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Week 12
Proposal Submission

Preparation: Review the videos on proposal writing and complete two more readings on research methods.
This coming week is final submission of your thesis proposal to the project proposal assignment.  This will include all the pieces you have done on ethics, literature review, bibliography, budget etc.  You have to convince your professor that this will result in a viable research product and your funders that it is worthy of doing.  Review the suggestions as to how to do this in the Project Proposal doc.
 
There are a few extra ideas in the following nicely crafted PowerPoint to help you refine your proposal including a section on defining your terms:   Master Dissertation Tips to a Winning Proposal

The following extend discussion on research methods:
  1. View: “Qualitative vs. Quantitative Research”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddx9PshVWXI&feature=related [6 min.]
  2. View: “Field Dressing”: http://sites.duke.edu/ethicsmodules/2011/04/25/field-dressing/   [3:38]
  3. Read: “Field Notes: What, How & Why?” http://anthroyogini.wordpress.com/2007/08/16/field-notes-what-how-why/


Make sure you have added in your theological piece, be it simply a statement of your values that underlie the study or a fuller discussion of the theological rationale for engaging this question, or a complete theological transformation approach to grounded theological research. 
Face to Face Discussion
  • Review of Project Proposal Tips
  • Come to class with a pdf you can show us of your thesis proposal.  You can present your question and any part of the proposal that you are still puzzling over for others to have input.  Or you can focus on your research method and get input on how to adapt it.
Online Discussion Select Forums from the Course Links navigation menu and then Topic #6: field participant observation.  Engagement in the forums is a critical piece of the dialogue of the class.