Research Methodology and Potential Thesis Topics, June 19

Hannah Schreiner

Directed Research

Summer 2013

Tom Klinkowstein

8. Gather Resources

1. Quick Documentation

5. Let it Digest

4. Create a Dialogue

2. Keep Informed

6. Clean the Space

9. Create a Timeline

7. Look at the Problem again

3. Go Outside

1. Quick Documentation Jot down any thoughts or imagery that

immediately comes to mind. The idea is to get

first impressions, and to not spend a lot of time

creating a mind map.

Hannah Schreiner

Directed Research

Summer 2013

Tom Klinkowstein

Hannah Schreiner

Directed Research

Summer 2013

Tom Klinkowstein

2. Stay Informed Keep up with current events and trends by

reading the physical newspaper as well as

online media sources. These could include

Gawker, Wikipedia, Al-Jazeera etc.

Hannah Schreiner

Directed Research

Summer 2013

Tom Klinkowstein

3. Go Outside Explore related spaces to your topic and

document the experience as best you can to

create a ‘visual library’ for yourself.

Hannah Schreiner

Directed Research

Summer 2013

Tom Klinkowstein

4. Create a Dialogue Talk to as many people as possible, both experts

in the field of the topic as well as non-experts.

The idea is to share and receive knowledge

based on the conversations.

Hannah Schreiner

Directed Research

Summer 2013

Tom Klinkowstein

5. Let it Digest This includes meditating, relaxing, sleeping, etc.

The idea is to create time to reflect on the

current research and what it could mean.

Hannah Schreiner

Directed Research

Summer 2013

Tom Klinkowstein

6. Clean the Space By now you’ve made a mess with all your

research. Cleaning your workspace (and/or

living will help clear your mind to focus on the

next step.

Hannah Schreiner

Directed Research

Summer 2013

Tom Klinkowstein

7. Look at the Problem, again Going back to the original topic or problem after

you’ve done research will help to reflect on

whether the information you’ve gathered is

actually helpful.

Hannah Schreiner

Directed Research

Summer 2013

Tom Klinkowstein

8. Gather Resources Speak to people you know in different fields to

get their expertise, speak to vendors about

possible materials and their costs, time for

production, etc.

Hannah Schreiner

Directed Research

Summer 2013

Tom Klinkowstein

9. Create a Timeline Based on your resources, time frame, and tasks

you need to complete in the production phase,

create a rough timeline.

Hannah Schreiner

Directed Research

Summer 2013

Tom Klinkowstein

I want to study compact messages, such as

memes or postcards, because I want to know

what elements make a successful compact

message, in order to show my audience how to

use them more effectively.

Hannah Schreiner

Directed Research

Summer 2013

Tom Klinkowstein

I want to study food production (and distribution)

in America, because I want to know how much

other people know about it, in order to help my

audience understand why food systems are

important and how they impact our lives.

Hannah Schreiner

Directed Research

Summer 2013

Tom Klinkowstein

I want to study worker cooperatives in America,

because I want to know if they can work in large

numbers, so my audience can learn there are

alternatives to the current American workplace

hierarchy.