[B-Greek] Off-topic: dissertation advice

Carl W. Conrad cwconrad at artsci.wustl.edu
Sat Feb 14 07:13:00 EST 2009


Ken Chan has sent some questions that don't pertain to Greek but to  
technical matters of academic dissertation and publishing. Respondents  
please reply OFF-LIST to him personally rather than to the list. I  
don't think there are nearly as many academic participants on the list  
as he supposes.

Carl W. Conrad
Co-Chair, B-Greek List
=========
From: "ken chan" <ken_chan at sil.org>
Date: February 14, 2009 1:00:41 AM EST

(1) Subject: typing greek: follow up question

Whereas I want to type the font shown by SIL Galatia U+F0CA, the  
closest in the palatino linotype font, which is what I am using, is U 
+1F56.

Are these two equivalent? And why is U+F0CA not available in the  
palatino linotype?
Thanks.
-------
(2) Subject: when to publish articles

I have noticed two approaches to publishing articles in relation to  
writing a dissertation.
#1) finish the dissertation before publishing, either as a book or  
articles.
#2) write articles to gain experience in academic writing and sharpen  
thinking on methodology, in order to make the dissertation better at  
the end.
Question:
For scenario #2, there was a case where author CLM read a paper in a  
conference. Author XXM picked up one of CLM's key ideas and  
incorporated that in his/her dissertation. Later on CLM did his/her  
dissertation based on his/her original key idea. The two dissertations  
were on the same topic, even though their emphasis were different. At  
the end, would either (or both) of them be at risk of plagarism from  
the other?
Any thoughts? Thanks.
-------
(3) Subject: quality of dissertations

In doing literature review for writing a dissertation, I am puzzled by  
the range of dissertations that I have been reading. The fact that  
they deal with different topics and need to make an original  
contribution is a given. But I am amazed at the variety of "quality".  
They vary in length (number of words); the level of background  
knowledge required (some need extensive knowledge in 3 to 4 ancient  
languages, others need none); the level of originality; the level of  
clarity and precision. In short, after reading some writings, I say to  
myself "wow. I don't think I can write something this good". With  
other writings, I wonder to myself, how did this get
through external examination. And even more surprising is the fact  
that the quality of the dissertation usually has nothing to do with  
the fame of the school (more to do with the prof though).
Question: My guess is that most of you on this list have gone through  
this experience, any insights?
Thanks.





More information about the B-Greek mailing list