Research Project

Year 2

Elaine McCarthy
6th of April 2016

Outline
Essay writing overview
Research project
Research proposal
Points to consider
Learning outcomes
Questions?

Essay
2,000 words due 13th of April
Visual Culture Seminar

Essay Construction
Your conclusion is the roof of
your argument. It seals your
essay.
The body contains the main
themes. Like the rooms of a
house, they are connected but
each has a different purpose.
The introduction is the first
layer
References form the foundation

Introduction

Start with a general point

Identify the essay question

Identify the artist/designer or image, object,
thing
Grab the readers attention
Outline what will be discussed
Put forward a research question/argument (this
can be stated explicitly or simply implied)

Key Phrases: Introduction

The objective of this essay is
The essay will focus on.
This essay will aim to answer the
question
This essay will attempt to examine
This essay will explore

Main Body
Describe/provide brief background
Outline main points
Backup points with readings
Paragraphs must be connected
Fulfil everything outlined in introduction
and support your planned conclusion

Key Phrases: Main Body

It is argued that
It is proposed that
The authors posit that
The authors assert that
In addition,.
Furthermore,
Significantly

Conclusion
Summarise key points
Reference the larger issue
Have you supported your argument?
Never bring in new information unless
making a point about future directions
in the discussed topic

Key Phrases:
Conclusion
In conclusion,
To summary
In consideration of this
Academic Phrasebook
http://www.phrasebank.manchester.ac.uk/

Critical Thinking
Skills
Knowledge: Identification of information
Comprehension: Organisation of facts and ideas
Application: Use of theory, principles and facts
Analysis: Separating a whole into its parts
Synthesis: Combining ideas to form a new whole
Evaluation: Developing argument & conclusion

Remember
Balanced argument
Reference experts
Be respectful
Make a constructive suggestion
Provide a recognition of the limitations
of your own argument

Essay Structure
Introduction 200 words
Descriptive Background 400 words
Main Point 1 400 words
Main Point 2 400 words
Main Point 3 400 words
Conclusion 200 words
Total 2,000 words
Remember this is an example.
Adjust your plan to fit in all your key points.

Research Project

The Research Project

Part 1 Research Project (75%)
6,000 words - BA Honours (15% Degree)
8,000 words -Joint Honours (37.5%
Degree)
4,000 words Education
Due January 2017

The Research Project

Part 2 - Statement of Practice
Due May 2017, 750 words
(25%)
Related to studio work

Why am I doing a Research

Project?
Professional development
Aspect of your studio practice
Explore own interests
Add something new
Become an expert

Research Proposal
750 words due 20th of April
1. Research question
2. Annotated bibliography
including 10 relevant research
sources (i.e. journal articles,
books, films)

Annotated Bibliography
List of academic citations
Harvard Style
Brief annotation - evaluative paragraph
1. Summary of content, themes of the
source
2. Inform the reader of the relevance,
accuracy and quality of the sources
cited.

Trustworthy
Source?
Recently dated
Published by a legitimate peer reviewed
journal or website
Authors are knowledgeable experts
Academic writing: use of correct spelling,
grammar and proper terminology
Use websites for your own understanding
No Wikipedia !!!

Reliable Evidence and

Sources

NCAD Library

http://www.ncad.ie/library/visit-us/

NCAD Online
Journals
http://capitadiscovery.co.uk/ncad/

NIVAL
http://www.nival.ie/

Google Scholar
https://scholar.google.com/

Example
Carville, J. (2011) Photography and Ireland, London:
Reaktion Books
This book is a general survey of modern and contemporary
photography in Ireland. Particularly relevant is chapter four
'Conflicting Images' which looks at the emergence of
contemporary Fine Art photography in Northern Ireland
against the background of the troubles, and includes a
brief discussion of Sloan's photography. Because Carville is
concerned with all Irish photography, over the whole
modern period (nineteenth and twentieth century), it offers
a broad context for Sloan's work. A particular concern is to
point out the diverse 'geographic imagining' of Ireland, as
colony, as province and as nation.

Research Proposal
Identify your area of interest
Convince the reader this is worthwhile
Establish your aims
Outline your specific research question
How are you going to answer this?

Do you like your selected

topic?
Pick a topic
that you
enjoy and will
maintain your
interest

How will you research this?

Where will you access your sources?
Can you access sufficient sources?
Annotated bibliography task will
indicate this

What research methods?

Literature review
Visual analysis
Object analysis
Philosophical analysis
Interviews (if needed)

Related to your studio

practice?
Link between theory and practice
Ideally should be relevant to your
studio practice

Is the topic manageable?

Specific and central idea
Address a coherent research question
Think about a potential plan
Avoid: broad themes, historical

accounts or abstract areas

What makes a Good Project?

Interesting and innovative
Demonstrates critical understanding
of research topic
Uses a range of quality sources
Puts forward a clear argument
Is logically structured and ordered
Meets learning outcomes - Handbook

Stuck?
Read former theses available from
library
Theses awarded first class honours
(pg. 16 Year 3 Research Project
Handbook)
Have a chat with your tutors

Learning Outcomes
Learning outcomes are statements of
what a student should know,
understand or be able to do at the end
of a learning activity
Important to consider the Learning
Outcomes as these are the criteria you
need to demonstrate to your lecturers

Learning Outcomes:
Research

Use an appropriate range of

academic sources that relate to

your topic and current practices in
fine art or design and broader
cultural and critical issues

Learning Outcomes:
Analysis
Show a critical awareness of the influences
in art, design and culture which form the
foundation of visual and material production

Learning Outcomes:
Communication

Successfully communicate research,

analysis and initiative in coherent and
relevant forms. (expression, clarity,
spelling, grammar, punctuation.)

Learning Outcome: Planning

Formulate a research proposal,
and a research question, using
appropriate methods

Where to Find the

Guidelines?

NCAD Website Visual Culture

http://www.ncad.ie/students/student-academic-information/visualculture-programme-information/

Need Help?

Opening Hours: 9am-5pm Monday to

Friday
Email:
learningsupport@staff.ncad.ie

Questions?