This week is the same contents as last week. And I try to find new topic and genre for thesis.
After talking with my professor, I have a clearer vision for my research. I decided to combine my original ideas with my professional strengths.
Focusing on My Background
As someone with experience in both 2D hand-drawn animation and 3D CG, I want my research to reflect this unique background. Instead of a general study, I will focus on the technical and artistic side of animation.
Choosing a Specific Masterpiece
To make my research more practical, I have decided to analyze a specific work. I am a huge fan of Disney and Pixar, so I will choose one film from their collection as my main case study.
By looking at a world-class film, I can study:
How they use visual storytelling to connect with children.
The balance between traditional 2D principles and modern 3D technology.
This week, I had a meeting with my professor to discuss my research plan. It was a very helpful session, but I realized that my original idea faced some problems and challenges.
Why I am changing my topic
Through our discussion, I discovered two main problems:
Difficulty of Proof: It is very hard to scientifically prove exactly how animation changes a child’s brain. This requires a lot of time and medical data.
Accessing Schools: Contacting kindergartens and schools for surveys is more difficult than I expected. There are many rules about privacy and safety, so it’s hard to get enough data as a student.
The Next Step: A New Topic
Instead of giving up, I have decided to reset my topic. I am now looking for a theme that is more practical and fits my skills as a 3D animator.
I want to focus on something I can analyze myself—like the design, movement, or the “how-to” of making great educational content—rather than just studying the psychology of children.
My Reflection
I realised that my weak point through one on one tutorial today. It is very helpful because I could understand how to go next step and strategy and so on.
I am currently brainstorming new ideas. I’ll share my new research topic with you very soon!
Research Strategy: How Educational Animation Supports Child Development
I am starting a new research project to explore the impact of educational animation on children’s growth. Many people think animation is just entertainment, but I believe it is a powerful tool for learning.
1: Literature Review (The Science)
First, I will study existing academic papers and books to understand the relationship between animation and the brain. I will focus on three key areas:
Cognitive Functions: How visual elements and movement stimulate a child’s brain.
Language Acquisition: How repetitive phrases and catchy songs help children learn new words.
Emotional Understanding: How storytelling teaches empathy and social skills.
2: Comparative Analysis (Media vs. Physical Play)
Next, I will compare animation with physical toys (like blocks or puzzles). While toys are great for motor skills and hand-eye coordination, animation offers unique benefits in storytelling and emotional engagement. I want to find the “sweet spot” where digital media and physical play work together for the best learning experience.
3: Fieldwork & Surveys (The Real World)
Finally, I will move from theory to practice. I plan to visit kindergartens and schools to conduct surveys and interviews with teachers and parents.
What changes do they see in children after watching educational content?
How do educators balance screen time with other activities?
Goal of this Project
My goal is to provide a clear guide on how to use animation as an effective educational tool in the digital age. I will share my findings and data here on this blog as the project progresses.
I can use a various academic support in ual. In particular, there is included such as Communicating opinion, Cohesion in writing, Connect with learning resources, Researching archives online, etc.
In padlet : Here is my first thesis idea
I would like to investigate how educational animation influences children’s cognnitive learning and emotional understanding. Since digital media is widely used in education in recent years, it is important to critically examine its educational value rather than assume it is always effective. The study will evaluate educational animation through literature review, interview, survey, and content analysis, and compare it with other learning methods (such as educational toys). The aim is to understand the role of animation in educational contexts and to develop my expertise in supporting children’s learning and emotional development in the future.
In my idea, this is a effective way to analyse two educational item, ( Animation and Toy).
Qualitative and Quantitative Research methods are two established research traditions that underpin all academic articles.
Quantitative Research
Quantitative research is an empirical approach that uses numerical data and statistical analysis to test theories and explain or predict phenomena.
Use of Numerical Data: It involves measuring research variables and collecting data strictly in the form of numbers.
Statistical Analysis: It relies heavily on mathematically-based methods—specifically statistics—to analyze the collected numerical data.
Testing and Prediction: The primary goal is to empirically test theories to determine if they can accurately explain or predict social phenomena or human problems.
Qualitative Research
Qualitative research is a complex, multifaceted approach that produces findings without relying on statistical analysis or numerical quantification.
Complex to Define: Because it is rooted in many different theoretical frameworks (paradigms), qualitative research has multiple dimensions, making it difficult to capture in a single, simple definition.
Non-Numerical & Non-Statistical: The most practical working definition is based on what it is not: it is any research where the conclusions and findings are generated entirely outside of quantification (meaning it does not use math, numbers, or statistical procedures).
Epistemology: (a) Which paradigm or worldview will inform the study design?
Theoretical perspectives: (b) Who or what will be studied?
Methodology: (c) Which research strategies will be used?
Methods: Which research methods or tools will be used to collect and analyse data?
Topics including the arts, entertainment, media or technology can be viewed from one or more of these perspectives.
A literature review is an objective, critical summary of published research literature relevant to a topic under consideration for research. Its purpose is to create familiarity with current thinking and research on a particular topic, and may justify future research into a previously overlooked or understudied area.
Why write a literature review?
A literature review is important, as it provides an overview and an analytical analysis of what is known about a particular topic. It establishes and identifies:
An understanding and knowledge of a topic.
The current research in this area.
Gaps in the literature that helps justify your research.
The context for your research and illustrates how it relates to the wider research landscape in this area.
The key authors writing in this field
How to approach the literature review
One way to approach a literature review is to start out broad and then become more specific. Think of it as an inverted triangle, or a funnel. Using the funnel comparison, find:
The background information to your topic. This will identify the broader issues and research related to your topic and help you orient it, in the wider subject context.
Narrow downyour focus and identify the research that is closer to your area of research.
Focus on specific research that is directly related to your topic
Funnel approach to literature reviews
Go broad Start by looking at the broader issues around your project. Look at works that give a general overview of your topic and put it into the context of the bigger research landscape. This will show an awareness of the breadth of your subject. Narrow down Then try and focus your research on issues that are more related to your topic. Focus on the specific Look at the most relevant research that relates to your topic and spend more time discussing these key studies that are directly related to your research.
Structuring a Literature Review
Introduction: Sets the stage by defining the core theories and main ideas of the research topic.
Main Body: Organizes sources logically, moving from broad background information down to specific studies. It also points out what is missing or flawed in the current research.
Conclusion: Briefly wraps up the findings, explains how past studies support your work, and suggests next steps for future research.
1. Topic & Questions Define exactly what you want the reader to learn. Break your topic down into a logical flow of main questions and detailed sub-questions.
2. Sourcing & Critical Analysis
Source Types: Use both Primary (original artifacts, interviews, raw data) and Secondary (academic books/articles analyzing a subject). Use reliable platforms like Google Scholar.
Be Critical: Never take sources at face value. A good thesis analyzes the context and compares the different biases or perspectives of the authors.
3. The 4 Stages of Research Explore, Plan, Execute, and Finalize.
4. Planning & Structuring
Build an Argument: Structure your thesis to make a specific point; do not just list events in chronological order.
Take Control: Dictate the structure yourself—don’t let your raw notes guide you. Group relevant notes by chapter, assign supporting literature to each section, and ruthlessly cut irrelevant material.
A thesis will usually contain most or all the following sections:
Title page
A clear title or research question
Abstract
A short overview of the reasons for and the aims of the research.
Acknowledgements (Optional)
You may wish to acknowledge any significant contributions to the research from others
Contents page(s)
Examples will be provided.
Introduction
Here you should provide context for the study, briefly outline the methods of the study and establish the overall and specific objectives. The reader should clearly understand what they will learn.
Literature review
Review all the literary materials and sources you plan to use in your research, establishing how they will provide a foundation to support the enquiry and enable the study to reach viable findings and fulfil the research objectives.
Methodology
This section should review approaches and methods applied to develop findings, including any not covered in Literature review. This might include literary comparison, case studies, surveys, interviews, experiments, exhibitions and events. It should explain how these methods will generate relevant findings or results.
Themed topic chapters
This will form the main part of the discussion and the number of topics /chapters will vary. Main chapter headings should be clearly labelled e.g., Chapter 1. Contexts in Animated Documentary.
Chapter subtitles should be labelled as e.g., 1.1 Enactment and Re-enactment of Documentary, 1.2 Interview and Animated Documentary
Results/or Findings (Optional)
This section will present findings and discuss the implications. Consider the practical value your findings will provide to practitioners, educators, and other academics in your field, any ways your work can challenge existing theories and assumptions in your field.
Conclusions
Conclude the study by evaluating and reviewing the implications of the study identifying any policies that could be impacted by your findings, problems your work can potentially help to fix, or how your work might contribute to current or future research. Identify any limitations and recommendations for future research.
Reference list
List all the sources cited in your thesis. Arrange your references alphabetically by author surname.
Bibliography
List books that you have consulted but not cited. Arrange your references alphabetically by author surname. You may also require a filmography
Image list
For academic referencing, visuals are categorised as either:
Illustrations (artwork, photos, screenshots, film stills, charts, graphs etc.) or,
Tables (numbers or text in columns and rows)
Appendices
Materials such as letters or relevant documents can be presented here.
From this week, I got the information about this unit and next task and process. In particular, Thesis Proposal Approaches, Thesis Proposal Structure. These are link for these topics.
Select a Topic: Choose a motivating topic with potential impact that meets your assignment’s learning outcomes.
Define your Target: Clearly identify your Audience (who will read it) and Purpose (what you want them to know).
Plan the Research: Read the brief, break your thesis into logically ordered main questions and sub-questions, and plan your investigation.
2 Structuring the Thesis
Establish a working title and use the following 5-part structure:
Introduction: State the main issue, the topic being investigated, and the report’s purpose.
Methodology: Explain your chosen research methods, why you selected them, and how you applied them.
Literature Review: Critically evaluate the existing sources and literature that inform your research.
Investigation: Present your main discussion, options, and findings based on evidence (use citations and sub-headings).
Conclusions: Provide final takeaways or recommendations for your audience based on your findings.
Key Guidelines for Thesis & FMP
Sources: Use and properly cite academically recognized sources (books, media, etc.).
Practical Project (FMP): Base your project on your career goals. Decide how to exhibit it and whether it connects directly to your written thesis.
Format: Choose an approach (experimental or commercial) and a medium (screen, installation, interactive, AR, games, etc.).
Research Value: Define your audience. Clearly state why your research is original, important, and how it advances existing knowledge.
Assessment Focus: You will be graded on deep research (Enquiry), skill synthesis (Knowledge), experimentation (Process), clear articulation (Communication), and professional quality (Realisation).
