DissertationProposalNathan Scrimshaw

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In today’s workshop

Having an idea

Developing an idea

Developing a questionStructuring your proposal

The write-up process

In today’s workshop

Having anideaPlaces to look

Having anidea

Previous assignments

Intended specialism

Favourite game/creator

Library

...Or click here

Developing an ideaWhich comes first?

CaseStudy

Theory

Observation

Primary Research Reading

Secondary Research

Developing an idea

TheoryCaseStudy

Developing an ideaExpanding an idea

Use Google Scholar to see how other authors have used your sources / case study

Use mind-mapping to reveal more connections (linear notes DON’T work!)

Can you broaden the case study?

Alternate between analysing the case study and revisiting the theory

Where is the problem?

Are you glossing over anything that needs more detail?

Developing an idea

Keywording

Developing an ideaTechniques

Clustering & Mindmapping

Cubing

Invisible writing

Developing an idea

Freewriting & Looping

Post-it notesAssumption Busting

Developing a question

CaseStudy

+ Theory

Direction/Limitation+ =Question/

Thesis

Can you see this formula in Dissertation titlesfrom previous years?

Developing a question

Click here for link to Dartmouth

Proposal structure

+ Bibliography

1000 words

Proposed question

Main area of research

Discussion of theories

Methodology

Proposalstructure

1000

Proposal structure

+ Bibliography

>300

>300>300

DiscussionOf theories

MethodologyMain area of research

Proposalstructure

Proposal structureKeeping your word count down

Are your quotes too long? Use paraphrasing instead

Are you referring to too many sources? Don’t forget your Bibliography is annotated (and excluded from the word count) Are you writing things

that should be in the actual Dissertation instead? Don’t forget this is just a proposal

Are you suggesting too many research areas? One or two questions are enough

Proposalstructure

Try a ‘backwards outline’

Discussing theoriesA survey of theories/findings relating to your project

It identifies prior research on your subject

It describes how each work relates to the other

It puts each work into context of your project

It identifies any gaps in the theory, and any new ways to interpret the subject

LiteratureReview

Discussing theories

Why has the author taken the position they have?

How does the context of the work (era, social, political, etc.) affect it?

What different perspectives might there be?

Can you think of examples that support/challenge what they say?

Tips for challenging authors

LiteratureReview

Click here for link to Dartmouth about logical arguments

MethodologyHow you intend to undertake your research

Explains your choice of case study

Details any parameters you need to set

Explains your choice of theory

Might indicate chapter-structure of dissertation

Might summarize content of each chapter

Methodology

Bibliography

Not included in your word count

Comprehensive – not edited highlights

Can be annotated

Can include the stuff you plan to read as well as the stuff you’ve already read Bibliograp

hy

M

Contact me

Don’t Leave Research To Chance

nscrimshaw@ucreative.ac.uk 01252 89 1485

@nathanscrimshaw

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