Research_Methodology_1_Writing_Research.ppt
- 1. Writing Thesis and Project Proposals A presentation by Sajadin Sembiring, S.Si., M.Sc. Comp.
- 2. Outcomes of this workshop • To introduce strategies for bridging the gap between coursework/beginning research and thesis/project writing. • To help you understand the symbolic situation of the thesis/project proposal and common elements of such proposals. • To introduce practical symbolic and grammatical principles of writing effective proposals. • To provide you with tips for drafting and revising individual sections of the proposal.
- 3. Writing Thesis/project Proposals: The Big Picture Your proposal describes your proposed plan of work: • What you intend to study (scope and research questions). • How you intend to study your topic (methodology). • Why this topic needs to be studied (significance). • When you will complete this work (timeline). • (Occasionally) Where you will conduct this work.
- 4. Writing Thesis/Project Proposals Purpose: • Justify and plan (or contract for) a research project. • Show how your project contributes to existing research. • Demonstrate that you understand how to conduct discipline-specific research in an acceptable time- frame. Audience: • your academic advisor and committee
- 5. Proposal Writing and Anxiety: Proposal-specific Advice • Understand that the proposal will be negotiated--be prepared to revise! • Think of the proposal as an introduction to your thesis or project. • Remember that the proposal is not a compulsory contract. • Remember that your proposal is not intended to limit ideas, but to help you think practically. • Ask classmates to form a writing group. • Talk to your Supervisor/Academic advisor!
- 6. Parts of a Proposal • Title • Abstract • Introduction/Background • Problem Statement • Purpose/Aims/ Rationale/Research Questions • Review of Literature • Methodology • Significance/ Implications • Overview of Chapters • Plan of Work • Bibliography
- 7. Creating a Working Title • Orient your readers to your research topic. • Indicate the type of study you will conduct.
- 8. Abstract • Provide a brief (100-150 word) overview of the proposal • Summarize important elements (Introduction, Statement of the Problem, Background of the Study, Research Questions, and Methods and Procedures).
- 9. Introduction/Background • Establish the general subject area . • Describe the broad foundations of your study - provide adequate background for readers. • Indicate the general scope of your project. • Provide an overview of the sections that will appear in your proposal (optional). • Engage the readers.
- 10. Statement of the Problem • Answer the question: “What is the gap that needs to be filled?” and/or “What is the problem that needs to be solved?” • State the problem clearly early in a paragraph. • Limit the variables you address in stating your problem. • Consider bordering the problem as a question.
- 11. Purpose/Aims/Rationale/Research Questions • Explain the goals and objectives of the study. • Show the original contributions of your study (Optional). • Provide a more detailed account of the points summarized in the introduction. • Include a justification (rationale) for the study. • Be clear about what your study will not address.
- 12. Purpose/Aims/Rationale/Research Questions In addition, this section may: • Describe the research questions of the study. • Include a subsection defining important terms. • State limitations of the research. • Provide a justification for the particular subjects of the study.
- 13. Review of Literature • How other scholars have written about your topic. • The range of theories used to analyze materials or data • How other scholars connect their specific research topics to larger issues, questions, or practices within the field. • The best methodologies and research techniques for your particular topic. Writing the literature review allows you to understand:
- 14. Review of Literature: symbolic Functions • Situates the current study within a wider disciplinary conversation. • Illustrates the uniqueness, importance of and need for your particular project. • Justifies methodological choices. • Demonstrates familiarity with the topic and appropriate approaches to studying it.
- 15. An Effective Literature Review should • Flesh out the background of your study. • Critically assess important research trends or areas of interest. • Identify potential gaps in knowledge. • Establish a need for current and/or future research projects.
- 16. Tips on drafting a literature review • Categorize the literature into recognizable topic clusters: – stake out the various positions that are relevant to your project, – build on conclusions that lead to your project, or – demonstrate the places where the literature is lacking. • Avoid “Smith says X, Jones says Y” literature reviews. • Avoid including all the studies on the subject. • Avoid polemics, praise, and blame.
- 17. Writing Literature Reviews: Key Point • You are entering a scholarly conversation already in progress. The literature review shows that you’ve been listening and that you have something valuable to say. • After assessing the literature in your field, you should be able to answer the following questions: – Why should we study (further) this research topic/problem? – What contributions will my study make to the existing literature?
- 18. Methodology • Introduce the overall methodological approach. • Indicate how the approach fits the overall research design. • Describe the specific methods of data collection. • Explain how you intend to analyze and interpret your results. • If necessary, provide background and justification for unfamiliar methodologies. • Address possible limitations.
- 19. Tips on Drafting Methodology • Break down your methodology into subsections. – In the Engineering, may include subjects, design, apparatus, instrumentation, process, analysis, etc. • Remember that your methods section may also require supporting literature. • Anticipate and prevent the audience’s methodological concerns. – Acknowledge major problems. – Justify your approach by showing how benefits balance potential problems.
- 20. Significance/Implications • Discuss the methodological, substantive, and/or theoretical contribution. • State the practical and/or theoretical importance of the problem and/or objectives of your study. • Explain the usefulness or benefits of the study to both the outside world and the research community.
- 21. Overview of Chapters • Some proposals include a sentence length description of each chapter (i.e. chapter two reviews relevant literature; chapter three discusses the methodology).
- 22. Timeline/Plan of Work Some things to keep in mind: • Consult your supervisor. • Be aware of important dates for submitting. • Do not be overly ambitious. • Remember that your proposed timeline demonstrates your awareness of the various elements of the study (approval, design, testing, and length of experiments; purchase of necessary materials; drafting; redrafting).
- 23. Bibliography & Appendices • Include a working bibliography of key texts that inform your study and methodology. • Your appendices may include Experiment Diagrams, table, computer program etc. • Both bibliographies and required appendices tend to be discipline specific: know what the requirements are.
- 24. More Proposal “Nuts and Bolts” • Length – Most are roughly 5 to 6 pages, but they can be much longer. • Style Considerations – Tone – Coherence • Voice • Visual Aids
- 25. Style Considerations: Coherence • Move from “old” information to “new” information. • Put the most important information at the end of the sentence. • Keep the subject and verb together. • Start sentences with short, easily understood phrases. • Use “stock” transitional phrases. • Use pronouns and/or recycling.
- 26. Voice and Visual Aids Voice • Active: I will conduct the bulk of the research during the six- month fieldwork period. • Passive: The bulk of the research will be conducted during fieldwork. Reasons to use Passive Voice: • Your field may prefer its use, especially in describing research design and experimental activities. • You need to defend consistency from sentence to sentence.
- 27. Visual Aids • Incorporate charts, graphs, diagrams, illustrations, etc., wherever possible, permissible, or practical.
Editor's Notes
- #3: These points are variations on the journalist’s basic questions: who, what, when, where, how, and why.