Click here for another, and perhaps clearer, set of synopsis guidelines
At the end of the semester (the deadline for students in Copenhagen) is Dec. 18 at 14.00) each group must deliver a complete project proposal (fieldwork synopsis), which outlines their plans for a specific fieldwork project in East / Central Europe. The synopsis should contain the following elements. They do NOT have to occur in the below sequence, and you do NOT have to divide the synopsis into the "chapters" described below. The point is that all of these elements should be present in the synopsis, whether they are discussed together or separately, in this sequence or in another. Thus, the synopsis should include:
1. A short introduction, which gives a ultra-short description of the project (time, place, theme, relevance).
2.
A statement of the problem. This is a short (1-2 sentences) summary of
the main problem to be examined in the project. Here is a real example:
| By looking at two generations from the former GDR, I wish to examine how individual and collective / social memories are expressed and connected through different forms of practices: narrative and formal as well as informal rituals. |
3.
Two-three research questions. These should break the statement of the
problem down into more concrete questions that can be examined empirically. The
questions may be accompanied by a short commentary. Again, here is a real
example:
|
1.
What are the individual thought about the past, present and future among
people living in Germany today? How and what events in the individual's
life are used to make sense of his / her past, present and future? 2.
What are the prevailing themes in the ways in which young university
students and their parents, or teachers, from the former GDR speak about
themselves and their lives in connection with the university students
and their parents or teachers from the former GDR speak about themselves
and their lives in connection with the unification of the two Germanies? 3.
How is meaning inscribed in social and physical spaces through everyday
practices of young and 'old' East Germans? What roles do social and
individual memory play in these processes? |
4. Background. This should include background on the place you are planning to study, as well as on the theme. What has been written about this theme before? What has been written about the place? What is the place like (basic information - historical, demographic, economic, political etc. - whatever is relevant to your study).
5. Analytical perspectives. Here you should give a presentation of the kind of analytical / theoretical instruments you will use in order to understand your material. Your theories should be connected to the research questions: what kind of theoretical approaches would be relevant to each of the questions?
6. Methodological, practical and ethical perspectives. Here you should do several things:
a) Describe what kinds of methods you think will be relevant for investigating each of the research questions. Examples of methods could be: participant observation, interviews (formal or informal), focus groups, network studies, extended case studies, media studies, internet studies etc. Remember: Participant observation is always the central and most important method. But in certain situations it is impossible to do participant observation. In other situation, participant observation may be complemented or expanded with other methods.
b) Describe your practical approach to the field. Do you need research permits? Who will you contact when you get there? Where will you start your research? Will you be affiliated with a local academic institution? etc. etc. This part must be very concrete.
c) Discuss ethical dilemmas that your research might bring you into, and suggest how you will deal with these. How do you plan to present your research to your informants, when it is finished?
7. Relevance. Why is the study interesting? Who is it interesting for? Does it have any practical applications?