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Research Methodology
Thesis Writing
Professor Dr Wan Azlan Bin Wan Zainal Abidin
Deputy Director
Centre for Graduate Studies
OUTLINES
A. Thesis Writing Concept
B. UNIMAS Thesis Guideline and Template
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https://www.postgrad.unimas.my/
CGS TOP MANAGEMENT
(A) Prof Dr Fasihuddin Badruddin Ahmad
Senior Director
(B) Prof Dr Wan Azlan bin Wan Zainal Abidin
Deputy Director (Coursework)
(C) Prof Dr Awang Ahmad Sallehin bin Awang Husaini
Deputy Director (Research)
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CGS TOP MANAGEMENT
Hadijah bt Hj MorniDeputy Registrar
Khamisah binti EteSenior Assistant Registrar
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Thesis/Dissertation• a long piece of writing on a particular subject,
• especially one that is done for a higher
college or university degree
• a doctoral thesis
(Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary &
Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)
A. Thesis Writing Concept
• a dissertation on embodying results of
original research and
• especially substantiating a specific view;
• especially: one written by a candidate
for an academic degree
(Merriam Webster dictionary)
A. Thesis Writing Concept
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Thesis/Dissertation (cont.)
• To demonstrate that you can take a project
and bring it to a genuine conclusion
• Provides a new kind of work and frequently a
new kind of skill.
• Will help you professionally
A. Thesis Writing Concept
The Big Question
What is your thesis about?
So, tell me about your thesis
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General Structure of a Thesis
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Literature Review
Chapter 3: Methodology
Chapter 4: Results and Discussion
Chapter 5: Conclusions and Recommendations
Chapter 1: Introduction
• Background: context and rationale
• Gap in research
• Purpose of the study
• Significance of the study
• Original contribution on to the body of knowledge in the field; practical/pedagogical implications
Clearly state the purpose and explain the
significance of the study
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Chapter 2: Literature Review
• Theoretical/conceptual framework
• Describe and analyse relevant previous research
on the topic
• Establish gap in research:
• what is known and what is yet to be known
• leading to research questions and hypothesis
• Your review must show original work and
interpretation/analysis of related literature
• Use sub-headings
Chapter 3: Methodology
• Detailed description and justification of data
collection method used
• Data analysis
• Cite reference literature about the method
• Research design/paradigm; research site; data
collection and analysis; research ethics
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Chapter 4: Results and Discussion
• Present results from your data analysis only
• Use tables and/or figures to illustrate and summarise all numeric information
• Results of tests/hypothesis
• Themes or categories uncovered
Chapter 4: Results and Discussion
• Focus groups/case studies: brief description(e.g., demographic) profile of theparticipants
• Use direct quotation and paraphrasing of data fromfocus groups, interviews, or historical to supportgeneralizations made
• Break up your results into logical segments by using subheadings
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• answers the "So what?"
• Begin by discussing your findings in relation tothe theoretical framework introduced in theliterature review.
• introduce new literature
• discuss what your findings mean in relation to thetheoretical body of knowledge on the topic and your profession.
Chapter 4: Results and Discussion
• Rich in references to similar work and background needed to interpret results.
• Discuss practical/pedagogical implications of your findings
Chapter 4: Results and Discussion
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Chapter 5: Conclusion and Recommendations
• Refer back to problem posed, and
• describe the conclusions that you reached from
carrying out this investigation,
• Summarise new observations, new interpretations,
and new insights
• that have resulted from the present work.
• Include the broader implications of your results
• Do not repeat word for word the abstract,
introduction or discussion
• What is the strongest and most important statement
that you can make from your observations?
• Outline the limitations of the study.
• Suggest directions/areas for future research
• End with a brief conclusion that provides closure.
• A strong final sentence should be written.
Chapter 5: Conclusion and Recommendations
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Some practical tips to begin thesis writing
• Pick a topic that you are passionate about
(that will interest you for the next few years)
• Useful thesis: to others, to readers
• Contain information on • you can talk about
• and that people can use for years;
• useful for your profession;
• for publication
Some tips (cont.)
Completion plan/milestones
Work/write backwards
Start with a table of content
Time management: write everywhere, anywhere, anytime
Technical/Writing support: writing group/class
Language and voice
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Practice
a) Think about your own thesis structure
• Start with your thesis title
b) Drag an outline of your thesis structure
• Drag your “table of content”
Thesis Submission Procedure
• Refer to CGS Website
https://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/10412/1/Student_Wor
kflow_for_Thesis_Submission.pdf
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B. UNIMAS Thesis Guideline and Template
High Performance FormattingUSING MZJ FORMATTING METHOD
Copyright 2017: CRLY00007437
MOHD ZULI JAAFAR, PhD
I n n ova t orh t t p s : / / w 4 t h e s i s f o r m a t t i n g . w o r d p r e s s . c o m /
https://www.facebook.com/groups/msword4thesis
Participating Institutions for MZJ Method
UiTM
UMP
UNIMAP
UTMUKM
USM
UNITENUSIM
UNISHAMS
UNIMAS
USAS
KUIS
TOT MZJ FM CRLY00007437 ©2017 MOHD ZULI JAAFAR 26
UPLODED PROGRESSING
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Resources
•Blog
•facebook.com/groups
•facebook page
•padlet
•openlearning.com
•Telegram Channel, Group
•YouTube Channel: MZJ FORMATTING METHOD
•Advisors
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MOH D ZUL I JA A FA R,
PhD
I n n o v a t o r
MZJ Formatting Method- ZLayout
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Z-Layout
Get your
Thesis Guideline (pdf) (CGS Website)
&
UNIMAS Template (Word)(CGS Staff)
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Thesis Contents
• Cover Page
• Title Page
• Declaration
• Dedication (Optional)
• Acknowledgement
• Abstract
• Abstrak
• Table of Contents
• List of Tables
• List of Figures
• List of Abbreviations
• Chapter 1 – Chapter 5
• References
• Appendices
PREFACE
THESIS BODY
REFERENCES
APPENDIX
Preface
• Contents:• COVER PAGE
• Title Page
• Declaration
• Dedication (Optional)
• Acknowledgement
• Abstract
• Abstrak
• Table of Contents
• List of Tables
• List of Figures
• List of Abbreviations
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COVER PAGE
Preface
• Contents:• Cover Page
• TITLE PAGE
• Declaration
• Dedication (Optional)
• Acknowledgement
• Abstract
• Abstrak
• Table of Contents
• List of Tables
• List of Figures
• List of Abbreviations
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TITLE PAGE
Preface
• Contents:• Cover Page
• Title Page
• DECLARATION
• Dedication (Optional)
• Acknowledgement
• Abstract
• Abstrak
• Table of Contents
• List of Tables
• List of Figures
• List of Abbreviations
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DECLARATION
Preface
• Contents:• Cover Page
• Title Page
• Declaration
• Dedication (Optional)
• ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
• Abstract
• Abstrak
• Table of Contents
• List of Tables
• List of Figures
• List of Abbreviations
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Preface
• Contents:• Cover Page
• Title Page
• Declaration
• Dedication (Optional)
• Acknowledgement
• ABSTRACT
• Abstrak
• Table of Contents
• List of Tables
• List of Figures
• List of Abbreviations
Preface
• Contents:• Cover Page
• Title Page
• Declaration
• Dedication (Optional)
• Acknowledgement
• Abstract
• ABSTRAK
• Table of Contents
• List of Tables
• List of Figures
• List of Abbreviations
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Preface
• Contents:• Cover Page
• Title Page
• Declaration
• Dedication (Optional)
• Acknowledgement
• Abstract
• Abstrak
• TABLE OF CONTENTS
• List of Tables
• List of Figures
• List of Abbreviations
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Preface
• Contents:• Cover Page
• Title Page
• Declaration
• Dedication (Optional)
• Acknowledgement
• Abstract
• Abstrak
• Table of Contents
• LIST OF TABLES
• List of Figures
• List of Abbreviations
LIST OF TABLES
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Preface
• Contents:• Cover Page
• Title Page
• Declaration
• Dedication (Optional)
• Acknowledgement
• Abstract
• Abstrak
• Table of Contents
• List of Tables
• LIST OF FIGURES
• List of Abbreviations
LIST OF FIGURES
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Preface
• Contents:• Cover Page
• Title Page
• Declaration
• Dedication (Optional)
• Acknowledgement
• Abstract
• Abstrak
• Table of Contents
• List of Tables
• List of Figures
• LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
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Thesis Body
• CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
• CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW
• CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY
• CHAPTER 4: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
• CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Thesis Body
• Chapter Structure
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Chapter Structure
Chapter Structure
Style for all paragraphs
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Chapter StructureInserting Caption for Table
Chapter StructureInserting Caption for Figure
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REFERENCES