thesis project process brian newberry spring 2013

Thesis Project Process

Brian NewberrySpring 2013

What is a Thesis Project?

There are two culminating options in the ETEC program. The comprehensive exam or a thesis project. A thesis project in this program requires you to create a high

quality electronic teaching resource and report on the process of creating it, testing it, and implementing it in a

four chapter thesis.

Why a Thesis?

A thesis project is a large undertaking. It requires a significant commitment of time and energy. Still, there are

good reasons to do a thesis project.

• To become an expert in a narrow area or topic.• To develop a high quality product to further career goals.• To solve a problem or meet a need in your current job.• To better prepare for a terminal degree experience.

Suggested/Recommended Project Process

Major Milestones

Selecting a TopicCompleting the Proposal

Massive Literature ReviewIRB Application and Approval

Development and TestingImplementation and Evaluation

Draft Thesis to First ReaderRefined Thesis to Second Reader

Format Review


Topic Idea

The idea often comes from our personal experience and is often conceptualized as a problem that needs a solution.

A good idea is one in which you have some interest but not one that you must solve to be happy or fulfilled as a human being. The reason is because of the need for compromise that is built in to the process. For you see, you must do what you can in the time you have with the resources available to you. Seldom will you have enough time (deadlines) or enough resources.


Preliminary literature review

You must find three or more important articles/books that are the backbone for your investigation/development.

Ideally one or more of these will tie you into an accepted but not tired theory.


Proposal (MA Project Application)

• Introduction (parallels chapter 1)• Literature review

•(parallels chapter 2 and includes the preliminary literature review) • Method

•(parallels chapter 3 and should include the ADDIE steps for a design and development project and the design, instruments.)

•Conclusion or Summary •(List foreseeable problems and how to deal with them, explain what you expect to learn and how this will help you etc.)


Massive Literature Review

You need to locate 50 or more articles/books etc. for your literature review. You will not use all of them but they will

all help in some way.

It is helpful to find a few theses or dissertations in the general area you are working. I suggest finding at least

one bad one and several good ones.

Develop three or more threads or main topics that inform your development.


IRB

Institutional Review Board

Irb.csusb.edu

The Board is responsible for assuring compliance with accepted research procedures involving human subjects.


Use the ADDIE Instructional Design Model

AnalysisDesign

DevelopmentImplementation

Evaluation


Analysis

Your plan explains what you are going to do and fits nicely into chapter 3. Your analysis explains what you learned and also goes into chapter 3.

What is the nature of the problem (in light of your literature review but specific to your setting)?

What are the characteristics of the target population?

How will you know your resource worked to solve the problem?


Design

Now that you understand the research in the area;And you understand the parameters of the problem;

And you understand the target population;And you have defined how you will know you succeeded

You design the solution that arise from the research;And addresses the problem;For your target population;

To achieve success.


Development•Production

•Alpha Test •Revision

•Alpha Test•Revision

•Beta Test•Corrections

•Beta Test•Corrections

It is essential that you test your product several times. Use subject matter experts. Media experts, sample

groups of your target population and fellow students in ETEC.


Implementation

Use your product and gather performance data.


Evaluation

Determine the effectiveness of your product and reflect upon your development process.


Timeline

Selecting a Topic: 12 Months Before Desired GraduationCompleting the Proposal: 12 Months Before Desired GraduationMassive Literature Review: 10 Months Before Desired GraduationIRB Application and Approval: 9 Months Before Desired GraduationDevelopment and Testing: 8 Months Before Desired GraduationImplementation and Evaluation: 6 Months Before Desired GraduationDraft Thesis to First Reader: 4 Months before Format ReviewRefined Thesis to Second Reader: 3 Months before Format ReviewFormat Review: 2 Months before Desired Graduation

thesis project process brian newberry spring 2013

Documents