Thesis and Dissertation Writing in a Second Language: a handbook for Supervisors

Keeping a research diary (logbook)
While the logbook is standard in laboratory settings, the research diary is less
so in more qualitative research domains. Supervisors should think of encour-
aging their second-language students to keep notes on a regular basis of what
they did and why they did it, as well as any reflections on the research process.
Not only will diary-keeping facilitate regular writing, but depending on the
nature of the research itself, it may also constitute data for the thesis.
Transition from
As the researcher, where was I positioned within 
‘generic’ researcher this research framework? As a white, English-
to the embodied,
speaking woman I should acknowledge that my 
subjective writer
interpretation and construction of knowledge of 
of the thesis.
‘others’ might be seen as coming from a position 
Explicit reflection
of power. My approach to this research has been 
on the writer’s
shaped by my cultural background as a third 
own ‘positioning’
generation Polish Canadian of working class 
in the research.
origins living in Australia since 1982. Therefore
Explicit disavowal
this research is located within a perspective 
of positivist
shaped by my cultural background, class, race and 
objectivity of 
gender. Additionally, as a relatively active sports 
researcher