research

1. The Relationship between Thesis
Title, Abstract, Problem
Statement and Conclusion
Associate Professor
Dr Muhammad Kamarul Kabilan
School of Educational Studies

2. Thesis Title
• The first thing a reader (or examiner) will look
at or read
• Need to be thought of carefully
• Will change many times, even a day before
you submit your thesis!
• Need to make a positive first impression with
your title

3. A good thesis title…
• Should be simple, straight forward, clear and
understandable
• Should be of interest to readers/examiners
• Should be specific
• Guided by the aims and objectives of the
research undertaken
• Gives a pre-view of the contents of the thesis

4. A good thesis title…
• Provides a concise view of the research
undertaken
• Gives a sense of the angle or perspective of
your research
• Describes the central ideas of your arguments
• Uses keywords from your thesis/research
(variables)
• Describes ALL the contents of the thesis in
JUST ONE single sentence!

5. Let’s write….
• Write the title of your thesis (as of now/today)
• Remember to take into considerations of the
strategies of writing a good thesis title.

6. Abstract
• a brief summary of the most important points in
a thesis, scientific paper, academic books etc.
• Helps readers to KNOW the content of a thesis,
scientific paper or academic books without
actually reading the entire manuscript.
• IS NOT “Table of contents” or “Introduction”

7. A good abstract in a thesis helps
• The reader to know the main points of the
thesis
• The reader to evaluate the significance of the
thesis
• The reader to decide whether or not she or he
will continue to read the full thesis
• The reader to make quick decisions,
judgments or opinions about the thesis and its
contents (including research methods)

8. Features of a good abstract
Motivation of the research :
• Why is this research "interesting”?
• Should emphasize the importance of your
work/research
Problem Statement:
• What problems are you trying to solve?
• What is the scope of your research?

9. Features of a good abstract
Approach/Methods:
• How did you go solve or address the problem?
• What were the type of study, research
methods, procedures?
• What were the variables investigated?
• How was data collected and interpreted?
• Maybe, the length of the study

10. Features of a good abstract
Results/Findings:
• What's the answer?
• The general or overall findings, especially significant
ones
Conclusion:
• What are the implications of your answer?
• What is the main contribution of the study?
• What is your main conclusion (not a summary!)

11. Features of a good abstract
• In terms of USM, please refer to the guidelines
provided.
• Be aware of word limitations
• Ensure the English and Bahasa version reflects
each other

12. Statement of Problem
• Manifests entire research
• Why-what is the basic problem ( look at the
fundamental problem )
• Must be able to identify the fundamental
problem
• Make sure it is a real problem
• Include data / statistics to support your argument
• Look at the issues surrounding the problem
• Look at the causes and aftermath effects

13. Problem Statement
• is a concise and precise description of the
issues that need to be addressed
• Global-Local-Context (GLC) Approach
• GLC approach signifies and magnifies the
problems examined
• Written with a critical eye
• Looking at current problems AND not
something in the past.

14. A good and critical problem statement…
• Leads to clear aims, objectives and research
questions of the study
• Helps the researcher to identify and explore
the appropriate literature and theories
• Helps the researcher to construct suitable and
fluid research methods and procedures
• Assists the researcher in envisioning answers
and solutions to the problems highlighted.

15. Brainstorming for Problem Statement
Using a mind map, identify all the problems
related to the aspects of your research. Use
the GLC approach.

16. Conclusion
• It is not as EASY as one may think
• It is not a SUMMARY!
• The discussion should not simply stop. It
should come to a definite, clear end
• It is the end, but it also a new beginning! (new
thinking, new ideas – but based on data)
• Does not entirely introduce new
discussion/conclusion (not based on data)

17. A Critical Conclusion
• What new things that you can highlight from
your study?
• Can be boring if not written critically
• Conclusion is a decision / opinion / judgment
reached as a result of the research that was
carried out.
• Are your initial assumptions right?
• Does the theory explain the findings?

18. A Critical Conclusion
Introduction
• Reiterate briefly the problem statement (1-2
sentences only)
• State the aim of the study
• List the objectives
• State briefly the research methods (1-3
sentences)

19. A Critical Conclusion
• Restate the main findings
• Significances
• Limitations
• Negative findings
• Implications (policy? Or…?)
• Recommendations/Future studies
• Summary

20. Impression of Conclusion
• What is the impression after reading the
Conclusion?
• IS there something new, something
interesting?
• What is the contribution of the study?
- new methods; new ideas; new development;
new theory? new thinking; new solutions…?
• Is this a repeat of discussion?

21. The Relationship?
• Is there a relationship between TT, Abs., PS,
and Con.?
• What kind of relationship is this?
• Which comes first? Why?
• And which is last? Why?

22. Elements of thesis
• Which element is the most important in a
thesis?
- Chapter 1?
- Objectives?
- Problems Statement?
- Conclusion?
- Chapter 3?
- Others….?

23. Using a Research Matrix
Problem
Statement
Objective Research
Question
Methods Instrument Data
Analysis
CONCLUSION ?
TITLE ?
Students
are not
reading
enough
To
examine
the
reasons
Why are
the
students
not
reading
enough?
What are
the factors
involved?
Survey
Interview
Questionnaire
Focus Group
(5 pupils)
Descriptive
statistics
Mean score
Coding
Strategies
(Bogdan &
Biklen,
1992)

24. Title
• Reluctant secondary school readers: Reasons
and Factors

25. Do your research matrix

26. Thank you!
Question and answer…
kabilan@usm.my
Ext: 2966