The Third Degree

Is There Such a Thing as a Predatory Conference? In our webinar a couple of weeks ago on "Getting the Most from Your First Conference", we were asked a really valuable question (thanks January and Darlina) - "we all hear about 'Predatory Journals' - is there such a thing as a 'PREDATORY CONFERENCE'? In short, YES there are. A predatory conference is much the same in terms of its red flags. I've edited the Q&A session from the webinar to share my thoughts, and also put a link to a Wiki post below addressing the same general question. Whilst they exist, we have to remember a couple of points: (1) They are not illegal (they are just not all that focused, or ethical), and (2) The research presented through the conference isn't necessarily of poor quality - only the channels of access is deemed to be. As a research student, a predatory conference may still be your ...

Upcoming Webinars | May 2021 This May we have three (3) webinars as part of our free weekly webinar series. We are taking a week off for the Raya break, but there will be five (5) webinars in June - so plenty to keep you thinking as we head towards the halfway mark for 2021. April's webinars are for mid-journey and end-journey research candidates; but early-stage researchers are welcome to listen in too as these issues will apply 'sooner-or-later'. Wednesday 5 May 2021 | How to Take Offline Research to Online   Challenges with lockdowns, intra and inter-district movement restrictions, and even new SOP’s, have disrupted much of our face-to-face research – especially interviews and focus groups. The response; move what we can to online-means, to continue our research. This webinar will explore some of the issues associated with pivoting offline to online; ethics, observation, struct...

Enhancing Your Digital Profile (for Researchers) Reference List April 2021   For those who were able to attend last nights rescheduled webinar on “Enhancing Your Digital Profile for Researchers”, a special thanks for making it at the new time. What I hope came across through the session was that having an online profile to represent yourself and your research goes way beyond “what should I post on Facebook”, but includes a longer and deeper communications strategy about yourself and your research, and of course, consideration as to the academic platforms that you can consider to use for these purposes.   In putting together the later part of the webinar, I found the following resources particularly useful. Some are quite deep reading, and of course, in scope, more than I could ever cover in an hour. It is recommended for you to check out segments that you are interested in understanding better, and seeing how you can embrace and activate the advice given.   ...

Me, You, & You Too; or You, You Too, & Me?  Yup, the Issue of Academic Authorship (Roles) Emerges Again Through our webinars and individual consults with postgraduate research students, many have asked the time-old question regarding shared authorship – especially for conference papers and articles published during and post-graduation. We usually point them in the direction of Kearns et al 1996 as a good discussion document.   For some in academia though, it’s quite a touchy subject; with many students ‘feeling’ that it isn’t important. Well, that’s a matter of opinion, as well as an extension of historical practice in some parts of the world.   Our take on the matter is that it is important! The ‘application of rules’ may not be consistent across geographies, but the importance of acknowledging the various contributions and roles played in creating a final published piece of research is both a matter of academic integrity and respect.   This very recent post...

Upcoming Webinars | April 2021 [NOTE: Webinars are held every Wednesday 8pm GMT + 8] This April we are covering a range of topics; both research methodology and communication based. Feel free to register for any of the topics that interest you, and of course, email us if you have any special requests (solutions@thethirddegree.asia).  Getting the Most From Your First Conference (7 April) Your first conference is a great milestone as a postgraduate student. An opportunity to meet fellow researchers, strike up conversations and do networking, but also to get valuable feedback and input into your research, and to check out what others in your broader circle are working on. This webinar explores some best practice advice from fellow academics and researchers about how to benefit from your first conference, and how to get yourself ready for it. Getting the Most From Your First Conference Tickets, W...

Dear New PhD Student Dear New PhD Student   This is an exciting time for you as you embark on your journey towards a doctoral degree. As your supervisor, I thought I should write to welcome you and give you a few handy hints that may help both of us to survive this long journey. We both have much to learn. Although we have exchanged emails, we do not know each other well. I feel at the outset, we have to display the good in us, and hide the crazy. Over the next three years this balance will switch, as we each reveal our true selves.   My role is to guide you through the minefield that is the modern research process. You will learn how to identify gaps in knowledge, critically review literature, pose useful research questions, devise testable hypotheses, acquire the necessary ethical approvals, collect and analyse data and so on.   But remember I am not your sister, nor your mother, nor am I your counsellor – I am not your friend either. Some supervisors regularly socialis...

In Loco Parentis?  Did I Foretell A Trend?   I belong to some pretty ‘fun’ social media groups for academics and lecturers. They discuss real issues; course design, delivery styles, student interaction, and student “issues”. My crazy insomnia keeps me up most nights, and these groups being a tad more ‘North American centric” give me plenty of entertaining fodder to keep me company in my sleepless mode.   As I reflect on their discussions (and they are good discussions) and my own lecturing experience (both online and off) over the past close to three decades, it draws me towards a single conclusion about the enhanced “neediness” of students, and not just because of the pandemic.   Friends and colleagues who teach way more than me also have commented on that particular trajectory. They regularly highlight issues and behaviours that, even ten years prior, would not have emerged in the classroom, and most certainly, not in the lecture hall.   But that...