WilliamsCommentproposalEdelGareth

Proposal Review - Gareth Edel DUE: Monday, May 04, 2009 MEMO: PROPOSAL REVIEW __REVIEWER: Logan Williams__ __**TITLE**__ Does the title reflect both the //**specific focus**// of the project, and why it will be of more //**general (theoretical or social)**// interest? Medical tourism; Specifically its practices, industry and institutions (how is practices different than industry? Where is the 'choice' question?) __**ABSTRACT**__ //**No abstract (I am looking at your HASS proposal posted to the wiki)**// Does the abstract clearly specify the //**aims**// of the project? Does the abstract clearly articulate how the project will create //**new knowledge,**// and respond to theoretical or social concerns? Does the abstract provide a succinct yet clear description of //**how the project will be**// //**carried out**//? __**OVERVIEW**__ Does the overview clearly describe the aims of the project – //**empirical, conceptual,**// //**methodological and practical**//? " My research will document and analyze the institutions, people, and practices that constitute the industry of medical tourism ..." " Theoretically it offers key insights into the way people experience their health, travel, and place. " " This project is intended to add to theory linking the micro level analysis of subjects and experience and the macro level of political economic and broad cultural change. " Does the overview describe the **importance** of the project – empirically, conceptually, methodologically and practically? " Because of the rapid expansion of MT and its impact on the healthcare people receive, there is urgency in providing strong scholarly documentation and analysis. " Are the **aims of the project reflected** in (clearly articulated) primary research questions? Does the overview explain and **justify the type of data** that will be collected for the project? Does the overview provide a “snapshot” of the //**various components**// of the research project, and a sense of the //**schedule**// on which they will be completed? Does the overview convince you that the //**project is feasible**//, and that the researcher has the //**appropriate expertise**//? __**BACKGROUND AND SIGNIFICANCE**__ Does the proposal provide an adequate (not too long, nor too short) and compelling description of the //**“object” of the study**//? Instead of the quick run through of many examples at the beginning of the Overview section, I would have appreciated a more detailed exploration of one example; but that is just a style choice I guess Does the proposal clearly explain what //**literatures**// the project will draw on and contribute to? Yes; " First is Transnationalism as the study of globalization, formation of transnational phenomena, specifically in the STS frame of the negotiation of science and medical knowledge between heterogeneous locations. The second is transnationalism as theory of contact between distinct social groups, in this case in the negotiated constitution in understandings of health and healthcare in different contexts. " __**PREPARATION AND WORK THUS FAR**__ Does the proposal describe the relationship between this project and //**previous work**// carried out by the researcher? Yes; I am entirely convinced from your experience being a great match for this work by your description of prior experience. Does the proposal provide a //**plan**// for pilot studies, literature reviews, language training or other initiatives that need to be undertaken before the project begins? yes __**METHODS**__ Does the proposal provide an understandable and compelling “snapshot” of //**what the**// //**researcher thinks is going on**//, based on preliminary investigation and existing theory? No; See comments about dissemination. Does the proposal indicate how the research questions //**build on existing literature**//? Does the proposal clearly explain what //**data will be used**// to answer the research questions, and how and where this data will be collected? Yes; you already have done interviews, cool! Does the proposal provide a very clear sense of what the researcher will do in various //**phases**// or components of the project? Yes; Are you convinced that the proposed data collection plan is both f//**easible, and**// //**appropriate to the aims**// of the project? Yes Does the proposal convince you that the researcher has a strategy for //**validating his or**// //**her data**//, and for //**acknowledging the biase**//s that he or she will bring to the project? No Does the proposal provide a clear and compelling sense of how the data will be //**analyzed**//? Yes Does the proposal provide a compelling sense of how the data analysis will be //**written**// //**into a text**// – through the development of chapters that develop particular core concepts, for example? No Does the proposal provide a strategy for addressing the //**ethical dimensions**// of the project, and a sense that that the ethical dimensions have been thoroughly thought through? no __**DISSEMINATION**__ I think a lot of what is in this section could go in the overview section instead. Does the proposal provide a compelling description of the //**scholarly publications**// that will result from the project? Does the proposal describe the //**scholarly audiences**// that will be interested in the books and articles that result from the project? "Tangibly this research will result in publications in major journals in the fields of STS (e.g. //Social Studies of Science,// and //Science, Technology & Human Values,// or //Configurations//), Medical Anthropology (e.g. //Medical Anthropology Quarterly; Medical Anthropology//), Industry and organizational studies (e.g//. Industry and Innovation//), Development (e.g. //Perspectives on Global Development and Technology//). " Does the proposal describe a creative strategy for //**circulating project results**// among informants, and to //**particular lay audiences**//? No.
 * //In the "// __I Overview of planned research:__ //" section of your HASS proposal// **
 * //In the "// __I Overview of planned research:__ //" section of your HASS proposal// **
 * //In the "// __II Description of prior experience and preparation:__ //" section of your HASS proposal// **
 * //In the "// __III Methods & Stages of study:__ //" section of your HASS proposal// **
 * //In the// "__III. Contribution- Description of future research and career plans:__" //section of your HASS proposal// **