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THESISWRITING & EXAMINERS EXPECTATION
Abd Karim [email protected]
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WHAT IS ATHESIS?
A product of scholarlyand professional studyof a subject.
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ROLE OF EXAMINERS
To carefully assess whether
the study has fulfilled whatit has intended to achieveand what it intends to
contribute.
The scientific merits
The significance &
impact
The new contribution tothe research field
The research has beencommunicated clearly
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COMMON EXAMINERS REMARK
The presentation of the thesis fallsshort...substantial proof reading
The literature review...lack of criticalassessment...just a simple compilation...incomplete...
The experimental design was notappropriate...
Many vague statements...
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WHAT MAKES ANOUTSTANDING THESIS?
The outstanding PhDs have beautifully
conceived ideas that open up a new areaor really answer an important question,and are critical of previous work in the
area or make a critical assessmentof theirown work
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WHAT MAKES AN
OUTSTANDING THESIS?
Novelty/originality
Clear & specific objectivesCohesiveness - where it all fits together
Clarity - clear line of thought &presentation
Elegance of design, synthesis & execution
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WHAT MAKES ANOUTSTANDING THESIS?
CreativityOverall a well sculpted piece of work
A thesis is not an end in itself - rather it
will open up a new vista.
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POOR THESIS
Lack of novelty/originality
Lack of coherence
Lack of understanding of the theoryLack of confidence
Lack of substantive data
Lack of well-structured argument
Researching the wrong problem!
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IN THE VERY
BEGINNING
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FIRST IMPRESSION COUNTS!
Overall presentation
No spelling & grammatical errors
in the title, abstract, table of content,summary/conclusion (because examinerswill read these parts first!)
Substantive both in quantity + qualityThethesis tells a story- takes the readerthrough a journey.
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DONT LET EXAMINERS GUESS
Structure (examiner will look at theTOC)
Chapter introduction & summary/conclusion (clear prologue & epilogue)
Rational of research approachAppropriate data analysis & presentation
References
Make it easy for them to read and follow...
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RESEARCH PROBLEM
Why did youundertake the research
in the first place?
How does your thesisadvance theknowledge of thesub ect?
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RESEARCH PROBLEM
Sufficient background- so that examinerappreciates the research problem
Highlight the deficiencies in currentknowledge- put the work in propercontext or perspective.
Specificresearch objectives: achievable,measurable.
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RESEARCH PROBLEM
Do not leave theexaminer thinking...WHY BOTHER?
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SCOPE OF THE THESIS
Have the author
defined & articulatedthe scope of thecurrent work clearl ?
Important to avoid mismatch in theexaminers expectation and what is
actually delivered.
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LITERATURE REVIEW
Comprehensive but concise
Include KEYreferences (seminalpapers)
Critical appraisal- summarize &synthesize the current state ofknowledge
Identify gapsin knowledge
Need to address conflictorcontroversialissues
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MATERIALS & METHOD
Examiners will scrutinizevery carefully &meticulously!
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MATERIALS & METHOD
Are M&M detailedenough to ensure thework is reproducible?
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MATERIALS & METHOD
Are M&M detailedenough to ensure thework is reproducible?
MATERIAL: sample size, samplepopulation, sampling technique,
sample storage/treatment
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MATERIALS & METHOD
Are M&M detailedenough to ensure thework is reproducible?
MATERIAL: sample size, samplepopulation, sampling technique,
sample storage/treatment
INSTRUMENTATION:specifications, calibration
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MATERIALS & METHOD
Are M&M detailedenough to ensure thework is reproducible?
MATERIAL: sample size, samplepopulation, sampling technique,
sample storage/treatment
INSTRUMENTATION:specifications, calibration
INSTRUMENT: how questionnairedeveloped? validity/reliabilitycheck; proposed data analysis
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MATERIALS & METHOD
Commonly asked questions:
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MATERIALS & METHOD
Commonly asked questions:
Is experimental design appropriate to achieve the objectives?
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MATERIALS & METHOD
Commonly asked questions:
Is experimental design appropriate to achieve the objectives?
What precautions were taken against likely sources of bias?
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MATERIALS & METHOD
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?
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MATERIALS & METHOD
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 collectionappropriate?
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MATERIALS & METHOD
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 collectionappropriate?
Under given circumstances, has the bestmethodology been chosen?
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DATA ANALYSIS & PRESENTATION
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DATA ANALYSIS & PRESENTATION
What is the basis of choosing certain setof data to include in the thesis?
Have the hypothesis been tested?
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DATA ANALYSIS & PRESENTATION
What is the basis of choosing certain setof data to include in the thesis?
Have the hypothesis been tested?Do the solutions obtained relateto the questions posed?
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DATA ANALYSIS & PRESENTATION
What is the basis of choosing certain setof data to include in the thesis?
Have the hypothesis been tested?Do the solutions obtained relateto the questions posed?
Is the level and form of analysisappropriate for the data?
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DATA ANALYSIS & PRESENTATION
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DATA ANALYSIS & PRESENTATION
Could the presentation of results made
clearer?
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DATA ANALYSIS & PRESENTATION
Could the presentation of results made
clearer?Are the pattern in the results
clearly identified and summarized
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DISCUSSION & INTERPRETATION
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DISCUSSION & INTERPRETATION
Logical progression of ideas & arguments
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DISCUSSION & INTERPRETATION
Logical progression of ideas & arguments
Ability to recognize & appreciate the
significance of the data
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DISCUSSION & INTERPRETATION
Logical progression of ideas & arguments
Ability to recognize & appreciate the
significance of the dataDemonstrate higher level of thinking &
analysis
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DISCUSSION & INTERPRETATION
Logical progression of ideas & arguments
Ability to recognize & appreciate the
significance of the dataDemonstrate higher level of thinking &
analysis
Ability to recognize & dealwith contradiction
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DISCUSSION & INTERPRETATION
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DISCUSSION & INTERPRETATION
Is the significance of results fully exploredin the context of current literature?
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DISCUSSION & INTERPRETATION
Is the significance of results fully exploredin the context of current literature?
Reflection - ability of the author to make acritical assessment of their own work
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DISCUSSION & INTERPRETATION
Is the significance of results fully exploredin the context of current literature?
Reflection - ability of the author to make acritical assessment of their own work
Succinct writing without
excessive speculation
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THE END PART
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THE END PART
Succinct conclusion
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THE END PART
Succinct conclusion
Have all the conclusions linked to theresults (i.e., based on available data)?
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THE END PART
Succinct conclusion
Have all the conclusions linked to theresults (i.e., based on available data)?
Have all the stated objectives of the thesisbeen addressed, regardless of theoutcome?
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THE END PART
Succinct conclusion
Have all the conclusions linked to theresults (i.e., based on available data)?
Have all the stated objectives of the thesisbeen addressed, regardless of theoutcome?
Have the avenues for future work openedup by the thesis been articulated clearly?
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FINAL ANALYSIS
Has the thesismade a substantive
original contributionto our knowledge &understanding?
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FINAL ANALYSIS
Has the thesismade a substantive
original contributionto our knowledge &understanding?
Development of new theory ormethodology?
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FINAL ANALYSIS
Has the thesismade a substantive
original contributionto our knowledge &understanding?
Development of new theory ormethodology?
Generation of new body ofknowledge?
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FINAL ANALYSIS
Has the thesismade a substantive
original contributionto our knowledge &understanding?
Development of new theory ormethodology?
Generation of new body ofknowledge?
Knowledge about orunderstanding of an issue or
problem?
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FINAL ANALYSIS
Has the thesismade a substantive
original contributionto our knowledge &understanding?
Development of new theory ormethodology?
Generation of new body ofknowledge?
Knowledge about orunderstanding of an issue or
problem?
Proposal of new policy or practicein a particular area?
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FURTHER READINGMullins, G and Kiley, M. (2002) Its aPhD, not a Nobel Prize: how
experienced examiners assess researchtheses, Studies in Higher Education, 27,4, 369-386
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THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!
