Trim 2 - Class 9, 10, 11 & 12: A Relevant Research Question & Some method January 28, February 1st, 4, 8

Claude Lévi-Strauss is quoted to have said “The scientist is not a person who gives the right answers, he’s one who asks the right questions.” What is the question your work is trying to answer?

In this class, each student formulates his/her research question and begin the formulation of the unknown.

At the end of the session, each student is able to express his/her subject in a single, clear and motivating question.

The classes on February 1st & 8 are dedicated to coaching, on an appointment basis only.

Summary of January 28th Class (By Estève Giraud):

1) Introduction of the course(10 min)

– Which grade would you give to your courses this semester? Why? Compared to the previous semester?
– Chat with the students. Ask them how they feel about their workload and the other teachers.

2) Students’ presentations of their topic(45min)
– Where they are in the process, what they want to do with their thesis, their challenges.
– Try to help them to focus during their thinking. Mirror effect of their speech and guidelines for furthering their work. Encourage them, give them ideas.

3) Small group thinking: express your inner interests(20 min)
– Why are you interested in this topic? Why is it important to you?
– Connect their global interest on the topic to an inner interest

4) Summary (15 min)
– What did you lean during the class?

In short:

– Be proactive with your topic: read about it, talk about it, write about it
– Do not wait for your supervisor’s availability to start searching
– Write often not to lose your ideas, it will be a material for the draft
– Use a dedicated file to your thesis including all your notes
– Make a bibliography as a “to-read” check list
– Personally engage with the topic you chose
– Follow your intuition in research
– Praise yourself and keep your intrinsic motivation

Next Session

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