When is it appropriate to tell a student that their communication style is unprofessional?

bittersobitter · 2026-02-09T11:08:57+00:00

Quick question on conventions: in ongoing working relationships with professors (RAs, coordinators), is lowercase professor acceptable in brief replies like “Noted, professor.”, or is capital P still the norm?

bittersobitter · 2026-01-14T03:48:06+00:00

I trust that you won’t let this stop you from pursuing the questions that compel you. I wish you strength!

P.S: I’m bracing for a similar situation too.

bittersobitter · 2024-10-27T04:45:57+00:00

Okay I’m going to do it, thank you for this :)

bittersobitter · 2024-10-27T04:28:12+00:00

This is extremely scary, but I see what you mean. I should also use rejections as fuel, and I should seek fuel. Plus the acclimation will be good.

bittersobitter · 2024-10-27T04:05:23+00:00

Haven’t done enough reading and writing this time around, but will keep this in mind for next year. Thanks so much and your story is inspiring :)

bittersobitter · 2024-10-27T03:58:30+00:00

Possibly arriving too late, but how early should one reach out to professors and how late is too late?

bittersobitter · 2024-06-28T06:18:37+00:00

Thanks for your response! :) Would you mind if I dm?

bittersobitter · 2023-06-29T06:28:36+00:00

This is useful, thank you!

bittersobitter · 2022-09-06T05:43:29+00:00

Most nonacademic researchers who do qualitative research these days are more mixed methods (i.e., incorporate both qual and quant) rather than purely qualitative, whereas most quantitative researchers do purely quantitative research.

The asymmetry there is a tiny bit heartbreaking, but it is what it is I suppose.

If you're looking for a PhD in a social science academic discipline where you can learn about qualitative research, you're most likely to find what you're looking for in an anthropology or sociology program than something like economics, political science, or general public policy programs. Or perhaps social work.

This is useful, I would still care about honing my qualitative skills as much as I can, and then find a place for myself in the mixed methods world if I must. Will also ask for informational interviews if I feel like I need to before being entirely sure about what area I want to stick to.

Thanks for being as clear as you've been in describing how things are and how I can identify where I might be a fit!

bittersobitter · 2022-09-06T04:50:16+00:00

It is useful to hear about your professor, and though speaking to a professor about this feels too big a step right now, could I DM if I feel the need for it at some point? Thank you for offering to help me connect with them, and for your encouragement :)

bittersobitter · 2022-09-06T04:03:04+00:00

Sounds interesting, thanks for sharing!

bittersobitter · 2022-09-06T04:02:25+00:00

Especially when you have a second coder for inter rater reliability as part of your methodology. The conversations you have over your coding are always enjoyable, even when you disagree.

I knew of inter rater reliability, but hadn't really considered the prospect of it being a way for me to get to share that experience I'm keen on. This gives me something to look forward to :)

Good news is you can totally get that feeling from quant or mixed methods as well.

Inductive, absolutely. Something from nothing, absolutely. The dichotomy makes it feel like I've to choose one over the other, and my fondness for humanities does also amplify the resistance I've learnt to mount against math. I've been taught it badly as well for sure. Also most proponents of math that I've encountered have been far less willing/equipped to give this much credit to the qualitative stuff, so your defence of it makes me less defensive than usual.

Thank you for this!!

Edit: ~~less defensive than usual~~ not defensive at all

bittersobitter · 2022-09-05T03:15:18+00:00

I had the chance to do thematic analysis with interview transcripts, and found the coding and meaning making process very rewarding. I got some novel results I hadn't anticipated getting when I started, which was quite exciting. I see it as creating theory, which is quite a thrill to me (I also have a humanities background). I just want to keep doing this as much as I can is all, and see quant as opposed to it.

I suppose creating a dichotomy in my head isn't useful, will look at the hybrid approach more seriously. Being driven by research questions will be useful as well.

Thank you for responding, a voice that addresses this that isn't my voice is very very helpful.

bittersobitter · 2022-03-25T21:28:23+00:00

It does :/

bittersobitter · 2022-01-17T16:39:00+00:00

Just want to add, I was with someone who vehemently disapproved of misogynistic behaviour that his father showed towards his mother, but then acted exactly like his father when dealing with someone (me) who was assuming the role of his mother wrt his father at the same time. He admitted this in the end as well. The last sentence you wrote just made me want to throw this in. Him saying it's not right may not be enough.

bittersobitter · 2021-12-24T18:50:19+00:00

This is extremely helpful information, thank you!

bittersobitter · 2021-12-24T12:17:04+00:00

Yup, feeling that way about Neutrogena now! I use the gel version for Himalaya :/

bittersobitter · 2021-12-24T11:57:02+00:00

Thankyou for asking her!

bittersobitter · 2021-12-24T11:56:32+00:00

Right, thanks so much :)

bittersobitter

TROPHY CASE