Drafted by Zhou Chenlu; Edited by Zheng Yuyang
On the afternoon of October 18, 2019, the fifth session of COHD Seminar Series named “Academic Journey Explorations (AJE)”, which had been originally launched by COHD specifically for the young scholars and international students, was successfully held in the CIAD auditorium at the West Campus. Professor Zang Leizhen, COHD’s Assistant of Dean and the Chairman in the Department of Development Studies and Social Policy, attended the meeting. Chen Jidong, the Associate Professor in the School of Public Policy and Management at Tsinghua University, as the keynote speaker, made a speech with the theme of “Research Design: A Very Brief Introduction,” which attracted more than 40 Chinese and international postgraduates and PhD candidates, young teachers and scholars to attend. This session was held by the Department of Development Studies and Social Policy, and chaired by Associate Professor Wang Chunyu.
The main purpose of the 5thsession of AJE is to help students have a better understanding of the writing process of the English academic paper, and learn about the research design and methodology,laying a solid foundation for the postgraduates and PhD students to compose their graduation thesis.During the activity, Professor Chen had a discussion with the present students and scholars on the issues of the selection of the topic, the research design, and the academic papers writing, etc. He developed his lecture by following the clue of “Important Elements of a Thesis,” including Research Question (motivation), Literature Review (what have/haven’t been studied), Theoretical Argument (logic), Empirical Investigation (evidence), and Implications and Conclusion. In order to help the students have a better understanding towards the research and writing process and methods and finally master them, Professor Chen elaborated how to design and manage a good research project and output it as the ultimate academic paper by the example of “Understanding China Puzzle.”
After the speech, the present Chinese and international students and young scholars had a heated discussion with Professor Chen on the related topics like the selection and design of their thesis.
The aim of the seminar series “AJE” is for “providing support for the young scholars who are exploring and making efforts on their academic journeys,” which is also a typical academic activity series specially designed by COHD for the young scholars and international students in China.Under such a warm and relaxed academic atmosphere, the department makes great efforts to provide a more abundant and diversified exchange platform for young people who are courageously marching forward and keeping exploring on their academic path. Through this activity, the international students have accumulated experience and learned effective ways for research design and thesis writing, which benefits them a lot for their future’s learning process.
