The proposal - seminar
Whatever the form of proposal required by your unit, the basic elements are the same.
The main components of a research proposal are:
- a brief literature review that highlights the gap in research that your thesis aims to address (why am I doing this?)
- aims and objectives (what am I doing?)
- proposed methodology (how am I going to do it?)
- data analysis and
- implications of your study (where do I expect the research to lead?)
The development of your research proposal will be in consultation with your supervisor. Preparing a research proposal forces you to consider project design issues early on, and to think through potential problems. Presenting your research proposal to department or faculty members is a valuable opportunity for you to receive constructive feedback on your project from experienced researchers.
If you are required to present an introductory seminar, you will usually have only about ten minutes to speak. If you have developed clear answers to the questions above (What am I doing? Why am I doing it? How am I going to do it?), your presentation will be much more concise.
There are many references available on seminar presentation. A recommended one is:
Hay, I. 2002 Communicating in Geography and the Environmental Sciences. Oxford University Press: Melbourne. (378.17/39)
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