In Week 17 of Advanced 3D Computer Animation, Professor Nigel Mairs my thesis proposal further while ensuring that all sources, case studies, and academic materials followed the correct Harvard referencing conventions. This session highlighted the importance of accurate citation as a fundamental part of academic research, allowing all arguments, evidence, and discussions to be properly supported and avoiding issues of incorrect attribution.
Step 1: Formatting the References
I reviewed my literature review and proposal references, checking the formatting of books, journal articles, online legal documents, and platform policy documents. Since my research combines game studies, legal scholarship, and digital platform regulations, I had to ensure that sources such as Roblox Terms of Use, Epic Games IP policies, scholarly journals, and legal articles were consistently referenced using the Harvard system.
Alongside referencing, I continued refining the overall proposal development. I reconsidered how each source contributed to my main argument regarding the distinction between copyright ownership and contractual platform control. Rather than only presenting platform policies, I focused on demonstrating how academic debates surrounding user authorship, digital property, and intellectual property rights either supported or challenged my position.
Step 2: Reviewing the Methodology
I also reviewed the relationship between the literature review, methodology, and chapter structure to maintain a clear progression throughout the proposal. The research needed a consistent line of argument where every case study, scholarly source, and legal framework directly contributed towards answering the central question of who practically controls player-created avatars.
By the end of the week, I had improved the academic structure of my proposal and gained a better understanding of how proper referencing strengthens the credibility and reliability of research. This process also helped me organise my evidence more effectively before progressing towards the final proposal draft.