Dissertation Topic and Objective

Journal Entry: Dissertation Topic and Objectives

The time for a dissertation topic is approaching and I have an idea that is continuing to grow. I plan to use the next three months to examine my topic in relation to the various facets of rhetorical and genre theories in an effort to choose a specific theoretical framework that will assist in my dissertation design, provide insight into my topic, and potentially offer solutions to problems posed.

Dissertation topic:
Interdisciplinary Scientific Grant Writing

Working Title:
Interdisciplinary Grant Writing: Finding Alternative Methods to Effective Communication between Team Members other than using the Grant Writer as a Translator

Problem:
Interdisciplinary grant writing is increasingly requested and funded by agencies including the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health. However, development of these grants is challenging and often dependent on effective communication between collaborators from varied scientific disciplines. Barriers to this communication include differences in disciplinary paradigms, ethos, argumentation, and technical language. Few collaborators change their communication strategies and instead depend on a translator, or the grant writer, to effectively communicate. Therefore, a better understanding of interdisciplinary grant writing is necessary to identify strategies and improve written communication between collaborators.

Potential Research Aims:
1. Define or describe effective written communication between scientific disciplines in a grant writing context
2. Determine the aids and hindrances to effective communication between scientific disciplines in a grant writing context.
3. What are the perceived barriers to written communication in each department?
4. Can increased comprehension of one written document be achieved across multiple departments?
5. How does an interdisciplinary audience affect the revision process?

Significance of Research:
1. Existing lack of research on topic
2. Need for improved interdisciplinary writing and communication strategies due to observed lack of success and increase in demand for this type of grant submission