Thesis Update

Korrin B.

January 22, 2011 - 12:00 PM

Since it has consumed my life, I suppose I might as well write about it. I have been spending even more amounts of time in the library working on my thesis and have even occasionally been able to get some work done on it at home. Although it may not be the most exciting thing to read about for all of my readers, I feel it necessary to provide an update on its progress.

I met with my thesis advisor on Friday and, after about an hour of chatting, felt a lot better about where I am at. We discussed my methodology and upcoming interviews to obtain data for my topic. I was also assured that my outline for my literary review was right on track.

I have been dreading writing my literary review for a while now. The literary review basically involves going through tons of scholarly articles already written on issues concerning the field of my thesis, a.k.a. homelessness. Then, I must find the recurring themes of the literature and summarize them and how they help to better understand my topic. It is quite the process digging through so many articles and then having to find noteworthy parts and correctly cite them all and make it flow. I am going to be happy when I am done writing this because it is just getting a bit exhausting having to keep such good organization of so many pieces of information.

However, though I had been dreading it, I am also quite happy that I had to go through this process. I now feel more well versed in homelessness policy and theory than I ever have before. Knowing this information will help me in my future work and in interviewing for jobs within the field. It also gives me better talking points for expressing my ideas on homelessness solutions. I have learned so much and feel like I am truly becoming an expert in a field I am passionate about.

So far, I have written about a third of my literary review and this week, I plan on finishing my first draft of it. It is hard because I keep finding more and more articles that I want to read and include, but I have to keep in mind that I am not just writing a huge literary review, but also have many other sections that still need focus as well. I will also be working on my interview questions this week and prepping for those discussions that will help lead me to my conclusion on whether the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program is effective at creating long-run, sustainable solutions for homelessness in Lane County, Oregon.

And that, my fabulous blog readers, is my riveting update on my thesis. Onward!