PWS preparation

What is a 'profielwerkstuk'? What does it look like? Why is it part of your high school programme?
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Slide 1: Mind map
Mens & MaatschappijMiddelbare schoolvwoLeerjaar 5

This lesson contains 29 slides, with interactive quizzes and text slides.

time-iconLesson duration is: 50 min

Items in this lesson

What is a 'profielwerkstuk'? What does it look like? Why is it part of your high school programme?

Slide 1 - Mind map

I already know who I am going to write my PWS with
A
Yes!
B
No!

Slide 2 - Quiz

PWS groups
  • Groups of 3 (languages and maths: 2)
  •  TTO because you will write your PWS in English (can be from the other class)

Slide 3 - Slide

Do you already know which school subject you want to write your PWS about?
A
Yes!
B
No!

Slide 4 - Quiz

How can you decide which school subject you want to choose?

Slide 5 - Open question

Do you already know which specific topic you would like to research?
A
Yes!
B
No!

Slide 6 - Quiz

Where can you find inspiration for your research topic?

Slide 7 - Open question

v5: writing your PWS proposal
0. Front page and table of contents
1. Introduction
2. Theoretical framework/literature review
3. Methodology and planning 
4. Bibliography 
5. Logbook + reflection 
Word count indication: 5000-7500 words,
Detailed explanation  of every section in PWS instruction booklet!


Slide 8 - Slide

Next steps
  •  Find a group of 3 people 
  • An idea of which school subject and topic you want to research
  • A shared folder
  • The start of your logbook

Slide 9 - Slide

Start your PWS logbook today!
Create a shared folder with your teammates so you can easily share sources and collaborate on documents.

Slide 10 - Slide

Logbook example

Slide 11 - Slide

What should be in an introduction?

Slide 12 - Mind map

Introduction: what are you going to do and why should anyone care?


  • Start with a bang to grasp the readers' attention!
  • Objective: explain what your research aims to achieve (which research questions are you going to answer)
  • Relevance: cite sources that show the added value to academic research and/or society (NOT: We find this a very interesting subject.)
  • Structure: outline what follows, what the reader can expect
  • The guide throughout your research: adapt as you go 


Slide 13 - Slide

Do ghosts exist?

Name 3 reasons why this is not a good research question.

Slide 14 - Mind map

Slide 15 - Slide

Slide 16 - Slide

This week's assignment
  • Write a paragraph describing the relevance of your topic for research and/or society.
  • Brainstorm at least 3 potential research questions about your topic.

Slide 17 - Slide

Any questions/comments?

Slide 18 - Open question

Today (16/4)
  • Internship (form + Q&A)
  • PWS (this week's assignment)
  • Podcast (research/script)

Slide 19 - Slide

Theoretical framework
Literature review (at least 4 academic sources)
- Short summary + author background
- Specific relevance for this PWS 
- Compare and contrast with other sources

Glossary (list + explanation of important terms)

Slide 20 - Slide

Why is googling your research question NOT a good way to find quality sources?

Slide 21 - Open question

What is a good place to start looking for academic sources?

Slide 22 - Open question

Good places to look for sources...

  • Google Scholar 
  • Aura --> Databanken --> Nexis Uni
  • Snowball method: sources used/theories mentioned in your subject textbook or other articles, wikipedia footnotes, etc.

Slide 23 - Slide

Methodology and planning
1. Methodology: well thought through strategy for how to answer your research questions
  • Data collection methods: Qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods? Primary or secondary sources? Literature study, survey, interviews, experiment and/or observations?
  • Reflection (explain why!): show awareness of strengths and limitations
2. Planning: table giving a realistic, detailed overview of who is going to do what and when in v6 


Slide 24 - Slide

What could be the advantage of an experiment/observations compared to interviews/surveys?

Slide 25 - Open question

What could be the (dis)advantage of interviews compared to a survey?

Slide 26 - Open question

Quality criteria for research
  • Transparency: be clear about the research process, aims and limitations 
  • Validity: the methods measure exactly what you want to measure
  • Representativeness and generalizability: the sample used is representative of the population you want to research, it is clear to what extent the results can be generalized
  • Reliability: the research will lead to the same results when repeated at a different time and/or by another researcher (TIP: use triangulation, multiple methods to check the results) 



Slide 27 - Slide

This week's assignment
Brainstorm which (combination of) methods are most suitable for answering your research question. Answer the following questions: 
  • What are the strengths and weaknesses of your chosen research methods? (Keep in mind the quality criteria!)
  • How will you select and gain access to participants and/or sources? How will you address potential obstacles?
  • Is your research feasible within the given limitations (time, access, etc.)?  What will your research NOT be able to do given those limitations? 

Slide 28 - Slide

Which challenges are you facing at this moment in your PWS preparation process?
timer
5:00

Slide 29 - Open question