Investigating the Enigma of the "Black Box": The Challenge of Crafting a Thesis
In the section "Senior Thesis", a student shares their excitement and nerves about embarking on a significant research project. The article series, titled "Looking Back on Undergraduate Research", features interviews with Princeton alumni, including Teri Tillman '16, Jacob Schatz '15, and Chris Lu '88.
Narrowing Down Thesis Topics
The journey begins with identifying academic strengths and interests, often drawing from past coursework or research experiences. A preliminary literature review is conducted to identify gaps or unresolved questions in the field, helping to refine a broad topic into a precise, manageable research question. Consulting early with potential advisors or faculty ensures alignment with ongoing research priorities and provides tailored guidance. The goal is to craft a clear and focused thesis topic that is feasible within time and resource constraints. For example, narrowing from “Climate change” to “Impacts of urban heat islands on Princeton campus microclimates.”
Incorporating Additional Theories
Using the literature review, relevant theories are surveyed, noting where they complement or challenge each other. Theories that provide multiple perspectives or address gaps are integrated, building a conceptual framework that supports the research questions. Continuous refinement of the outline ensures sections discussing theoretical frameworks and their relevance to the hypothesis or analysis are included.
Applying for Funding for Research Trips
Starting early, potential funding opportunities are tracked using Princeton’s resources such as department announcements, undergraduate research offices, or external scholarships. A detailed proposal outlining research goals, the significance of the research trip, and anticipated outcomes is prepared, linking it to the thesis topic and methods. A clear budget and timeline are included in the funding application, demonstrating feasibility. Seeking advice from advisors or research mentors for feedback and letters of support can greatly strengthen the application. Thorough documentation and organization of all materials related to the research and proposal streamline the application process.
The author, in their quest for an amazing project, is asking themselves questions to expand their thesis, such as incorporating additional theories, specifically focusing on capitalism, and anticipating potential criticisms. The author is open to sharing their research journey, aiming to make the "black box" of research more transparent.
The student's thesis research will focus on studying advertisements that influenced French theorists, with a potential focus on commercial ad design and its reflection of capitalist society. The author is expected to write a 15,000 to 20,000-word research paper for their Princeton career.
The interview with Teri Tillman is titled "Looking Back on Undergraduate Research: A Conversation with Teri Tillman '16". The interview with Jacob Schatz is titled "Looking Back on Undergraduate Research: A Conversation with Jacob Schatz '15". The interview with Chris Lu is titled "Looking Back on Undergraduate Research: Chris Lu '88 on Public Service".
The article series is not focused on advertisements.
Stay tuned for more interviews and insights in the "Looking Back on Undergraduate Research" series.
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