In week 3, the session focused on understanding and testing the viability of a research topic. This was useful because it showed that a thesis idea cannot just be interesting; it also needs to be focused, researchable and supported by reliable sources. We discussed how to develop a potential research topic and how to identify resources that can help shape the research.
A key point from the session was that the topic should motivate us for several months, but it also has to be realistic. A topic can become weak if it is too broad, too vague, too narrow or too ambitious. The resource explained that the research question should connect to art, design or visual culture, and that it needs to be focused enough to allow for critical analysis rather than just description.
The session also introduced ways of testing a research potential. This includes defining a research objective and question, explaining the project rationale, identifying keywords, situating the topic in relation to key texts and debates, choosing materials or case studies, and building a bibliography. This structure is helpful because it gives me a clearer way to test whether my research idea is strong enough before developing it further.
For my own project, I started thinking about possible keywords and sources. Some useful keywords could be: animated documentary, war representation, media framing, civilian experience, propaganda, trauma, memory, visual storytelling and 3D animation. These keywords can help me find academic sources and films that connect to my thesis topic. I also need to think about which films, artworks or animated examples I could analyse as case studies.
The session also reminded me that research is not only about collecting information, but about understanding different positions and debates. The research resources explain the difference between primary and secondary sources, and also stress the importance of taking notes carefully, including author, title, date, publisher and page references. This is important for avoiding confusion later when writing the thesis and using Harvard referencing.
PDF from last week’s assignment