South African Thesis Requirements

South African Thesis Requirements BTh, MTh, and PhD By Kevin G. Smith

What are the expectations of a thesis at each level? THESIS REQUIREMENTSSouth African Thesis Requirements

MTh: Some Basic Guidelines• In a thesis-only programme, the MTh thesis should be approximately 40,000-50,000 words in length, and should contain in the vicinity of 100-150 bibliography entries.• In a mini-thesis at the end of a coursework MTh, the guidelines are 20,000-25,000 words and 50-75 sources.• The MTh thesis should be properly formatted, referenced, and edited.• The MTh thesis should be logically and linguistically coherent.South African Thesis Requirements

PhD: Some Basic Guidelines• The PhD dissertation should be approximately 80,000-100,000 words in length.• The PhD dissertation should have approximately 250-300 bibliography entries.• The PhD dissertation should be properly formatted, referenced, and edited.• The PhD dissertation should be logically and linguistically coherent.South African Thesis Requirements

Comparison of Thesis LevelsBTh level MTh level PhD level36 credits 180 credits 360 credits10,000-15,000 words 40,000-50,000 words 80,000-100,000 words30-40 pages 140-160 pages 250-350 pages30-50 sources 100-150 sources 250-300 sourcesCandidates must systema- Candidates must master the Candidates must add newtically analyze the selected selected topic in the field of knowledge to the field oftopic in the field of study. study. study.South African Thesis Requirements

Comparison of thesis levels• BTh level: design and execute a small research project in a chosen field of study, showing reasonable command of the subject area and the appropriate research methods.• MTh level: demonstrate mastery of the literature and research methods which relate to the chosen topic and field of study.• PhD level: contribute new scientific knowledge in the field of study (assumes mastery of literature and research methods).South African Thesis Requirements

Comparison of Thesis Levels PhD • New knowledge • Publication MTh • Literature • Methodologies BTh • Basic skills • Limited scopeSouth African Thesis Requirements

Assessment Criteria by Level • Make a significant, original, and substantial contribution to existing knowledge at the frontiers of the discipline? • Write a research report worthy of publication, either in its PhD entirety or in key sections? • Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of existing research and literature in field. • Select and properly apply appropriate research methods with competence. MTh • Develop a cohesive and coherent argument around the chosen thesis. • Identify, conceptualize, and conduct a research project? • Demonstrate familiarity with academic models and methods. BTh • Demonstrate linguistic competence in the presentation of a coherent thesis.South African Thesis Requirements

What kind of topic can be researched at each level? ILLUSTRATION OF VIABLE THESESSouth African Thesis Requirements

Illustration: Synoptic ProblemThree students—Linda (BTh), Kalnisha (MTh), and Javier(PhD)—all elect to write their theses on “the SynopticProblem”. What would be expected of each student todo justice to the topic at the level of his or her thesis?At which levels is it possible to write a thesis on “TheSynoptic Problem”?Give this some thought before you move to the nextslide.South African Thesis Requirements

Synoptic Problem: BTh Level• Can Linda write her BTh thesis on The Synoptic Problem?• At the BTh level, she does not need to master all the literature or to contribute anything new.• All she has to do is write 40 solid pages, covering the major views in an organised manner.• Therefore, this is doable.South African Thesis Requirements

Synoptic Problem: MTh Level• Can Kalnisha write her MTh thesis on The Synoptic Problem?• She is unlikely to demonstrate mastery of the vast body of literature in a 150-page thesis.• She is likely to write a dry and thin rehash of existing views.• Therefore, this is not doable.South African Thesis Requirements

Synoptic Problem: PhD Level• Can Javier write his PhD dissertation on The Synoptic Problem?• To pass his PhD, he will have to contribute something new to the scholarly discussion of The Synoptic Problem.• The topic is doable if he has discovered an original hypothesis that he can defend convincingly.• The burden is upon Javier to make an original contribution.South African Thesis Requirements

How will my thesis be examined? ASSESSMENT CRITERIA FOR A PH.D.South African Thesis Requirements

Exit-level outcomes for a PhD 1. Identify, understand, interpret, integrate, apply, and communicate a body of new knowledge (original research) in interaction with existing knowledge (current state of research in the field of study). 2. Apply logical, theoretical, analytic, creative and systematic thinking effectively to solve a range of problems within a focused research context. 3. Exhibit the ability to identify and address issues of ethical action and social responsibility in the field of research.South African Thesis Requirements

Exit-level outcomes for a PhD 4. Apply principles of sound research practice in collecting, organizing, and evaluating information in terms of a critical understanding of relevant research methodologies, techniques, and technologies. 5. Be aware of, and be able to interact constructively with, multicultural and multi-faith communities, from a theological perspective. 6. Apply the insights of one or more disciplines to identify and critique issues of church and society.South African Thesis Requirements

Core Assessment Criteria for PhD• Does the candidate demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of existing research and literature?• Does the candidate demonstrate a high level of independent research capability?• Does the dissertation make a significant, original, and substantial contribution to existing knowledge at the frontiers of the discipline?• Is the dissertation publishable, either as a whole or in part?South African Thesis Requirements

Bill Domeris’ Criteria• Demonstrate linguistic competence in the presentation of a coherent thesis.• Demonstrate familiarity with academic methods and models.• Demonstrate a good understanding of the relevant academic sources in the chosen area of study.• Demonstrate ability to develop a cohesive and coherent argument around the chosen thesis.• Include material which is worth publishing.• Add significantly to the body of existing knowledge in the field.• Make an original contribution to the subject area.South African Thesis Requirements

South African Thesis Requirements

by Kevin Smith on Oct 29, 2011

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