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
Disseminate Research
Interpret
the Research

Analyze Data

Review the
Literature

Specify a
Research
Purpose
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
Creswell,
J.W. (2005) Educational Research: Planning,
Review?
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

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
Brings a reader

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
Guidelines on Style, Mechanics,
Review
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

Checkusing
style synonyms
manual forfor
correct
use words
of citations
Avoid
recurring
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
Topic

Research
Problem

Subject A concern
area
A problem
Something
that needs
a solution

Evidence for the

Importance of
the Problem

Deficiencies in
Knowledge
about the
Problem

Evidence from In this body of

the literature
evidence, what
Evidence from is missing?
What do we
practical
need to know
experiences
more about?

Audiences
that May
Benefit

How will addressing

what we need to
know help:
researchers
educators
policy makers
individuals such as
those in the study

An Example
Ethical
issues
in
colleges

Gap in the literature

Ethical
Reports of violations
violations
among football
recruiters

Description
identifying and
characterizing
violations

Assessing violations
Helps recruiters develop
better ethical standards
Helps athletes
understand ethical issues

Differences among the

Topic, Problem, Purpose,
Topic
andGeneral
Questions
Distance learning

Specific

Research
Problem

Lack of students in distance

learning classes

Purpose
Statement

To study why students do not

attend distance education classes at
a community college

Research
Question

Does the use of Web site technology

in the classroom deter students
from enrolling in a distance
education class?

Differences among the

Topic, Problem, Purpose,
Topic
General
and Questions Mobile Robotics

Specific

Research
Problem

Multi-objective motion
planning

Purpose
Statement

Time and energy are conflictual

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

Research
Question

How limitation on motor torques can

be handled for such a minimum
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,
A description of the general methodology
p.128).

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

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

Simplify and streamline:
reviewers
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..

Conclusion
s
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