Large Projects
The purpose of this section is to consider projects that are bigger than the typical course paper. They may be bigger because they will result in a longer written document. Or they may be bigger because the nature of the research requires more work. Much of the process is similar to what has been discussed elsewhere. Overall, a logical way to use this website would be to concentrate on the following pages in roughly the following order.
- Select and begin researching a topic.
- Formulate a research question and thesis
- Choose an appropriate research method
- Write a research prospectus
- Do more research and collect data, this time focused on answering the research question, and utilizing the chosen method to assess answers to that question
- Make a tentative outline
- Organize your notes
- Write your first draft
- Seek feedback on that draft
- Revise
- Submit
However, the larger issue with bigger projects often is time management. Whether it is an undergraduate senior project, a Master’s essay, or a PhD dissertation, this will be critical issue to address.
See the section: “Organization and Time Management“.
Regardless of what you plan to do it is always important to be in touch with your primary advisor and/or course instructor. They may have advice or instructions that vary from those presented here. This website is meant to be used as a general guide, to supplement — not replace — what they provide.
updated July 12, 2017 – MN
A Political Science Guide 