The first few minutes went smoothly. She was reciting the introduction I'd written after all. But as she moved into the methodology section, I could see her confidence wavering. The statistical analysis employed a multivariate regression model to account for for the various she paused looking confused. The various factors that might influence she was lost.
The words on the page might as well have been written in Sanskrit. Dr. Patricia Wells, a statistics professor known for her sharp questions, raised her hand. Dr. Mercer, could you explain your choice of regression model?
It seems like a factor analysis might have been more appropriate for this type of data. Elise stared at her for a moment, then looked down at her notes. Well, the regression model allows for it provides a framework for understanding. Yes, but why regression specifically? What was your reasoning?
The reasoning was the data suggested that regression would be the most effective approach for analyzing the relationships between variables. It was a non-answer and everyone in the room knew it. Dr. Wells frowned but didn't press further. Julian sitting in the third row looked uncomfortable.
He'd been Elisa's adviser. Her failure reflected on him too. The questions continued, each one exposing another gap in Alisa's understanding of her own work. She couldn't explain her choice of sample size. Couldn't defend her statistical assumptions.
Couldn't even adequately describe her data collection methods. Dr. Mercer said Dr. Robert Chen from the philosophy department. Your literature review cites several sources that seem tangential to your main argument.
Can you explain how these sources informed your theoretical framework? Elise shuffled through her papers desperately. The literature review was designed to provide a comprehensive overview of relevant research. Yes, but these specific sources Johnson and Martinez 2018 for example. How did their work on educational psychology relate to your focus on cognitive behavioral patterns?
Silence. Elise stared at the paper as if the answer might materialize through sheer willpower. I The connection is these sources provide important context for understanding the broader implications of cognitive behavioral research in academic settings. More non-answers. The audience was getting restless.
Some people were checking their phones. Others were whispering to their neighbors. Mark serving as the symposium moderator tried to throw her a lifeline. Perhaps we could move on to the results section, but the results section was worse. Elise couldn't interpret her own data.
She read the numbers from her slides, but couldn't explain what they meant or why they mattered. The correlation coefficient of 0.47 indicates a moderate positive relationship, she said, reading directly from the screen behind her. Between which variables? Asked Dr. Sarah Kim from the education department.
Between the variables that were measured in the study. A few people in the audience actually laughed, not cruy, but with the kind of nervous laughter that comes when something is so awkward it becomes almost funny. Julian was sinking lower in his seat. Dean Wexler, who had been beaming with pride at the beginning of the event, now looked like he wanted to disappear. Dr.
Mercer, said Dr. Wells, her voice sharp with irritation. Did you actually conduct this research yourself? The auditorium went dead silent. It was the question everyone was thinking, but no one had dared to ask.
Of course, I conducted it myself, Elise said, her voice rising defensively. I spent 3 years on this research. Then surely you can explain your methodology without reading from your notes. I There's a lot of technical detail to remember. It's your dissertation.
You defended it less than four years ago. Elise looked around the room desperately, her eyes finally landing on Julian. He wouldn't meet her gaze. I think, she said, her voice cracking, that some people in this room are more interested in tearing down my work than engaging with it constructively. We're interested in understanding work that was deemed worthy of a PhD from this institution, Dr.
Wells replied coldly. If you can't explain your own research, what does that say about our standards? That's when Elise snapped. "You want to know what this is really about? " she screamed, her careful composure finally shattering completely. "This is about my ex-husband, Nathan Mercer.
He's been sabotaging my career for 3 years because I had the courage to leave him. " The auditorium erupted in confused murmurss. Most people had no idea who Nathan Mercer was or why he would be relevant to a dissertation defense. Nathan wrote, "He helped with Elise stopped realizing what she was about to admit. " "He helped with what? " Dr. Mercer Mark asked quietly. "Nothing.
He didn't help with anything. " "But he's been spreading lies about me, trying to destroy my reputation. " "What kind of lies? " Dr. Wells asked. "He he's been telling people that he wrote my dissertation. " The auditorium fell silent again. In trying to defend herself, Elise had just revealed the very accusation she was trying to deny. "And did he? " Dr.
Wells asked. "No, of course not. I wrote every word myself. " "Then prove it," said a voice from the back of the auditorium. Everyone turned to look at me as I stood up and removed my baseball cap. The recognition rippled through the crowd.
Some people remembered me from faculty events. Others had heard the story of Alisa's dramatic divorce announcement. Nathan, Mark said, trying to maintain his role as moderator. This isn't appropriate. Actually, I think it's very appropriate, I said, walking down the aisle toward the stage.
Dr. Mercer has just accused me of spreading lies about her work. I think I have a right to respond to that accusation. Elise stared at me in horror. You have no right to be here.
I have every right. This is a public academic event at a public university and you just made a very serious accusation about me in front of 300 witnesses. I reached the front of the auditorium and turned to face the crowd. My name is Nathan Mercer. I was married to Dr.
Elise Mercer for 15 years. And yes, I did help with her dissertation. Liar. Elise screamed. I helped with the research design.
I continued calmly. I helped with the literature review. I helped with the statistical analysis. I helped with the writing. The editing and the formatting.