Thesis writing workshop conducted at AHSGS on the 28th April, 2015.

1. Professor Dr Zulikha Jamaludin
Universiti Utara Malaysia
zulie@uum.edu.my
Date: 28 April, 2015
THESIS

2. ITM Shah Alam
MALAYSIA
University of Lancaster
ENGLAND
Universiti Utara Malaysia
MALAYSIA
Universiti of Exeter
ENGLAND
Universiti Utara Malaysia
MALAYSIA
University of Saskatchewan
CANADA
Universiti Sains Malaysia
MALAYSIA
Multimedia Synergy Corporation
MALAYSIA
Universiti Utara Malaysia
MALAYSIA

3. FIRST FOREMOST
http://meetingwords.com/thesisAHSGS

4. TOC
What is a
thesis?
Mind the
structure
How do I
get
started?
What
should my
thesis
contain?
How do I
get
finished?

5. WHAT IS A THESIS
AN
ARGUMENT
AN EXPOSITION
OF AN ORIGINAL
PIECE OF
RESEARCH
SOMETHING
THAT COULD BE
PUBLISHED

6. Abstract
Title
References

7. GENERAL
PARTICULAR
PARTICULAR
GENERAL
THE STRUCTURE TITLE
ABSTRACT
CHAPTER 1:
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 2-N:
BODY
CHAPTER N+1:
CONCLUSION
REFERENCES

8. CHOOSING THE
TITLE

14. Where do they ?
TITLE(1000)
ABSTRACT(100)
INTRO(100)
CONCLUSION(100)
REFERENCE(50)
BODY1(10)
BODY2(10)
BODYn(3)
H TMAP

15. Research on data mining
Contributions to Information Theory
Some research on job assignment in cluster
computing
A new framework for distributed computing
BADGeneraltitle
GeneralNOT substantially different from others

16. GOODtitle?
Progenitor cells in dyslexic children with visual
impairment
Reducing proliferative activity of
progenitor cells in dyslexic children
Mouse behaviour: A new method in improving
mouse performance
The effects of blueTrack angle imaging on
the illuminating behavior in mouse

17. TITLE GENERATORhttp://www.cs.purdue.edu/homes/dec/essay.topic.generator.html
http://www.fictionalley.org/primer/title.html
http://www1.icsi.berkeley.edu/~barath/systems-topic-generator.html
Need

18. DO THIS
Download UUM
format paste at meetingwords
Decide your title Write your title page

19. http://ahsgs.uum.edu.my/index.php
/current-student/thesis-guideline

21. Headings and subheadings

23. DIGITALGRAPHIC NOVELS:
ABSTRACTIONAND
TECHNOLOGYENHANCED
NARRATIVE FOR LEARNING
ZULIKHA JAMALUDIN
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
UNIVERSITI UTARA MALAYSIA
2016
Your title page
Your title…may
not be your
1st choice
Your name
Degree level
This may change a few times

25. THISISNOTAGOOD
Introduction
A methodology for developing multimedia courseware
The changing roles and challenges for better quality of
education evolves the need for the development of diverse
and efficient teaching methods….
:
.
In Malaysian education scenario, to accept the challenges
for a better quality of education, the government has
introduce many projects…
:
Reaching back too
far!

26. THISISANEXAMPLEOFAN
Introduction

27. THISISANEXAMPLEOFAN
Introduction

28. THEINTRODUCTION
MUST HAVE
1. The semantic meaning of the topic
2. The operational definition of the keywords
appeared in the title
3. The gap/problem
4. The variables related to major problems
5. The claim or the significance

29. Read ...
Read ...
Read ...
Read ...
Read ...
PRELIM LIT REV
formulate PROBLEM
STATEMENT
TYPE A /TYPE B
PROBLEM
evaluate
THE
RESEARCH
GAP
Inadequate
Mixed/limited results Bias
Inconsistence
Xpopulation
X outcome
FLAWS
The Gap!

31. (Source: Zulikha, J. (2011). Research
methodology guides for scientific
and technical fields)

32. LET’S DO THIS
Prepare your
chapter
framework
Plan your
argument
Change things
later

33. Create a template based
on UUM thesis format
Use the template and write
1. Title
2. Chapter outline
3. Chapter headings +
possible subheadings
4. Points to be included
MASTER THE
TOOLS

34. Objectives must always be set AFTER having formulated good research questions
THE OBJECTIVE
Summarizes what is to
be achieved by the
study
Obtaining answers to
research questions

35. serves to describe the AIM
of your thesis
“The relationship between the
level of knowledge on
recommended IT policy and the
implemented IT status of IT
companies practicing ICT-
related business in Northern
Malaysia (Perak, Kedah, Perlis,
Penang) is not known.”
“To analyse the association
between IT policy knowledge and
the implemented IT status of IT
companies practicing ICT-related
business in Northern Malaysia
(Perak, Kedah, Perlis, Penang)”
PROBLEM OBJECTIVE
provide an accurate description
of the specific actions to be
taken in order to reach the aim
…be framed in a single
sentence
…be framed in a single
sentence

36. MAIN (overall) OBJECTIVE
“I want to find the
answer to problem
A, by completing
action B”
states exactly how we
intend to address the
problem

37. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE
“1. To assess the knowledge
level among IT companies
on the stipulated IT policy
during practicing the ICT-
related business activities.
2.To assess the IT policy
implementation status of IT
companies performing ICT-
related business
3.To analyse the statistical
association between IT
policy knowledge level and
IT implementation status in
IT companies performing
ICT-related business”
…detail action B through
a set of activities
(normally 2-4)

38. Each specific
objective consists of
ONE infinitive
sentence and should
be phrased in a way
that makes it possible
to draw a conclusion
from within the scope
of the thesis.

39. Use infinitive verbs (or action verbs) such as:
THE OBJECTIVE
To compare
To generate
To analyse
To design
To develop
To generate
To build
To select
To categorise
To integrate
To transform
To understand
To study
To view
To identify
:
Avoid these verbs
To separate
To synthesise
To combine
To modify
To rearrange
To substitute
To plan
To create
To locate
To distinguish
To document

40. Main objective
THE OBJECTIVE
More in numbers (2-4).
Aligned with RQs.
Specify what to be done in the study, where
& for what purpose (within the scope).
One - Met through accomplishing all the specific objectives
Specific objectives

41. DINGD
ANG
YANG
KIYUT
[Type your
address]  [Type
your phone
number]  [Type
your e-mail
address]
DINGD
ANG
YANG
KIYUT
 
ALIGNING
Problem statement
Research questions
RQ1
RQ2
RQ3
RQ4
RQ5
Retrieved from
Main objective
Specific objectives
RO1
RO2
RO3
Retrieved from
Map to
Achieved all
Answered by
Answered by
Answered by

42. To measure the effectiveness of DGN as one of
the learning tools, from the perspective of IxD
IxD via digital graphic novels: Its user interface
and narratives for learning
The effectiveness of digital graphic novels (DGN)
is never measured from the perspective of IxD
eventhough studies regards DGN as having
materiality & multisensoriality characteristics
which are crucial for most purposes and
territories, specifically for students’ learning
Which elements of materiality and
multisensoriality can be utilized to
measure DGN effectiveness?
Create an IxD model for DGN
Develop a DGN prototype
Measure the effectiveness of
DGN as a tool for learning
Retrieved from
Map to
Achieved all
Can those elements be mapped into 3
IxD diemensions to form an IxD model
for DGN?
Utilizing the multisensory approach,
can the model be applied into a
working DGN prototype?
Using a classroom asessements’ survey,
is it possible to achieve a better
learning effectiveness rate for DGN?

43. THE CONTRIBUTION
WHO
HOW
WHAT
Benefit
Gap
New
CONTRIBUTION
Develop new theory
Test new hypothesis
New solution
(to an existing problem)
New territory
New methodology

44. JUSTIFICATIONS
SCOPE
ELEMENTS OF SCOPE
THE SCOPE
WITH
LITERATURE
BACK-UPS

45. This study aims at producing a
method for detecting lies in
religious websites using familiar
interaction design dimensions
Method Lies
Detection
IxD
dimension
Religious
sites
process
technique
procedure
Best
practice
pattern
entity
tools
text
video
animation
audio
graphic
combination
identify
highlight
capture
delete
update
dbase
activate
agent
Islam
Christian
Hindu
Budha
form
behaviour
content
combination
justification
justification
justification
justificationjustification
EXAMPLE

47. THE
CHAPTER

48. Guided by RQ
TF & CF
Concept A
Concept B
Concept C
(related to
method)
Develop
relationship,
own thoughts
& ideas
Use THESE
words/phrase
Summary of major themes & controversies
Summary of strengths & weaknesses
Summary that pulls together the entire review
Insight into relationship between topics & larger field of discipline
Explain area of interest, show connections, introduce concepts, methods of selecting of
reviewed material
Soreadandwritewithpurpose
REFERENCES
Parenthetical citation

49. A broader scope
A narrower scope
A similar focus/approach/tone
A slightly different focus/approach/tone
Adapts
Breaks out the paradigm
Bypasses the debate
Confuses
Contrary to
Contributes to the research on
Criticizes
Elaborates
Enters the debate
Explores/investigates
Goes beyond
In a different sphere
In agreement with
THESE WORDS/PHRASES are useful
They express specific types of relationship between ideas

50. REPORTINGVERBS
NEUTRAL
NOT CERTAIN
STRONG
NOTESON
Describe, show, reveal, demonstrate,
note, point out, indicate, report,
observe, state, believe…
Suggest, speculate, intimate,
hypothesise, moot, imply, propose,
recommend, postulate,…
Argue, claim, emphasise, contend,
maintain, assert, theorise, deny,
negate, refute, reject,challenge,…

51. Be Highly SELECTIVE
Ensure that they support our
points (RQs)
Choose the most recent
Use correct formatting
Do not try to impress by
over-referencing
LITERATURE REVIEW
NOTESON

52. Least respected Most respected
TABLOIDS
Mingguan Wanita
POPULAR
Metro
Berita Harian
News straits
times
The Star
QUASI
Science
News
Solusi
PEER-REVIEWED
Journal
With impact factors
With SJR value
With Eigen Factor
With Copernicus value
…

53. TOOLS

54. free citation management software
http://www.zotero.org/

55. http:// www.citationcreation.com/apa/book.html

56. A tool for developing refrence list
http://www.noodletools.com/noodlebib/citeone_s.php?style=APA

57. http://citationmachine.net/index2.php

58. http://delicious.com
A bookmarking web service

60. FILLINGUPTHE
CONTENT
METHODS

61. FILLINGUPTHE
CONTENT
METHODS
Overall study
Collect data
Analyse data
Overall study
Collect data
Analyse data
Overall study
Collect data
Analyse data
STATISTICS
INFORMATION
FACTS
DESCRIPTION
EXAMPLE
ILLUSTRATION

62. CHAPTER

63. FILLINGUPTHE
CONTENT
FINDINGS

64. CHAPTER

65. CONCLUSION
FUTURE WORK
TTWYHATT
EMPHASISE ON ACHIEVEMENT
BE HONEST ON LIMITATION
SUGGEST WHAT/HOW TO
IMPROVE

66. &REFERENCING

67. 67
CITE?
THE WORK HAS
CREDIBILITY
CREDITS TO ORIGINAL
AUTHORS
AVOID PLAGIARISM
Ignoranceisnotanexcuse.

68. REFERENCE
PARENTHETICAL CITATION/IN-TEXT CITATION
According to Jones & Alford (2005) and Westlow (2009), global warming is
caused by the emissions from cans of spray cheese.
Recent studies claim that global warming is caused by the emissions from
cans of spray cheese (Jones & Alford, 2005; Westlow, 2009).
According to Jones and Alford (2005) and Westlow (2009),
global warming is caused by the emissions from cans of spray
cheese.
OR
Recent studies claim that global warming is caused by the
emissions from cans of spray cheese (Jones & Alford, 2005;
Westlow, 2009).
Jone, A. J. & Alford, K. (2005). Global warming and the current
climate. Climate Trends. 25(3). 56-64.
Westlow, S. R. (2009). The world is warmer. New York:
Thomson.
REFER HO10

70. WHEN …
Get OTHER PEOPLE to
read your draft
GET THE BUGS
OUT BEFORE
THE
EXAMINERS
SEE IT

71. YOURMILESTONES
2015 2016 2017

72. THE EXAMINERS’
This maybeenough to decide ifathesis isworth aMSc/PhD
Abstract References Conclusion Content listing

73. START WRITING
TODAYANDKEEPGOING.
EACHSTEPMAYGET
HARDER…
BUT DON’T STOP.
THEVIEWISBEAUTIFULATTHETOP.
W E N E E D T O G E T S W I T C H E D O N

74. BELIEVESTART WITH THE
RIGHT INTENTION
HE HAS PURPOSE FOR YOUR PAIN
HE HAS REASONS FOR YOUR STRUGGLE

75. CELEBRATE

76. THANKYOU