Kursus Metodologi PascaKursus Metodologi Pasca02 /200902 /2009

“Thesis Writing” “Thesis Writing” (Social sciences & (Social sciences &

Humanities)Humanities)By By

Dr. Sim Chee CheangDr. Sim Chee CheangSekolah Pengajian SeniSekolah Pengajian Seni

Universiti Malaysia Sabah Universiti Malaysia Sabah

5 Vital Components 5 Vital Components

• OBJECTIVES

• LITERATURE REVIEW

• METHODOLOGY & DATA COLLECTION

• ANALYSIS

• CONCLUSION

OBJECTIVESOBJECTIVES

• In Chapter One• What exactly do you want to study? (Hypothesis)• Why is it worth studying? (Objectives)• Does it have practical significance?Does it

contribute to the present knowledge?• How will it contribute to our general

understanding of a topic?• What is the scope that you want to cover?

Before objectives there must be Before objectives there must be a Titlea Title

• To get your objectives a thesis must have a title: Focused, Interesting, Manageable

1)“The Impact of Akademi Fantasia on the Malaysian Music Scene”

2) “Marketing of Music in Malaysia:The Impact of Akademi Fantasia”

Before the objectives there must Before the objectives there must also be a hypothesisalso be a hypothesis

A hypothesis is a calculated guess of the

findings of a research before it begins. It is

also the focal point of a research.

Example

Thesis title: “Impact of political veto on Democracy: A case of ISA &

OSA in Malaysia”

HypothesisHypothesis

• “OSA & ISA significantly impedes the growth of democracy and creates rather than stems greater violence.”

Example of ObjectivesExample of Objectives• 1) To measure the social implications of

OSA and ISA in Malaysia.

• 2) To highlight the weaknesses found in the OSA and ISA.

• 3) To assess the link between political veto and the legalities involved in OSA and ISA.

• 4) Suggestions for improvement.

Also in Chapter 1Also in Chapter 1

• Terms/definitions (specific field/focus)

• Technical terms used in analysis

• Descriptive introduction of product/skill/object/text/subject of analysis.

LITERATURE REVIEWLITERATURE REVIEW• In Chapter 2• What research has been done on this topic

previously? (make sure that only relevant and fundamental researchers are included)

• What do these researchers say about this topic? (experts only)

• How does your research differ/confirm/refute/challenge the present findings of these researchers? (You want to be an expert!)

Library researchLibrary research

• Libraries in and outside Sabah• Books relevant to the topic:Thesis title:“The Nocturnal activities of the UMS

Undergraduates: Negative Social Implications”

Category of books:1) 2)

Choice of booksChoice of books

• Experts only

Eg. about Chinese Indonesians-

Leo Suryadinata

Eg. about financial management

Who?

• Only report on the relevant ones. Leave the rest.

Choice of TheoriesChoice of Theories

• What theories address this topic?

• How are these theories applied by other researchers? How do they differ from yours? Are they consistent? What are the flaws or advantages in the application?

• How can your application remedy or improve on the application of a particular theory?

METHODOLOGY & DATA METHODOLOGY & DATA COLLECTIONCOLLECTION

• Quantitative analysis:

1) Method of collection of data eg. questionnaire.(development of questionnaire)

2) Method of analysis of data eg. statistics package / scales eg. SPSS used for the research and as reported in the analysis.

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- Identify the method of data collection and data analysis; state the reasons for the method used.

- Explain the method of analysis eg. explain the measurement eg.percentile / scale used.

- Identify and explain what is generated in the form of grafts and tables in the analysis chapters.

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• What are the problems in theory or method encountered and solved by your approach?

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• Qualitative: Survey, Expository.

- Method of collection of data eg. interview (participant observation), field work, library research.

- Method of analysis of data eg. statistics package / scales, application of theory or theories.

(Continue)(Continue)

- Identify the method of data collection and data analysis; state the reasons for the method used; Describe the place, subject or thing of data collection.

- Explain the method of analysis eg. explain the measurement eg. percentile / scale used.

- Identify and explain what is generated in the form of grafts and tables in the analysis chapters

ANALYSISANALYSIS• In Chapter 4 onwards (5,6,7,8 etc.)- Quantitative: Survey, expository• Explain your analysis with grafts/tables.• Do your findings duplicate or differ from

those of previous researchers on this topic?

• Report your new findings as they are. Do not adjust it.

• Support your claims and arguments with proper documentation and proof.

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- Qualitative: Comparative, Phemenological, Hermenutics (derivative)

• Divide the analysis into logical and managable chapters, parts, sub-titles.

• Explain through argumentative, conclusive, comparative analysis.

• Use fieldwork material for explanation and justification eg. photos, quotations from experts, interviews of subjects etc.

What to avoid ?What to avoid ?• Avoid fallacies in your argument.

• What is a fallacy? An error in reasoning.

“A fallacy is an argument in which the premises given for the conclusion do not provide the needed degree of support.” –Dr. Micheal C. Labossiere

- What is an argument?

- “An argument consists of one or more premises and a conclusion.” (Ibid)

2 types of arguments2 types of arguments

• Deductive ArgumentArguments are given as complete evidence to proof the conclusion.

• A good deductive argument is a valid argument.• Example of fallacious D. argument: Premise 1: A is at a hotel room with B Premise 2: A is married Conclusion: A is married to B (Not necessarily)

Cont.Cont.• Inductive Argument

From the conclusion premises are derived to provide some evidence to its inception

• A good inductive argument is known as a strong argument.

• Example of fallacious I. argument (generalization):

Premise 1: Most Malaysian men are egoistic

Premise 2: A is a Malaysian male

Conclusion: A is egoistic

List of fallacies to avoidList of fallacies to avoid1. Composition

eg. “Every player on a team is a superstar and a great player, so the team is a great team”

2. Red herring

Eg. Drawing attention to another topic to cover up weaknesses

Cont. Fallacious(wrong) ArgumentCont. Fallacious(wrong) Argument3. Two Wrongs make a rightEg. P: Did you read about what the Isrealis are doing to the Palestinians? A: The Israelis are justified. After all the Hamas kept on firing rockets at the South of Israel. It is morally right for them to do what they

have done. P: Even when over a thousand civilians have

died and are still dying? A: Yes.

Cont. Fallacious(wrong) ArgumentsCont. Fallacious(wrong) Arguments

4. The Strawman

1. Person A takes X perspective in

analysis

2. Person B presents perspective Y (a

distorted version of X)

3. Person B concludes X is incorrect

based on perspective Y

CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION• In Chapter 5 / last chapter• Identify the macro impact of your findings

eg. comment and draw conclusions across the analysis chapters.

• Did your findings measure with your hypothesis?

• Are all your objectives met? Why?• Underline the new conclusions/findings.• Explain the contribution of this new

findings to theory/your field/society.

REFERENCESREFERENCES• Follow “Gaya UMS” or UMS Style Manual.• Include appendices eg. transcripts of

interviews, questionnaire, photos etc.• Be meticulous.

Wish you all success and speed in completing your post grad degrees.

Thank You