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Tips For Successful Thesis
Tips For Successful Thesis
Thesis
Amar Khoukhi
Systems Engineering Department,
KFUPM
amar@kfupm.edu.sa
Outline
Selecting a Research Topic
Research proposal preparation
Research topic and title
Literature review
Research questions
Research proposal writing
Some definitions
Research :
The process of
searching, carefully, to answer a
question using a method,
Experimental
Design related experimental results,
System development
Algorithm development, Coding, testing,
Some definitions
Research Skills
wants
Some talent is needed, but alone it is not enough
People with great talent and no skills obtain much less than
what they could do
Not only technical skills
Starting a thesis?
A thesis for the PHD must form a distinctive
contribution to the knowledge of the subject and
afford evidence of originality shown by the
discovery of new facts and/or by the exercise of
independent critical power, (University Of
London Regulation)
An argument
An exposition of an original piece of research
The product of an apprenticeship
Something that could be published:
e.g. at least one paper in a scholarly journal
But you will probably never publish the whole thesis
Analyze Data
Review the
Literature
Specify a
Research
Purpose
Collect Data
Selecting a Research
Topic
Answer
Time constraints
Ethical constraints
Organizational support
Availability of equipments
Research proposal
preparation
A good proposal is a good idea, well
expressed, with a clear indication of
methods for pursuing the idea, evaluating
the findings, making them known to all who
need to know, and indicating the broader
impacts of the activity.
Source: http://www.nsf.gov/
Parts of a Proposal
Cover Page and Title
Project summary or Extended Abstract
Table of contents
Project description
Introduction
Literature review
Problem statement
Research objectives
Research methodology
Project tasks and milestones
Budget
deliverables
References cited
Project Summary
Intellectual Merit
Describe the
scientific/engineering/education problem
and why it is important
State the overall objective of the project
State the specific aims
Describe how the aims will be achieved
Broader Impacts
Educational & outreach activities;
What is a Literature
Creswell,
J.W. (2005) Educational Research: Planning,
Review?
Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and
Qualitative Research
What is a Literature
Review?
The LR is not a list of found research but a coherent and
up-to-date on what
is known on a given topic
provide fresh insights that advance
knowledge
Resolve conflicts between studies
Identify new ways to interpret
research results
Creating a path for future research
Brings a reader
Masters Is summative, Covers methodological issues, research techniques and results topics.
Doctorate analytical synthesis, Covers all known literature on the subject, Links ideas
conceptually across and within theories,
What is a Literature
Review?
The LR should be exhaustive and as current as possible.
How many articles?
There is no set number. As long as the search is
exhaustive and focused on the research topic, the
review will be acceptable.
Preliminary Literature
Guidelines on Style, Mechanics,
Review
and
Language Usage
Checkusing
style synonyms
manual forfor
correct
use words
of citations
Avoid
recurring
This is not creative writing and stay consistent with
terminology
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Research Questions
Directed and Independent Research ;
Research
Problem
Subject A concern
area
A problem
Something
that needs
a solution
Deficiencies in
Knowledge
about the
Problem
Audiences
that May
Benefit
An Example
Ethical
issues
in
colleges
Description
identifying and
characterizing
violations
Assessing violations
Helps recruiters develop
better ethical standards
Helps athletes
understand ethical issues
Specific
Research
Problem
Purpose
Statement
Research
Question
Specific
Research
Problem
Multi-objective motion
planning
Purpose
Statement
Research
Question
and
procedures
The research context or site
The plant or the subjects
The instruments and materials used
Explain (& justify) adequate the procedures followed
and tools for data collection and analysis and
On the start
Original ideas that go beyond the commonplace
Succinct, focused project plan
Realistic amount of work
Sufficient detail provided
Rationale and evidence of potential effectiveness
Potential contribution to knowledge
Capacity to disseminate findings
benchmarks
narrow
Anticipate problems
Address possible difficulties
Acknowledge possible experimental problems
Possible abbreviation
Conclusion
s
Many research skills you will develop
You can learn/improve your research skills
You can produce sustained great research
results if you are enthusiastic, honest, work
hard, open, and committed
And Have An Excellent Thesis !!