Invaluable, generate, address, multifaceted, shortlist, satisfactorily, current state, target, detailed, manually, question, conduct.

…………………….. feedback …………………….. problem …………………….. review …………………… browse …………………… of interest …………………… of relevant articles

……………………. insights …………………….. phenomena …………………….. answer …………………….. complex problem …………………….. of knowledge ……………………... research

Ex. 2. Fill in the correct preposition, then choose any item and make up a sentence.

To identify smth ………. smth; to employ smth ……….. doing smth; to be concerned ……….. doing smth; to fit …………smth; to be relevant ………. smth; suitability of smth ………. smth; to be related ……… smth; be restricted …….. smth; to appeal …….. smb; to delve ……. smth; to seek ……… smth/smb.

Ex. 3. Match the words to their synonyms.

d issertation journal coworker instrument data to gather significance to be through with to be engaged in scientific papers investigation

scientific magazine device collaborator thesis to collect to finish information importance publications to be busy with research

Ex. 4. Read the following text³⁶ and fill in the correct word derived from the words in bold. What do you think about theory/practice proportion in a research? Discuss it with your partner.

People not familiar with 1)………………. (science) research often view a theory as a 2)……………………. (speculate) or the opposite of fact. For instance, people often say that teachers need to be less 3)…………………. (theory) and more practical or factual in their classroom 4)…………………… (teach). However, practice or fact are not opposites of theory, but in a scientific sense, are 5)………………… (essence) components needed to test the 6)…………………. (valid) of a theory. A good scientific theory should be well supported using 7)………………… (observe) facts and should also have 8)…………………. (practice) value, while a poorly 9)…………………. (define) theory tends to be lacking in these dimensions. Famous organizational researcher Kurt Lewin once said, “Theory without 10)……………… (practical) is sterile; practice without theory is blind.” Hence, both theory and facts (or practice) are essential for scientific research.

Ex. 5. Ask your friend:

• … what the subject of his/her thesis is.

• … if he/she is going to publish any articles.

• … where and when he/she is going to publish them.

• … if there is much or little material published on the subject of his/her investigation.

• … if he/ she is going to take part in a scientific conference for young researchers.

• … if he/she is engaged in making an experiment.

Ex. 6. Work in pairs. Agree or disagree with the statements adding any ideas of your own. Use expressions like:

You are right; You are quite (absolutely) right; It is quite true that …; What you say is correct…; I agree entirely with you…; You are definitely right when saying that …; I'm afraid you are wrong (mistaken); What you say seems to be general opinion, but…; I agree with you to a certain extent, but…; I disagree with your assessment…

e.g. A: I think writing an MA dissertation is a challenge as it must be based on independent research.

B: You are absolutely right. In addition, it must be an original piece of work structured in accordance with the certain regulations.

• Cultural Studies is a field of academic studies that has been rapidly developing in the last four decades.

• MA students are not supposed to take their examination in a foreign language.

• Before submitting their dissertations, MA students must publish several papers in scientific journals.

• Students choose their dissertation topic without consultation with their supervisors.

• MA students should not discuss the obtained data with their research advisers.

SKILLS