Research Thesis Manual for Masters Coursework Students

MASTERS BY COURSEWORK

THESIS MANUAL

2012 TABLE OF CONTENTS

AN ORIENTATION TO RESEARCH 2
Key Information Sources 2
Web pages 2
Noticeboards 2
Facilities and services 2
Academic and social support 4
MAPPING THE RESEARCH THESIS 5
Characteristics of the Masters Coursework thesis 5
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS 6
Thesis Enrolment 6
Enrolment Procedure 6
Finding a supervisor 6
Thesis Duration 6
Thesis Extensions 6
Intermission to thesis enrolment 7
Changing your supervision arrangements 7
INFORMATION TO HELP YOU DO YOUR THESIS 8
What Constitutes a Research Thesis? 8
Master of Education Thesis Guidelines 8
Scope of Master of Education Thesis 8
Ethical Approval 9
Plagiarism, cheating and collusion 9
References & Guides 10
Expectations of a thesis supervisor 10
Expectations of the student 10
Preparation of the thesis 10
Presentation and Structure of the Thesis 11
Functions of the components of the thesis 12
Writing the thesis 14
THESIS SUBMISSION AND EXAMINATION 16
Thesis submission 16
Examination of thesis 16
Graduation 17
APPENDICES 18

AN ORIENTATION TO RESEARCH

You may feel as apprehensive as you do excited about a research thesis as part of your coursework degree however it is certainly the intention of the staff of the faculty to support you in all aspects of your studies. Nevertheless, at the outset you may not feel supported by anyone other than your supervisor. It is very important to be aware of the wide range of material, social, academic and administrative support available to you on your request. This manual is designed to provide you with information about sources of support and about other things you need to know to complete your research thesis.
Key Information Sources
STAFF
Minor Thesis Administrative Officer (S)
Mr Mark Bartholomeusz
Ground Floor, Student Services Office
Phone: [phone] (2) email: [e-mail]

Team Leader, Admissions and Student Services
Ms Anita

References: Bailey, R. F. A. (1984) Survival kit for writing in English, Longman Cheshire, Melbourne. Lester, J. (1993) Writing research papers. Harper Collins, London. Phillips, E. M. & Pugh, D. S. (2000) How to get a PhD: A handbook for students and their supervisors, 3rd ed. Open University Press, Buckingham. Taylor, G. (1989) The student 's writing guide for the arts and social sciences, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. Peters, P. (1996) The Cambridge Australian English style guide, Cambridge University Press, Melbourne. Peters, P. (1985) Strategies for student writers, John Wiley & Sons, Brisbane. Strunk, W. & White, E. B. (2000) The elements of style, 4th ed. Allyn & Bacon, Boston. Swales, J. M. & Feak, C. B. (1994) Academic writing for graduate students, University of Michigan Press, Ann Arbor. Bell, J. (1999) Doing your research project: A guide for first-time researchers in education and social science, 3rd ed. Open University Press, Buckingham. Sharp, J. A. & Howard, K. (1993) The management of a student research project, 2nd ed. Gower Publishing, Aldershot, Hampshire. Phillips, E. M. & Pugh, D. S. (2000) How to get a PhD: A handbook for students and their supervisors, Open University Press, Buckingham. Rudestam, K. E. & Newton, R. R. (2001) Surviving your dissertation: A comprehensive guide to content and process, 2nd ed. Sage Publishers, Thousand Oaks, CA. Style and conventions Publication manual of the American Psychological Association, (2001) 5th ed Style manual for authors, editors and printers, (2002) 6th ed. John Wiley & Sons, Milton, Qld.