THESIS DEVELOPMENT COURSE
Expand your research skills, and at the same time, be guided to develop a plan for doing a thesis.
Content
There are ten lessons in this module as follows:
1. The Problem Statement
2. The Literature Review Part One
3. The Literature Review Part Two
4. The Hypothesis
5. The Method
6. Data Collection
7. Research Proposal
8. Thesis Writing
9. Ethics
10. Where To From Here
Duration: 100 hours
What does each lesson cover?
Lesson 1. The Problem Statement
Introduction
What is a problem
Selecting a topic
Structure of a problem statement
How does a problem statement relate to quantitative and qualitative research
Referencing and reference types
Lesson 2. The Literature Review Part One
What is a literature review
Relating your literature review to the problem statement
Types of literature
Collecting information
Finding literature: text books, journal articles, indexes, abstracts, internet
Lesson 3. The Literature Review Part Two
Critical reading
Literatire review structure
Writing
Verbs
Quotations
Presentation of work
Lesson 4. The Hypothesis
What is a hypothesis
Definitions
Scientific method
Structuring a hypothesis
What is not a hypothesis
Null hypothesis
Correlation vs cause and effect
Occam's razor
Lesson 5. The Method
Introduction
Structuring your research method
Research strategy
Data collection
Quantitative data
Qualitative data
Data sampling
Sampling methods
Research integrity
Lesson 6. Data Collection
Introduction
Primary and secondary sources of data
Quantitative data
Qualutative data
Data collection
Literature review
Key informants
Experimental
Correlation
What is correlation
Questionnaires, Surveys and Tests
Interviews
Documentation
Observation
Focus groups
Case studies
Combination and triangulation
Lesson 7. Research Proposal
Introduction
Outline
Cover Page, abstract, introduction, problem statement, hypothesis, context background, literature survey, research methodology
Time schedule, budget, terminology, resource list, appendix
Academic writing
Lesson 8. Thesis Writing
Nature of thesis structure
Thesis structure guidelines: different types
Lesson 9. Ethics
Ethics of collecting data
Human research
Non human research
Ethics committee
Categories of research
10. Where To From Here
Pitfalls
Finalising a thesis submission
What qualification will I achieve for completing this course?
This is an individual module course. The individual module courses are 100 hour long usually and can be taken on their own or as part of a larger program of study.
If you wish to take an individual module course as a stand alone course, you can elect to sit an optional exam at the end of it.
If you successfully pass the exam and all assignments, you will receive a Statement of Attainment. You can take examinations at a time and location to suit you. If you enrol, you will be sent further information on how to arrange examinations at the end of the course.
If you do not wish to take the exam, you will receive a Course Completion letter when you have passed all assignments.
There is an assignment at the end of each lesson. So for example, if an individual module course contains ten lessons, you will need to complete ten assignments. Assignments can be sent to us via email, post or fax.
Other qualifications, such as certificates, diplomas etc may require examinations to be taken as part of the overall assessment process.
You can find further information on the examinations process by clicking on the “Enrolment” link above.
You can find further information on other courses by clicking on the “Courses” link above.
More Information on ACS Distance Education and our courses
Who are our tutors?
Our tutors are all highly experienced and professional, knowledgeable in their field of study. We have staff from around the world, enabling us to gain a wide variety of perspectives. We have a school in the UK and in Australia. If you would like to have a look at our tutors, then click on the “The School” in the boxes above and choose “The Staff” option.
Sample Course Notes
Our courses are all written by highly qualified tutors and writers, who also teach on the courses, so know them well. We strive to update our courses and improve them with new information, methods and knowledge on an ongoing basis. If you would like to see examples of some of our courses, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, and then click on “Sample Course Notes”.
What learning method should I choose?
We offer three learning methods – e-learning, correspondence and online. If you are not sure which is the right choose for you, then click on the “Enrolment” box above, then “Learning Methods.”
How Long will it take to complete the course?
This obviously varies from student to student. Some students will have more time for study than others. Some students may work quicker than others, so it is an individual thing. We estimate that most students will take, for example, 4 – 6 months to complete a 100 hour individual module, but we allow up to 12 months for you to complete it.
Longer courses will obviously take longer. You can find more information on the length of time required and so on the “Enrolment” box, then selecting “Terms and Conditions of Enrolment.”
What Do Our Students think of us?
If you would like to read comments from our previous students, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, then “Student Testimonials”.
I don’t think this is the right course for me.
If you’re not sure about this course, then why not look at our wide range of other courses. Click on the “Courses” box above.
You may also wish to design your own course to fit in with exactly what YOU want. To do so, click on the “Enrolment” box, then “Design your Own Course”.
If you would like more advice on a course, then you can contact us and ask a tutor about the courses. You can contact us by calling 0800 328 4723 or +44(0) 384 442752 or emailing info@acsedu.co.uk
Recognition and Accreditation
For more information on our recognition and accreditation, click on “The School”, then “Recognition”.
Who is ACS Distance Education?
If you want to know more about ACS and our history, then please click on “The School”, then “About us.”
