MScSED Thesis Workshop:

Steps for Successful Delivery

Majella O’Dea

NUI Galway, May 18th, 2018

What do you need to

focus on …?

1. Idea Paper & Thesis Advisor

2. Thesis Statement

3. Secondary Research

4. Research Methodology

5. Thesis Proposal

What is a Thesis?

The word “thesis” is used in a variety of ways.

Most simply, a thesis is an investigation supported by a research effort.

A thesis is “the document that you will complete and submit as the main component of your postgraduate study. Your thesis, or dissertation, communicates the research questions, methodologies, findings and conclusions of your research. It is the written testament of your academic achievement.”

(Burns, D., 2017)

Writing an MSc Thesis

Your thesis should demonstrate that you have:

• selected a manageable problem

• concisely described the problem and its relevance

• read and understood literature which backs up the relevance of your research

• thoroughly and systematically investigated ways of solving the problem

• drawn positive and negative results from your research

Show clarity of purpose and value to others

Motivation

ESSENTIAL: Find an area that interests you.

This is what sets apart those who complete and those who do not!

Your idea paper is a short (1 page max.) description of:

• Your thesis idea

• Name of your thesis advisor

• Irish Research Board (IRB) approval, if needed (e.g. if working with children)

If taking Thesis Fundamentals (CT6110) in F8W1, submit idea and advisor by August 26th 2018.

Otherwise – end of September.

1. Idea Paper & Thesis Advisor

Sample idea papers? See the Launchpad As you think about getting started, consider... • your general areas of interest • your job • a hobby or community or non-profit organisation (or

anything) that really interests you

When considering an area, think about these points: • Will you be able to gather information / conduct

research in this area? • Does the topic hold your interest?

Starting on your Idea Paper

Aim to take CT110: Thesis Fundamentals in F8W1 or F8W2. If you have no ideas for your Idea Paper, consider ... • What do you like? Modules? Topics? • What interests you? Hobbies? • Do you have a business idea you would like to investigate? Then: Read Conference publications and Academic papers for your area. Use online Library databases for greater access!

It’s important to find an area that interests you.

Advice: Don’t Wait!

Finding a Thesis Advisor (1/2)

You must approach the thesis advisor. You are responsible but we can advise you if you are stuck. Advisors for high-level topic-areas: • For Databases, identify one or more suitable Regis

advisors. • For Software, identify one or more suitable NUIG advisors.

Finding a Thesis Advisor (2/2)

What to do: 1. Write your idea paper. 2. Choose suitable advisor(s) 3. Contact a potential advisor with your idea paper.

• If that advisor is available to work with you as your advisor, record your advisor’s name in your idea paper.

• If that advisor is unavailable to work with you as your advisor, contact another advisor.

2. Thesis Statement?

What is a thesis statement?

• Every thesis begins with a thesis statement, usually in the form of a research question. This is typically 1-2 sentences.

• A thesis statement is a succinct statement describing the area of investigation of your thesis.

• A thesis statement makes an assertion about an IT topic.

• In your thesis, you will prove/disprove your thesis statement.

• You will draft and refine your thesis statement as the initial activity in the CT6110: Thesis Fundamentals module.

A Good Thesis Statement...

• Makes an assertion about a topic, which can be argued

– For our purposes, an Information Technology topic

• Identifies the purpose and scope of your thesis

• Is clear, succinct and unambiguous

• Is focused and specific enough to be “proven”

• Is defensible

SCOPE?

This is very important to get right. Your advisor will guide you on what’s achievable.

MCT624: Thesis Proposal

During the Thesis Fundamentals (CT6110) module, you will work on and finalise a thesis proposal containing:

1. Thesis statement

2. Scope of the thesis

3. Significance of (or need for) the study

4. Research methodologies

5. Completion criteria or success criteria

6. Project plan (set goals/timelines to deliver thesis)

You approach your advisor for their sign-off on this.

What is it? Secondary research involves the summary, collation and/or synthesis of existing research, for example from academic and professional journals, books, and relevant, reliable web sources. This uses all secondary sources (publications). This makes your literature review if working with an NUIG advisor or annotated bibliography if working with a Regis advisor. Secondary research differs to primary research, which involves gathering and analysing unique data.

3. Secondary Research

Role of Secondary Research (1/2)

All MScSED theses require secondary research. Read widely in the general area of your thesis to:

• focus your ideas

• establish the current state-of-the-art in your thesis area:

– What information already exists in the area?

– What research has already been done?

– What types of questions are being asked/answered about the topic?

Secondary research sources are the body of literature you will use to support, reinforce and defend your thesis.

• You must analyse your own work in this context i.e. use the secondary sources to back up the relevance of your research.

• Your written summary of secondary research will become part of your written thesis, as a literature review (NUIG advisors) or annotated bibliography (Regis advisors).

Reading and analysing existing research is important. “Active reading” is recommended.

Role of Secondary Research (2/2)

Active Reading

Develop an active and critical learning style when researching.

When reading technical literature, evaluating a piece of software, or listening to a research talk, ask yourself:

– From where did the author draw ideas?

– What exactly was accomplished by this work?

– How does it relate to other work in the field?

– What would be a reasonable next step to build upon this work?

Tips: Scanning Publications

1. Read the title

2. Read the abstract

3. Read the introduction, the headings and the conclusion

4. Read the first and last sentence of every paragraph

5. Tell someone about the article (to determine if you are able to explain the publication in your own words).

Tips: Finding More Publications

When you find a good publication (i.e. one that will help you and is relevant to your field):

• Look at the citations and the references.

• Read that referenced-material, again looking at their references.

• You have completed your secondary research when you come full circle and are seeing the same or previously-read documents referenced again.

Ask your advisor! It is topic-dependent.

You have completed your secondary research when you come full circle and are seeing the same authors or previously-read documents referenced again.

Your advisor decided when your literature review or annotated bibliography is complete. You must send regular updates to them (for feedback).

How much Secondary Research is “Enough”?

Research methodologies are the various methods, approaches and data collection techniques used to prove/disprove your thesis statement and to carry out your primary research.

There are various research methods for example:

– Quantitative: collect facts and study relationships (e.g. surveys and interviews).

– Qualitative: seek insight rather than statistics (e.g. focus groups, interviews and observations).

– Design Science or Constructive: build something (e.g. software) and test it.

4. Research Methodology

Research Methodology: Approaches and Techniques

Approaches:

– Case study: study a problem over a limited timescale or limited scope

– Survey: study of patterns and comparisons in collected data

– Experiment: study of measurable phenomena

Techniques (Data Collection):

– Participant observation (e.g. Interviews)

– Documentary evidence (e.g. system logging)

– Surveys

Your Research Methodology

Your research method(s) must be relevant to your thesis statement:

• analyse your thesis statement and the research in this area

• consider the form that your investigation will take

• consider the form that your proof will take

Talk to your advisor!

From Broad/General (secondary research)

– Review and critique the broad area

– Propose solution(s) to identified problem(s)

...to Specific (primary research)

– Test/prove proposed solutions using specific case studies/surveys/ experiments

– Define the nature of your tests: are they applied to a typical example of the broader area? In what ways are they atypical?

... to Broad (put your work in context)

– Extrapolate your findings back out to the general case. This is essential!

Research Stages: Hourglass Analogy

CT626: Finalise Literature

After CT6110, it’s time to work towards finalising your secondary research.

There are two parts to CT626:

CT626:

Finalise Literature

CT626 Support:

Support to complete and deliver thesis

Completed M.Sc.SED.

Thesis

CT626: Some Notes

CT626: Take this module once you have successfully completed CT6110. This module supports you while completing literature review or annotated bibliography. You must get approval from your advisor that your literature is complete* before moving to CT626 Annual. (You can move to CT626 Annual mid-term if necessary)

CT626 Supprt: This module provides support for writing thesis chapters. You go to your advisor for topic-related questions but you can ask general questions here.

Complete*: Literature or Bibliography is sufficiently advanced to support writing chapter content. You will continue to add to literature as you write-up.

Ethics

In certain cases you will need Ethical Approval.

Examples:

• Doing tests

• Conducting surveys

How will you know whether you need Ethical Approval or not?

Your Advisor

Key Thesis Criteria

You must demonstrate:

• Topical knowledge

• Critical thinking

• Communication skills

Take care with your writing throughout second year. Put forward a professional image of yourself.

Excellent Thesis

An excellent thesis is distinguishable from a good thesis because it:

• is relevant and focused

• uses a thorough and critical range of literature

• uses a structured argument

• is presented clearly and flows logically

Bring your work into context with relevant, current developments in IT.

Even better? Publication!

Recommendations and Key Dates

August 2018 Thesis idea paper (and thesis advisor)

18F8W1/18F8W2 CT6110: Thesis Fundamentals

[Look for relevant publications]

18F8W2 or 19Sp8W1

CT626: Complete Literature/Bibliography CT626 Annual: Thesis Write-up

August, 2019 Submit

Make a plan, for example:

This is just a suggested plan but it gives you most time for write-up. Essential! Build relationship with your advisor!

Final Points

Year 2 of the M.Sc.SED. is intense because: • You take 7 modules in the year (& 2 modules some terms) • Research takes time and effort. The literature/

bibliography is a big milestone. Note: • CT6110 is 5-ECTs. • CT626 is 30-ECTs and is graded according to the quality of

your thesis.

It deserves your attention because the thesis is worth 6 times a normal module!

References

Burns, D. 2017, Writing a Scientific-Style Thesis: A Guide for Graduate Research Students. Available from: https://www.nuigalway.ie/media/graduatestudies/files/writingascientificstylethesis/Writing-a-Scientific-Thesis.pdf [Available 21 June 2017]

Thank you