Dr. Omaima El Tahir Babikir Mohamed provides advice on completing a PhD dissertation. She notes that a dissertation is a major research challenge as there is no simple approach and committees provide subjective evaluation. She recommends allocating sufficient time, focusing on one chapter at a time, maintaining a relationship with supervisors, and presenting a proposal. Dr. Mohamed also discusses literature reviews, data collection and analysis methods, examination, the viva voce defense, and final dissertation formatting and submission.

1. Academic Seminar
My Approach to PhD Dissertation
Dr. Omaima El Tahir Babikir Mohamed
PhD in Islamic Finance
30 November 2012

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3. Why Ph.D Thesis/Dissertation could be
really difficult for a student?
PhD Dissertation mostly is the first, major research experience
for a PhD candidate.
A big challenge for most students
• No simple recipe
• Different talents
• Different kinds and methods of research
• Different approaches
• The work is judged by thesis committee.
Committee can bring anxiety different as it is a subjective matter.
• PhD research is unlike other research specially evaluation
mechanism is very unique.
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4. Dissertation/Thesis Development
Important Facts:
Time Management: Allocate Enough time
• (4-5) Hours a day.
• Have a break (Sunday Break)
Look to others’ theses
Befor you start t write open a folder contain 5-6 files each
represent on chapter in order to jot your ideas.
Ensure to Finish One Chapter at a Time.
Supervisors-Candidate Relationship
Keep all the draft signed by your supervisors
Student Log Book to can protect both student and supervisor.
Team work Is it true? “PhD is a lonely Journey”
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5. Proposal Contents
Proposal Presentation should highlight the following:
o What: Title of your Research
o Why: Your Justification of choosing the specific topic;
o How: Methodology;
o Expected Result based on theory / previous studies
o Policy Implication and /or Potential Application for
Findings.
I recommend to present your proposal in
international or local PhD colloquium.
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6. Formatting a Dissertation
Have Template: It will help you to standardize your
chapters.
o Part 1: this chapter includes: research problem, objective
of the research, research questions significant of the
research etc. Abstract.
o Part 2: literature Review
o Part 3: Research Methodology
o Part 4: Discussion and Analysis
o Part 5: Conclusion& Recommendations (Your Proposal)
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7. Writing Literature review
Recent literature to avoid
“your literature is out of date”
Benefits of this chapter:
Gap in the literature
Relevant literature will be available at references.
Summaries each paper in term of :
o Year of publications
o Name of author (s)
o Variables
o Methodology
o Findings
Book: Doing a Literature Review: Releasing the Social
Science Research Imagination. By Christopher Hart (1998).
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8. Data Collection in Social Research
Qualitative, Quantitative or Mixed Approach
Primary Data:
Qualitative Data:
Personal interview or focus groups or text review.
Quantitative Data: Questionnaires
Pilot test, method of analysis before distribution of
Questionnaire.
Secondary Data: Published sources such as annual reports,
journals, companies websites, etc
Triangulation Method: Is the combination of qualitative &
quantitative data.
In Mixed approach: The Credence/weight to be determined from
the very beginning for any research.
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9. Data Analysis
Quantitative Data Analysis: Wide range depends on
the method chosen by researchers. SPSS/ Eviews
software could one of the tools of analysis.
Qualitative data: Manual as Thematic Analysis or
using software Such as NVIVO could help you to
manage huge amounts of data,
Good Books:
1. “Statistics for People Who Think they Hate Statistics”
by( Salkind N.L 2007)
2. “Statistical Methods for Practice and Research: A Guide
to Data Analysis Using SPSS”
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10. Linking the Data
Qualitative & Quantitative Methods
Compare the similarities and differences
between the findings of each set of data.
In case of similarities: Data collected is
harmonized.
In case the results are totally different
researcher has to rely on the pre-determined
Credence/weight whether is qualitative or
quantitative.
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11. Examination
Submit your report to Graduate Study Deptment
to be send to internal & External examiners
You may or may not receive Internal or External
reports.
In case you received the external & internal
reports, make sure you highlight and consider all
comments into your Viva voce presentation.
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12. Viva voce
Keep your slides short and precise in the
range of 15 to 20 slides.
You need to present all your dissertation of
200 pages or more in thirty minutes.
Pre- viva is a good idea
Is good to know about your examiners read
their profiles
Members of Thesis committee.
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13. Revision & Bound of Dissertation
Check your university guideline to format your
report before you print.
Get the approval to print
Revisit your Sample of Thesis & Dissertations that
are available at your University Library.
Authorization Page (To get your Dissertation
signed)
Print 4-6 copies: make sure to keep a copy to
yourself and another for your institution if any.
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14. All The Best
‫وا‬
‫ﺑرﻛﺎﺗﮫ‬ ‫و‬ ‫ﷲ‬ ‫رﺣﻣﺔ‬ ‫و‬ ‫ﻋﻠﯾﻛم‬ ‫ﻟﺳﻼم‬
omymakh@gmail.com
Omaima@Unirazak.edu.my
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