Can I use "I" rather than "The author"?

I am quite perplexed to hear some of the senior lecturers from where I am studying told me how, as a researcher, I shouldn't use the first person "I" and use instead, "The author" or The researcher". I believe it shouldn't be the case, and am wondering if you guys here might say otherwise.

Can someone here pinpoint me a precedent studies or guideline in the net that shows that I can use "I" in my thesis?


Thank you very much.


(By the by, I am doing Semiotics research in comics and films. Still in my Master degree.)

Greetings!

If you do an internet search using terms like "thesis use first person" you will discover that there is no agreement on this subject. Some state boldly that the first person should never be used; others, that you should use it when describing work you did yourself. Some say to use a substitute, such as "Chaper 3 describes ..." but that will not always fit your needs. The bottom line is this: if the expectation by the person who will be evaluating your work is that you should not use the first person, then you would be asking for trouble if you did so anyway.

I hope this helps!

Thanks,

Sarah, EssayForum.com

I would've assumed that since I am using a sort-of postmodernism writing, I can get away with the first person.

Anyway.

Thanks, Sarah!

You're welcome!

Sarah, EssayForum.com