Unpretentious Excellence at Princeton: Crafting the 'Impeccable' Thesis Requires Tireless Endeavors
By Ryan Champeau, Social Sciences Correspondent
Writing a senior thesis comes with its own set of challenges. This article shares a case study on overcoming common hurdles, focusing on insignificant results, IRB approval, and data analysis using R.
Embracing Insignificant Results
In the realm of senior thesis research, insignificant or null results should not be viewed as failure. Instead, they provide valuable insights about what does not work or reveal limitations in theory or methodology. The author, in the face of insignificant findings from an experiment on 400+ participants, was initially worried. However, they were reassured that in the context of a senior thesis, significance does not matter.
Emphasising the rigor of research design, detailing the analysis process transparently, and discussing possible reasons for insignificant findings are key strategies. Contextualising these results within the literature and suggesting directions for future research that might address the gaps can help turn perceived failures into valuable contributions.
IRB Approval: Early Preparation
Navigating the Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval process is essential when administering a survey, experiment, or data collection with people or animals. The author had to go through this process, submitting the IRB approval form in November and making modifications in December. They recommend submitting the application as early as possible to avoid delays.
Studies with minimal risk may qualify for exemption or expedited review, as seen in educational research contexts. To ensure this, it's crucial to clearly outline research objectives, methods, participant recruitment, and protections for participants (anonymity, confidentiality).
Data Analysis Using R: Skills and Planning
Data analysis using R requires building proficiency, which can be achieved through various resources such as tutorials, forums, or workshops. The author spent hundreds of hours honing their skills and planning their analysis workflow carefully.
The workflow includes importing and cleaning data, performing exploratory data analysis, implementing appropriate statistical tests or models, and visualising results clearly. Using reproducible scripts and documenting code thoroughly are essential practices. Collaborating with peers or mentors experienced in R can also be beneficial.
Managing Scope: Strategic Topic Refinement
To manage the scope of a senior thesis, it's important to refine the topic strategically by focusing on one aspect, component, method, relationship, or timeframe relevant to the research question. This prevents the study from becoming too broad or unmanageable.
Seeking Help and Resources
Stokes Library and Data and Statistical Services offer help with coding and data analysis. The author encountered multiple errors while coding in R and found these resources invaluable. They recommend utilising these services for one-on-one appointments or drop-in hours.
Trusting oneself during the thesis-writing process is also crucial. The author spent countless hours on the project and believes that with hard work and positivity, the senior thesis can be whatever they want it to be.
The senior thesis is a long paper written by seniors, considered their finest work. It's a book stemming from hard work, determination, and various resources. The author's fate in the thesis lies in their own hands.
[1] Strategies for Writing a Senior Thesis: Overcoming Common Challenges. (2021). Retrieved from [link]
[2] IRB Application Guidelines for Educational Research. (2021). Retrieved from [link]
[3] Best Practices for Data Analysis Using R. (2021). Retrieved from [link]
[4] Stokes Library and Data and Statistical Services. (2021). Retrieved from [link]
- The author was initially concerned about insignificant findings in their senior thesis exploration, but soon realized that these results could lead to valuable insights about what does not work or reveal limitations in theory or methodology, contributing significantly to education-and-self-development and personal-growth.
- Learning data analysis using R is crucial for senior thesis research. The author emphasized the importance of seeking help from resources such as tutorials, forums, or workshops, and utilizing services like Stokes Library and Data and Statistical Services for one-on-one appointments or drop-in hours, as this comprehensive learning would help in the creation and development of their personal-growth-oriented, learning-focused senior thesis.
