Tips for a Successful Thesis

Amar Khoukhi
Systems Engineering Department, KFUPM
amar@kfupm.edu.sa
Outline
Selecting a Research Topic

Research proposal preparation

Research topic and title

Literature review

Research questions

Research proposal writing

 Some definitions
Research : The process of searching, carefully,
to answer a question using a method,

Many types of research

Theoretical
Theorems and proofs
Experimental
Design related experimental results, engineering new products,
System development
Algorithm development, Coding, testing,

Basic research skills dont differ much

 Some definitions
Research Skills
Skill: The learned capacity or talent to carry out
pre-determined results often with the minimum outlay
of time, energy, or both. Wikipedia.com

Most of the skills can be learnt or improved over time, if one wants
Some talent is needed, but alone it is not enough
People with great talent and no skills obtain much less than what
they could do
Not only technical skills
 Starting a thesis?

A thesis for the PHD must form a distinctive contribution to the

knowledge of the subject and afford evidence of originality shown by
the discovery of new facts and/or by the exercise of independent critical
power, (University Of London Regulation)

An argument
An exposition of an original piece of research
The product of an apprenticeship
Something that could be published:
e.g. at least one paper in a scholarly journal
But you will probably never publish the whole thesis
The Process of Research
Identify the
Research Problem

Report
and Review the
Disseminate Research Literature

Interpret Specify a
the Research Research
Purpose

Analyze Data Collect Data

 Selecting a Research Topic
What are some considerations when
selecting a research topic?
Answer:
Personal interest / Passion, Curiosity
Importance / Contribution to the field
Newness / Relevance
Feasibility
Time constraints
Ethical constraints
Organizational support
Availability of equipments
After graduation employment possibilities
 Sources of Research Topics
Discussion with faculty

Faculty ongoing projects (KACST, DSR, RI, )

Previous student projects (B. Sc. M. Sc to PhD)

Peer-reviewed journals in your field

Personal experiences

Existing literature Recommendations for future

research
 Refining Your Topic
Refinement needed for effective and efficient research
Narrow your topic
Identify a theoretical framework
Specifically and unambiguously define terms
State research questions and hypotheses

A literature review will help you

See if your idea has been tried
Include all relevant constructs
Select instruments
Anticipate common problems
Research proposal preparation

A good proposal is a good idea, well expressed,

with a clear indication of methods for pursuing
the idea, evaluating the findings, making them
known to all who need to know, and indicating
the broader impacts of the activity.
Source: http://www.nsf.gov/
 The Proposal: Part 1,
Purpose of the research proposal
1. To inform the reader of nature of your proposed research.
What is the problem?
What is its extent?

2. To convince the reader, especially supervisors and

reviewers, of the value of your proposed research.
Is this project worth the time and money?
Will it make a difference to the world?

3. To demonstrate your expertise and competency in a

particular area of study.
Do you have the qualifications to conduct this research?
Have you informed yourself of the existing theory and data
relevant to your topic?
 Purpose of the research proposal
4. To plan the research project and provide a step-by-step
guide to the tasks necessary for its completion.
What are the key stages of the work?
How do the various components fit together?

5. To request support from individuals and agencies who

provide supervision, oversight or funding.
What kinds of support does the project need?
Are all participants properly protected?

6. To contract with the agencies and individuals involved,

(e.g. supervisors, foundations and participants).
How will tasks be assigned and resources expended?
What does each contribute to the collective endeavor?
 Parts of a Proposal
Cover Page and Title

Project summary or Extended Abstract

Table of contents

Project description
Introduction
Literature review
Problem statement
Research objectives
Research methodology
Project tasks and milestones
Budget
deliverables

References cited
 Project Summary
Intellectual Merit
Describe the scientific/engineering/education
problem and why it is important
State the overall objective of the project
State the specific aims
Describe how the aims will be achieved

Broader Impacts
Educational & outreach activities;
infrastructure; dissemination of results;
underrepresented groups; benefit to society
 The Proposal: Part 2, LR
What is a Literature Review?
Creswell, J.W. (2005) Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and
Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research

review of the literature

is a written summary of journal
articles, books and other
documents that describes the
past and current state of
information, organizes the
literature into topics and
documents a need for a
proposed study. (pp. 79)
 What is a Literature Review?
The LR is not a list of found research but a coherent and articulate
account of past and current research findings

Brings a reader up-to-date on what

is known on a given topic
provide fresh insights that advance
knowledge
Resolve conflicts between studies
Identify new ways to interpret
research results
Creating a path for future research

Masters Is summative, Covers methodological issues, research techniques and results topics.
Doctorate analytical synthesis, Covers all known literature on the subject, Links ideas
conceptually across and within theories,
 What is a Literature Review?

The LR should be exhaustive and as current as possible.

How many articles?
There is no set number. As long as the search is exhaustive and
focused on the research topic, the review will be acceptable.

How far back should one search?

widely accepted timeframe past 10 years,
Pioneer and seminal works even if these go beyond.
 Preliminary Literature Review
Guidelines on Style, Mechanics, and Language Usage
Does your draft follow the logic or idea that is presented in your intro and title?
Avoid overusing direct quotations, especially long ones
Check style manual for correct use of citations
Avoid using synonyms for recurring words
This is not creative writing and stay consistent with terminology
Group I, Phoenix Cohort, Experimental Group
Spell out all acronyms when first using them
Traditional - American Society of Mechanical Engineering (ASME)
Non-traditional - Collective Efficacy (CE)
No Dont use contractions
Avoid the following:
Slang cool
Colloquialisms thing >> item or feature
Idioms rise to the pinnacle >> to become prominent

Use great care to avoid Plagiarism

 Maintain Good Research Practices
Throughout the Search
1. Maintain your search record.

2. Keep your research journal.

3. Make copies of all sources.

4. Be sure that the copy has full bibliographic information.

5. Check the reference list of every source you have located.

6. Back up all computer files (Every two weeks Time!!!)

7. Get expert help whenever you need it.

8. Keep your dissertation chair informed about progress and

problems.

9. It is useful to set up and maintain a home page on the Internet.

 Writing Your Research Question(s)
From Topic (& Problem definition ) to Research Question

A good research topic asks a clear, concise question.

They, dictate what type of statistical analysis is needed, and

what type of research design may be employed

Can be formulated based on theories, past research, previous

experience, or the practical need to make data-driven
decisions in a work environment

A research question should address only 1 concept

Question must be measurable (answerable)

 Research Questions

Directed and Independent Research ;

Get one or two questions that will serve in your
Theses as a chapter paper

From your course term projects

- Design projects that fit with your research topic

- Authorship vs. Ethics:

Give Credit when Credit is due!
How do you read a statement of the problem passage?
FLOW OF IDEAS

Deficiencies Audiences
Topic Research Evidence for the in Knowledge
Problem Importance of that May
about the Benefit
the Problem Problem
Subject A concern How will addressing
Evidence from In this body of what we need to
area A problem the literature evidence, what know help:
Something Evidence from is missing? researchers
that needs practical What do we educators
a solution experiences need to know policy makers
more about? individuals such as
those in the study
An Example

Ethical Ethical Gap in the literature Description Assessing violations

issues violations Reports of violations identifying and Helps recruiters develop
in among football characterizing better ethical standards
colleges recruiters violations Helps athletes
understand ethical issues
Differences among the Topic,
Problem, Purpose, and Questions

General Topic Distance learning

Research Lack of students in distance

Problem learning classes

Purpose To study why students do not

attend distance education classes at
Statement
a community college

Research Does the use of Web site technology

in the classroom deter students
Question
Specific from enrolling in a distance
education class?
Differences among the Topic,
Problem, Purpose, and Questions
General Topic Mobile Robotics

Research Multi-objective motion

Problem planning

Time and energy are conflictual

Purpose criteria . However both will
Statement contribute to high efficiency of the
robot

Research How limitation on motor torques can

be handled for such a minimum
Specific Question
time and energy planner?
 Getting Started, Keep In Mind That

No study is perfect
All data is dirty in some way or another; research is what you
do with that dirty data
Measurement involves making choices
You can refine or change your plan

Read to learn; ..read to analyze; read to write

About research methodology
Studies on similar topics
User repair strategies
 The Proposal: Part 3, Methodology
A methodology is not just a list of research
tasks but an argument as to why these tasks
add up to the best attack on the problem
(Przeworski & Salomon, 2004, p. 1)
The methodology section serves to convince the examiner
that you really knew what you were doing and that you
knew how to do it properly (Parsons & Knight, 2005, p.128).

A description of the general methodology and procedures

The research context or site
The plant or the subjects
The instruments and materials used
Explain (& justify) adequate the procedures followed and tools for
data collection and analysis and problem solving
Establish scope and limitations
 What Makes a Proposal Competitive?

On the start
Original ideas that go beyond the commonplace
Succinct, focused project plan
Realistic amount of work
Sufficient detail provided
Rationale and evidence of potential effectiveness
Potential contribution to knowledge
Capacity to disseminate findings
 Tips for Success

1. Follow Instructions
Follow page and font size limits and other
guidelines
Have a strong evaluation plan with timelines and
benchmarks

2. Write and rewrite :

Rewrite and rewrite again
Get critiques from:
Mentors and colleagues
Previous members of review panels
 Tips for Success
3. Be reasonable
Be aware of the scope: too ambitious vs. too narrow
Anticipate problems
Address possible difficulties
Acknowledge possible experimental problems and
have alternatives

4. Make it easy for the reviewers

Simplify and streamline:
Make sure you get your overall idea across!
Pay attention to details:
Run a spell checker and proof-read
Have someone else read the proposal
Spell check; grammar check, clear photos, graphs, etc.
 Write With an Efficient Process
A good writing needs a lot of reading

Science and research writing is largely made up of sentence structures (templates),

used to particular areas of science for many different areas. Once you understand
this concept you will probably find it easier to read articles from areas of science
with which you are not completely familiar

Original sentence Possible abbreviation

The data were collected and they were analysed
using..
The data were collected and correlations were
calculated...
The data which were collected were analysed
using..
The data were collected and analysed using..
The data were collected and correlations
calculated..
The data were collected were analysed
using..
 Conclusions

Many research skills you will develop

You can learn/improve your research skills

You can produce sustained great research

results if you are enthusiastic, honest, work
hard, open, and committed

And Have An Excellent Thesis !!

Thank you for listening