Second Thoughts on the Proposal

Dr. Adams: Anna, thanks for dropping in. Your email said you wanted to rethink the direction of the project, which, in my experience, usually means something has gone rather awry. Anna: Ha, not quite awry. It's more that the more I read about automatic marking tools in schools, the less convinced I am that I can say anything new about them. Everything seems to have been covered already. Dr. Adams: I'd be inclined to dispute that. Much of what's been published focuses on accuracy. Hardly anyone asks how pupils actually respond to the feedback. Anna: That's what bothers me, though. I'd need to interview pupils, and the ethics approval alone could take weeks. Dr. Adams: It might, and I won't pretend otherwise. But what I'd gently point out is that switching to a completely different topic now would cost you far more time. You'd be starting your reading from scratch. Anna: Fair enough. Could I narrow it, though? Perhaps focus on teachers rather than pupils? Dr. Adams: Now that is a sensible compromise. Teachers' perspectives are still under-researched, and the approval process would be considerably lighter. Let's say you keep the topic, shift the focus to teachers, and send me a revised outline by Friday. Anna: Friday it is. Thanks. I was half expecting you to tell me to pull myself together. Dr. Adams: Heavens, no. Doubt at this stage is perfectly normal and, frankly, often a good sign.