Phase C—Possible directions and priorities

Goal

"I have teased out my vision, so as to expand my view of issues associated with the project, expose possible new directions, clarify direction and scope within the larger set of issues, and decide most important direction."

Background

After a couple of weeks learning about what others have written and done (Phase B), you probably have an expanded view of issues associated with your project. It may seem pressing to define a narrower topic. However, this phase works towards clarification of your direction by first expanding your view of the issues even further.

Processes

Alternating between creative and critical aspects of any phase of research and writing—"opening-wide, then focusing in & formulating."
Mapping,
prepared (making use of Questions for opening wide and probing), then probed by others (using these same questions) to discover, invent, or refine your subject-purpose-audience. Mapping may be supplemented with:
Pyramid of questions
Ten questions
Discussion with advisor and peers
Sense-making contextualization applied to one's whole project

Mapping; The goal of mapping is the same as for phase C. The idea is to do mapping before you have a coherent overall research design and overall argument.

In session 3

• Create a draft version of your map, using the questions for opening wide and probing to help.
• Work with a peer to review your map, using the same questions. Consider how the map relates to your Governing Question.

Supplementary processes for opening wide or focusing and formulating: Pyramid Of Questions; Ten Questions; Discussion with advisor and peers; Sense-making contextualization applied to one's whole project.

By session 4 or 5

• Revise your map.
• Work with a peer to review it using probing questions.
• Compose a revised Governing Question.
• Submit the map and revised Governing Question to your advisor for review.

Follow up

In Phase D you identify gaps requiring further research, but without the visual or graphic approach that is at the heart of mapping. Notice the similarities and differences between what emerges in Phases C and D in relation to the interplay of the creative and critical aspects of thinking.

All Phases | Next: Phase D--Component Propositions