Transcript tilly-selecting-diss..

powerpoint prepared by sina mossayeb
selecting a dissertation topic:
range and scope
graphical reproduction based on a conceptual illustration by Charles Tilly (2006)
based on a conceptual illustration
by charles tilly, columbia university
2006
provides new
answer to old question
challenges accepted
answer to old questions
confirms contest
answer to old questions
modifies accepted
answers to old questions
confirms accepted
answers to old questions
RANGE OF CONTRIBUTION (RESULTS)
changes accept
answer and questions
fills in
information gap
innovatory contribution: you contribute a
seemingly new idea outside of existing
arguments in the field
significant contribution: you contribute
new evidence / support to an existing
argument, that has bearing on a controversy
of the topic
medial contribution: you contribute more
evidence / support to existing arguments
an instance: one time and place
SCOPE OF CONCLUSIONS
an instance
graphical reproduction based on a conceptual illustration by Charles Tilly (2006)
several instances
all instances
challenges both accepted
questions and answers
provides new
answer to old question
challenges accepted
answer to old questions
modifies accepted
answers to old questions
confirms accepted
answers to old questions
fills in
information gap
least impact
confirms contested
answer to old questions
degree of impact
greatest impact
greatest risk
least risk
SCOPE
The potential for impact on the
field increases as scope and
range of research increase
graphical reproduction based on a conceptual illustration by Charles Tilly (2006)
however, there is a direct correlation
between impact of innovatory
research / more instances AND risk
of strong opposition to your
research findings
changes accept
answer and questions
greatest impact / greatest risk
provides new
answer to old question
area of impact
challenges accepted
answer to old questions
confirms contest
answer to old questions
modifies accepted
answers to old questions
confirms accepted
answers to old questions
fills in
information gap
leave this
for postdoc career
least impact / least risk
SCOPE
the red shaded area
represent the most risky
area but potentially bears
the greatest impact
graphical reproduction based on a conceptual illustration by Charles Tilly (2006)
the blue shaded area
represents the ideal range
and scope of research for
dissertation work
AN ALL-PURPOSE QUESTIONNAIRE
FOR RESEARCH PROPOSALS
AN ALL-PURPOSE QUESTIONNAIRE
FOR PAPERS, THESES, & BOOKS
What main questions will your study
address?
In one sentence, what question(s) does this
work answer?
Why, how, and to whom do those questions
matter?
In one sentence, what answer(s) does it give?
What sorts of answers to those questions are
worth considering?
Who should care about the question(s)? Why
and how?
How will your study address the questions?
What form will the evidence take?
What are some possible conclusions from the
evidence?
What are the main technical problems you will
have to solve?
What are the main conceptual problems you
will have to solve?
What are the main theoretical problems you
will have to solve?
What are the main practical problems you will
have to solve?
Where will you start? Why there?
What form will the final product(s) take?
graphical reproduction based on a conceptual illustration by Charles Tilly (2006)
What other answers must we reject if we
accept yours?
Why should we prefer your answer(s)?
How have you investigated the question(s)?
What arguments and evidence are you
presenting for your answer(s)?
Why should we believe your arguments? Your
evidence?
If you are right, what general conclusions
should we draw?
interaction between
research & writing
argument
phenomenon
procedure
reports
articles
graphical reproduction based on a conceptual illustration by Charles Tilly (2006)
books