Glossary of Terms in Thesis Writing

Thesis – is a formal, lengthy research paper as a requirement for a master’s degree.

Dissertation – a more sophisticated research paper as a requirement for a doctoral degree.
Thesis Proposal – skeletal framework that will aid the researcher in thesis making.
Thesis Topic – indicates the topic of particular field represented.
Statement of the Problem –is what the researcher aims to discover or establish
Review of Related Literature – theories that bears on the problem, conceptual
framework, and hypothesis.

Conceptual Framework – is a theoretical explanation of the problem a researcher is

going to investigate.

Hypothesis – a showed guess or inference that is formulated to explain observed facts to

guide further investigation.

Research Design – detailed plan of how the research will be conducted.

Data Gathering Instruments – tests, surveys, instruments, questionaires.
The Card Catalog – rows of filling cabinets with 3x5 inch cards listing every book in the
library’s collection.

Call Number – combination of letters and numbers for organizations.

Reference Footnotes – used to cite the authority for statements in the text.
Content Footnotes – used to make incidental comments to qualify textual discussion.