Jamie Patterson's Blog, page 37

What is a Delimitation?

A delimitation is a choice that you made to set the parameters of the study. This is why scope and delimitations are often presented together. Again, we turn to Creswell for a terrific, easy-to-understand explanation:

Delimitations are choices made by the researcher which should be mentioned. Delimitations define the parameters of the investigation. In educational research the delimitations will frequently deal with such items as population/sample, treatment(s), setting, and instrumentation. (Creswell,
2004)

Just in case you missed it, delimitations are not to be confused with limitations.

What is a Limitation?

A limitation in your research study is anything you didn't have control over. Here's a quote from Creswell that helps to drive this point home:

Limitations are shortcomings, conditions or influences that cannot be controlled by the researcher. Any limitations that might influence the results should be mentioned. The limitations set forth reservations, qualifications, or weaknesses inherent in the design. Generally, these will reflect anticipated inadequacies in regard to internal validity of results. (Creswell, 2004)

Not to be confused with delimitations!

Amanda Hocking: Belle of the DIY Ball

I have two notebooks full of notes from the DIY conference yesterday in New York. It was a fantastic way to kick off BEA week. I'm going to start moving my notes from notebook to blog but I had to mention that nearly every session I went to mentioned Amanda Hocking.

She's already been The Girl to Watch for a while but I think even more so now as eBook publishing and self-publishing are beginning to come into their own.

More on Amanda Hocking and the DIY conference to come but in the meantime, check out her blog and this article that talks about how she made millions cutting out traditional publishers (not so now, she sold for seven figures to a traditional publisher--yet another buzz worthy topic at DIY).

Minneapolis Storm Clouds

Not to be outdone by the terrific views of NYC on Friday, we got a terrific view of Minneapolis (just above the wing) as we came through the storm clouds (that line of dark across the top of the picture!) last night. Made for one heck of a bumpy approach.

The lakes in the upper right are Calhoun and Harriet, and the white thing just off the tip of the wing is our sad, deflated Metrodome. Good to be home!

Hyphenate self?

Hyphenate self?

Yes, please! At least if you're following APA style. Per APA p. 100 (sixth edition) all self prefixes will be hyphenated. For example:

Self-efficacy

Self-published

Self-promotion

Not every style guide follows this rule but I'm a fan. If you're not following a particular style guide, why not follow APA? Full hyphen rules can be found on APA pp. 99-101 and at this link.

Everyday or Every day?

Oh, Caribou. I love your dark chocolate hot chocolate but I'm sad
about this sign. Maybe I can convince myself there's a space between every and day and I can sleep easy tonight?

Every day or Every day?

Oh, Caribou. I love your dark chocolate hot chocolate but I'm sad
about this sign.

In New York!

The BEA's DIY Authors Conference and Marketplace is tomorrow. Today,
flight 708 got a terrific view of the city on approach.

Really Good Reads: I'm off Then

The first time I heard about the Camino de Santiago I was sitting in a tiny kitchen in north London and the latest gal pal of one of my friends had just arrived, backpacker's pack still on her back, from having walked the Camino by herself. I was fascinated in part that this tiny 21-year-old girl had camped out for a month along a trail by herself (I was never really by myself!" she had said) and in part by the idea of a modern pilgrimage.

I had also just finished reading Pillars of the Earth, and two of the characters follow the same trail in northern Spain at one point in the book. I was completely drawn in by the idea as I was reading and then, suddenly, was someone in front of me who had actually walked it. I was hooked.

It wasn't until a year or so later on a rainy day in Seattle that I came across Hape Kerkeling's account of his walk along the Camino: I'm off Then: Losing and Finding Myself on the Camino de Santiago. (I'm told by my German friends that he's like the Adam Sandler of Germany.)

I'm off Then was inspiring, insightful, and honest. I loved reading about Kerkeling's inner and physical journey and it absolutely solidified the idea that someday I'll walk the Camino, too. Someday.

Is sic Italicized?

Short answer: sic is italicized and in brackets: [sic].

Now, let's get into a bit more detail with what sic is. When quoting someone and they've used improper grammar, punctuation, or spelling but you need to remain faithful to the direct quote, you'll use [sic] to show that the error was theirs and not yours. Example:

"Its [sic] a beautiful day. Were [sic] so happy to be here."

See APA p. 172 for the real deal rule.