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Author Topic: Writing my statement of purpose and describing my interaction with a subject  (Read 926 times)
blossoming
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« on: November 03, 2009, 08:50:59 AM »

I really want to talk about an interaction I had with a research subject in my essay. I know and I would never reveal names but can I even mention the dialougue I had with this subject. It is really pivotal to making my essay make sense.
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bread_pirate_naan
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softwears


« Reply #1 on: November 03, 2009, 11:52:31 AM »

I can't speak to your field, but the idea that there is only one way to solve a problem, make a point, or answer a question is lethal in graduate school.  That isn't the sort of approach I would want to reify in the application phase, as it shows a lack creativity and originality of thought.
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In unrelated news, I'd like a slice of cake.  --corny  /  It will go great. --jackalope
barred_owl
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« Reply #2 on: November 03, 2009, 12:08:52 PM »

Assuming that the study is IRB-approved and that you've followed the protocol to the letter, including protecting the subject's identity, you could use an excerpt from the interaction, provided that the interaction is directly related to the topic of the essay.  In other words, if the interaction occurred during, say, an oral history interview, and the subject started to get teary-eyed recalling some situation, you could talk about that as long as the topic of your paper is the historical event/period to which the interview is related.  But, if the paper is about, say, interpersonal communication, and you mention this conversation you had with a research subject on another unrelated project, then, no.

Also, as bread_pirate_naan suggests, the interaction, at best, is a case study or anecdote--it should not form the sole or exclusive basis for your conclusions in the essay.
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...I can't help rooting for the underdog underbird.
wet_blanket
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« Reply #3 on: November 03, 2009, 01:31:23 PM »

If you can do the anonymity, then sure.

I would say, though, that if you end the anecdote with a variation of "...and that was when I knew I wanted to go to grad school," then you're wasting space in the essay.  On the other hand, if you use it to raise a somewhat specific research question, it could make your SoP really interesting.
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Wet Blanket will find success. The spreadsheet is the way...
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