I just graduated in 2001 and we had 3 4-hour blocks for three days straight with nothing but a computer in front of us! I believe the point about causing stress is just another hoop to jump through. Afterwards, I couldn't think or write any sort of paper for a good month. How does that prepare me for life after grad school? I told I was still bitter. :) Nina
Nina L. Tarner, Ph.D. Department of Psychology Gettysburg College Box 407 Gettysburg, PA.� 17325 -----Original Message----- From: Annette Taylor, Ph. D. [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, March 04, 2004 10:31 AM To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences Subject: Re: Doctoral Preliminary Exams Interesting reply because it suggests a trend that has developed after I finished my grad training. We actually sat, for 4 3-hour time blocks and took "EXAMS" This business of writing papers is a new deal--I think not stressful enough at all!! Annette :-) Quoting "Erin A. Kennedy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>: > > Question #1: Is the purpose of >prelims to > >test competency in a solid knowledge base (i.e., content exam) prior to > >doctoral work or in a general skill set (i.e. stats and > >methods)?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> > > > In my department, the answer is the latter. We must show competence in 6 > areas: > specialty (e.g., Developmental), non-specialty (e.g., Social), > stats/methods, > history and systems, ethics, and diverity. We develop and write 3 large > scale > "papers" that show our knowledge in these area while also demonstrating the > generation of novel ideas and information. > > > ><p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span > >style='font-size: > > >10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p>�</o:p></span></font></p>> > > > ><p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span > >style='font-size: > > >10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Question #2: If it is content >based > should > > >the content be broad (e.g., any topic from PSYC 101) or narrow (in the > >test > > >takers specialization? > > As above, the specialization is a part of it. > > For what it's worth, I think this format is pretty good. My advisor wrote a > very specific paper in a very specific area for her prelims and basically > never > wants to think about that subject matter again. By making the exam broader, > we (I am still a student and did this last spring) are able to demonstrate > our > breadth of knowledge and to demonstrate our ability to add to the field. > > Erin K. > ***** > Erin A. Kennedy > Department of Psychology > Saint Louis University > 3511 Laclede Avenue > St. Louis, MO 63103 > (314) 977-2262 > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > --- > You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Annette Kujawski Taylor, Ph. D. Department of Psychology University of San Diego 5998 Alcala Park San Diego, CA 92110 [EMAIL PROTECTED] --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
