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MA THESIS SEMINAR 1 Department of Design Autumn 2011 Cindy Kohtala (MA) [email protected]
The Thesis Process Research, Writing and Structure
keep a diary or notebook
keep track of your notes and sources (!)
learn from reading, from other writers
do not imitate magazines in writing style
use outlines and/or mindmaps
find out what the ‘bibles’ are
start writing from the easiest point
ignore the language at first
write and rewrite
use a clear structure (outlines help)
motivate the reader (why should I be interested in your work?)
use a consistent format/style (e.g. APA style)
MA Theses in Dept of Design:
refer to Master’s Thesis Guidelines http://www.taik.fi/images/stories/OOP/MA%20thesis%20guidelines%20EN.pdf
length (60 000 characters)
no standard format/style
get your topic, schedule and tutor(s) approved
benchmark against other theses from your department
WRITING THE WINNING THESIS OR DISSERTATION: A Step-by-Step Guide
Allan A. Glatthorn, Randy L. Joyner, 2005
TA 87.32 GLA
Writing the Winning Thesis or Dissertation (Glatthorn & Joyner)
Purpose:
Institutional purpose – academic tradition, contribution to the field
Personal purpose – personal and professional growth, a way of learning. “The process of systematizing knowledge and finding a form to express that knowledge becomes a means of discovering meaning…”
Communication purpose – reporting the results of research. “You do not write to persuade, or to entertain, or to express personal feelings—but to inform.”
remember your audience
VISUALIZING RESEARCH: A Guide to the Research Process in Art and Design
Carol Gray & Julian Malins, 2004
http://visualizingresearch.info/
“contextual review” – key authors/literature as well as benchmark projects
http://cmap.ihmc.us/
A project, like a thesis, is like a performance: It is goal-oriented THE CLEARER THE GOAL THE BETTER
It is based on a plan YOU NEED A PLAN, BUT A GOOD PLAN IS FLEXIBLE.
It is done only once UNIQUE REQUIREMENTS
It has certain resources ADEQUATE TIME, MONEY, EQUIPMENT AND/OR PEOPLE?
It has overall supervision. TEACHERS, PROFESSORS, CONTRACTORS, TUTORS… Hakala, Juha T. (2000) Creative Thesis Writing: A guide to development and research work. Helsinki:
Gaudeamus.
project-based thesis
’artistic’-based thesis
research-based thesis
practice-based theses:
“The use of the term ‘practice’ may imply that there is a vocational component and a theoretical component and that these are in some way separate.
It is often accepted that studio-based work is practice and that written work is theoretical. This scenario must be strictly avoided – there must be a clear link and interweaving of the two activities, otherwise neither is relevant.
The novel interpretation is the result of a creative impulse which is informed by many elements, including facts knowledge.” industrial design dissertation requirements in the UK, recommendations
artefact
artefact making
use artefact
artefact
context of human activity: space, time, discourse, history
Inspired by Díaz-Kommonen, L. et al (2004)
Expressive artifacts and artifacts of expression. Working Papers in Art and Design 3 Retrieved <28.09.08> from
URL http://www.herts.ac.uk/artdes/ research/papers/wpades/vol3/ldkfull.html
ISSN 1466-4917
making
use artefact
context of human activity: space, time, discourse, history
“theory” “books” “literature”
“practice” “design” “project”
contextual review = “theory” “books” “literature” current projects current discourses
“practice” “design” “project” experimentation sketching
your practice:
be a ‘reflective practitioner’ (diary)
show your maturity: your decision-making process, what you learned
be honest, but don’t describe all the failures (be confident)
take many photos, take good photos
your other research:
organize your notes
don’t get distracted: keep your focus in mind (view through your frame)
constantly evolve and limit your mindmap and/or outline
kill your darlings (sometimes you have to read a book/understand a theory in order to discard it)
putting it all together:
reserve time for writing (writer’s flow)
get enough sleep
reserve time to leave it alone (several days) and then read it through again fresh (reader’s flow)
remember your audience
Prof. Ken Friedman: “Writing structures your thoughts. In the writing comes new insights.” “Writing is a window.” “Don’t affect a breezy manner.” “Don’t put yourself in the paper unnecessarily.”
Your decision route: what to include? what to leave out? evidence of learning and maturity keep a thread running through balance
In-class assignment (time: 10 mins)
DEFINING AND REFINING YOUR TOPIC
What is your thesis topic?
Create a mindmap of your possible topic(s) keywords.
In-class assignment (time: 20 mins)
ASSESSING YOUR TOPICS (Glatthorn & Joyner p. 19)
Assess your possible thesis topics (3).
Use the following table to help you.
Criteria Topic 1 Topic 2 Topic 3
Professional significance
Continuing professional interest
Personal interest
Career advancement
Knowledge, experience, skills
Likely support
Time required
Accessibility
TOTAL SCORE
CODE: 5 excellent, 4 very good, 3 good, 2 fair, 1 poor
Professional significance = does it make an important contribution to the field? e.g. extend existing knowledge, test a theory, change prevailing beliefs… Continuing professional interest = will it have value beyond the time you receive your degree? Personal interest = time investment Career advancement = value to current employer, or in future professional interest? Professional knowledge, skills = previous experience and knowledge will simplify your investigation Likely support = departmentally, funding… Time required = not too ambitious Accessibility = will it get approval? will you be able to collect the data you need?
In-class assignment (time: 20 mins)
ASSESSING YOUR TOPICS (Glatthorn & Joyner pp. 18-22)
In-class assignment (time: 10 mins)
EXPLAINING YOUR TOPIC
Based on what you know now, can you explain your topic to your neighbour in one sentence?
Get and give feedback.
Prof. Ken Friedman: CHECKLIST: State the theme. Introduce the subject. State the goals. Identify the issues. Give appropriate background information. Describe approach and method. Describe the circumstances in which the
work was done. Describe findings and conclusions. Describe what you’ve learned or
accomplished.
Introduction
Methods & Materials
Results
Discussion
general to
specific
specific to
general
I
M
R
D
Introduction, thesis statement (topic of section)
Conclusion
1. Topic sentence 1. support 2. support 3. support conclusion
2. Topic sentence 1. support 2. support 3. support conclusion
3. Topic sentence 1. support 2. support 3. support conclusion
Beginning of section
Middle
End
Big idea Medium idea Small idea Small idea Small idea Medium idea Small idea Small idea Small idea Medium idea Small idea Small idea Small idea
Thesis Draft – Pierre-François Dubois 2010 Table of Contents Acknowledgments Acronyms and Abbreviations Introduction I. Well-Being, Consumption and Consequences in a Capitalist Society
1. The Capitalism Model and Well-Being a. Capitalism b. The Indispensability of Objects in a Capitalist Society c. Hierarchy of Needs (Maslow’s Pyramid) d. The Theory of the “Libidinal Economy”
2. Mass Consumption and Identity a. Consumption b. Consumption and Identity c. Values of Objects d. Taste and Social Status e. Knowledge as Factor of Mobility f. Fashion as a Tool to Stimulate Consumption
Thesis Draft – Pierre-François Dubois 2010 II. State of the World and the Role of Design
1. Global Challenges a. Environmental b. Economic c. Social
2. The Role of the Designer a. Towards a Sustainable Consumption Society b. A Necessary Change in our Behaviour c. The ‘Waste is Food’ Approach d. Value through the Intervention of the Human Hand e. Modularity for More Possibilities
Thesis Draft – Pierre-François Dubois 2010
III. Opportunities 1. Observations
a. Existing b. Survey c. Waste
2. Product Development
a. Furniture Casing b. The Modular Structure c. Wooden Rods d. The Function of the Product e. The Casing f. Scenario
Conclusion
In-class assignment (time: 30 mins)
FINDING A RESEARCH PROBLEM
Step 1. Think about the following questions. Write a paragraph about it.
What is my possible research topic? What is my background experience related to this topic? Why is it relevant to the design field? What previous literature and projects are related to my topic? What form will the results take? (A design of something? An artwork? An exhibition?) What is my timetable? Who is my possible tutor(s)? What professional skills/experience do I hope to gain from the process?
Step 2. Now create a hypothetical outline of your thesis based on this plan. Invent headings and contents. Draw connections to your “draft plan” in Step 1.
What is my possible research topic? What is my background experience related to this topic? Why is it relevant to the design field? What previous literature and projects are related to my topic? What form will the results take? (A design of something? An artwork? An exhibition?) What is my timetable? Who is my possible tutor(s)? What professional skills/experience do I hope to gain from the process?
OUTLINE 1. Introduction
1.1 Background 1.2 Motivation
2. Recycling globally 2.1 Textiles 2.2 Fashion and apparel
3. The Fashion System 3.1 Fashion Theories 3.2 Consumption
4. The Slow Fashion Project 4.1 The Collection 4.2 The Exhibition
5. Conclusions …
LINKS Writing Up Research (recommended) www.ait.ac.th/education/LanguageCenter/ait-writing- services/guide-book/index.htm Tips for Formal Writing homepages.inf.ed.ac.uk/jbednar/writingtips.html
Advice on Academic Writing www.writing.utoronto.ca/advice Grammar and Punctuation Purdue Online Writing Lab owl.english.purdue.edu/sitemap.html
