Feedbacks for Literature Review
Feedback Summary from Nigel – Preparing for the Research Proposal
During my recent feedback session with Nigel, we discussed several important points to consider as I prepare for my upcoming research proposal. These insights will help shape both the structure and content of the project.
Using Pixar in Education
One of the key questions raised was: How can educators effectively use Pixar films in the classroom? This central inquiry will guide the direction of the research. It was also suggested that emotional engagement might be an area worth exploring within this context.
Survey Design and Methodology
Nigel advised that using a questionnaire or survey could be more efficient than conducting interviews, particularly at this stage. The goal should be to keep the questionnaire simple and concise, ideally taking no more than 30 seconds to complete. A target of 50 responses was suggested as ideal. It is important to define the target country or demographic clearly within the questionnaire itself.
While methodology is not required in the proposal, it will be necessary for the final thesis. Therefore, at this stage, the focus should be on designing a basic questionnaire to include in the proposal draft.
Ethical Documentation
I was reminded to request the necessary ethical approval documents from Nigel (as referenced in a previous email with a ZIP attachment). These include the participant consent form and other relevant paperwork.
Language and Style Considerations
Several stylistic and academic writing tips were provided:
- Avoid using the term “kids”; instead, refer to “students.”
- Remove subtitles from paragraphs in the literature review to maintain a formal tone.
- Do not state that something is “proven” unless you have direct, empirical evidence. Instead, use more cautious phrasing such as “There is evidence to suggest…”
- Replace casual transitions like “on top of that” with more academic alternatives like “additionally.”
- When first referencing a film, include the name of the director.
- Film titles should be italicized throughout the text.
Next Steps
Looking ahead, I should begin drafting the proposal according to the official formatting document. By the tutorial in two weeks’ time, I aim to have both the questionnaire and initial sections of the proposal ready to present.