HIGHER DEGREES PROGRAMMES 2009 GUIDELINES FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE RESEARCH PROPOSAL

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1 STELLENBOSCH UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF VISUAL ARTS HIGHER DEGREES PROGRAMMES 2009 GUIDELINES FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE RESEARCH PROPOSAL 1 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES The aim of this guide is to assist you to prepare your preliminary research proposal. The conceptualisation of the proposal, language, layout, and the structuring of the material, as well as the efficient use of the library and archives, will therefore form of crucial dimension to this guide. 2 METHODOLOGICAL STRATEGIES FOR THE MA(VA) 2.1 With reference to the Higher Degrees Information Brochure, the content of the Masters programme in Visual Arts comprises the following two components: the production of a body of practical work directly related to visual research within the chosen discipline, and a theoretical thesis. 2.2 The relationship between these components will be determined by the particular nature of your research. The programme promotes the development of the student's particular sources, interests, skills and ideas, and it is expected students will conduct independent research of an advanced postgraduate standard which reflects an awareness of a contemporary context. 2.3 The practical component involves independent visual research where a body of art objects are prepared and presented for examination. The following options are, however, offered in respect of the theoretical component of the programme: The theoretical component may involve research into an independent topic related to the practical research. Because the theoretical component is an integral part of the degree, research must be of an advanced and in-depth nature. The thesis may alternatively pursue theoretical issues raised in the practical component. This option offers an opportunity to construct a theoretical argument around the practical work. In this model, the relationship between theory and practice is one of an ongoing interplay between the two components where the two mutually inform and enrich one other. Theses that simply explore technical issues will, however, not be accepted. 2.4 The methodological strategies for both the practical and theoretical components of the research are in many ways similar. In both components you are expected to formulate your own problems that you must proceed to independently resolve.

2 2 3 THE THESIS 3.1 The thesis entails in-depth theoretical research of an advanced nature. The format of the thesis, and the degree to which the thesis is evolved, depends on the nature of the area of study. 3.2 For the Masters programme in Visual Arts, the thesis may involve research into an independent topic related to the practical component of the degree, or may pursue theoretical issues raised in the practical component. The latter option offers an opportunity to construct a theoretical argument around the practical work. In this model, the relationship between theory and practice is one of an ongoing interplay between the two components where the two mutually inform and enrich one other. 3.3 When formulating ideas for your research, remember that these must be framed within the parameters of language. You must, therefore, ensure right from the beginning that you will be able to cope with the scope of the problem and topic, and that it is clear and neither too broad nor too limited for the particular format in which it will be framed. 4 SURVEY OF LITERATURE 4.1 Once you have clarified your topic, it is important that you conduct a survey of literature on the subject with a view to compiling a bibliography. (Remember that a bibliography is a reading list on the subject, and differs from the `sources consulted' that appears at the end of your thesis). Apart from the bibliographical sources that we have provided, you may initiate your own compilation by first consulting general reference works (such as encyclopaedias or collections of essays) before narrowing your survey to specific books or articles. Work carefully through the bibliographies of selected literature, as this will lead you to new literature on the subject. You can quickly access the broader contents of selected books by scanning the contents and index pages. It is a good idea to build up a card index system where you open a card for each book or article. Each card should include the full bibliographical descriptions on the source as well as a note on its general contents in respect of the subject. 4.2 Initially your research will probably start with secondary sources; that is, existing interpretations or commentaries on artists and artworks, or around discourses. It is also important to include primary sources, such as interviews with artists, artists' diaries, field research, and so on. Artworks are seen as primary sources and your interpretation then becomes a secondary text. It is further important that, although you might start with secondary texts regarding certain discourses, artworks (real and illustrated) will occupy a central position in your research. 4.3 For assistance in compiling a bibliography, please contact the Visual Arts subject librarian Mr Neil Hendrickz at the J S Gericke Library (nh@sun.ac.za). 5 RESEARCH PREMISE By the time you have completed your survey of relevant literature, you should have a clear idea of the scope and nature of the topic. You will now need to formulate the theoretical framework on which you will build your argument or discussion. Arguments or discussions do not exist in a void, and are premised on some or other theoretical pattern of thinking or argumentative method. This may, for example, range from an ideological to a psychological approach to a given problem, and may be informed by Existentialist, Marxist, Formalist, Phenomenological, Semiotic, Deconstructive or Feminist methodologies. The premise of your research is, therefore, a brief outline of theoretical approach you intend to adopt in formulating your argument or discussion. It is also important that your premise is supported by a substantiation of core literature. It is crucial that any argument or discussion be constructed on a clearly stated premise.

3 3 6 RESEARCH STRATEGY By the time you have completed a rigorous survey of relevant literature, you should have a clear idea of the scope of the topic. The next step is to decide on what facet of the subject you wish to investigate and the particular strategy you envisage adopting, for example, whether the investigation is to be informational or argumentative. This step will provide you with a blueprint or argumentative framework for organising your thesis. Once you have established the dominant topic and thesis, you will proceed to organise the preliminary information that you have gathered into main ideas and topics. 7 NARROWING THE TOPIC Having decided on your research strategy, you will need to narrow your topic further in order to tailor it to your research format (practical interests and thesis). In the process of defining your subject and purpose, you will have to narrow and limit the subject to clearly defined boundaries. Distinguish what is relevant to the dominant topic and main ideas from what is irrelevant to these. Ensure that the minor topics are kept subordinated to the main topics in order to preserve correct emphasis. 8 THE RESEARCH PROPOSAL MA IN VISUAL STUDIES 8.1 In order to finally register for the MA programme in Visual Studies, you are required to submit a preliminary proposal covering the theoretical interests of your research. It is imperative that a considerable amount of theoretical research be completed before the finalisation of the proposal in order that you are clear as to your specific research direction and focus. The research proposal is a four to five page outline or idea of what you propose to research and should include the following: 8.2 PRELIMINARY TITLE A suitable preliminary title must be provided. For Master s research, students must consult recent copies of the National Research Foundation Bulletin with a view to familiarise themselves with recent titles registered in their field of study. 8.3 THEORETICAL RESEARCH The proposed area of research must be introduced, justified, and substantiated. This must include a substantiation of the topic and a brief overview of the scope and nature of the research to be undertaken. In addition, existing gaps in the area of research must be examined which might be filled by the student's proposed research. An adequate survey of literature relevant to the area of research must be conducted with a view to formulate a bibliography. A clear research premise must be provided outlining the theoretical framework and methodological approach on which arguments and discussions are to be constructed. Linked to the above, core literature relating to the theoretical framework must be substantiated and assimilated. It is important that the boundaries of the proposed research be suitably delineated so as to comply with the format of the Master s theses. A provisional exposition of the contents of the research must be included. Under each heading (i.e. Preface, Introduction, and chapter headings), an indication should be given of the concepts, ideas and problems the student intends dealing with. Appropriate illustrative material must be provided.

4 4 The proposal must include a preliminary bibliography on the research topic that should reflect research already undertaken. The importance of articles in art journals (dealing with both historical and contemporary issues) is stressed here. 8.4 Although careful consideration must be given to the title and the proposal at this stage, both the title and the nature of the contents could be altered at a later stage. The thesis should not become a mere mechanical expansion of the proposal. The proposal should be viewed as an essential tool in defining and limiting the areas of interest during the initial stages of the research, and should later serve as a guideline in distilling and crystallising the research. 9 THE RESEARCH PROPOSAL MA IN VISUAL ARTS 9.1 In order to finally register for the MA(FA) programme, you are required to submit a preliminary proposal covering both the practical and theoretical components of your research. It is imperative that a considerable amount of practical and theoretical research be completed before the finalisation of the proposal in order that you are clear as to your specific research direction and focus. The research proposal is a four to five page outline or idea of what you propose to research and should include the following: 9.2 PRELIMINARY TITLE A suitable preliminary title must be provided. For Master s research, students must consult recent copies of the National Research Foundation Bulletin with a view to familiarise themselves with recent titles registered in their field of study. 9.3 RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE PRACTICAL AND THEORETICAL COMPONENTS The specific relationship between the practical and theoretical components of the research must be clearly outlined and substantiated (whether a student wishes to integrate his/her practice and theory, or whether the practise and theory will be approached as separate though associated entities). 9.4 PRACTICAL RESEARCH (2-3 PAGES) The proposed area of practical research must be introduced, justified, and substantiated. This must include a substantiation of the overall topic and a brief overview of the scope and nature of the research to be undertaken. It is important that the boundaries of the proposed research be suitably delineated so as to comply with the format of the practical component of the Master s degree. A detailed account of the interrelationship between the content, form and contextual dimensions of the practical component of the research should be provided. The length of the various sections of the proposal for the practical component of the research may differ according to the specific nature of the research. 9.5 THEORETICAL RESEARCH (2-3 PAGES) The proposed area of research must be introduced, justified, and substantiated. This must include a substantiation of the topic and a brief overview of the scope and nature of the research to be undertaken. In addition, existing gaps in the area of research must be examined which might be filled by the student's proposed research. An adequate survey of literature relevant to the area of research must be conducted with a view to formulate a bibliography.

5 5 A clear research premise must be provided outlining the theoretical framework and methodological approach on which arguments and discussions are to be constructed. Linked to the above, core literature relating to the theoretical framework must be substantiated and assimilated. It is important that the boundaries of the proposed research be suitably delineated so as to comply with the format of the Master s theses. A provisional exposition of the contents of the research must be included. Under each heading (i.e. Preface, Introduction, and chapter headings), an indication should be given of the concepts, ideas and problems the student intends dealing with. Appropriate illustrative material must be provided. The proposal must include a preliminary bibliography on the research topic that should reflect research already undertaken. The importance of articles in art journals (dealing with both historical and contemporary issues) is stressed here. 9.6 Although careful consideration must be given to the title and the proposal at this stage, both the title and the nature of the contents could be altered at a later stage. The thesis should not become a mere mechanical expansion of the proposal. The proposal should be viewed as an essential tool in defining and limiting the areas of interest during the initial stages of the research, and should later serve as a guideline in distilling and crystallising the research.

6 PARTLY NO YES 6 10 PROPOSAL CHECKLIST Use the following checklist to evaluate your proposal. RESEARCH PROPOSAL SELF-EVALUATION CHECKLIST Has a suitable preliminary title been provided? Has a clear definition of the central theme, argument or thesis been provided? Does the central topic have adequate academic merit for Master s research? Has the proposed research area been systematically introduced, justified, and substantiated? Has a brief overview of the scope and nature of the research been provided? Has a clear research strategy been provided? Has an adequate survey of relevant literature been conducted? Has core literature been adequately substantiated and assimilated? Has a clear research premise (theoretical foundation) been provided? Have the boundaries of the proposed research been suitably delineated so as to comply with the format of a Master s thesis? Has a satisfactory exposition of contents (Preface, Introduction, Chapters, and Conclusion) been provided? Has an acceptable select bibliography been provided (according to the Harvard method)? Has appropriate illustrative material been provided? Does the approach to the proposed research and treatment of the material demonstrate that the student is adequately familiar with broader streams of contemporary visual thinking and critical debates? Has there been a degree of personal interpretation? Have sources, quotations and illustrations been consistently acknowledged and referenced according to the Harvard method? Are there doubts as to the originality of the discussions and arguments? Is the writing style adequately clear (construction of sentences and paragraphs, logic, paraphrasing, quotations, foot- or endnotes, etc.)? Has adequate attention been given to the use of language (spelling, punctuation, grammar, proofreading, etc.)? Are the layout and presentation (typesetting, spacing, printing, illustrations, captions, etc.) satisfactory?

7 7 LITERATURE AND USING THE LIBRARY 1 BROWSING THROUGH THE LIBRARY 1.1 ACQUAINTING YOURSELF It is important that you be fully acquainted with the library with a view to: guiding yourself around the library finding the literature you need finding more information finding periodicals and serials using photocopy services. 1.2 CATALOGUES (digital or card) Use the digital or card catalogues for locating books and periodicals in the library. You may request assistance from library staff for the use of this computerised catalogue, as well as for any problem you may have concerning the use of the library. The subject reference librarian, Mr Neil Hendrickz, will provide research assistance that will include the following: locating material in the University and other libraries re-issuing previously compiled bibliographies compiling bibliographies where warranted purchasing material required for research finding information on specific topics helping with the verification of bibliographic details. 2 SOURCES 2.1 PRIMARY SOURCES With academic research in the visual arts, the major primary source that you would consult would be visual material, such as works of art. In addition, original written or oral material by artists on their own work would also be considered as primary sources. Other primary sources would be theories on art and interpretations of visual material by authors, such as art historians and art theorists. When reading about visual material, wherever possible try to access the original material (such as works of art), or alternatively use good quality reproductions. Ideally, you should study the visual material in conjunction with readings on that material, and make notes of your observations and responses. Reading literature on visual material without simultaneously consulting the material can restrict your own responses and inhibit a critical approach to interpreting visual material. Be very careful not to be intimidated to the authority of authors and critical texts. If you have no means of accessing the original visual material, be sure to locate good quality reproductions. In the case of three-dimensional material (such as sculpture and architecture), consult as many views and angles of the visual material as possible in order to gain a full understanding of the thereof. Study photographs of interiors and exteriors of buildings, together with architectural drawings (plans, sections and elevations) where these are available.

8 8 2.2 Primary sources exist in the following forms: artworks and other visual material monographs research dissertations or theses journal articles books artists' diaries interviews with artists (fieldwork) exhibition catalogues (if they contain primary source material) archival material (Archives on South African art and architecture are housed at various libraries, museums, universities and galleries in the country.) Information may be obtained from the subject reference librarian for Visual Arts, Mr Neil Hendriksz. You may consult the archives at the University by means of microfiche at the J S Gericke Library. Many art galleries and museums house archives which have been established for their own use, but which can be made accessible to students and researchers upon request. 2.3 SECONDARY SOURCES Secondary sources comprise literature on primary sources. These would include commentaries on visual material of artists or the original ideas of theorists found in primary sources. They evaluate and assess the ideas of other authors. This kind of assessment, as a form of reinterpretation, deals primarily with the original ideas of others, but is also creative and original in a sense. Secondary sources exist in the following forms: books monographs specialised histories journal articles commentaries introductions to subjects theses exhibition catalogues exhibition reviews 2.4 TERSIARY SOURCES Tertiary sources comprise material that is two steps removed from original works. They consist of encyclopaedias, dictionaries, bibliographies and indexes in which references are made to primary and secondary sources. Examples of tertiary sources include the following: companions and encyclopaedias art indexes (Some of the articles listed in the index are in the University Library, and you may order others through the interlibrary loans section of the University Library.) abstracts on dissertations or theses bibliographies computer data searches (These provide reference to diverse sources, such as journals not included in indexes.)

9 9 3 LITERATURE ON RESEARCH METHODS You will find extensive advice on research methods readily available in the University library. We recommend the following sources but advise you to consult the library to find out about the latest publications on research methods: Carrick, N How to find out about the arts: a guide to sources of information. Oxford: Pergamon. Clough, Peter. c2007. A student s guide to methodology: justifying enquiry. Los Angeles: SAGE. D Alleva, A Methods and theories of Art History. London: Laurence King. Etherington, K Becoming a reflexive researcher: using ourselves in research. London: Jessica Kingsley. Goldman, B Reading and writing in the arts: a handbook. Detroit: Wayne State University Press. Greenfield, T. (ed.) Research methods for postgraduates. New York: Oxford University Press. Leedy, PD Practical research: planning and design. New York: Macmillan. Madsen, D Successful dissertations and theses: a guide to graduate student research from proposal to completion. San Francisco: Jossey Bass. Mouton, J How to succeed in your master's and doctoral studies: a South African guide and resource book. Pretoria: Van Schaik. Muehsam, G Guide to basic information in the visual arts. Santa Barbara, Calif: ABC-Clio. Stebbins, L.F Student guide to research in the digital age: how to locate and evaluate information sources. Westport, Conn.: Libraries Unlimited. Sullivan, G Art practice as research: inquiry in the visual arts. Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Sage. Williams, S & Colenbrander, H Research methods and thesis writing: an annotated bibliography. Pretoria: University of South Africa. Wisker, G The postgraduate research handbook: succeed with your MA, MPhil, EdD and PhD. Basingstoke, Hampshire: Palgrave.