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What is a Thesis?
A written work resulting from original research, especially one submitted for higher degree in a university
Structure of a Thesis
Break the thesis into chapters; list the major sections in each
Assemble all the data, tables, figures Organise them into a sensible sequence
Thesis title
Title reflects content of the thesis Use concise but informative title
Example
Physicochemical and Functional Properties of Ozone-Oxidized Starch
Thesis title
Be specific & accurate Avoid phrases such as A study of..., An investigation of... Avoid jargon and acronym
Chapter 1 - Introduction
"The purpose of the Introduction should be to supply sufficient background information to allow the reader to understand and evaluate the results of the present study without needing to refer to previous publications on the topic. The Introduction should also provide the rationale for the present study. Choose references carefully to provide the most salient background rather than an exhaustive review of the topic." (R.A. DAY)
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Chapter 1 - Introduction
A description of the general problem followed by a statement of the specific problem and the motivation for the study
The first paragraph should provide a brief background in present tense to establish context, relevance, or nature of the problem, question, or purpose (what is known) The second paragraph may include the importance of the problem and unclear issues (what is un-known) The last paragraph should state the rationale, hypothesis, main objective, or purpose (why the study was done).
To quantify... To characterize...
SYNTHESIS
COMPREHENSION
KNOWLEDGE
of some of the theories A clear understanding of the topic A citing of all key studies in the subject territory A clear indication of how the review links to your research questions
Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my]
research A selection & synthesis of existing arguments to form a new perspective Through gradual refinement, a clear demarcation of the research problem
further back) Avoid verbosity Demonstrate ability to synthesise the body of literature brief but focused.
Abd Karim Alias@2010 [akarim@usm.my]
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Provide detailed methodology used to conduct the experiment Provide sufficient details but it is not expected to be written like a laboratory manual! Describe control used Highlight critical steps or precaution
Results section
Results section
Data presentation - Graph or Table?
Results section
Data presentation
Clear, succinct graphs, charts, photographs, and drawings can quickly convey the primary findings of research
Results section
Data presentation
detailed description of the corresponding figure Explain each symbol in the figure (typically arrow heads, arrows, asterisks) Label should be clear (e.g., scale bar on SEM)
Results section
Data presentation
Results section
Data presentation
in the text Give proper credit to figures/tables taken from other sources All statistical analyses, where appropriate, should be described
Discussion section
How to Discuss?
How thorough is your discussion & interpretation?
Are there links made to the literature? Is there enough evidence in your data to
attempt at theory building or reconceptualization of the problems?
How to Discuss?
How thorough is your discussion & interpretation?
statement that you can make from your observations? Refer back to problem posed, and describe the conclusions that you reached from carrying out this investigation Summarize new observations, new interpretations, and new insights that have resulted from the present work.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
knowledge that your thesis makes Does your work suggest any interesting further avenues? Are there ways in which your work could be improved by future researchers? What are the practical (broader) implications of your work?
Example:
The effects of oxidation by ozone gas on some physicochemical and functional properties of starch (corn, sago, and tapioca) were investigated. Starch in dry powder form was exposed to ozone for 10 min at different ozone generation times (OGTs).
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Example:
Carboxyl and carbonyl contents increased markedly in all starches with increasing OGT. Oxidation significantly decreased the swelling power of oxidized sago and tapioca starches but increased that of oxidized corn starch.
Some examples:
These results show that under similar conditions of ozone treatment, the extent of starch oxidation varies among different types of starch.
Some examples:
!Binding of water to starch films influences their thermo-mechanical properties !In general, tortillas prepared with hydrocolloids had a lower tendency for retrogradation than control tortillas; it is important to consider this to obtain tortillas with better texture and lower RS content.