in doing your research, right?



This post has been edited by leah235: Sep 9 2013, 09:16 PM

Well, you may do inquiry and report to person in charge. Of course, you wouldn't want to jeopardise your study.

that's the spirit.