1.       Individual Research for Graduation: General Attitude

The primary purpose of conducting individual research for graduation is to develop one’s own opinion. The significance of individual research in the field of the Social Sciences lies in formulating one’s own opinion and the verifying its validity in society. In most of the courses offered to University of the Air students up to this point, students were limited by their ability to adequately express their opinions in writing. Individual research, on the other hand, allows each student to express and develop his or her own, unique ideas. The students should note, however, that they are expected to formulate an academic opinion, and not simply develop an arbitrary individualistic opinion. They must sufficiently research other opinions, for example, by widely studying available resources. To meet this end, students’ participation in the Sakai Seminar for Individual Research for Graduation is a requirement.

2.       Major Field of Study and Field of Supervision

At the University of the Air, the specific research topic of individual research and the specialty of the students’ instructors are not as directly related as they are at other universities. If a student is lucky enough to select a research topic related to his instructor’s major field of study, he or she might benefit in terms of collecting research materials and developing his or her own opinion. My major field of study is Social Economy. I conduct various theoretical research into the following topics: “How is the Market Economy formed?” “Why is Money necessary?” and “Why is there Luxury Consumption in a consumption society?”

3.       Individual Research Topics

The likely fields for individual research for graduation topics include studies into practical aspects of a consumption society, an industrial society, a market economy, a public economy, a household economy, and a currency-based economy. Alternatively, students may engage in theoretical research about these various economic and social systems. What is most important in selecting a student’s research topic is that the student has a clear idea about which issue they want to understand in greater depth. The student may change his or her research topic midway through the research process. However, it is important to select a topic that will not become tedious before its completion. It is equally important to devise ways to focus your research so that you will always come closer and closer to the core of the issue. For practical examples, refer to the list of Topics for Individual Research for Graduation by Instructor, found in the Individual Research for Graduation Guidelines

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4.       Supervision

Here is the schedule for submitting a research report. Also see Further Information.

(1)   Between October of the previous year and March of following year;

The student collects reference books and information, and develops general ideas that he or she wants to study and also decides upon the general method for conducting research. 

(2)   Monthly seminar-style instructions will be given starting in April.

(3)   Camp-style live-in seminars will be held in September, when students make interim reports about their research.

Individual coaching from the instructor following the mailing the student’s draft report. This continues until the scheduled research report submission in November.

If students are not familiar with how to collect the necessary information and reference materials, I am available to give private coaching even before the new academic year begins. During the interim research reporting during the seminar, all of the students are expected to design their presentation to be convincing and persuasive. To help students living in faraway areas or those experiencing schedule conflicts, TV phones and other modes of instruction are also available.  

5.       What is expected of research participants:

In conducting graduation research, it is necessary for the student to form an opinion that is worth submitting and announcing in public. They must practice this process several times until they finally learn how to achieve this goal. It is advisable that they finish their data acquisition and sorting at an early stage, so that they will be well prepared for the seminar beginning in April. Students ultimately become able to analyze and finally develop their own opinions by reading and digesting as many resources as possible. Please refer to an Introduction to Social Sciences to learn how to collect the relevant information and how to write a paper. This textbook is available from the University of the Air. Starting in 1999, further instruction is being given via the Internet and other communications media. The use of the Campus Network will provide all students with access to the Internet. Access the following website for information on graduation research. Even though the seminar is basically designed for face-to-face instruction, the website can also be used to help seminar participants who live in remote areas.

（http://u-air.net/sakai/)

Sakai Seminar