Notes

Outline

What are the necessary conditions for a successful project? Identification of a worthwhile well constrained problem. Identification of a problem where you have interest and competence. Finding an advisor who is able and willing to advise you properly. Finding a project which matches the time and resources you can devote to it.

What are the requirements for the scholarly paper/project? Some level of original input - a simple literature survey will not suffice. Needs to be in keeping with a geographical approach. Needs to provide some reasonable level of integration: Human environmental inter-relationships. Consideration of scale issues associated with a specific geographical problem Application of a novel method to solve a geographical problem.

What do you need to do now? If you have not identified a topic as yet you need urgently to start thinking about it. Talk to existing advisor, other faculty, fellow students and ME May help to think of multiple possibilities If you have identified a topic you still need to: Talk to existing advisor, other faculty, fellow students and ME Produce a concise problem statement which clearly articulates the purpose of the project

What will the final paper contain? Abstract Scholarly/intellectual context with citations Clear problem statement Description as needed of methods, data sources, analytical techniques, geographic context. Analysis (qualitative or quantitative) Results Implications Conclusions Human subjects - beware

Citing the literature:  The library and the web. Crucial need to place your work in a scho;arly context Has to be done through citing work of others What makes a good citation? Refereed literature Official statistics Scholarly books from reputable publishing houses What makes a weaker citation? Conference proceedings where unrefereed Newspapers

What characterizes an inadequate citation?