1. Seminar I Problem Formulation Poul Thøis Madsen & Corrie Lynn S. McDougall

2. Overview of Semester Process Introduction Project Work Courses/Lectures/Seminars Evaluation

3. Problem-Organised Project Work

4. Skills Learned from Project Work  Communication  Sensitivity  Collaboration  Flexibility  Management/Leadership  Writing Skills/Style Skills

5. Types of Problem Formulations  To Raise a Question: –Contradiction –Conundrum –Anomaly –Inconsistency –Wonder –Puzzle  Formulate a Problem: –Understand –Analyze –Conceptualize –Discuss –Critically Assess –Uncover

6. Archetype of a Project 1. Problem Formulation 2. Methodology 3. Definition of Key Concepts 4. Theoretical Framework 5. Empirical Section 6. Analysis 7. Conclusion

7. Problem Formulation Overview 1. Introduction to General Subject 2. Narrowing General Subject  Specific Area 3. Precisely Defined Problem Statement

8. What to INCLUDE…  Illustrate your interest in the topic  Provide limited empirical information  Include two or three sub-questions

9. What NOT to include…  Do not include how you are planning to conduct your research - no methodology  Do not include the theory you plan to use  Do not discuss how you will analyze issue

10. After Reading the Problem Form..  You should have a clear understanding of: –How did problem came about? –What are the main elements of the problem? –What makes the problem relevant? –Which aspects of the problem the project is most focused upon/interested in?

11. Five General Comments 1. What is the problem? 1.Subject or question but is it really a problem? 2. What is the level of analysis? 1.country/region/cultural/historical… 3. Pure description rather than problem-solving 1.Ex. trafficking of women 4. Is the empirical data available? 5. The danger of being too ambitious and not having a clear focus.