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2 years ago in PhD Synopsis By Preetham M

My PhD synopsis was returned by my supervisor with a note that it’s "too descriptive, not analytical enough." What does this mean, and how do I fix it?

I meticulously summarized the problem and my planned work, but my supervisor says it lacks a critical edge. I thought a synopsis was just a summary. How do I make it more "analytical" without making it longer?

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By Lily Answered 1 year ago

"Descriptive" means you're stating what is or what you'll do; "analytical" means you're explaining why it matters and how it fits into a scholarly conversation. To fix it, interrogate every statement. Instead of "There are many studies on Topic A," write: "While studies on Topic A have established X, they consistently overlook Y, leading to an incomplete understanding of Z." Instead of "I will use Method B," write: "Method B is selected over Method C because it uniquely allows for the measurement of D, which is critical for testing the proposed hypothesis." Weave a critical thread through the synopsis: identify limitations in the literature, justify your choices, and articulate the logical implications of your expected findings. The synopsis should read as a tight, reasoned argument, not a report.

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