Today we studied about establishing a research topic for the thesis and the questions to keep in the mind before choosing a topic.
Researching your Topic
Choosing your topic will involve a considerable amount of initial research. Research involves locating key sources. There are two kinds of sources:
a) Primary or original sources. These could be a mediaeval manuscript, a poem, a photograph, the records of an institution, a dress, an interview
b) Secondary or interpretative sources i.e. papers/articles/books written about a subject.
Each source/text is written from a perspective and has a specific function. Interpretation, therefore, depends not only on the content, but also the context. In other words, don’t take everything at face value. Notice and make note of the position that is being taken by the author or producer. An essential part of a good Thesis is commenting on the different position’s authors take.
When you read books/articles/papers take notes. Be careful to make a note of the author, title, publisher, date of the book/article, and the page reference. If you copy words directly out of the book as you take notes, as opposed to summarising the argument in your own words, be careful to indicate the difference in quotation marks. It is easy to forget the difference when it comes to writing your Thesis and, hence to plagiarise inadvertently.
When taking notes note the different questions and issues. Writers differ in their interpretations. There is rarely a clear right or wrong position, so be prepared for this and note the differences – are they of fact, of interpretation or of opinion? You may need to assess the interpretation – what do you think, and why?
There are four main stages to research:
• Researching the research
• Planning the research
• Doing the research
• Finishing the research
Tentative Research Topics
- Themes of Duality in VR games
- Inclusivity and Diversity in Pixar Films- A study of the last decade
- Themes of Belonging, Inclusivity and Diversity in Pixar Films