Professional Documents
Culture Documents
NAME OF STUDENT
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER
TITLE
DECLARATION
DEDICATION
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
ABSTRACT
ABSTRAK
TABLE OF CONTENTS
LIST OF TABLES
LIST OF FIGURES
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
LIST OF SYMBOLS
LIST OF APPENDICES
PAGE
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ii
iii
iv
v
vi
vii
viii
ix
x
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INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Problem
1.2 Statement of the Problem
1.3 Objectives of the Study
1.4 Scope of the Study
1.5 Significance of the Study
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1
2
3
4
5
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Literature 1
2.2 Literature 2
2.2.1 Literature 2.1
2.2.2 Literature 2.2
2.3 Literature 3
2.4 Literature 4
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6
7
8
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RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Research Design and Procedure
3.2 Operational Framework
3.3 Subjects or Data Sources
3.4 Instrumentation and Data Analysis
3.5 Assumptions and Limitations
3.6 Research Planning and Schedule (Gantt Chart)
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14
15
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EXPECTED FINDINGS
4.1 Expected Findings
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18
REFERENCES
Appendices A C
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CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1
the research study and its impact to the fundamental and practices of the key
concepts. Students are advice to keep the writing style and format consistent
throughout the thesis. They should use either UK English or US English.
Students are encouraged to use Academic Phrasebank as a general resource
for
academic
writing.
The
resource
can
be
found
at
1.2
4
This subsection should consist of thesis statement (statement of issues),
identified solutions, 5Ws (what, who when, where and why) the problems occurs,
vision of your study and concluding remarks of the problems.
The statement should begin with clear description of the issues including
vision, issue statement and method used to solve the problem.
The description then followed by the 5Ws of the problems that comprises
words to keep the effort focused, represent solvable problems.
For problem statement, one should use words such as identify, define, relate,
describe, review, justify, indicate, formulate, explain, compare, contrast, suggest,
interpret, analyze, assess, construct, apply, demonstrate, illustrate, categorize,
deduce, create, resolve, debate, propose, differentiate, argue, derive, design, evaluate,
establish, conceptualize, suggest, integrate, compile, develop, challenge, consolidate,
clarify, criticize, ascertain, appraise, calculate, recommend. These words show some
examples of good outcomes based verb. Verbs such as understand, explore,
investigate, examine and discuss are poor verbs as they describe processes, not
outcomes. It is not convincing when discuss something endlessly without ever
having to make recommendations, draw conclusions or offer a result. Students might
be exploring, examining or discussing as part of the process, but they cannot be the
end result of the research, which should be more tangible.
In some cases the postgraduate students are required to formulate their
hypothesis in the problem statement section. For that case, the following discussion
will emphasize the fundamental of hypothesis.
1.2.1
What is Hypothesis?
In Douthwaite (2005, June 2), the hypothesis can be defined as a reasonable
scientific proposal. It is not a statement of fact, but a statement that takes us beyond
the known facts and logically anticipates the substance of new knowledge. The
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hypothesis has two essential elements: it must be based on the known facts and it
must be testable. The first criterion can be checked by reading the literature and
talking with your supervisor; the second criterion is fulfilled by your experiments.
If the thesis work is based on several sets of experiments, with each set
leading to a separate manuscript (and most thesis are like this), then each of these
sets of experiments with need its own specific hypothesis. These specific hypotheses
should be unified by a single general hypothesis that can be defined in a single
sentence. The general hypothesis is the guide-line through the thesis writing. It will
probably take students to several attempts to formulate it successfully (and when
students have clarified this, they will probably wish that they had done so four years
ago). If students cannot formulate a general hypothesis that defines the purpose of
their thesis work, then they can always take solace in the fact that there are many
other careers to choose from outside science.
The general hypothesis can be included in the summary at the beginning of
the thesis. Students do not necessarily have to include it here, but it should at least be
prominent in their mind (and preferably hanging above desk where it can be seen)
when writing the sections of thesis. They should ask themselves when writing
whether what they are putting onto paper is relevant to testing the general hypothesis
(or in the case of each manuscript, whether the material is relevant to the
manuscripts specific hypothesis). If the material is not relevant, consider leaving it
out. If you cannot leave the material out, consider reformulating your hypothesis.
In real experiments, real hypotheses should be written before the actual
experiment (Access Excellence @ the National Health Museum, 2010). The
following explanation may answer some questions on what is the hypotheses all
about.
What is a Real Hypothesis?
A hypothesis is a tentative statement that proposes a possible explanation to
some phenomenon or event. A useful hypothesis is a testable statement which may
include a prediction. A hypotheses should not be confused with a theory. Theories are
general explanations based on a large amount of data. For example, the theory of
6
evolution applies to all living things and is based on wide range of observations.
However, there are many things about evolution that are not fully understood such as
gaps in the fossil record. Many hypotheses have been proposed and tested.
When are Hypotheses Used?
The key word is testable. That is, you will perform a test of how two
variables might be related. This is when you are doing a real experiment. You are
testing variables. Usually, a hypothesis is based on some previous observation such
as noticing that in November many trees undergo color changes in their leaves and
the average daily temperatures are dropping. Are these two events connected? How?
Any laboratory procedure you follow without a hypothesis is really not an
experiment. It is just an exercise or demonstration of what is already known.
How are Hypotheses Written?
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
may. However, their form is not particularly useful. Using the word may does
not suggest how you would go about proving it. If these statements had not been
written carefully, they may not have even been hypotheses at all. For example, if we
say "Trees will change color when it gets cold" we are making a prediction. Or if we
write, "Ultraviolet light causes skin cancer" could be a conclusion. One way to
prevent making such easy mistakes is to formalize the form of the hypothesis.
Examples of Formalized Hypotheses
If skin cancer is related to ultraviolet light, then people with a high exposure to uv
light will have a higher frequency of skin cancer.
If leaf color change is related to temperature, then exposing plants to low
temperatures will result in changes in leaf color.
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Notice that these statements contain the words, if and then. They are necessary in a
formalized hypothesis. But not all if-then statements are hypotheses. For example, "If
I play the lottery, then I will get rich." This is a simple prediction. In a formalized
hypothesis, a tentative relationship is stated. For example, if the frequency of
winning is related to frequency of buying lottery tickets. "Then" is followed by a
prediction of what will happen if you increase or decrease the frequency of buying
lottery tickets. If you always ask yourself that if one thing is related to another, then
you should be able to test it.
Formalized hypotheses contain two variables. One is "independent" and the
other is "dependent." The independent variable is the one you, the "scientist" control
and the dependent variable is the one that you observe and/or measure the results. In
the statements above the dependent variable is blue and the independent variable is
red. The ultimate value of a formalized hypothesis is it forces us to think about what
results we should look for in an experiment (Ed 603 - Lesson 6 - Formulation and
statement of a research hypothesis).
According to Gay (1996, page 61), a hypothesis is a tentative explanation for
certain behaviors, phenomena, or events that have occurred or will occur.
(1)
(2)
(3)
The hypothesis states what the researcher thinks the outcome of the study will
be.
(4)
The researcher collects data that either supports the hypothesis or does not
support it.
(5)
(6)
"A good hypothesis states as clearly and concisely as possible the expected
relationship (or differencce) between two variables and defines those
variables in operational, measurable terms." (Gay 1996, page 62).
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(7)
example, 'theory', 'law', and 'hypothesis' don't all mean the same thing. Outside of
science, you might say something is 'just a theory', meaning it's supposition that may
or may not be true. In science, a theory is an explanation that generally is accepted to
be true. Here's a closer look at these important, commonly misused terms.
Table 1.1 Description of hypothesis, theory and law
Hypothesis
Theory
Law
A hypothesis is an educated
A scientific theory summarizes a A law generalizes a body of
guess, based on observation.
hypothesis or group of
observations. At the time it is
Usually, a hypothesis can be
hypotheses that have been
made, no exceptions have
supported or refuted through
supported with repeated
been found to a law. Scientific
experimentation or more
testing. A theory is valid as
laws explain things, but they
observation. A hypothesis can
long as there is no evidence to
do not describe them. One
be disproven, but not proven to
dispute it. Therefore, theories
way to tell a law and a theory
be true.
can be disproven. Basically, if
apart is to ask if the
evidence accumulates to
description gives you a means
support a hypothesis, then the
to explain 'why'.
Example: If you see no
hypothesis
can
become
difference in the cleaning
accepted as a good explanation Example: Consider Newton's
ability of various laundry
of a phenomenon. One
detergents, you might
Law of Gravity. Newton could
definition of a theory is to say
hypothesize that cleaning
use this law to predict the
it's an accepted hypothesis.
effectiveness is not affected by
behavior of a dropped object,
which detergent you use. You
but he couldn't explain why it
can see this hypothesis can be Example: It is known that on
happened.
disproven if a stain is removed
June 30, 1908 in Tunguska,
by one detergent and not
Siberia, there was an explosion As you can see, there is no
another. On the other hand, you
equivalent to the detonation of
'proof' or absolute 'truth' in
cannot prove the hypothesis.
about 15 million tons of TNT.
science. The closest we get
Even if you never see a
Many hypotheses have been
are facts, which are
difference in the cleanliness of
proposed for what caused the
indisputable observations.
your clothes after trying a
explosion. It is theorized that
Note, however, if you define
thousand detergents, there
the explosion was caused by a
proof as arriving at a logical
might be one you haven't tried
natural extraterrestrial
conclusion, based on the
that could be different.
phenomenon, and was not
evidence, then there is 'proof'
caused by man. Is this theory a
in science. I work under the
fact? No. The event is a
definition that to prove
recorded fact. Is this this theory
something implies it can
generally accepted to be true,
never be wrong, which is
based on evidence to-date?
different. If you're asked to
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dissertation hypothesis write-up process can be made very easy if there are only to
the point ideas presented in the hypothesis and to achieve this purpose the student
should practice and possess editing skills which can enable a student to prepare a
dissertation hypothesis which has all the relevant ideas included but is very concise
and limited.
As an example following are a good hypothesis of NAPL study written by
Pantazidou (1995).
1.3
(1)
(2)
(3)
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1.4
1.5
subjects or areas.
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CHAPTER 2
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1
Introduction
Since many facts and figures will be included in this chapter, students are
advice to use sign-posting points wisely. Give brief introduction of flow of thought
on what to be covered in this chapter. Show its relevance to the problem statement
and research methodology. Arrange the ideas of reviews from general to specific
theories. Make sure the reviews cover all important aspect of the research
methodology from the existing studies. Discuss the recommended potential studies
closely to the investigated problems. Provide summary of the discussion at the end of
this reviews.
The example of comprehensive reviews can be found in Kamaruddin et al.
(2011). Students are advice to use EndNote program for an effective bibliography
management. The installer of current EndNote program can be downloaded from
cyberubp.utm.my. Use a valid ACID username and password to enter the system.
After successfully installed the program, one should find EndNote menu at the end of
MS Word interface. By using this software students can simply organize and manage
their citations and references almost instantaneously.
Many ways can be used to download bibliographic citations in the EndNote.
All these citations normally can be obtained from a free and subscribed database
provider (e.g., use database subscribed by PSZ UTM). Students can simply download
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the citations via Google Scholar (the easiest way), Scopus, ScienceDirect, and many
other scientific databases.
Under the Insert Citation menu of EndNote, students are able to find the
required reference and insert its citation automatically. The name of authors can be
excluded through the Edit Citation menu or just simply modified from the options of
right click instruction. The style of citations and references for the whole document
should be done in the EndNote program itself using the Edit and Output Styles
menus. Please contact Dr. Samira for any advice or technical support of the EndNote
program (MyUTM Thesis of EndNote style can be provided at no cost).
If students prefer to share their bibliography online, they can use Mendeley.
Mendeley is a free reference manager and academic social network that can help
students organize their research, collaborate with others online, and discover the
latest research. Students may find the differences between Mendeley and some other
bibliography from http://www.mendeley.com/compare-mendeley/.
2.2
Literature 1
2.3
Literature 2
2.4
Literature 3
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CHAPTER 3
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1
3.2
Operational Framework
The operational framework must follow the stated hypothesis in the statement
of the problem section. Students can present their ideas of operational framework
using flowchart.
3.3
3.4
3.5
15
3.6
16
Table 3.1. Research planning and schedule (Gantt Chart)
No.
Activities
2013
2
Literatures review
Appointment of supervisor
Questionnaires/interviews
10
11
Project presentation
12
Writing up
13
14
10
11
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CHAPTER 4
EXPECTED FINDINGS
4.1
Expected Findings
What are the expected findings that can reflect the stated objectives?
This template was prepared strictly for science, engineering and technology
students who plan in preparing their research proposal. Students who are preparing
thesis for Bachelor, Master by taught course, Master and PhD by research should
consult this template according to their suggested Research Methodology. Students
from other field of study may find some discrepancies in the given outline.
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REFERENCES
Access Excellence @ the National Health Museum Writing hypotheses: A student
lesson. The National Health Museum 2010 [cited 11 January 2010. Available
from http://www.accessexcellence.org/LC/TL/filson/writhypo.php.
Douthwaite, S. Hints on composing a PhD thesis 2005, June 2 [cited 11 January
2010. Available from http://www1.sdu.dk/Nat/bmb/PhD_srd.pdf.
Ed 603 - Lesson 6 - Formulation and statement of a research hypothesis [cited 11
January
2010.
Available
from
http://www.mnstate.edu/wasson/ed603/ed603lesson6.htm.
Helmenstine, A.M. Scientific hypothesis, theory, law definitions 2010 [cited 11
January
2010.
Available
from
http://chemistry.about.com/od/chemistry101/a/lawtheory.htm.
Kamaruddin, S.A., Sulaiman, W.N.A., Rahman, N.A., Zakaria, M.P., Mustaffar, M.,
and Sa'ari, R. (2011). A review of laboratory and numerical simulations of
hydrocarbons migration in subsurface environments. Journal of
Environmental Science and Technology. 4 (3), 191-214.
Lee, D. How to write a dissertation hypothesis 2008, September 17 [cited 11
January 2010. Available from http://www.articlesbase.com/tutoringarticles/how-to-write-a-dissertation-hypothesis-566843.html.
Pantazidou, M. LNAPL infiltration in the vadose zone: Comparisons of physical and
numerical simulations. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory 1995 [cited
11
January
2010.
Available
from
http://esd.lbl.gov/TOUGH+/proceedings/1995/Pantanzidou.pdf.