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Candidacy Proposal: Purpose & Structure for Graduate Research Program

This series focuses on the purpose and structure of a candidacy proposal for the Graduate Research Advanced Skills Program. Participants will learn how to create a comprehensive and convincing proposal, while understanding the importance of starting early.

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Candidacy Proposal: Purpose & Structure for Graduate Research Program

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  1. CANDIDACY PROPOSAL SERIES 1 Purpose & structure of your candidacy proposal GRASP - Graduate Research Advanced Skills Program From pre-proposal to candidacy proposal; learn how to produce a comprehensive, coherent and convincing candidacy proposal.

  2. 1 Purpose & structure of your candidacy proposal • AIMS OF TODAY’S CLASS: • By the end of the workshop, participants will • be reminded that the candidacy proposal is (only) a PROPOSAL(not the thesis!). • feel more confident to complete the candidacy proposal in a timely manner. • understand that the morework and thought you put in now, could save a lot of • headaches later. • recognize the need to commence writing the proposal IMMEDIATELY. Open a new • document entitled ‘Summary of Proposed Research Program’. • begin to creatively visualize the structure of your candidacy proposal. Academiaobscura.com

  3. 1 Purpose & structure of your candidacy proposal This workshop will cover two types of requirements for completing your candidacy proposal: MORE ABSTRACT STUFF: What you need to think, conceptualize or dream about - regardless of what you practically do. MORE CONCRETE STUFF: What you need to practically do - regardless of what’s going on inside your head.

  4. 1 Purpose & structure of your candidacy proposal To be a successful researcher you need to • have something to say that your peers want to listen to. • be aware of what your peers are doing – locally and globally. • have the imagination and judgement to discover where you can make a contribution. • be able to discover a niche for your research. • be aware of appropriate research techniques & the limitations of each. • be able to effectively communicate the results of your research. • be aware of the ethics of your discipline and work within them. • (Adapted from “Becoming a Researcher’, The Learning Centre, Curtin University, 2018)

  5. 1 Purpose & structure of your candidacy proposal Some purposes of your candidacy proposal • To demonstrate that there is a research gap, and you will fill that gap. • To show that you have surveyed the literature, and broadly understand the current state of research. • To show that you will make a significant and original contribution to knowledge. • To demonstrate that your methodology/methods ‘match’ your research problem. • To demonstrate that you have a doable project, given limited time and resources. • To help you organize and think systematically about procedures, time, resources • - as well as the research problem itself. • To help you think carefully about and recognize ethical issues entailed in your proposed research.

  6. 1 Purpose & structure of your candidacy proposal ADOPT A ‘SCIENTIFIC METHOD’ • According to Umberto Eco (2015 pp. 27-30), to be a successful researcher you need to adopt a • ‘scientific method’. But ‘scientific’ is not only that which uses diagrams and formulae. • What is meant by ‘scientific? The opposition between ‘scientific’ and ‘non-scientific’ is artificial. • Perhaps the idea of Wissenchaft is useful: “the systematic pursuit of knowledge, learning and scholarship”. https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/wissenschaft • Wissenschaft takes the ‘natural sciences’ as a model. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TtwGhDgtAOY/TZiZUM377vI/AAAAAAAAAqo/qWqEh2JT_bU /s1600/20050326Umberto_Eco.jpg [accessed 22/02/2018]

  7. 1 Purpose & structure of your candidacy proposal ADOPT A ‘SCIENTIFIC METHOD’ “The research deals with aspecific object, defined so that others can identify it.” (Not necessarily ‘physical’ - it could be abstract like an ideology or social movement.) “The research says things which have not yet been said about this object, or it revises the things that have already been said from a different perspective.” “ The research is useful to others”. “The research provides the elements required to verify or disprove the hypotheses it presents, and therefore…provides the foundations for future research.” Eco, U. 2015. How to Write a Thesis. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. Pp. 26-30. ]

  8. 1 Purpose & structure of your candidacy proposal As you prepare your candidacy proposal KEEP THINGS IN PERSPECTIVE Your research is probably not gong to change the course of the planets in our solar system. HOWEVER – it is going to make an original and significant contribution to knowledge in your area. http://files.tested.com/photos/2013/05/08/48127-solarsystem-teaser.jpg

  9. 1 Purpose & structure of your candidacy proposal “Imagine a circle that contains all of human knowledge” Matt Might http://matt.might.net/articles/phd-school-in-pictures/ -

  10. 1 Purpose & structure of your candidacy proposal Carefully read what is required of you: Application for Candidacy/Conversion of Candidacy ADVICE TO APPLICANTS http://17986-presscdn-0-31.pagely.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2016/08/GRS-Candidacy-22-11-17.pdf

  11. 1 Purpose & structure of your candidacy proposal Application for Candidacy/Conversion of Candidacy ADVICE TO APPLICANTS Summary of Proposed Research program (No more than 10 pages for PhD, 5 pages for MPhil – excluding references.) Abstract Objectives Background Significance Research method Ethical Issues Facilities & Resources Data Storage Time Line References

  12. 1 Purpose & structure of your candidacy proposal ABSTRACT “Provide a half-page explanation of the research in plain English.” • This is the last thing to complete – start a draft, but leave ‘perfection’ until later. • Plain English – what does it mean? • “PlainEnglish… is a generic term for communication in English that emphasizes clarity, brevity, and the avoidance of technical language”

  13. 1 Purpose & structure of your candidacy proposal OBJECTIVES • “ Provide a clearly defined statement of the objectives of the research.” • Sometimes only one objective; sometimes one broad AIM, and several objectives. • Use active verbs, for example: • Propose • Create • Construct • Demonstrate • Define • Establish • Differentiate

  14. 1 Purpose & structure of your candidacy proposal BACKGROUND • Building a background and setting the context for the research problem you have identified. • Include your literature review in this section. • This section can also include your research question, which emerges from your analysis of the • research problem detailed in background/lit review.

  15. 1 Purpose & structure of your candidacy proposal SIGNIFICANCE • Why is your research so important? • Why are you so excited about it? • What contribution will it make in the knowledge domain?

  16. 1 Purpose & structure of your candidacy proposal RESEARCH METHOD “Include the sample selection; instrumentation; data collection; data analysis; reference to any hazardous procedures or highly toxic chemicals.” NOTE: This section of the guidelines doesn’t mention methodology – but it should be here. Methodology is distinct from methods, but sometimes the two are conflated. Check the specific format/template which may be used in your school or faculty.

  17. 1 Purpose & structure of your candidacy proposal ETHICAL ISSUES “Provide a clear statement that demonstrates consideration of all ethical issues which may arise and the manner in which they will be addressed.” Allow sufficient time for ethics approval – in some cases, this could take many months.

  18. 1 Purpose & structure of your candidacy proposal FACILITIES & RESOURCES Guidelines for Essential Facilities for Higher Degree by Research (HDR) students “This guideline details the parameters of the University’s provision of essential facilities to HDR students, and provides direction and flexibility in determining the appropriate level of support required to meet the needs of student projects. The level of support will be determined through consultation with the student, confirmed at candidacy and subsequently reviewed jointly by the student and supervisor during each Annual Progress Reporting round.” http://17986-presscdn-0-31.pagely.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2016/08/GRS-Guidelines-for-Essential-Facilities-20-10-17.pdf

  19. 1 Purpose & structure of your candidacy proposal • DATA STORAGE • You are required to create a Data Management Planwhich will be approved by your supervisor for your candidacy. Then you can get access to a free Curtin research drive. • It contains easy questions about what you expect to do with your data and you should be able to discuss with your supervisor what they expect of you. • Three places you can get help on this: • RDM Libguide • RDM Seminars/Workshops • Emailing researchdata@curtin.edu.au • The next Research Data Management Workshops is in March – Friday March 2, 2pm. Room 225 Robertson Library

  20. 1 Purpose & structure of your candidacy proposal TIMELINE • This will change – but you need to be realistic • At this point, you certainly cannot foresee the problems (personal and research-related) • which may arise.

  21. 1 Purpose & structure of your candidacy proposal REFERENCES • Keep this list very ‘tight’ – most refs. will come from your literature review…. • Not a bibliography – include only what has been referred to in the proposal. • Start building this list immediately. • Begin by entering the most important references, then build around this • as you write and refine the proposal.

  22. 1 Purpose & structure of your candidacy proposal POTENTIAL PROBLEMS WITH THE CANDIDACY PROPOSAL • The research question or problem is not clear enough. • There is a mismatch between the research question and the methodologies/methods chosen. • Potential supervisors don’t have the interest and/or ability to effectively supervise your topic. • The scope of the project is too wide and not practical for the given time-frame. • You fail to express you passion and knowledge in the proposal– especially to the supervisors who may not be specialists/experts in your particular field. https://www.adelaide.edu.au/graduatecentre/forms/admission/docs/admision-research-proposal-template-guide.pdf

  23. 1 Purpose & structure of your candidacy proposal ‘TONE’ OF THE CANDIDACY PROPOSAL Use the ‘as if’ style – write as if you are an expert! Although you need to find your scholarly voice, and take positions, a balanced approach is important.

  24. 1 Purpose & structure of your candidacy proposal A FINAL WORD • Dr Craig Harper • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2EjOte1BTw • (Commence video at 1.08, finish at 5.00)

  25. References Eco, U. 2015. How to Write a Thesis. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. Pp. 26-30.

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