Writing your Winning Thesis

Carlo Magno
Lasallian Institute for Development and Educational Research De La Salle University, Manila

Objectives
Write a one paragraph introduction and statement of the problem inferring the issues from previous studies provided. Show a diagram of a conceptual framework using the variables in the proposed study. Construct conceptual and operational definitions using the proposed variables. Realize that research questions are empirically derived.

Preparing oneself!
Psychological preparation Technical preparation in writing

Use of effective cognitive strategies in writing Self-regulation

Techniques in writing parts of the manuscript

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Regulating oneself to write a thesis

Use of Self-regulation in making a thesis 1. Planning and goal-setting
Begin your thesis with an end in mind Clarify what you really want to show and prove in your thesis

2.

Organizing
Handling several reading materials will require a way to organize and fix the materials that will be meaningful for you. You organize reading materials such as journals and articles using a method that can be useful for you.
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Regulating oneself to write a thesis

3. Self-consequencing What will happen if you spend very little time and avoid your thesis? 4. Seeking help and information Use f library resources and ask help from your thesis mentor 5. Environmental structuring When starting to work with your thesis, it is advisable to remove all distractions from your environment
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Arriving with a Research Question

Usually start with an idea in mind on the topic. Need to realize how this topic is related with other factors or how to study this topic under a research question. The research question is not just a topic but contains a complex set of variables and how these variables are interrelated with each other. With all of our research questions in mind, most or some of them have already answers, and this does not make it a viable question to pose anymore.
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Arriving with a Research Question

The justification for studying relationships and effects among variables can be justified in the introduction of the study by citing literature reviews. A thorough knowledge of the literature review will help you know what variables to relate and what variables is good study under a causal relationship.

Justifying a Research Question

Gaps in previous knowledge
(a) variables that were neglected to be included in a study What is still (b) misrepresentation of a lacking or missing variable in an available in previous studies framework (3) applying a variable in a different setting, and (4) studying variables in a different way.
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Example Gaps
There are several reports highlighting the use of PBL in
academic learning of students. However, these reports fall short in terms of appropriate implementation procedures for PBL and the relevant explanatory investigations in assessing the effects of PBL, especially in the areas of accuracy and achievement. Thomas (2000) cites the absence of a widely accepted framework or theory of PBL upon which professional development might be based. Although some studies provided clear structure in implementing PBL as a method (Ross & Hurlburt, 2004; Lev, 2004), most studies on PBL showed that the intervention process follows no precise flow and practitioners device their own techniques in implementing the method.
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Justifying a Research Question

Contradictions from previous studies
What studies contradict with each other?

a significant result was found and another study is found not to be significant with the same variables Contradictions are shown in two or several studies where their explanation on the same phenomenon is different

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Example Contradictions
Studies have found that an authoritative parenting style would foster higher achievement in their child (Rollins & Thomas, 1979; Champney, 2004; Boveja, 1998; Dornbusch, Ritter, Leiderman, Roberts, & Fraleigh, 1987). However, there are some studies that claim otherwise. For example, Lambourn (1991) states that children who perceived their parents as authoritarian have a good measure of obedience to adults and do achieve in their academics (Lambourn, 1987; cited in: Champney, 2004).
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Justifying a Research Question

Concepts that needs further explanation.
What concepts need to be clarified or reinvented?

abandoned for a period of time because of lack of sufficient evidence stability of concepts using other methods was not evidenced using other ways. concepts that need to be defined in a cultural context.
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Example: Clarification of concepts

The concept of parental closeness is usually mentioned on references about guides to parenting and there are not much empirical evidences that are shown regarding its impact (Cath, Gurwitt, & Ross, 1982; Lamb, 1976; Ginott, 1972). Most of the variables related to closeness in the family are clinical measures (i. e. Adult-Adolescent Parenting Inventory; Beck Codependence Assessment Scale; Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale; Family Attachment and Changeability Index 8; Family Sense of Coherence; and Family Adaptation Scales).13 Previous parenting measures classifies parents according to a set of characteristics (Baumrind, 1967; Roberts, Block, & Block, 1984) and do not provide the degree to which they manifest the characteristic. The present study constructed a measure of parental closeness composed of different factors and will be further tested through Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). There is a need to further explain the structure of parenting factors and provide a pattern on how they cluster (Henry, Tolan, & Gorman-Smith, 2005).
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The Review of Related Literature (RRL)

WHAT: Articles (Journals), theses & dissertation, public disseminated information WHERE: School Library, Online Resources, Conferences and Forum, Personal Communication

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The Review of Related Literature (RRL)

BASIS FOR:
Rationale Problem Statement and Hypothesis Definition of Terms Framework Methodology

DESCRIBE and ABSTRACT

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The RRL Process

Choosing a Topic
Of current interest Narrow it down Personal Interest Have alternatives

Looking for literature

Preliminary Search Know where to look Know how to look

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The RRL Process

Reading your literature (LoSt?!)
Scan the articles Make note cards verbatim Reread the articles Know how to look

Writing your literature

How many and how long? Overview Variables In-depth discussion Paraphrase, NOT plagiarize
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The RRL Process

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Workshop
Write your major research question Write your hypothesis. What framework is this hypothesis anchored on? What are the issues in previous studies that made you pose this research question? 19