I am an MSc student and for my final thesis project I had set out to perform a comparative morphometric analysis between three avian families. My own dataset of one family returned results, however the dataset I was sent to perform the comparison with is unusable (none of us can work out why or how to fix this). Sadly, I do not have time to repeat any procedure and am having to settle with extremely restricted, unoriginal results. I have PCA results for all datasets, but as I am unable to run the datasets together, I cannot directly compare them.
I am struggling to write my report as no direct comparison between the groups was possible and as such I have no overall results. Is there a 'way' I can still write a decent report?
Dear Roseanne,
If I am understanding you correctly the data that you have collected yourself plus the others from other workers are the subject of your Master thesis. For some reasons you were asked to do the comparison of three data sets: your own plus other two of other people. You write that the other two data set are not useful at all. Thus, I would suggest that you check the goals of your thesis, that are the foundation of what you are doing, and revise why you were asked for this work. It is not just to say that the other two data sets are not useful, because it is your duty to explain your reasons for saying this. It could be the case that they are not useful, but in sciences it is not just to say that others are wrong; you have to demonstrate that the data from others are wrong! You say that you do not have time now to run new analyses of those two data sets, but this is your problem not a problem of the comparative study that you were asked to perform. My best suggestion is that you talk to your main advisor as soon as possible, and if it is needed, organize a meeting with your graduate committee about the problem that you have in hands. I strongly suggest to do this, other way you put your thesis in a risky situation.
With my best wishes,
Gloria Arratia
I had a somewhat similar situation in that I was asked to write a report using data from a study with a lot of flaws in terms of design (though it was with freshwater molluscs instead of birds). It looked at the effect of calcium, temperature, and water source (two rivers) on the growth of freshwater mussels. However, choices by the researchers made it so you could not directly compare growth in the two water sources, and they added so much calcium at such large increments that you could not compare calcium levels either. It did not end up being the best report, but I managed to put something together.
The bottom line is since you have to write something, you can write something. Focus on the clear results you have and address the problems with the data without allowing them to become the main focus of your work. There is always useful information to be shared and by addressing the problems that arose it can show your analytical skills as a researcher. You will also be able to present a synthesis of information in your introduction and communicate the importance of the work.
I have attached a copy of the report I had to write. I am not sure how useful it is in the grand scheme of things, but it might give you an idea or two. Sorry I cannot do more to help, but best of luck. I am sure you will end up with a fine report.
Dear Roseanne,
If I am understanding you correctly the data that you have collected yourself plus the others from other workers are the subject of your Master thesis. For some reasons you were asked to do the comparison of three data sets: your own plus other two of other people. You write that the other two data set are not useful at all. Thus, I would suggest that you check the goals of your thesis, that are the foundation of what you are doing, and revise why you were asked for this work. It is not just to say that the other two data sets are not useful, because it is your duty to explain your reasons for saying this. It could be the case that they are not useful, but in sciences it is not just to say that others are wrong; you have to demonstrate that the data from others are wrong! You say that you do not have time now to run new analyses of those two data sets, but this is your problem not a problem of the comparative study that you were asked to perform. My best suggestion is that you talk to your main advisor as soon as possible, and if it is needed, organize a meeting with your graduate committee about the problem that you have in hands. I strongly suggest to do this, other way you put your thesis in a risky situation.
With my best wishes,
Gloria Arratia
Your study yielded results, just not what you hoped for.This happens. A LOT. In fact, most research projects don't turn out as expected & have to be replanned. Talk with your adviser and anyone else who might be useful about WHY the data you were sent are not useful. It might be worth writing to the people who collected that data about the problem,too. If the problem is that the data are not comparable to yours for methodological reasons,then you may have to collect more data yourself. You say you don't have time, but you may have to revise your calendar expectations. Another possibility is that the differences or similarities you expected to see in the comparisons are not there. Then you need to re-examine why you thought that & why it isn't true. THAT is an interesting finding as well. This is a valuable part of learning how to do research.
You can do it.
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