The Matter of Research Problematic Knots as signals Dissertation Proposal Research program

The Matter of Research The first suggested step to the doctorate candidate is the choice of an area of interest. This area is expected to be coherent with the pregressive and future interests of the candidate. Once inserted in the doctorate program, the candidate is asked to decline his interests in function of the participation to active units of research. The preliminary aspects of the research topic that will constitute the core of the doctoral will be freely articulated, although it is reasonable to suggest the consideration of some elementary requirements: the correct setting of the dimension of the research problem (avoiding so complex departure problems that make the approach difficult or themes so easy and discounted to elude results of some interest) the consistency with the research interests and competencies of the tutor andof possible other figures that might supervise the research activity the coherence of the issue with the most general domain of research in the communities of scientific reference The result of this choice will be an area of interest, limited although wide enough to allow free enquiry. Problematic Knots as signals Given a research subject, the research activity of the candidate usually starts with a research on this subject: theory, literature, survey on the state-of-art, data collection , information and methods selection. The purpose and the result of this activity are twofold: to assess or recognise what others have already done to set the foundations of the hyphothesis that will drive the work of research: where are the real problematic knots placed? What are the areas, the veins, the themes? And where does the research potentials concentrate or dilute? The answers (hypothetical) to these questions will possibly suggest more specific research trajectories. Dissertation Proposal Once an area of interest has been identified, the candidate will be called to present a formal dissertation proposal. The proposal has the purpose to focus on the object of the research, showing to the board of professors: the strength of the theoretical base, the cultural foundations and the cultural background the importance of the problem the nature of the research hypothesis the awaited sense and usefulness of the results the method that the doctorate candidate will use to proceed in the research The proposal must essentially answer three qualifications: to frame synthetically the research context to build legitimate research queries to assume one or more research directions. The contents of the proposal can be synthesised in three parts: an introduction; a table of contents; a bibliography. The Research program The research program answers the same qualifications of the dissertation proposal by making its structure clear. In fact, if the proposal is called to make explicit "what" a candidate is expected to reach with the research, the program will have to assume "how". The research program is the framework that will support the research.