Independent Research Reflections as Shared by Amanda Blanco ('18)
In the world of academic research, every journey is unique. One such story belongs to Amanda Blanco, a graduate who delved into understanding the factors influencing voting decisions among Princeton undergraduates. Her thesis explored the intricate interplay of race, gender, socioeconomic status, and family influence.
Amanda's journey, like many others, was not without its challenges. She found that effectively managing time was crucial, a lesson she believes could have benefited her significantly during the thesis process. Starting early to allow ample time for revisions and addressing unforeseen complications was a strategy she advocates.
One particular challenge Amanda faced was getting in touch with students for interviews. However, she found a creative solution by utilising student-written op-eds as a source of insightful perspectives.
Amanda's thesis process involved conducting a survey among 100 Princeton undergraduates and interviewing a few students. She appreciated the support and availability of her adviser throughout this journey.
One of Amanda's intriguing findings was that several students from first or second generation immigrant families did not support more open policies on immigration.
Conducting independent research, as Amanda experienced, comes with its ups and downs. The process requires narrowing down a research question, managing time effectively, conducting thorough literature reviews, designing appropriate methodologies, and handling data collection and analysis.
To tackle these challenges, Amanda offers several tips. She advises students to clearly define the research scope, maintain organized notes and sources, engage deeply with sociological theories, and balance empirical work with critical analysis.
Moreover, campus resources can be invaluable during this process. Departmental reps, writing center workshops, and librarians are just a few examples of the support available.
While we don't have specific advice from Amanda Blanco regarding her experience with senior theses in Sociology, her journey serves as a testament to the importance of perseverance, creativity, and effective time management in academic research. Her findings offer valuable insights, such as those shared in the Winter 2017 Seasonal Series on our blog.
Remember, challenges encountered during research should not lead to panic. They can be addressed with the help of advisers and other campus resources. So, take a deep breath, seek support, and embrace the journey of independent research.
- Amanda Blanco, during her undergraduate research for her senior thesis, discovered that time management was crucial for success, a realization she believes could have benefited her earlier in the process.
- Conducting her senior thesis led to personal growth and learning for Amanda, as she immersed herself in independent work, delved into understanding the factors influencing voting decisions, and unearthed intriguing findings such as the opposition of some first or second generation immigrant students to more open immigration policies.
- Throughout her educational and self-development journey, Amanda utilized resources on campus like departmental reps, writing center workshops, and librarians, and encourages other students to do the same when navigating the challenges of independent work, such as those encountered during their senior thesis project.
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