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Description of master's course theme presentations and interim presentations

Intent

The purpose of the presentations is for candidates to show the progress made in their master's research, and to receive assessments, advice, and opinions from faculty members and students on their research topics and progress for use in furthering their research.

The key point is to view the problem as a system and approach it with a clear system design (this may be a technology system design, organizational system design, recommended methodology or recommended concept). Presentations should:

Clearly state what kind of research and development has already taken place, and provide explicit references to relevant literature
Articulate the relative position, uniqueness, and originality of the research. (For example, the methodology is new, or the focus is new, or the results are innovative, or a problem that had previously not been viewed as a system is being treated as a system, etc.)

Presentation time

Theme presentation (standard: 1/2 year after admission): 5 minutes total per candidate (3 minutes for the presentation, 2 minutes for Q&A)
First interim presentation (standard: 1 year after admission): 10 minutes total per candidate (7 minutes for the presentation, 3 minutes for Q&A)
Second interim presentation (standard, 1 1/2 years after admission) 15 minutes total per candidate (7 minutes for the presentation, 8 minutes for Q&A)

Prior submissions

Submission	Submissions for theme presentations: (1) Presentation (PPT file) First interim presentation: (1) Abstract (résumé) of presentation; (2) Presentation (PPT file) Second interim presentation: (1) Abstract (résumé) of presentation; (2) Presentation (PPT file) Click here for a sample abstract (résumé)
How to submit	Upload to the e-learning system * The upload addresses and other details will be provided by the SDM Office.
Submission deadlines	In principle, by 23:59 the day prior to the presentation. * More precise dates and times will be provided by the SDM Office.

Presentation assessment standards

Click for details

(1st year master's) Grading criteria for Theme presentation

+ Details

(Master's 1st year /2nd year)
Grading criteria for the first and second interim presentation

+ Details

1. Overview of the research program

Does the research plan involve a substantially important and challenging real-world problem?
Is the student cognizant of the key extant research literature on the particular theme of interest?
Is the student aware of the kind of past solutions proposed and their efficacy for the particular theme or problem of interest?
Does the student have an overview of the theme of interest, comprehending the position and significance of the particular research topic within the broader research agenda?

2. Originality/creativity

Does the theme, methods, or hypothesis of the student's research interest demonstrate originality or creativity?
Does the approach and engagement with the research question demonstrate originality or creativity?
Did the student generate and analyze new data or new empirical material?

3. Framing the research question/ hypothesis

How appropriately is the research question framed? Is the formation and development of the hypothesis consistent?
How realistic and suitable is the research question (in terms of the research theme), how coherent and logically consistent is the hypothesis, and is the field of investigation appropriate for the research question?

4. Quality of the solution proposal

Is the proposed policy solution realistic and within the bounds of real-world constraints?
Are the research conclusions realistic in terms of effectiveness and adoptability?

5. Presentation quality

Was the presentation persuasive and comprehensible to a lay listener?
Was the presentation developed in an easily comprehended manner?
Is the proposed solution following the basic framework of SDM research?

Notes

Either Japanese or English may be used.
Ensure that your presentations and abstracts are checked by your research supervisor in advance.
It is envisioned that half of the questions will come from faculty members and the other half from students.
For group research, each individual must present.
The students must attend presentations given by other students in one of the rooms.
A presentation abstract (résumé) submitted prior to the interim presentation will in most cases differ from the sample because the research is still in progress. Clearly indicate the results that have been achieved so far and the tasks for the future.
On the day of the presentations, each laboratory must prepare a PC containing the students' presentation files to ensure that the event proceeds smoothly.
The SDM Office will indicate the order of the presentations.