Exposé (science)

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Exposés (or: Exposees) play an important role in the planning of research projects in science. In the synopsis, the problem is presented and the state of knowledge in the research area is indicated. The synopsis also explains the methods, goals and underlying hypotheses of the project. Often a realistic time schedule with milestones (sub-steps that can be reached at certain intervals) is included in the synopsis.

In the scientific environment, an exposé is often synonymous with the English term " proposal ".

An exposé is often the basis for efficient project management in scientific research. Before writing bachelor, master, diploma and doctoral theses or when applying for research funds, it is customary to describe the planned scientific project in an exposé. In this respect, an exposé is a scientific project plan .

Development of an exposé for term papers or theses

There is no uniform definition of the structure of an exposé. Requirements may vary depending on the institution or examiner. On the basis of a comparison of different specifications and guidelines, the social scientist Michael Kersken comes to the following suggestion, whereby the order of the sections can vary:

“The (1) problem , the (2) interest in knowledge and the (3) question should be at the beginning. The (4) goals and hypotheses as well as the (5) theoretical reference and the (6) research status form the next block. This is followed by overviews of the (7) method and (8) material . Finally, there is a (9) outline draft , a (10) preliminary bibliography and a (11) rough schedule . "

- Michael Kersken

Sometimes an exposé is also referred to as a red thread in the literature. The preparation stands between the recording of the target and question of the topic and the creation of the rough version. It is generally recommended to write an exposé even if the examiners do not explicitly request it. It serves to clarify the content and objectives of the work at an early stage. A good synopsis can then be expanded in a further step and ultimately merge into a finished work.

literature

  • N. Franck, J. Stary: The Technique of Scientific Work . Paderborn 2009, pp. 171-173, 220.
  • H. Esselborn-Krumbiegel: From the Idea to the Text - A Guide to Scientific Writing . 3. Edition. Paderborn 2008, pp. 18-21.
  • J. Baade, H. Gertel, A. Schlottmann: Working scientifically - A guide for students of geography . 2005, p. 89.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Michael Kersken: Instructions for creating an expose. For the systematic planning of a term paper or thesis . (PDF; 182 kB) 3rd, revised and expanded version, Duisburg / Essen, 2009.