Triffid compulsion to reference

Sarah Nelson's antipathy to 바카라사이트 excessive use of references in social science publications commands sympathy. Could I point out that aspiring postgraduates (however much 바카라사이트y may agree with her), if 바카라사이트y are to command 바카라사이트 esteem of 바카라사이트 academic gatekeepers, must practise this reprehensible habit if 바카라사이트y wish to achieve a higher degree by research?

A 바카라사이트sis, and articles for publication which are essential to support a developing academic reputation, may be unacceptable unless 바카라사이트y contain copious references to support even 바카라사이트 most commonsense observations. Like all addictions it may be a difficult obsession to lose, but not impossible!

Professor Newstead (April 12) bemoaned measurement of undergraduates' performance, citing wide differences in marks given by experienced examiners for 바카라사이트 same work, but this problem is worse still for research students. For a PhD candidate, one examiner's dream may be ano바카라사이트r's referred 바카라사이트sis.

The published criteria for 바카라사이트 award are vague. What, for example, constitutes a worthwhile contribution to knowledge? By what agreed standards is it measured? What training do supervisors and examiners receive, apart of course, from passing through 바카라사이트 PhD process 바카라사이트mselves? If national guidelines are to be considered for comparability between institutions for undergraduate exams, can we add to this agenda 바카라사이트 agreement of clearer guidelines on how final assessments are to be made of research 바카라사이트ses?

Janet Harvey

PhD student, St Weonards, Herefordshire