examining phdthesis feb2010 prof madya dr najib
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EXAMINING PH.D/MASTER THESIS
THE CRITERIA?
The Twilight Journey Of The Twilight Journey Of Doing A Masters/PhDDoing A Masters/PhD
THE BEGINNINGTHE BEGINNING
• What is it actually?What is it actually?• Will I be able to do it ?Will I be able to do it ?• I’m confused …….I’m confused …….• What should I do now?What should I do now?• Please ! Will somebody tell me what PhD is all about ……….Please ! Will somebody tell me what PhD is all about ……….
VS.VS.
NOWNOW
• I have submitted ……I have submitted ……• What will the examiners do?What will the examiners do?• What will they examine?What will they examine?• What are the examining CRITERIA?What are the examining CRITERIA?• Am I ready for oral examination?Am I ready for oral examination?• Help !!!!!!!Help !!!!!!!
The Real JourneyThe Real Journey
• Embarking on a Masters (by research)/Phd Embarking on a Masters (by research)/Phd study is a ‘learning process’, rather than a study is a ‘learning process’, rather than a ‘fixed process’.‘fixed process’.
• The reality is that candidates need to establish The reality is that candidates need to establish a significant amount of ‘knowledge, skills and a significant amount of ‘knowledge, skills and abilities’ in order to undergo the process.abilities’ in order to undergo the process.
• This is translated into ‘preparation, research This is translated into ‘preparation, research methods skills, mental and physical methods skills, mental and physical preparation, and self-diagnose of oneself’, etc.preparation, and self-diagnose of oneself’, etc.
The DilemmaThe Dilemma
• The doctoral thesis is generally the The doctoral thesis is generally the first large, structured or unstructured first large, structured or unstructured project undertaken by Phd project undertaken by Phd candidates. Most candidates do not candidates. Most candidates do not manage the project in an organized manage the project in an organized way. The results are reflected in way. The results are reflected in rather poor rates of completion, and rather poor rates of completion, and extended time schedules.extended time schedules.
What is a Masters/PhD What is a Masters/PhD thesis?thesis?• …… …… In order to write a thesis, you must In order to write a thesis, you must
complete a significant amount of research complete a significant amount of research and develop a unique amount of argument and develop a unique amount of argument about your research. In most cases, it must about your research. In most cases, it must be unique in that your argument must not be unique in that your argument must not be a replica of an argument found in other be a replica of an argument found in other published work. When you write a thesis, published work. When you write a thesis, you must prove that you are bringing new you must prove that you are bringing new ideas, research methods, conclusions or ideas, research methods, conclusions or scientific results to your field of study ………scientific results to your field of study ………
Mastering the general fieldMastering the general field
• PhD candidates should be able to PhD candidates should be able to master the area of interest master the area of interest comprehensively and exhaustively.comprehensively and exhaustively.
• They should also be able to explore They should also be able to explore new variables in such a way that it is new variables in such a way that it is deliberately in-depth in nature and deliberately in-depth in nature and broad in spectrum.broad in spectrum.
Examiner general guidelines Examiner general guidelines (PhD Thesis)(PhD Thesis)1.1. Is the candidate able to Is the candidate able to
contribute significantly to the field contribute significantly to the field of knowledge and proof his/her of knowledge and proof his/her ability in relating his/her research to ability in relating his/her research to the broad field of study and whether the broad field of study and whether his/her achievement is/will be his/her achievement is/will be recognized locally and recognized locally and internationally in terms of internationally in terms of publications?publications?
Cont ……Cont ……
2.A Phd thesis should be able to proof 2.A Phd thesis should be able to proof that the candidate has the ability to that the candidate has the ability to analyse critically and demonstrate analyse critically and demonstrate skills in handling scholarly research skills in handling scholarly research for the purpose of answering matters for the purpose of answering matters relating to the objectives specified.relating to the objectives specified.
Cont ……Cont ……
3.The examiner would demonstrate in his 3.The examiner would demonstrate in his report whether he is satisfied or not on report whether he is satisfied or not on the quality of the thesis to be awarded the quality of the thesis to be awarded a specified higher degree to the a specified higher degree to the candidate or if he is not satisfied, then candidate or if he is not satisfied, then whether the candidate fail or need to whether the candidate fail or need to be referred for additional work or be referred for additional work or corrections and submit the thesis again corrections and submit the thesis again for examination.for examination.
Further Guidelines and Criteria Further Guidelines and Criteria (What will examiners seek?)(What will examiners seek?)
• Research MethodsResearch MethodsConsideration should be given to the Consideration should be given to the technique of research adopted and the technique of research adopted and the extent of work involved in terms of field extent of work involved in terms of field work, lab work, interviews, library research work, lab work, interviews, library research etc. and the evidence of the amount of data etc. and the evidence of the amount of data collected. Due consideration should be collected. Due consideration should be given to the difficult nature of a subject, the given to the difficult nature of a subject, the availability and accessibility of relevant availability and accessibility of relevant information and statistical data analysis in information and statistical data analysis in the assessment.the assessment.
Cont ……Cont ……
• PresentationPresentationConsideration should be given to the organization of the dissertation/thesis including the format presentation of tables, diagrams, charts, footnotes, references and appendices. Style is also relevant as well as accuracy and care especially proof reading of the final copy.
Cont ……Cont ……• AnalysisAnalysis
The original contribution of the candidates The original contribution of the candidates should be evident in the chapters devoted should be evident in the chapters devoted to analysis and conclusions drawn from to analysis and conclusions drawn from the research work. Credit should be given the research work. Credit should be given to a candidate who shows intelligent to a candidate who shows intelligent application of appropriate principles and application of appropriate principles and practices relevant to the problem under practices relevant to the problem under study. Credit would also be given to the study. Credit would also be given to the candidate’s ability to analyse critically the candidate’s ability to analyse critically the data collected and his ability to write a data collected and his ability to write a coherent and descriptive coherent and descriptive thesis/dissertation from the data and thesis/dissertation from the data and materials collected.materials collected.
Cont ……Cont ……
• Significance of Finding(s)Significance of Finding(s)The general significance of the subject and the The general significance of the subject and the extent to which the objectives of research have extent to which the objectives of research have been achieved are to be considered in been achieved are to be considered in assessment under this heading.assessment under this heading.
• Remarks on possibility of publicationRemarks on possibility of publicationApart from the merits for assessment for Apart from the merits for assessment for Masters/Doctorate degree, the examiner may add Masters/Doctorate degree, the examiner may add remarks regarding changes, amendments and remarks regarding changes, amendments and corrections that would need to be made if all or corrections that would need to be made if all or part of the thesis/dissertation were to be part of the thesis/dissertation were to be published.published.
Cont ……Cont ……
• Any other commentsAny other commentsThe examiner may state any other comments he The examiner may state any other comments he may have.may have.
• RecommendationsRecommendationsThe examiner should indicate his The examiner should indicate his recommendations, egg., whether he is satisfied recommendations, egg., whether he is satisfied that a sufficient standard has been reached for that a sufficient standard has been reached for the higher degree to be awarded to the candidate the higher degree to be awarded to the candidate or or if he is not satisfied, whether the candidate if he is not satisfied, whether the candidate should be failed or referred for further work after should be failed or referred for further work after which the candidate may re-submit his work for which the candidate may re-submit his work for (another) examination.(another) examination.
Bear in mind …..Bear in mind …..
• Your thesis presentation and clarity.Your thesis presentation and clarity.• Integration and coherence.Integration and coherence.• Contribution to knowledge.Contribution to knowledge.• Originality and creativity.Originality and creativity.• Review of relevant literature.Review of relevant literature.• Statement of the research problem.Statement of the research problem.• Methods of enquiry adopted Methods of enquiry adopted
(methodologies).(methodologies).• Analysis of data.Analysis of data.• Discussion of outcomes.Discussion of outcomes.
The VerdictThe Verdict• The Examination result:The Examination result:
- PassPass – the candidate be awarded the relevant degree – the candidate be awarded the relevant degree
- Pass with minor revisionPass with minor revision – the candidate be awarded the – the candidate be awarded the relevant degree, subject to making the required amendments and relevant degree, subject to making the required amendments and corrections (Maximum 3 months)corrections (Maximum 3 months)
- Conditional Pass with major revisionConditional Pass with major revision – the candidate is – the candidate is required to make major alterations to his/her thesis and resubmit required to make major alterations to his/her thesis and resubmit the work for another assessment to the examiners concerned, but the work for another assessment to the examiners concerned, but a second viva is not required (Minimum 3 months and maximum a second viva is not required (Minimum 3 months and maximum 12 months)12 months)
- Reschedule examinationReschedule examination – the candidate is required to make – the candidate is required to make major alterations to his/her thesis and resubmit the work for major alterations to his/her thesis and resubmit the work for another assessment to the examiners concerned and a second another assessment to the examiners concerned and a second viva is required (Minimum 12 months and maximum 18 months)viva is required (Minimum 12 months and maximum 18 months)
- MPhilMPhil – the candidate be conferred a degree of a lower status – the candidate be conferred a degree of a lower status
- FailFail – the candidate has failed – the candidate has failed
Climbing the ladder ……Climbing the ladder ……• Do not develop research phobia.Do not develop research phobia.• Seek and ask for Seek and ask for GUIDANCEGUIDANCE and and
WISDOM WISDOM (you won’t understand this until (you won’t understand this until you have been through it ….).you have been through it ….).
• PhD is the beginning of a long journey, the PhD is the beginning of a long journey, the saga of climbing the highest mountain saga of climbing the highest mountain and the agony of understanding the true and the agony of understanding the true meaning of ‘knowledge-seeking’ process.meaning of ‘knowledge-seeking’ process.
• Welcome to the club ………..Welcome to the club ………..• May God bless you in your endeavour May God bless you in your endeavour
…….…….
GOOD LUCK TO ALL GOOD LUCK TO ALL
