An early note.To safeguard your proposals and research methods, kindly ensure that the following materials are ready for use in defence of ideas when we meet after CTs. The pace is likely to acclerate considerably.
1. Key readings (at least 3-5, please highlight relevant sections) sourced from your literature reviews. I understand that they will be well-deployed and applied to substantiate the links between TR1 and TR2 within your chosen topic and proposal.2. Specific concepts, methods, philosophies or approaches and / or strategies obtained from real-world context / other readings which you intent to apply in your WR.
3. Raw data from primary data collection. Need not be processed. Am fine if some preliminary work has already been done on it. Note that all interviews have to be transcribed at some stage. You may highlight key arguments or ideas which you think may be applicable for use in WR.
Once again, items 1 and 2 are critical pre-requisites if you wish to score well for PW. They carry the greatest potential in scoring well for GI and EV in your WR. Interdisciplinary prospects in your approach to Conservation / Emergency will also be clearly noted here. You will be able to sense the quality of your proposals (and my frank assessment) based on this understanding.On a personal note, there are a handful of groups which have resorted to appointing one member to work on questionaires and surveys alone. These materials were then tossed to me for editing with tons of careless mistakes and vague assertions made. The standards were less than satisfactory. Please understand that independent learning and group work are key demands of this subject. You are not likely to do well if little effort has been made to work and THINK as a team. I enjoy engaging your ideas but don't make me 'do the thinking / write the proposal ' for you!
It is ok to elect a change in team leader if the latter is unable to cope. Some of you are soldiering on when I suspect a change in leadership would energise the group pacing and climate for the better of all. This has to do with aptitude, not judgement. You can still function professionally as a team. Talk to me individually if this concerns you.
Please take good care of yourself this season. Those who are doing topics on emergency should be finding a goldmine of concepts and strategies in daily news by now. You know what to do :)
I write this with due respect to anyone who has been quarantined because of precautions taken by the authorities. Looking forward to your return to college soon...
Academic rigour is one hallmark of a good proposal. Another clear indicator is the ability to develop a strong template / diagram to show how various aspects of a proposal (plans / activities VS strategies and philosophy or principles) are inter-related and connected to the task requirements. In short, you are able to defend and rationalize your approach with sense and confidence in the face of repeated interrogations put forward by your supervisor.
While a learning journey or heritage trail may work for one group, the other may experience a quick rejection of the same idea. Blogs, talks and exhibitions are the usual stuff developed by groups for pw. Every group is bound to consider these activities at some stage. The group that will stand out is one that will showcase strong academic rigour and rationale adapted from real-world case studies or approaches. A reliable sign is the ability to cite relevant literature to support your plans during consultations especially in defending your proposal . The use of sound concepts to anchor your proposal is another. There is a subtle difference between a pointless activity and one supported by a sound strategy.
The signs are as follows:
Keep me posted on the journey. You may like to know that my mind goes through 32 cranium- blasts in every consultation. Your tutors often need to move 5 or 10 steps ahead of you to guide you through different aspects of the research process. Not easy. It helps alot if the team remains united and cooperates fully with the tutor in engaging an idea or pushing through a thought-process or argument. We stress alot on intellectual 0wnership for your own project.
Something interesting for PW groups attempting conservation and architecture. There is a talk on "SINGAPORE HOUSES: epitomising, cutting-edge, residential architecture" by Robert Powell & Albert Lim KS. Details as follows: 11 June 2009, Thursday, 5 – 6pm, National Library Building, 100 Victoria Street, The Pod, Level 16 (access by private lift at level 1,opposite reception)
