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- Do you know how to make an explorative search?

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An explorative search is a broad search, which gives you an overview of what literature and data is available within your topic. It helps you to clarify your mind and later it will serve as your foundation to describe a rationale - the scientific background for the study, and to write your problem formulation.

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- Do you know how to write a problem formulation?

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- Do you know how to formulate objectives?

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Question 1

Which is the longest statement?

A	My problem formulation
B	My overall objective
C	The problem formulation and overall objective are of equal length

Question 1 Explanation:

Yes, The problem formulation and overall objective are of equal length.

Question 2

How many specific objectives are suitable?

A	1-1
B	2-4
C	5-7
D	6-8

Question 2 Explanation:

Yes, 2-4specific objectives are suitable?

Question 3

What characterises good specific objectives?

A	They specify the individual actions to be taken in order to address the research problem
B	They point at the relevant type of study or method
C	They state why the objective is important
D	They state where the study will take place
E	They state the level of ambition for each objective
F	They specify which literature the study is based on
G	They can be used to draw conclusions from within the scope of the thesis

Question 4

If the overall objective reads: “To explore the perspectives of surveillance volunteers, community members and focal persons in the community based disease surveillance system (CBDSS) regarding common challenges and advantages, in order to deduce possible approaches to sustain an effective CBDSS in Ghana.” Do you then consider the following specific objectives as valid or not? “To explore the experiences and perceptions of surveillance volunteers, community members and CBDSS focal persons in terms of challenges and advantages of the CBDSS”

A	Valid
B	Invalid

Question 4 Explanation:

You’re right, this specific objective is valid as it details the individual action to be taken in order to address the first part of the overall objective i.e. ‘to explore the perspectives...’

Question 5

If the overall objective (same as in previous question) reads: “To explore the perspectives of surveillance volunteers, community members and focal persons in the community based disease surveillance system (CBDSS) regarding common challenges and advantages, in order to deduce possible approaches to sustain an effective CBDSS in Ghana.” Do you then consider the following specific objectives as valid or not? To deduce possible approaches to sustain an effective CBDSS based on the perspectives of surveillance volunteers, community members and CBDSS focal persons

A	Valid
B	Invalid

Question 5 Explanation:

You’re right; this specific objective is valid, as it details the individual action to be taken in order to address the second and main part of the overall objective i.e. ‘to deduce possible approaches...’

Question 6

If the overall objective (same as in two previous questions) reads: “To explore the perspectives of surveillance volunteers, community members and focal persons in the community based disease surveillance system (CBDSS) regarding common challenges and advantages, in order to deduce possible approaches to sustain an effective CBDSS in Ghana.” Do you then consider the following specific objectives as valid or not? “To implement identified approaches for sustaining an effective CBDSS”

A	Valid
B	Invalid

Question 6 Explanation:

You’re right, this specific objective is invalid, as it details a specific action “To implement...” that falls beyond the scope of the thesis, as outlined in the overall objective i.e. “to explore and deduce...”

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There are 6 questions to complete.

- Do you know how to write a synopsis?

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Question 1

Why spend time on a synopsis?

A	It serves to ensure that my supervisor gets a clear picture of my proposed project and allows him or her to spot whether there are gaps or things that I have not taken into account.
B	It serves to ensure that my fellow students get a clear picture of my proposed project and allows them to give me an appropriate feedback before I meet my supervisor.

Question 1 Explanation:

You're right, the synopsis serves to ensure that my supervisor gets a clear picture of my proposed project and allows him or her to spot whether there are gaps or things that I have not taken into account.

Question 2

Most study programmes will require that you present a final synopsis before starting data collection but the first version of your synopsis for discussion with your supervisor…

A	… should not be an informal draft.
B	… is mostly considered to be loose thoughts

Question 2 Explanation:

You’re right; A carefully performed work creates respect and motivation and saves a lot of you and your supervisor’s time.

Question 3

What is a appropriate length for a synopsis?

A	1 page
B	2-5 pages
C	2-8 pages
D	4-10 pages

Question 3 Explanation:

Yes, the appropriate length for a synopsis is from 2-5 pages.

Question 4

How can you see if your methods are suitable?

A	They match the time line
B	They match the objectives
C	They match the problem formulation
D	They match the rationale

Question 4 Explanation:

Yes, your methods should match the objectives.

Question 5

What is the purpose of the rationale?

A	To describe methods that can be used to solve the problem
B	To describe the objectives and the problem
C	To describe the gaps in the state of knowledge
D	To explain why the problem is feasible to work with

Question 5 Explanation:

You're right, What is the purpose of the rationale is to describe the gaps in the state of knowledge.

Question 6

How many references should be cited in the synopsis?

A	Maximum 3
B	Minimum 3
C	Minimum 10
D	All the references you need for your thesis

Question 6 Explanation:

Yes, you should cite minimum three references in the synopsis?

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There are 6 questions to complete.

A	Who owns the problem
B	What makes the problem novel
C	How did the problem arise
D	For whom is it a problem?
E	What is the problem?
F	Why are you interested in this problem?
G	Where is it a problem?

A	The occurrence of priority diseases in rural communities in Kenya
B	The lack of Community-Based Surveillance Volunteers in rural Kenya
C	The failure of Community-Based Surveillance Volunteers to detect, record and/or report on priority diseases
D	The failure of the health authorities to detect, record and/or report on priority diseases

A	Always the first author
B	The last author, who is usually the department leader
C	The author indicated by “Address to which correspondence should be addressed”

A	Your topic is novel and you will need to base it on empirical data rather than on already published literature
B	Your topic is too narrow
C	The databases you have chosen to search in are not relevant for the topic you have chosen

A	The populations in need of initial disaster response
B	The producers of initial GIS maps in disaster areas
C	The decision makers in operational settings during initial disaster response

A	Pubmed
B	Google Scholar
C	Embase

A	Too broad
B	Too narrow
C	Suitable

A	One sentence
B	1 paragraph
C	1 page