Post 7
THESIS RESEARCH AND WRITING/ METHODOLOGY OF RESEARCH
Lecture on Background of Study
I. Opening Comments
By now, you have no doubt gathered that much of the material the instructor sharing with was written or compiled while teaching Thesis Research and Writing under the old paradigm. Still, the principles are applicable to this project and the basic outline is unchanged. The student must ultimately think about an oral presentation, no doubt, but first the material must be constructed in written format.
At this point the student has produced, and refined, a thesis statement. This serves as a destination point to which the paper will carry the reader—a target toward which future audiences will strive. In addition, the student has immersed him or herself in the relevant writing on the topic. Reviewing 5 relevant books will provide a great wealth of support for the idea covered in the thesis and serve as a launching pad for the great adventure. Now it is time to turn to the task of constructing the individual elements necessary for the vehicle which will carry the information to the target audience.
II. Common Elements in the Paper
Read the following information, gleaned from a website set up to guide thesis writers at another institution. This degree program, while focused on technological topics, can serve as a template for the student’s own writing. So, wade through the technical jargon and pick out the applicable parts:
A typical postgraduate level research protocol contains essential elements such as introduction of study, background of study, literature review, objectives (general and specific) of study, rationale of study, the design of the study, the list of variables of study and their levels (types of variables and their measurement), data collection methods and procedures (interviews, questionnaires and records), determination of the optimum sample size of study, determination of the most suitable sampling technique, use of statistical packages and software for data entry and analysis, statistical methods of data entry, editing, manipulation and analysis, knowledge of alternative theoretical and practical procedures, assessment of the theoretical reliability of results of study (diagnostic measures), interpretation of results, limitations and delimitations of study, expected output of study, the cost of study, the action plan of study, list of references, appendices and annextures.
(Second Workshop on Research Methodology June 25-27, 2003, Amsterdam, The Netherlands Abstract of presentation by Zeleke Worku University of Pretoria School of Health Systems and Public Health , accessed from http://64.233.179.104/search?q=cache:AU-6Vwv1UewJ:www.knaw.nl/rm2003/p117.doc+%22background+of+study%22%2BThesis&hl=en 9/30/2004
III. Purpose to the Introduction:
A. Whether the intro is one paragraph or a separate chapter, it is the reader's first contact with your thoughts and writing style. If we are to assume that the reader is under no compulsion to read the paper, then the only criterion that will cause her to continue to reading is sustained interest. If the introduction is dull, redundant, or confusing, the reader will simply put the text down. You must remember that there is absolutely nothing that will force a reader back to a paper once she has rejected it. The opening, therefore, must be vivid, interesting, and stimulating. It must capture the reader's attention. (Teitlebaum, p. 46)
B. The Introduction and Overview chapter provides a comprehensive review of the literature that establishes the student's familiarity with relevant work in the field; sets out the objectives of the thesis; places the research into the larger context of the candidate's discipline; and provides overall thematic cohesiveness of the chapters (research papers) to the reader
IV. Polish
The actual style and format of a thesis are of utmost importance. Students should strive to write in a style that is clear, concise and interesting as well as informative. Writing style is a matter of personal choice and skill, although the type of prose style used in a thesis will be governed in part by the requirements and the conventions of the discipline. A high degree of literacy is expected of all graduate students. Elegance and clarity are desirable whatever the subject of the thesis might be. Grammatical and spelling errors are no more acceptable than are typographical errors. Obscurities of meaning can arise from clumsy grammatical construction or from excessive use of jargon, and these should therefore be avoided. Use of editorial services or other assistance that provides substantive writing or re-writing of the thesis is unacceptable.
V. Discussion of Background of Study
a. Things it should tell or accomplish
i. This should contain some information that tells why this particular topic is important to the writer. What “provokes” the student to write.
ii. It should be gripping, in that it causes the reader/listener to stay engaged
iii. It should tell the reader/listener, “What can be learned from my research.”
b. Look at the following website and pay close attention to the section titled “Background of Study”: http://www.tele.sunyit.edu/teleworking/Factors.html
VI. Assignment: Write a gripping introduction/background of study to your thesis this week. It should be one to three paragraphs long.
A. Post one copy on the class website
B. E-mail on copy to Dr. Martin.
C. Leave comments on the class website!
THESIS RESEARCH AND WRITING/ METHODOLOGY OF RESEARCH
Lecture on Background of Study
I. Opening Comments
By now, you have no doubt gathered that much of the material the instructor sharing with was written or compiled while teaching Thesis Research and Writing under the old paradigm. Still, the principles are applicable to this project and the basic outline is unchanged. The student must ultimately think about an oral presentation, no doubt, but first the material must be constructed in written format.
At this point the student has produced, and refined, a thesis statement. This serves as a destination point to which the paper will carry the reader—a target toward which future audiences will strive. In addition, the student has immersed him or herself in the relevant writing on the topic. Reviewing 5 relevant books will provide a great wealth of support for the idea covered in the thesis and serve as a launching pad for the great adventure. Now it is time to turn to the task of constructing the individual elements necessary for the vehicle which will carry the information to the target audience.
II. Common Elements in the Paper
Read the following information, gleaned from a website set up to guide thesis writers at another institution. This degree program, while focused on technological topics, can serve as a template for the student’s own writing. So, wade through the technical jargon and pick out the applicable parts:
A typical postgraduate level research protocol contains essential elements such as introduction of study, background of study, literature review, objectives (general and specific) of study, rationale of study, the design of the study, the list of variables of study and their levels (types of variables and their measurement), data collection methods and procedures (interviews, questionnaires and records), determination of the optimum sample size of study, determination of the most suitable sampling technique, use of statistical packages and software for data entry and analysis, statistical methods of data entry, editing, manipulation and analysis, knowledge of alternative theoretical and practical procedures, assessment of the theoretical reliability of results of study (diagnostic measures), interpretation of results, limitations and delimitations of study, expected output of study, the cost of study, the action plan of study, list of references, appendices and annextures.
(Second Workshop on Research Methodology June 25-27, 2003, Amsterdam, The Netherlands Abstract of presentation by Zeleke Worku University of Pretoria School of Health Systems and Public Health , accessed from http://64.233.179.104/search?q=cache:AU-6Vwv1UewJ:www.knaw.nl/rm2003/p117.doc+%22background+of+study%22%2BThesis&hl=en 9/30/2004
III. Purpose to the Introduction:
A. Whether the intro is one paragraph or a separate chapter, it is the reader's first contact with your thoughts and writing style. If we are to assume that the reader is under no compulsion to read the paper, then the only criterion that will cause her to continue to reading is sustained interest. If the introduction is dull, redundant, or confusing, the reader will simply put the text down. You must remember that there is absolutely nothing that will force a reader back to a paper once she has rejected it. The opening, therefore, must be vivid, interesting, and stimulating. It must capture the reader's attention. (Teitlebaum, p. 46)
B. The Introduction and Overview chapter provides a comprehensive review of the literature that establishes the student's familiarity with relevant work in the field; sets out the objectives of the thesis; places the research into the larger context of the candidate's discipline; and provides overall thematic cohesiveness of the chapters (research papers) to the reader
IV. Polish
The actual style and format of a thesis are of utmost importance. Students should strive to write in a style that is clear, concise and interesting as well as informative. Writing style is a matter of personal choice and skill, although the type of prose style used in a thesis will be governed in part by the requirements and the conventions of the discipline. A high degree of literacy is expected of all graduate students. Elegance and clarity are desirable whatever the subject of the thesis might be. Grammatical and spelling errors are no more acceptable than are typographical errors. Obscurities of meaning can arise from clumsy grammatical construction or from excessive use of jargon, and these should therefore be avoided. Use of editorial services or other assistance that provides substantive writing or re-writing of the thesis is unacceptable.
V. Discussion of Background of Study
a. Things it should tell or accomplish
i. This should contain some information that tells why this particular topic is important to the writer. What “provokes” the student to write.
ii. It should be gripping, in that it causes the reader/listener to stay engaged
iii. It should tell the reader/listener, “What can be learned from my research.”
b. Look at the following website and pay close attention to the section titled “Background of Study”: http://www.tele.sunyit.edu/teleworking/Factors.html
VI. Assignment: Write a gripping introduction/background of study to your thesis this week. It should be one to three paragraphs long.
A. Post one copy on the class website
B. E-mail on copy to Dr. Martin.
C. Leave comments on the class website!
posted by Doc | 12:50 PM
3 Comments:
Dr. Martin,
Whew!!!!!!!!! THis is a lot but I will get it done. I am going to send you the paragraph defining the definition of terms later this week after some research. Don't want to send something inadequate. Researching immediately. Unless I am interpreting the other posts incorrectly, most of it is to help in formatting the thesis properly with notes and introduction pages. I will read them all again but will have everything to you by August 12th. Thanks again!
Mr. Harris,
It seems like you are correctly interpreting the assignements. Please take time to do each one as thoroughly as possible. Make sure to follow the form in writing each piece. Then, keep one copy and send one to me as an attachment via e-mail.
Good luck!
Background Study/Basis of Thesis Topic
Successful marriages was an appealing subject to me because it is a subject that is near and dear to my heart and as a minister of the gospel, I felt should be given the appropriate attention it deserves in as a part of any Church or individual’s ministry. I have read several articles over the years that have given statistics on the failure rate of marriages in this country and thought the data was very disturbing. Marriage has a success rate of 50% in today’s society as compared to 20-30 years ago.
I chose this topic so that I can research and become better prepared at providing valid statistical data and study from professionals that would help others with this subject matter.
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