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The Writing Center
American University of Beirut
This guide was composed for the Writing Center by Olga Habre, Fall 2007.
This guide was re‐formatted and updated by Emily Craighead Abuatieh, Fall 2010.
CONTENTS
HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL............................................................................................................3
CONTENT REQUIREMENTS FOR THESIS............................................................................................4
THE PROCESS: PREPARING AND WRITING THE THESIS .....................................................................5
PREPARING TO WRITE THE THESIS ..................................................................................................6
BE REALISTIC .......................................................................................................................................... 6
THE WRITING PROCESS ............................................................................................................................ 6
CHOOSING A TOPIC .................................................................................................................................. 7
KEEPING A RESEARCH LOG ........................................................................................................................ 7
CONDUCTING A PRELIMINARY STUDY .......................................................................................................... 7
SCHEDULING ........................................................................................................................................... 8
CHOOSING A COMMITTEE AND ADVISOR ..................................................................................................... 8
CHECKLIST BEFORE MOVING ON ................................................................................................................. 8
WRITING THE PROPOSAL ................................................................................................................9
PURPOSE OF THE PROPOSAL ...................................................................................................................... 9
TITLE OF THE PROPOSAL ........................................................................................................................... 9
WRITING THE PROPOSAL .......................................................................................................................... 9
BROWSING SAMPLE THESES ...................................................................................................................... 9
WRITING THE LITERATURE REVIEW ............................................................................................................. 9
INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................................... 10
METHODOLOGY .................................................................................................................................... 10
PROPOSAL MEETING .............................................................................................................................. 10
WRITING THE THESIS.....................................................................................................................11
THE RESULTS SECTION ............................................................................................................................ 11
TABLES AND GRAPHS.............................................................................................................................. 11
THE DISCUSSION SECTION ....................................................................................................................... 11
CONCLUSIONS ....................................................................................................................................... 11
WRITING AN ABSTRACT .......................................................................................................................... 11
FORMATTING THE THESIS .............................................................................................................12
REVISING.............................................................................................................................................. 12
STYLE .................................................................................................................................................. 12
ORGANIZATION ..................................................................................................................................... 12
CITATION AND DOCUMENTATION ............................................................................................................. 12
AUB REQUIREMENTS ............................................................................................................................. 12
COPYRIGHTING YOUR THESIS........................................................................................................13
TIPS AND ADVICE ..........................................................................................................................14
THE THESIS DEFENSE .....................................................................................................................15
OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES.........................................................................................................16
APPENDICES..................................................................................................................................17
APPENDIX 1: THESIS PROPOSAL OUTLINES ................................................................................................. 17
APPENDIX 2: SAMPLE PAGES ................................................................................................................... 19
2
How to Use this Manual
Writing a thesis can be both a difficult and exciting task. Yet the creativity of the project,
thoroughness of the research, and insight of the analysis are only part of the work. Many
graduate students are not sure how to begin, what to put into a thesis, and how to organize
the work. This booklet is a comprehensive guide to writing a thesis at the American
University of Beirut. Although it is specifically catered to masters’ theses, this manual can
also serve as a guide for those completing Ph.D. dissertations and other writing projects.
Are you having problems thinking of a topic? Check out “The Preparation Stage” section.
Have you gotten started, but are having problems actually writing and organizing your
thesis? Take a look at “The Writing Stage” segment. If you’ve done the writing but aren’t
sure what it should look like, you may want to consult “The Formatting Stage.”
Along with steps to writing your thesis, this handbook introduces and explains the defense
of the thesis in the “Submitting and Defending” section. Guidance from your advisor is
essential, but you’ll find the answers to your basic questions and uncertainties here.
Disclaimer
This guide was written for the AUB Writing Center, and is intended as a supplement, not as a
substitute for AUB’s official “Thesis Manual”—the university guidelines for submitting a
thesis, posted on the Jafet Library website at:
http://wwwlb.aub.edu.lb/~webjafet/researchassistance/thesismanual/thesismanual.htm
3
Content Requirements for Thesis
Preliminary Blank page Required
Pages Title page Required
Thesis approval page Required
Thesis release form Required
Acknowledgements If any
Abstract Required
Preface Optional
Table of contents Required
List of figures/ illustrations If any
List of tables If any
List of abbreviations If any
Glossary If any
Dedication If any
Body of Text Introduction Required;
Literature review Organized
Methodology according to
Results conventions of
specific
Discussion
disciplines
Conclusions
End Pages Appendix If any
Footnotes and Endnotes If any
Bibliography/References/Works Cited Required
Index If any
4
The Process: Preparing and Writing the Thesis
Writing a thesis can be complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. Often, graduate students are not
familiar with the process that goes into writing and submitting a thesis. Here is a basic overview of
what’s to come:
1. Preparing for the thesis may take as much effort as the thesis itself. It is important that you have a
topic which is both interesting to you (you will be spending a lot of time on it!) and realistic; you
should have an idea of what you are getting yourself into before you start. Preparation also involves
picking an advisor and a committee in front of whom you will defend your thesis.
2. Writing a thesis proposal is the first formal writing step in the process. The proposal can
sometimes be the first three chapters of the thesis (the introduction, literature review and
methodology), or at the very least, their beginnings. When a proposal has been written, a proposal
meeting, or defense, takes place between you and the committee members in order to verify that
your research plan is acceptable.
3. After the research or experiment has been thoroughly completed, the remaining sections of the
thesis need to be composed. These are usually divided into the results, discussion, and conclusions
chapters.
4. Once you’ve written the thesis, you will need to write an abstract to add to the beginning.
5. With the important thoughts on paper, you should consider the formatting aspect of writing:
style, general organization and other technical details of the thesis. There are also certain university
requirements of paper, size, and other logistical features that need to be completed.
6. After the thesis is complete, you will need to submit the thesis to your advisor and committee
members in advance, to give them a chance to read it before your defense. The actual thesis
defense is a presentation of your work, followed by questioning by the committee.
General Resources
The Association for Support of Graduate Students
http://www.asgs.org/
First Thoughts to Finished Writing
http://www.sss.uq.edu.au/linkto/phdwriting/
Writing and Presenting your Thesis and Dissertation, by S. Joseph Levine
http://learnerassociates.net/dissthes/
The Writing Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/dissertation.html
Writing Your Dissertation in Fifteen Minutes a Day
by Joan Bolker, available in AUB Jafet Library
5
Preparing to Write the Thesis
Writing a thesis is different from many of the previous things you may have done because it is
almost entirely defined by you and you have the freedom to do research an area of your own
interest. It is important for you to have a lot of academic, as well as emotional support, during this
time, whether from your advisor, your fellow Masters’ or Ph.D. candidates, or others.
Be Realistic
It is essential to be realistic about writing your thesis. The thesis is an academic requirement, and
much of its purpose lies in its process and what you learn from it. Second, it is important to realize
how much time you are willing to spend on this project and to act accordingly. If your aim is to have
a study that lasts for years and you have the means and will to do it, then forge ahead! However,
think twice before jumping into a study that you will be unable to complete. It’s also important to
have a topic which is narrow enough to be manageable.
The Writing Process
Needless to say, your thesis will involve a lot of writing. If you are unsure of your skills as a writer,
perhaps you should brush up on your knowledge of the writing process. Writing is more than
copying down words. There are certain steps that must be followed to ensure that your writing is
coherent and clear. An important idea to remember is that writing is a process; you should be
writing throughout the process, not just when the time comes to turn in a finished product. It’s
helpful to keep a notebook of ideas and rough drafts at hand and continuously write down your
thoughts.
The Writing Center at AUB is a good place to go if you need any kind of help in writing, from
brainstorming, organizing, editing, or tutorials in grammar and mechanics. Some websites that will
help you in the writing process are:
The AUB Writing Center
http://staff.aub.edu.lb/~webwrite/index.html
West Hall, Room 336
AUB extension 3157
Email: writing@aub.edu.lb
The OWL (Online Writing Lab) at Purdue University
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/
Writing for Change by Alan Barker, Firoze Manil, and Judith Charlton
http://www.idrc.ca/IMAGES/books/WFC_English/WFC_English/
The Writing Center at Princeton University
http://webware.princeton.edu/sites/writing/writing_center/wcwritingresources.htm
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Choosing a Topic
The first step in any writing process is to choose a topic on which to write. If you are not sure about
how to start, which is likely to be the case, you should try brainstorming. It’s a good idea to read
relevant articles and books that cover the general area of your study. Articles are available through
AUB libraries at http://olib.aub.edu.lb/cgi‐bin/jl_w207.sh. Then think of all possible ideas, and don’t
leave anything out; you never know how one idea might lead to another.
Don’t let other people interfere with you or your ideas in a negative way. After all, this research is
yours, so you should be making all the decisions. Be as creative as you can be, and most importantly,
write all your thoughts down. What may seem like a doubtful idea one moment may eventually
become more and more promising. Writing down ideas helps you to remember them and makes
them more concrete, something you can add to and build on.
The following websites may also be helpful:
"Some Thoughts on Dissertation Proposal Writing," by Chris M., Golde
http://chris.golde.org/filecabinet/disspropose.html
Keeping a Research Log
After you have some idea of what you want to do, another helpful suggestion might be to keep a
record of relevant or potentially‐relevant literature. This way it will be easier for you to actually get
to writing. You can write down names of books and citations, photocopy articles, and organize them
according to categories.
For help with research at AUB, you can visit the Jafet Library and attend a Thesis Clinic:
http://wwwlb.aub.edu.lb/~webjafet/researchassistance/tclinics/tclinics.htm
You can also create your own database of electronic resources (RefWorks) at AUB. To learn how to
use this citation software, consider scheduling an appointment with a library specialist.
You may also want to schedule one‐on‐one appointments with library specialists to help you locate
information on your topic in all the library’s resources, including print and electronic resources. To
fill out the appointment request form visit:
http://wwwlb.aub.edu.lb/~webjafet/forms/instrform.html
Conducting a Preliminary Study
It’s is smart to have a preliminary study that precedes your official research. This will give you an
idea of what your thesis might be, how much time you will need, or if you like the idea at all. Use it
as an experiment to test out some ideas you have.
7
Scheduling
Keeping a schedule is a key aspect of writing a thesis. Creating a rough timeline or checklist will help
you focus on deadlines, university‐determined deadlines and/or those you’ve set for yourself. It is
also helpful to put this timeline in a place where you will always see it, in order to be constantly
reminded of your work.
You might think to organize your timeline should into five sections:
1. preparing for the thesis
2. writing a proposal
3. conducting research
4. writing the thesis
5. revising the thesis
Give yourself enough time for each section and stay on schedule!
The following website may be helpful to you:
The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/dissertation.html
Choosing a Committee and Advisor
Choosing a committee and advisor is another crucial step in the process of preparing your thesis.
Whether you pick an advisor first and then choose a topic with their help, or pick a topic and then
choose a suitable advisor, is up to you. Regardless, a good advisor can be a very useful asset in
helping to direct you through your thesis‐writing as well as to guide and support your ideas. A good
advisor will have time to listen and respond thoughtfully. An advisory committee needs to be
chosen as well; it’s best to pick people who are encouraging of your ideas and will help you rather
than harm you during your writing and defense.
Checklist before moving on
1. Am I familiar with research done by other people in my field of research?
2. Do I have a clear understanding of the steps I will take to conduct my study?
3. Do I have the ability to get through the steps and complete my study?
4. Am I motivated to get through my entire research study?
If you answered yes to all of these questions, then you are probably ready to move on to the next
stage: writing the proposal!
8
Writing the Proposal
Purpose of the Proposal
The purpose of a proposal is to explain to the committee at your proposal meeting, the type, scope,
and nature of your research. The proposal is the foundation of the thesis.
Writing a proposal is the first formal step in writing the thesis. It is important not to rush into this
before clearly defining your ideas and completing each step of the “preparation stage” properly.
Title of the Proposal
Your proposal should include a working title, that is, one that may be changed later. A good title
mentions the most important key terms in the beginning and uses clear, unambiguous phrasing.
Writing the Proposal
A proposal is written in future‐tense and usually consists of the first three chapters of the thesis: the
introduction, literature review and methodology. Although it is helpful to write the full chapters at
this point and not pile up the work, many people do not actually write the full three chapters. A solid
foundation for the chapters is satisfactory.
Browsing Sample Theses
A good way to start writing a proposal is to read an example of one to get an idea of what it should
look like. Your advisor should have some old proposals for you to examine or you could find them on
your own at the AUB libraries using the following link:
http://staff.aub.edu.lb/~webjafet/researchassistance/how/find_thesis.pdf.
You can also access Digital Dissertation at http://wwwlib.umi.com/dissertations/gateway. This is an
online database of theses completed in the US and Europe which offers a 24 page preview of the
thesis for free. It will give you a chance to see what topics people outside of Lebanon are writing
about as well as the formats they use for their theses.
Writing the Literature Review
The literature review allows you to process the available research related to your topic. This is where
your research log of relevant literature will come in handy. The literature review should be a
comprehensive review of all the research that’s been done in the field of your study. You should not
simply summarize books and articles in your literature review, but instead mention key issues,
researchers’ theories, experiments, and proposed studies in this field.
These websites help specifically in writing a literature review:
"The Literature Review: A Few Tips on Conducting It,” University of Toronto
http://www.writing.utoronto.ca/advice/specific‐types‐of‐writing/literature‐review
The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/literature_review.html
9
Introduction
The introduction describes your thesis briefly. The introduction will include the background
information, the problem your study addresses, a rationale for why your research is needed, and
what you plan to research. You also need to state the research questions that will guide your
research. They will link between your research and previous research.
Methodology
Then you can move on to the methodology section of your proposal. Methodology should be chosen
carefully; consider all of your options before choosing how you will proceed with your experiment or
analysis. Sometimes you will even be able to use combined methodology or develop your own
instruments. If you have financial needs for your experiment or analysis, be sure to budget for your
methodology.
The methodology section describes how your research will be performed and the process you go
through. This includes the type of research methods as well as a step‐by‐step description of the
research. You can also discuss the different materials and apparatuses you will use in the study,
including anything from surveys in the social sciences, to raw materials, or chemicals and equipment
in the hard sciences. You will also need to discuss the participants if relevant to your study): how
you choose them, on what basis, who they are, background information, etc. Discussing how you
plan to analyze your data is also important. You may also mention when and where your research
will be conducted.
Each department may have different guidelines for this section of the thesis so it is important to
check with your advisor. In Appendix 1 you will find five sample proposals for different types of
studies.
Proposal Meeting
Once you have finished writing a thesis proposal, you will need to submit one to the dean’s office, as
well as to members of your committee for your proposal meeting. Plan for your meeting well; by the
end of the proposal meeting, the committee should fully understand that you are ready to take on
the task of moving forward with well‐planned research.
10
Writing the Thesis
After you have finished the proposal and collected data, you should begin writing the thesis. It’s
reasonable to start writing whatever part of the thesis you feel most comfortable with. You can then
move sections around and sequence them as you see fit. At this point you will need to change the
tense of your methodology section to past tense, to reflect what you have already done. You may
need to edit or add to your original proposal and make it into the thesis.
The organizational format provided in this manual is a suggested means of organizing the thesis, but
is not necessarily required for all departments. Remember, your thesis advisor is the go‐to person
for everything regarding your thesis!
The Results Section
In this section, you will need to state the results of your research without discussing them. There
may be graphs, tables, figures, etc., all of which you need to describe. This section may be optional
and varies depending on the discipline and department.
Tables and Graphs
Make sure you introduce and describe all graphs and figures in your text (you will also need to
discuss them in the discussion section). Use similar wording to describe similar graphs for the sake
of clarity. At early stages in the writing, keep the graphs simple or even hand‐written. Creating
graphs on the computer will only take time, and may not be used or may be modified; don’t waste
your time now—you can always create computer‐generated graphs for the final product. A section
in the preliminary pages should be dedicated to a list of figures and graphs in your thesis.
The Discussion Section
In the discussion section, you will need to discuss the previously mentioned results. You should
address your research questions and explain how your research relates to previous research.
Conclusions
In the conclusions section, make sure that you are discussing or adding something new about the
research, and not just restating the discussion chapter. Help the reader understand what your
research means or implies. Write about how the key ideas in your thesis can be applied to other
fields of study. Sometimes this section is done best after taking a break from the rest of the thesis.
Before you finish, go back to the beginning of your thesis, to the introduction, and make sure that
everything you said you would cover is completed. Make sure that the concepts in the conclusion
are presented in the introduction. “Deliver what you promise!”
Writing an Abstract
An abstract is a very brief summary of the main points of your research that will be placed at the
beginning of your thesis. It is important to identify the research questions that you deal with in your
thesis. Make sure it contains the statement of the problem, describes methods and procedures, and
briefly introduces the results and conclusions. The purpose of an abstract is to give other researchers
an idea of what your thesis is about. Giving the right information in an abstract is important because
it will inform your readers about your thesis quickly, allowing them to decide whether or not it is
relevant for their own research. An abstract is usually maximum one page long, and often even less.
Check with your department for details.
11
Formatting the Thesis
Revising
Revising is often not given the importance it deserves. Make sure you revise your thesis adequately
before submitting it. Revision can be performed on organization, ideas, grammar, usage, etc. You
can get help from a professional editor or simply have peers read over your work. The AUB Writing
Center is a good place to go to have someone read your writing and help you to revise what you’ve
written; a fresh perspective is usually helpful in giving new ideas and refining old ones.
Style
There is no specific length that a thesis needs to be, but each department may have specifications;
your advisor will help you decide the number of pages. All theses need to be written in English,
except theses in the Arabic department. Arabic thesis writing styles are the same as the ones for
English. The parts of the thesis that refer to research that has already been done should probably be
written in past tense. Make sure to use clear and unambiguous words in your writing. Keep using
the same terms throughout to refer to the same concept; it will help keep your writing clear.
For specific questions regarding style, contact the Archives and Special Collections Department by e‐
mail asc@aub.edu.lb, or by telephone (961) 1‐350 000 ext.2609/10.
Organization
The thesis should be divided into: preliminary pages, text, and end pages. Each of these parts may be
divided into sections. A clear table of contents should explain the organization of the thesis.
Citation and Documentation
Citation is the documenting of other sources used in your research. Different departments require
different citation styles. Some may require APA, others MLA, still others the Chicago or other styles.
Refer to your department for information on citation style. If no style is specified, you should use the
Turabian style. References on how to use these styles can be found in the AUB libraries and on the
AUB Writing Center website.
AUB Requirements
There are certain requirements that need to be met for your thesis to be accepted by AUB. These
include submission deadlines, number of copies, size, paper, typeface, style and form, organization,
and much more.
Please visit the following website for more information on thesis submitting requirements:
http://wwwlb.aub.edu.lb/~webjafet/researchassistance/thesismanual/thesismanual.htm
Don’t wait until the last minute to make sure your thesis is formatted correctly. Visit the Archives
and Special Collections (ASC) Department in Jafet Library, from Monday to Friday, 8:00 am. to 5:00
pm or contact them by e‐mail asc@aub.edu.lb, or by telephone (961) 1‐350 000 ext.2609/10 for
questions and comments. This is also the place to go for thesis submission.
Visit the following site for quick guidelines on formatting your thesis:
http://staff.aub.edu.lb/~webjafet/researchassistance/how/how.htm#11
12
Copyrighting Your Thesis
AUB gives students to copyright their theses for two years.
In the required release form at the beginning of the thesis, students can choose between two
options:
1. “Authorize the American University of Beirut to supply copies of my thesis/dissertation/project to
libraries or individuals upon request.”
or
2. “Do not authorize the American University of Beirut to supply copies of my
thesis/dissertation/project to libraries or individuals for a period of two years starting with the date
of the thesis/dissertation/project defense.
13
Tips and Advice
(adapted from Joan Bolker’s Writing Your Dissertation in Fifteen Minutes a Day)
Getting Started
Sometimes getting started is the hardest part. Here a few tips to help you get an idea of what you
want to do…
1. When thinking of a thesis topic, think of what has interested you in the past, what appeals to
you, and what you would like to explore further. Determine what kind of research others
find interesting and enjoyable to study and read.
2. Ask for help from your advisor and peers and be aware of what sources are available in your
field at the library. Your advisor can give you helpful feedback on ideas that are feasible and
manageable, as well as ones that may be too extravagant and unrealistic.
3. Sometimes you may want to pursue a topic that is highly popular at the moment. Likewise,
you may want to pursue an area of research that is relatively new, and therefore possibly
contribute something new and exciting to the field.
When You’re Stuck
So you’re writing your thesis and doing fine, and then suddenly you get writer’s block! The following
ideas might help you get over your writer’s block:
1. Take a break: maybe you just need a 15‐minute, or even a few days break. But do respect
your deadlines.
2. Make sure the goals you are setting for yourself are realistic. Having extremely high
expectations for yourself is overwhelming.
3. Reread what you’ve written already and see if any interesting points jump out at you. Try to
comment on them and see if it takes you somewhere. Or look further into some of the
smaller concepts you’ve talked about. Try to dig deeper and see if it will take you forward.
4. In the future, end your writing at a point that will be easy to pick up again the next time you
write. Write before you do anything else; give it priority.
5. Consider meeting with a colleague or writing center tutor to discuss your research and
where you might proceed from this point.
Interruptions
Interruptions can be anything from a failing hard drive on a computer, to lack of motivation, to
getting sick.
The following are things you can do in the case of an event beyond your control:
1. Plan out what you can and cannot do about the situation.
2. Ask yourself if this will delay your thesis or cause you never to finish it.
3. Don’t panic.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Always keep hard copy versions of your thesis! Periodically, print out a hard
copy of your thesis and keep it in a safe place!
14
The Thesis Defense
Preparing for the Defense
Although the name thesis “defense” sounds like something frightening, it is actually just a meeting
where you will explain your thesis and answer questions; you do not actually need to defend
yourself. Try to attend a thesis defense to see exactly what it is like. If that is not an option in your
department, ask others that have gone through it to describe the experience and give their advice.
Discuss research with others who may bring insight into your paper. The questions they ask could
help you see where you have a problem.
It’s best to only allow your advisor to read your thesis as you are write it; stick to the suggestions
he/she makes. It’s better not to give copies of your thesis to your committee before you have
finished writing. You may think this will help, but if two members of the committee disagree on
something, you may have a problem pleasing everybody.
Make sure to meet with your advisor to discuss how to prepare for your defense.
During the defense
It’s helpful to remember that the thesis defense is meant to be critical of your work. A good rule of
thumb is to answer only questions, and not comments. Answering everything said in the defense
will only make you frustrated and won’t be helpful. Instead, calmly say “thank you,” write a note for
yourself to check over this point later, and proceed with the defense.
Although it’s hard to detach yourself from something you’ve put so much work into, this will save
you time, energy, and emotions. You may also want to tape record your defense so that you can
actually listen to the comments and leave the notetaking for later.
15
Other Helpful Resources
Bolker, Joan. Writing Your Dissertation in Fifteen Minutes a Day. New York: Henry Holt and
Company, 1998. (Available in Jafet Library)
Gibaldi, Joseph. The MLA Style Manual and Guide to Scholarly Publishing. New York: Modern
Language Association of America, 1998.
Crews, Kenneth D. Copyright Law and the Doctoral Dissertation: Guidelines to Your Legal Rights and
Responsibilities. Ann Arbor: University Microfilms, Inc., 1992.
Day, Robert A. How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper. 5th ed. Boulder, Colorado: NetLibrary,
Inc., 2000. Electronic access: http://encompass.library.cornell.edu/cgi‐
bin/scripts/ebooks.cgi?bookid=7615.
Murray, Rowena. How to Write a Thesis. Philadelphia: Open University Press, 2002. (Available in
Reference section of Jafet Library)
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. 6th ed. Washington, D. C.: American
Psychological Association, 2009.
Strunk, William, Jr., and E. B. White. The Elements of Style. 4th ed. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 1999.
The Chicago Manual of Style. 15th ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2003.
Turabian, Kate L. A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. 6th ed. Chicago:
The University of Chicago Press, 1996.
Graduate studies in the FAFS:
http://wwwlb.aub.edu.lb/~webfafs/pdf/graduate_manual.pdf
Graduate studies in the FEA:
http://webfea‐
lb.fea.aub.edu.lb/ece/pages/public/Internal.aspx?tab=Static&Page=academics_graduate__manual
16
APPENDICES
Appendix 1: Thesis Proposal Outlines
Example Outlines for Five Types of Proposals
The following five proposal outlines are modified from those listed by the Southern
Connecticut State University School of Graduate Studies in their Revised Thesis Proposal
Requirements and Guidelines dated May 1999.
AN OUTLINE OF AN INVESTIGATIVE OR EXPERIMENTAL STUDY
A. Title of proposed thesis
B. Abstract – optional
C. Introduction
1. Statement of purpose(s)
2. Literature review ‐ Relationship of study to related research and analysis of
pertinent research
3. Statement of need or relevance of the study
D. Methodology
1. Experimental design (include methods and materials)
2. Subjects to be used, if appropriate
3. Measures used (surveys, interviews, psychological instruments, protocols,
etcetera)
4. Plan for the analysis of data
E. List of References
AN OUTLINE OF A DESCRIPTIVE OR HISTORICAL STUDY
A. Title of proposed thesis
B. Abstract –optional
C. Introduction
1. Statement of purpose(s)
2. Literature review ‐ Relationship of study to related research and analysis of
pertinent research
3. Statement of need or relevance of the study
D. Methodology
1. Research plan
2. Proposed chapter development with discussion of major subheadings
E. List of References
17
AN OUTLINE OF AN INTERPRETIVE, ANALYTICAL OR CRITICAL STUDY
A. Title of proposed thesis
B. Abstract – optional
C. Introduction
1. Summary of the argument and its significance as a contribution to knowledge
2. Review of the criticism and scholarly literature on the subject
D. Methodology
Description of the analytical, critical, or interpretative methods and the theoretical
approaches that will be used
E. List of References
AN OUTLINE OF A CREATIVE STUDY*
A. Title of proposed thesis
B. Abstract – optional
C. Introduction
1. A clear, concise description of the nature and themes of the final creative
product
2. An explanation of why a creative thesis was chosen and why the specific form
and genre were selected
D. Methodology
A brief discussion of the major elements of the craft that will be used and how they
will be used to achieve certain aims or effects.
E. List of References
* Examples of research creative methods: Art Project, Music Recital, or Curriculum Development
AN OUTLINE OF A QUALITATIVE STUDY*
A. Title of proposed thesis
B. Abstract – optional
C. Introduction
1. Statement of purpose and/or a description of the phenomenon to be studied
including its significance to the field of study and research questions.
2. Review of relevant research as appropriate to methodology used (include
researcher's perspective)
A. Methodology
1. Sample selection
2. Data gathering technique
3. Data analysis methods
4. Limitations
5. Ethical considerations
E. List of References
*Examples of research using qualitative methods: phenomenological, ethnographic, grounded
theory, philosophical investigations
adapted from
http://www.tamu‐commerce.edu/honors/documents/Thesis_Proposal_Guidelines.doc
18
Appendix 2: Sample Pages
Blank Page
19
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF BEIRUT
by
STUDENT FULL NAME
A thesis
submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the degree of Master of Arts
to the Department of English
of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences
at the American University of Beirut
Beirut, Lebanon
Month Year
20
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF BEIRUT
by
STUDENT FULL NAME
Approved by:
[Signature]
______________________________________________________________________
[Dr. Full Name, rank] Advisor
[Department]
(as listed in AUB Catalogue of current year)
[Signature]
______________________________________________________________________
[Dr. Full Name, rank] Member of Committee
[Department]
[Signature]
______________________________________________________________________
[Dr. Full Name, rank] Member of Committee
[Department]
21
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF BEIRUT
by
STUDENT FULL NAME
Approved by:
[Signature]
______________________________________________________________________
[Dr. Full Name, rank] First Reader
[Department]
(as listed in AUB Catalogue of current year)
[Signature]
______________________________________________________________________
[Dr. Full Name, rank] Second Reader
[Department]
22
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF BEIRUT
Signature
Date
23
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Special thanks are for Mrs. Diana Abi Said, Miss Mona Al-Sayed for their great help
in the computer work and for Mr. Mohammed Naja for his assistance in the technical work.
24
AN ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS OF
Salmonella organisms were isolated from chicken breeding farms of four provinces
of Lebanon. Twelve out of 800 samples collected in the surveillance were positive for
Salmonella. The biochemical characters of the 12 Salmonella isolates from chicken breeding
farms were matching with the genus Salmonella. The somatic and flagellar antigens of the 12
Salmonella isolates were identified and compared to Kauffman-White-Scheme for
Salmonella serotypes. Seven isolates were S. blegdam and the other five isolates were S.
paratyphi B var odense.
Using the Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis technique, the
protein profiles of S. paratyphi B var odense from chickens showed a similar banding pattern.
The protein profiles of S. moscow from chickens showed similarity to isolates from humans.
The protein profile of S. blegdam from chickens and humans were similar. A clear difference
in banding patterns was present in some S. typhimurium isolates from chickens and humans
showed similarity in protein profiles.
25
CONTENTS (A)
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ……………………………………………….. v
ABSTRACT……………………………………………………………………... vi
Chapter
I. INTRODUCTION………………………………………………………. 1
1. E-Mail …………………………………………………………… 5
2. Usenet……………………………………………………………. 6
3. The World Wide Web …………………………………………… 6
a. Definition of the World Wide Web ……………………… 6
b. History and Evolution of the World Wide Web…………. 6
c. Role of the World Wide Web in the Growth of the
Internet………………………………………………….... 7
26
b. Interstitials ……………………………………………... 16
c. Banners ………………………………………………… 17
i. Definition …………………………………….. 18
ii. Size…………………………………………… 19
Appendix
I. SOURCE CODE……………………………………………………………………….
50
BIBLIOGRAPHY……………………………………………………………………………… 54
27
CONTENTS (B)
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS………………………………………………
v
ABSTRACT…………………………………………………………………… vi
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS……………………………………………. xi
Chapter
1. INTRODUCTION………………………………………………………. 1
2. LITERATURE REVIEW……………………………………………... 6
28
2.3.4. Removal of Certain Metals of Concern………………….. 24
2.3.4.1. Complexed Metal Ions…………………………. 24
2.3.4.2. Chromium Removals…………………………... 25
2.4. Mechanism of Adsorption…………………………………………… 26
Appendix
1. SOURCE CODE………………………………………………………………………. 50
2. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS……………………………………….. 52
BIBLIOGRAPHY……………………………………………………………………………… 54
29
ILLUSTRATIONS
Figure Page
11. Service life versus PV of low soundness loss aggregates placed in the
warm region at ADT=750.................................................... 101
30
TABLES
Table Page
3.1. Statistical results with ranges of significant and related variables for
the general models.............................................................. 8
3.2. Statistical results with ranges of significant and related variables for
the individual aggregate models.............................................. 20
5.1. Three-variable general model: polish value (PV) limits for sound
aggregates placed in the warm region....................................... 52
5.2. Three-variable general model: polish value (PV) limits for sound
aggregates placed in the cold region ........................................ 60
5.3. Three-variable general model: aggregates with varying soundness
losses placed in the warm region............................................. 73
5.4. Three-variable general model: aggregates with varying soundness
losses placed in the cold region............................................... 103
5.5. Three-variable with INRD model: INRD, PV, and LA limits for
aggregates placed in the warm region....................................... 109
5.6. Three-variable with INRD model: INRD, PV, and LA limits for
aggregates placed in the cold region......................................... 129
31
Title page in Arabic
اﻋﺪاد
ﻏﺴـﺎن ﻋﻠﻲ اﻟﻐـﺪاف
رﺳﺎﻟﺔ
ﻣﻘﺪﻣﺔ ﻻﺳﺘﻜﻤﺎل ﻣﺘﻄﻠﺒﺎت ﻧﻴﻞ ﺷﻬﺎدة أﺳﺘﺎذ ﻓﻲ اﻵداب
)اﻟﻤﺎﺟﺴﺘﻴﺮ(
اﻟﻰ داﺋﺮة اﻟﻠﻐﺔ اﻟﻌﺮﺑﻴﺔ وﻟﻐﺎت اﻟﺸﺮق اﻷدﻧﻰ
ﻓﻲ آﻠﻴﺔ اﻵداب واﻟﻌﻠﻮم
ﻓﻲ اﻟﺠﺎﻣﻌﺔ اﻷﻣﻴﺮآﻴﺔ ﻓﻲ ﺑﻴﺮوت
ﺑﻴﺮوت ،ﻟﺒﻨـﺎن
أﻳﻠﻮل ٢٠٠٨
32
Sample of Text Page with subheadings, bullets and dashes:
http://staff.aub.edu.lb/~webjafet/researchassistance/thesismanual/app13.rtf
Thesis/Dissertation template:
http://staff.aub.edu.lb/~webjafet/researchassistance/thesismanual/thesis.rtf
Project template:
http://staff.aub.edu.lb/~webjafet/researchassistance/thesismanual/project.rtf
33