Anatomy of Project and Dissertation of Thesis Or What is a Dissertation / Thesis? Bruce Miller Nurtuvista’ 12 MTPG&RIHS 05 January 2012

WHAT IS A THESIS / DISSERTATION? A product of scholarly and professional study of a subject. A document submitted in support of candidature for a degree or professional qualification presenting the author's research and findings.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE? In some countries/universities, the word "thesis“ is used as part of a bachelor's or master's course, while "dissertation" is normally applied to a doctorate, while in others, the reverse is true. Dissertations normally report on a research project or an extended analysis of a topic.

Research Problem Why did you undertake the research in the first place? How does your thesis advance the knowledge of the subject? Sufficient background - so that examiner appreciates the research problem Highlight the deficiencies in current knowledge - put the work in proper context or perspective. Specific research objectives: achievable, measurable.

Scope of the Thesis Is the scope of the current work clearly defined & articulated? Is there a mismatch between expectation and what is actually delivered?

Organization Can vary in structure in line with the many different areas of study (arts, humanities, social sciences, technology, sciences, etc.) and the great differences in approach between them.

General Structure Title page Abstract Table of contents Body, comprising the various chapters (introduction, literature review, findings, etc.) Bibliography or (more usually) a references section.

Body Explains the purpose; The methods used; and The findings of the project.

Body a) an introduction, which introduces the research topic, with an explanation of why the subject was chosen for study; b) a literature review, reviewing relevant literature and showing how this has informed the research issue; c) a methodology chapter, explaining how the research has been designed and why the research methods being used have been chosen; d) a findings chapter, outlining the findings of the research itself; e) an analysis and discussion chapter, analysing the findings and discussing them in the context of the literature review (this chapter is often divided into two—analysis and discussion); f) a conclusion.

Literature Review Comprehensive but concise Include KEY references (seminal papers) Critical appraisal - summarize & synthesize the current state of knowledge Identify gaps in knowledge Need to address conflict or controversial issues

Materials & Method Are M&M detailed enough to ensure the work is reproducible? MATERIALS & METHOD: sample size, sample population, sampling technique, sample storage/treatment INSTRUMENTATION: specifications, calibration INSTRUMENT: how questionnaire developed? validity/reliability check; proposed data analysis

Commonly asked questions Is experimental design appropriate to achieve the objectives? What precautions were taken against likely sources of bias? What are the limitations of the methodology? Is the methodology for analysis and data collection appropriate? Under given circumstances, has the best methodology been chosen?

Data Analysis & Presentation What is the basis of choosing certain set of data to include in the thesis? Have the hypothesis been tested? Do the solutions obtained relate to the questions posed? Is the level and form of analysis appropriate for the data?

Commonly asked questions Could the presentation of results be made clearer? Are the pattern in the results clearly identified and summarized?

Discussion & Interpretation Logical progression of ideas & arguments Ability to recognize & appreciate the significance of the data Demonstrate higher level of thinking & analysis Ability to recognize & deal with contradiction

Commonly asked questions Is the significance of results fully explored in the context of current literature? Reflection - ability of the author to make a critical assessment of their own work? Succinct writing without excessive speculation?

The End Part Succinct conclusion? Have all the conclusions linked to the results (i.e., based on available data)? Have all the stated objectives of the thesis been addressed, regardless of the outcome? Have the avenues for future work opened up by the thesis been articulated clearly?

Final Analysis Development of new theory or methodology? Generation of new body of original contribution knowledge? Knowledge about or understanding of an issue or problem? Proposal of new policy or practice in a particular area?

Final Analysis Has the thesis made a substantive original contribution to our knowledge & understanding?

The Written Thesis Paper – type, size, colour Font / Size Format Page Numbers Layout Order of components Citation style Etc…

What makes an Outstanding Thesis? “Beautifully conceived ideas that open up a new area - or really answer an important question, and are critical of previous work in the area or make a critical assessment of their own work”

What makes an Outstanding Thesis? Novelty/originality Clear & specific objectives Cohesiveness - where it all fits together Clarity - clear line of thought & presentation Elegance of design, synthesis & execution Creativity Overall a well sculpted piece of work A thesis is not an end in itself - rather it will open up a new vista.

What makes a Poor Thesis? Lack of novelty/originality Lack of coherence Lack of understanding of the theory Lack of confidence Lack of substantive data Lack of well-structured argument Researching the wrong problem!

References, Sources & Notes Dick, B. (1993) “You Want to do an Action Research Thesis?” Abd Karim, “Thesis Writing & Examiner’s Expectations”, Mullins, G and Kiley, M. (2002) “It’s a PhD, not a Nobel Prize”: how experienced examiners assess research theses, Studies in Higher Education, 27, 4, Maylor, H. and Blackmon, K. (2005) Researching Business and Management”