Harriet,
I think there is a lot in what you say. It is astonishing how many
'academics' talk in way that confuses rather than clarifies. A journalist
friend of mine says how often health academics talk in obtuse language and
then treat her as though she is stupid rather than realising they are
failing to communicate. Our job, all of us, should be to learn how to
communicate our ideas effectively to a range of audiences.
This morning I left a murky, damp Brighton and travelled in to a warm,
sun-drenched London. Marvellous.
Best wishes,
Alan
>From: Harriet Meek <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: qual-software <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: Haphazard sampling
>Date: Sun, 25 Nov 2001 14:03:50 -0600
>
>Hi Alan,
>
>You live in a pretty part of the world. I have friends just north of
>Brighton and my very first trip to England I was too frightened to go
>into London at first, so took the train to Brighton instead and spent
>a few lovely days exploring the south coast.
>
>I'm glad to have your comments. I had been worried that I'd said
>something taboo when no one replied -- yes, I know there is a wee
>time difference between north America and the UK and that not as many
>people have computers at home there as here.
>
>For me this brings to light another piece, that there is something
>that feels shameful about this business of not being sure of oneself
>in relation to research. Not just uninformed, but ashamed.
>
>I think this may cause a lot of people to throw around terms and
>concepts they don't fully understand and aren't using entirely
>correctly. When some people speak it rings true and makes sense.
>Not so true for everyone. I'm coming to trust my own judgement about
>that, to begin suspecting the problem may not always be my lack of
>knowledge but that the person speaking may not be speaking so
>clearly. It is that affective connection I was talking about earlier.
>
>BTW, I am in Albuquerque where it was bright and sunny early this
>morning but is now quite blowy with a yellowish-grey sky full of
>sand. Not so nice outside. The mountains are dusted with white for
>the first time this year.
>
>Thanks,
>
>Harriet
>--
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