report on conventions of an ma thesis.pdf

of 6

ENG 299: Research

Conventions of an MA Thesis Prepared by: Nicanor L. Guinto Dr. Maria Corazon S. A. Castro

MA English Studies: Language Professor

1. What a Master's Thesis is

empirically based research study that is an original piece of work by a graduate student o produced by experiment or observation o represents the students culminating research and writing abilities

may either be: o traditional five-chapter thesis o artistic performance/ production

represents the students perseverance, discipline, and scholarly writing 1.1. The difference between a Master's thesis and a term paper

Term Paper Masters Thesis > summary of research or other sources about a particular topic

> based on original research on a particular topic conducted by the student

> there may be a [given] subject/ question that will be answered

> does not answer [given] questions

> conclusions are based on prior research/es conducted by other researchers

> conclusions are based on data collected by the researcher him/herself

1.2. The difference between a Master's thesis and a Doctoral dissertation

Universities most commonly use thesis to refer to both masters or doctoral degree thesis is oftentimes for a masters degree and dissertation for a doctoral degree

Masters thesis Doctoral dissertation

length shorter than a dissertation, but longer than a bachelors thesis

significantly long

people involved at least 2 at least 4

focus narrow, practical broad, theoretical

They have more similarities than of differences.

o follows a systematic process 1.3. Scope and Aim (SOAS University of London 2007)

shows how well a Masters degree candidate can independently do research on a particular topic, including a theoretical background

should be of publishable quality and therefore fulfil the requirements of a good piece of research

the student researcher will have to isolate a viable topic for research as soon as possible he/she should show capability to critically analyse a chosen topic will be assessed

of 6

ENG 299: Research



1.4. Sources and Referencing

Select an appropriate amount of references (vital that the paper is not based upon a few works only)

In general, published sources such as books and academic articles are the more reliable source of information and to be preferred over internet sources.

o Use ONLY reliable internet sources, such as governmental or institutional websites.

o Wikipedia and other similar reference sites as well as blogs or chat rooms ARE NOT to be used in a dissertation.

information in the bibliography should be formatted to the appropriate academic standard

2. Components of a Master's Thesis 2.1. Preliminaries

Title Page Approval Sheet and Letters Acknowledgment Dedication Abstract Table of Contents List of Tables, Figures, and Appendices

2.2. Introduction

introduces the topic of the thesis to the reader justifies why it is necessary to study the topic and what research questions the study will

answer typically includes all or some of the following:

Background of the study (1 to 2 pages would suffice) Statement of the problem Hypotheses Objectives Significance Scope and Limitations Definition of Terms

2.3. Literature Review

This chapter must provide a substantive review of the findings, methods, and theories from previous studies as published in academic and scholarly-reviewed documents such as journals, research anthologies, theses, and dissertations. (Format 2008)

of 6

ENG 299: Research



2.4. Framework

presents the theoretical foundations of the research explains how previous scholarly arguments inform the present research serves as a blueprint as to how the variables/concepts in your study relate to one

another typically includes:

Theoretical Framework Conceptual Framework

2.5. Research Methods

describes the actual procedures that were used to conduct the study (how the study was conducted)

typically includes:

Locale where the study took place Design research approaches, methods, and/or techniques employed Participants/ Samples/ Units of Analysis individuals who participated in or data analysed for the study and how [and why] they were selected Instrumentation tools used to collect data Procedures how data were collected and/or implemented in the study Data Analysis statistical or qualitative technique used in the study

2.5. Findings

presents the findings of the study must be organized according to the specific objectives Some helpful items to remember in writing the results and discussion (Format 2008:

32):

1. Discussion must precede any visual aid such as tables, charts, pictures or matrices.

2. All direct quotes must be italicized and attributed to specific informants (use pseudonyms if needed). Quotes that are longer than three manuscript lines must be indented by 0.5. Non-English quotes from interviewees and participants must be followed by an English translation in brackets.

3. When discussing data, use the past tense because they were gathered weeks before the write-up is composed. However, use the present tense when making inferences across findings.

4. The findings of the study must be linked to the earlier chapters. To compose a 5. Sound and solid thesis or dissertation, compare and contrast the findings with

what has been earlier found in literature or argued in theory. Thus, cite previous studies and theories in making your arguments.

2.6. Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations 2.7. References

of 6

ENG 299: Research



2.8. Appendices 3. Thesis Formatting 3.1. paper: White, 8.5 x 11, 80gsm. No special paper may be used in any part of the

document, except for photo paper for pictures, graphics, and other illustrations. 3.2. font: serif typeface (Times New Roman, Book Antiqua, etc.) for content, 12 3.2. margins: 1.5 for the left margin, 1.0 for the top, right, and bottom margins 3.3. spacing: Double spacing for the entire document. No additional spacing between

paragraphs. Add an extra double space between sections. 3.4. page numbering: Place page numbers in the header, on the top right corner, with no special

formatting. For all preliminary pages, use lowercase Roman numerals (i, ii, iii). For the body, use Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3). Numbering should begin with

the first page of the first chapter, but the page number should not appear on the first page. Similarly, the first page of each succeeding chapter should have no page number.

3.5. Formatting of Charts, Pictures and Illustrations, and Tables and Matrices Adapted from Format (2008: 3-4)

3.5.1. Charts, pictures and illustrations, and tables and matrices should appear on the

same page or on the following page after they are mentioned in the text. Put an extra double space before and after these items. Photo paper may be used for charts, pictures, and illustrations.

3.5.2. Images must fit and be centered within margins. If a table, figure, or picture does

not fit in a portrait page layout, change to a landscape layout. Put this landscaped page immediately after the page that cites the table, figure, or picture. The landscaped page must have a 1.5 margin at the top, and 1.0 margin on all others. Landscaped pages must be oriented away from the binding.

3.5.3. No text should appear to the left or to the right of the charts, pictures and

illustrations, and tables and matrices. 3.5.4. Label charts, pictures and illustrations, and tables and matrices chronologically

using Hindu-Arabic numerals. 3.5.5. Put titles at the top of tables, and at the bottom of charts, pictures and illustrations.

Titles must be flush left, rather than centered, on the page. 3.5.6. Place captions at the bottom of the pictures and illustrations. Captions must be

single spaced. Separate captions from the text with an extra double space.

of 6

ENG 299: Research



4. Good practices to adopt and bad practices to avoid (Refer to the photocopied materials attached herewith.) 5. CAL GSO Guidelines (Graduate Studies 2004: 28-33, 36)

requesting for a thesis adviser o composition of a thesis committee (adviser, co-adviser, critic reader)

The thesis proposal o The oral defense of a thesis proposal may be held only under the following

conditions: The proposal has been received by each member of the Oral Defense

Panel at least one week before the scheduled defense; at least three to five graduate faculty members invited are present. If less

than three are present, the defense shall be re-scheduled. o A certified copy of the approved thesis proposal and a form endorsing it duly

signed by the Thesis Proposal Committee shall be submitted by the Thesis Proposal Committee to the Dean/Director, through channels.

Oral defense o Oral Defense Panel (5)

Deans representative (1) a maximum of (2) Masters Oral Defense Panel from an academic

institution or qualified agency outside the College/Unit or University. o Administration of the Oral Defense

to be held in the College/Unit at a tie recommended by the Panel and authorized by the Dean/ Director, through channels

time and place of the defense shall be officially announced by the GSO two weeks before the scheduled defense

The oral defense may only be held under the following conditions:

1. the thesis manuscript has been received by each member of the Oral Defense Panel at least two (2) weeks before the scheduled examination; and

2. all members of the Oral Defense Panel are present

The Masters Oral defense shall be open to the public evaluation and rating of the students oral defense shall be done by the

panel in a closed-door meeting to be held immediately after the defense o Rating

there shall be three ratings:

Pass

Provisional Pass means minor revisions are required

Fail means substantial revisions are required by at least two of the five Panel members or one of the three panel members.

o Passing or Failing a Masters Defense

of 6

ENG 299: Research



passing the defense means approval of his/her Masters degree failing the defense requires him/her to submit himself/herself to a

Masters defense within one (1) academic year o Intellectual Property Rights

copyright of unpublished thesis rests with the authors

o Submission of bound copies o student must submit to the GSO five (5) bound copies of the approved

Masters thesis o The bound copies must conform to the standard format of the College

and contain the official approval of the thesis by the members of the oral defense panel.

References: Biggam, J. (2008). Succeeding with your Master's dissertation: A step-by-step handbook. NY, USA:

Open University Press. Bui, Y.N. (2009). How to write a Master's thesis. USA: Sage. Elizabeth City State University. (2008). A manual for Master's thesis preparation [PDF]. Date

retrieved: July 17, 2013 from http://www.ecsu.edu/academics/graduate/docs/ThesisDocument.pdf.

Format guidebook for theses and dissertation. (2008, June). [Author]. College of Mass

Communication, University of the Philippines-Diliman, Quezon City. Graduate Studies. (2004). General rules for graduate programs: College of Arts and Letters, University

of the Philippines-Diliman. Quezon City: CAL, UP. Seminar, S. (2006). Instructions for writing a thesis [PDF]. Date retrieved: July 17, 2013

from https://www.jyu.fi/sport/laitokset/liikuntabiologia/laitos/dokumentit/english-documents/WriteGuide.

SOAS University of London. (2007). MA Dissertation Guideline. Date retrieved: July 17, 2013

from http://www.soas.ac.uk/languagecultures/studentinfo/madissguidlines/.

report on conventions of an ma thesis.pdf

Documents