Editing Thesis Design

=== Introduction ===
This course is dedicated to supporting your development as a master of science with a focus on high-level scientific skills relating to synthesis, analysis, logical reasoning, and the ability to communicate clearly in different mediums, with a focus on academic writing. We also extend attention to scientific rigor and replicability in literature review and experimental design (including participant recruitment, stimuli design/selection, experimental design, and analyses of outcomes).  In this course you will develop your research proposal for your thesis along with a proof-of-concept for your demonstrator, which will be a critical step for you in autonomous writing your thesis project.

=== Learning outcomes ===
Upon the successful completion of the course “Thesis Design”, you will be able to:

# Perform a critical, targeted literature review in the field of voice technology.
# Elaborate testable hypotheses based on the state-of-the-art in voice technology.
# Perform novel scientific research autonomously related to the proposed thesis topic.
# Elaborate standard experimental procedures related to the proposed thesis topic.
# Work collaboratively in international, cross-cultural teams on shared experiments related to the proposed thesis topic.
# Provide and receive critical peer review in a constructive way.
# Share research outcomes through popular abstracts, posters and high level academic writing.
# Design and perform a voice technology pilot study.

=== Course structure ===
The course runs for 8 weeks. Each week has 2 classes of 1 hour 45 minutes (with a 15 minute break in the middle).

Classes are on Monday (15:15 -- 17:00) and Wednesday (13:15 -- 15:00).

=== Contact information ===
Your instructor for the course is Dr Matt Coler (m.coler@rug.nl). For general questions  you can contact the Educational Secretary or Student Service Desk (cf-sec@rug.nl, +31(0) 58 205 5009).

You can book an office hours meeting with Dr Coler [https://calendly.com/mlcoler here].

== Practical Information ==

=== Literature ===
We will mostly be reading literature that is available online. Obligatory readings are either accessible through open access or online through [https://www.rug.nl/library/ SmartCat] of the library.

=== Brightspace ===
We use the virtual learning environment “[https://brightspace.rug.nl/d2l/home Brightspace]” as the main platform for communication. If there is any necessary change on the syllabus, I will announce it in class and in Brightspace.

=== Assessment ===
Your final grade is calculated as per below. There is no final exam. Dates below are indicative. There may be changes depending on the speed with which we proceed. 

Note the predominance of peer review in this course.
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Assignment
!%
!Date assigned
!Date due
|-
|Participation
|20
|N/A
|N/A
|-
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|
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|
| colspan="2" |See below
|-
|TOTAL
|100
| colspan="2" |
|}
As you can see from the table above, participation is important. You need to upload the following documents in your participation folder:

* Act_1 - RQ --> Include track changes. 
* ...

Information on scoring the participation activities can be found in the [[Grading rubrics#Introduction to voice technology|overview of rubrics]].

=== Cheating and plagiarism ===
Cheating and plagiarism are academic offenses, with severe consequences. They are acts or omissions by students to partly or wholly hinder accurate assessment. As per the Teaching and Examination Regulations, cases of cheating and plagiarism are reported by the instructor to the Board of Examiners, which will decide on the consequences.

=== Student services ===
Ask for help as soon as you need it. The student services desk can answer many of your questions. They are open M-F 10:30-13:00 / 13:30-15:30 and can be reached at cf-sec@rug.nl.

The student advisor, Hieke Hoekstra (h.hoekstra@rug.nl), works on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. She can offer you confidential advise, support, and tips. Go to her as soon as you have some concerns. She's here to help!

== Planning ==

=== Week 1:  Research questions and the literature ===
==== Class I:  Research questions (Feb 5) ====
'''''Preparation'':'''

* Familiarize yourself with the master’s thesis assessment criteria.
* Select and acquaint yourself with a citation management system.
* Examine theses related to topics of interest.
* Read: The [https://authorservices.wiley.com/Reviewers/journal-reviewers/how-to-perform-a-peer-review/step-by-step-guide-to-reviewing-a-manuscript.html Wiley peer review guide] (optionally, watch the video).
* Read: [https://authorservices.wiley.com/Reviewers/journal-reviewers/how-to-perform-a-peer-review/step-by-step-guide-to-reviewing-a-manuscript.html How to write a rebuttal] from Nature Methagora blog.
* Fill out [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSex3PQ_SD845L81YoamLJwlo1exy0GUFXDi0DgCgYiX5vCffg/viewform?usp=sf_link this form]

==== Class II:  Lit review  (Feb 7) ====
'''''Preparation'':'''

* Read: Verkhodanova, V. (2021). ''More than words: Recognizing speech of people with Parkinson's disease'' (Doctoral dissertation, University of Groningen). [https://pure.rug.nl/ws/portalfiles/portal/183425061/Chapter_3.pdf Chapter 3] -- no need to read cover-to-cover, just note structure of replicable lit review. See Fig 3.1 and Table 3.1
* Familiarize yourself with Feedback Fruits.
* Review the research proposal [https://www.overleaf.com/read/jgmdgxvsbcfq LaTeX template]

=== Week 2:  Hypotheses and methodologies to answer your RQs ===

==== Class I: (Feb 12) ====

==== Class II: (Feb 14) ====

=== Week 3:  Analyses ===

==== Class I: (Feb 19) ====

==== Class II: (Feb 21) ====

=== Week 4:  Risk mitigation + ethics ===

==== Class I: (Feb 26) ====

==== Class II: (Feb 28) ====

=== Week 5:  Conducting a pilot experiment and developing frameworks ===

==== Class I: (Mar 4) ====

==== Class II: (Mar 6) ====

=== Week 6: Analyzing outcomes -- From research project to thesis ===

==== Class I:  (Mar 11) ====

==== Class II: (Mar 13) ====

=== Week 7:  Communicating outcomes + dissemination ===

==== Class I: (Mar 18) ====

==== Class II: (Mar 20) ====

=== Week 8: ===

==== Class I: (Mar 25) ====

==== Class II: (Mar 27) ====