thesis writing and examiners' expectation
TRANSCRIPT
ITM Shah AlamMALAYSIA
University of Lancaster ENGLAND
Universiti Utara MalaysiaMALAYSIA
Universiti of ExeterENGLAND
Universiti Utara MalaysiaMALAYSIA
University of SaskatchewanCANADA
Universiti Sains MalaysiaMALAYSIA
Multimedia Synergy CorporationMALAYSIA
Universiti Utara MalaysiaMALAYSIA
Thesis writing…
Examiners’ expectation
MASTER’S DOCTORAL
10K-20K words
90K-100K words
Knows the tools and
knows how to use them
Require stature, breadth & conviction in literary argument
MASTER’S DOCTORAL
Can make use of appropriate
research procedures
Organise primary & secondary info into a meaningful whole
Present result in an acceptable
whole
MASTER’S DOCTORAL
Present independent and original research in the field
Can make use of appropriate
research procedures
Add understanding to
the field –contribute to new
knowledge
MASTER’S DOCTORAL
18 months
Duration
Substance
Know research procedure
Can organise info
MASTER’S
18 months
36 months
Duration
Substance
Know research procedure
Can organise info
Independent & original research(New Knowledge)
MASTER’S
DOCTORAL
THE FIRST STEP IN WRITING YOUR THESISis setting a
DEADLINEDON’T IGNORE
THE RIGHT BEGINING
JAN … SEP NOV DEC
HIGH quality effort
EXCELLENCE of product
MINIMUM loss of time
JAN
MAY …
YEAR001
Prepare the thesis
outline
CHAPTER 1
JAN … SEP NOV DEC
6 Meetings
MAY
MAY …
YEAR001
A PS must mention:What is the problem? (A)Why is it worth any attention? (B)What are the important methods and variables? (C)
the template for PSThere is a problem of <problem> in <location/context>. Despite <the ideal/something that should be happening>, <the problem> is occuring <provide supporting evidence>. This problem has negatively impacted <victims> because <effect of the problem>. A possible cause of this problem is <cause>. Thus a study which investigates <the problem> by a <methods> could remedy the situation.
<Ideal scene/something that should be happening>
HOWEVER/BUT/IN CONTRAST
<the problem>. This problem has negatively impacted <victims> because <effect of the problem>. A possible cause is <cause>. Thus a study which investigates <the problem> by a <methods> could remedy the situation.
CHECKYOUR PS
People understand what will happen if
the study is not done?
Adequate to retrieve research
questions?
CHAPTER 2
JAN … SEP NOV DEC
8 Meetings
Literature review
SEP
MAY …
YEAR001
CHAPTER 3
JAN … SEP NOV DEC
10 Meetings
Methods
DEC
MAY …
YEAR001
THE HAPPY JOURNEY
JAN … OCT NOV DEC
Proposal approval
12 meetings
JAN
MAY …
YEAR002
CHAPTER 4
JAN … OCT NOV DEC
15 Meetings
Fieldwork and design
MAY
MAY …
YEAR002
CHAPTER 5
JAN … OCT NOV DEC
20 Meetings
Development
OCT
MAY …
YEAR002
CHAPTER 6-7
JAN … SEP OCT DEC
Analysis & conclusion
24 meetings
JUL
JUL …
YEAR003
SUBMIT DRAFT THESIS
JAN … SEP OCT DEC
Discuss examiners
25 meetings
SEP
JUL …
YEAR003
VIVA SLIDES
JAN … SEP OCT DEC
Discuss based on modifications
27 meetings
OCT
JUL …
YEAR003
VIVA
JAN … SEP OCT DEC
30 meetings
Pray A LOT!
DEC
JUL …
YEAR003
YOU
RMILESTONESh
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BELI
EV
ESTART WITH THE
RIGHT INTENTION
HE HAS PURPOSE FOR YOUR PAINHE HAS REASONS FOR YOUR STRUGGLE
CELEBRATE
ALIGN YOUR THESIS & YOUR EXAMINERS’
EXPECTATION
Examiners’
How is the problem tackled?
(LR-arguments-analyse results-Discusssion)
How much work has actually been done?
What Qs the candidate wants to answer?
Mapping RQ-RO-LR-Methods-Results?
The intellectual depth & rigour of the thesis?
For IT-based study– is it a research or just a development?
The assessment
process
skim through overall cover to cover–glaring mistake? Spelling, grammatical error, mechanics…
Abstract & references – poor ref is a sign of a poor thesis. The two go hand in hand.
PhDable? Masterable? Enough substance? Worthwile results?
‘sit on it’ for a while –making notes, read
more critically 1
23
4
…judge the quality of a thesis by the time they have read the first two chapters.
…do not expect a rocket science kind of research, just identify and tackle a doable problem
EXAMINERS…
EXAMINERS……only seek evidence that the student has demonstrated the potential to be an independent researcher, not that she/he is necessarily one already.
…wants students to pass.
…don’t expect genius, but we do expect a certain level of quality.
THE
OUTCOME
Cosmetic/minor amendments?
Fail??!!??
Pass outright?
Major??
Set.Ready. Go.
…may the best befall you