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Lotte applies for a doctorate

C1 · 23 words

Lotte applies for a doctorate

Lotte's thesis on the trees in Berlin's parks raised more questions than it answered, and now she wants to spend three more years on them. Learn to write a research proposal - the research question, the method, the state of research - and to apply for a scholarship.

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Dialogue

A short conversation with the words of this scenario. Tap "Translation" under a line to see what it means.

  1. Supervisor

    Lotte, Ihr Exposé für die Promotion ist erstaunlich fundiert.

    Translation

    Lotte, your research proposal for the doctorate is remarkably well-founded.

  2. Lotte

    Danke! Ich hatte schon befürchtet, die Forschungsfrage sei zu breit.

    Translation

    Thank you! I'd been afraid the research question was too broad.

  3. Supervisor

    Breit, aber spannend. Nur: Wo genau liegt die Forschungslücke?

    Translation

    Broad, but exciting. Only: where exactly is the research gap?

  4. Lotte

    Zu Stadtbäumen gibt es viel Forschung, aber kaum empirische - schon gar nicht über mehrere Hitzesommer.

    Translation

    There's a lot of research on city trees, but hardly any empirical research - certainly not over several hot summers.

  5. Supervisor

    Translation

    So your thesis is meant to fill a gap - that belongs in the very first sentence! And the state of research?

  6. Lotte

    Den fasse ich knapp zusammen. Und die Methode ist interdisziplinär: Messungen im Park plus Satellitenbilder.

    Translation

    I sum it up briefly. And the method is interdisciplinary: measurements in the park plus satellite images.

  7. Supervisor

    Eine solche Fragestellung würde jede Stiftung gern fördern. Bewerben Sie sich doch um ein Stipendium!

    Translation

    Any foundation would be glad to fund a question like that. Why not apply for a scholarship?

  8. Lotte

    Die Bewerbung ist längst fertig - samt Zeitplan für drei Jahre, farbig markiert.

    Translation

    The application has long been ready - complete with a three-year schedule, colour-coded.

  9. Supervisor

    Natürlich. Aber eins vorweg: Wer promoviert, braucht einen langen Atem.

    Translation

    Of course. But one thing first: anyone doing a doctorate needs staying power.

  10. Lotte

    Translation

    I have it. After all, I don't just want to research trees, I want to really understand them.

  11. Supervisor

    Translation

    That's exactly what makes a good doctoral student. I'm curious to see your scientific findings.

  12. Lotte

    Und ich erst! Die Linden am Lietzensee sicher auch.

    Translation

    And me even more so! The lime trees at the Lietzensee too, I'm sure.

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