Fundamentals of Academic Thesis Writing
Course Overview
The Fundamentals of Academic Thesis Writing course is designed to provide graduate students, researchers, and early-career academics with the essential tools to effectively write, organize, and present a high-quality thesis. A well-crafted thesis is a cornerstone of academic research, and this course will guide participants through each stage of the thesis writing process. From developing research questions and literature reviews to presenting findings and drawing conclusions, this course ensures participants are equipped with the skills needed for success.
The course will cover all critical aspects of thesis writing, including structuring the document, writing clear and coherent arguments, properly citing sources, and reducing plagiarism. Each week will focus on a specific phase of thesis writing, starting from the introduction and problem statement, moving to methods and analysis, and finally addressing results, discussions, and conclusions.
The course will be led by Prof. MD Kamal Uddin, an Associate Professor at Universiti Putra Malaysia with expertise in academic writing, research methodologies, and soil science. Dr. Uddin’s years of experience in supervising postgraduate theses will provide invaluable insights, ensuring that participants develop skills that are directly applicable to their academic projects.
By the end of the course, students will have a solid understanding of thesis writing processes, strategies for efficient research, and practical skills to enhance the quality of their academic work.
Instructors
I have over 22 years of experience in Soil Science and Weed Science, currently serving as an Associate Professor in the Department of Land Management at the Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia, since November 2019. My career began as a Scientific Officer at the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) in June 2001. I have earned a PhD in Agronomy from Universiti Putra Malaysia (2010), preceded by a BSc in Agricultural Science (1998) and an MS in Soil Science (2000) from Bangladesh Agricultural University. In my current academic role, I teach courses such as Fundamentals of Soil Science (SST3005) and Principles of Weed Science (AGR3102) at the undergraduate level, and Scientific Writing and Publication (SPS5904) at the postgraduate level. I have supervised two MS and five PhD students to graduation and am currently guiding five PhD and two MS students. I have led 20 researc... Read More
Shamsul is a lecturer at SAEVS and teaches Soil Science, Soil Management and Summer Cropping Systems subjects at Charles Sturt. His PhD focused on the factors affecting the options for crops capable of following flooded rice in Southern NSW. He participated in multiple projects valued at over $6.5M. His major projects include GRDC-funded long-term crop rotation management, GRDC-funded cover crop management, MLA-funded soil-dung beetle relation on the soil functions project, CSU-funded impact of soil amendment on soil fertility and nutrient cycling trials, DAFF-funded soil extension smart farms project, DAFF-funded drought resilient long term crop rotation project and Solar-Industry funded agrivoltaic systems for the production of dryland pastures. Dr Haque has published over 30 research articles, conference proceedings and grower notes. Shamsul currently supervises HDR students funded by... Read More
Course Outcomes
By the end of the Fundamentals of Academic Thesis Writing course, participants will be equipped with the following key outcomes:
- Clear Problem Statement and Research Objectives: Participants will be able to craft a concise and focused problem statement, setting the stage for their research. They will also learn to define clear, researchable objectives aligned with their overall thesis goals.
- Effective Literature Review Writing: Learners will develop the skills to conduct a thorough literature review, synthesising key findings, theories, and gaps in the existing research. They will understand how to organise the review in a logical, cohesive manner to strengthen their thesis argument.
- Research Methodology Design: Participants will gain expertise in selecting and applying the appropriate research methods for their project. Whether qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods, learners will know how to design data collection instruments and analyse data effectively to address their research questions.
- Clarity in Presenting Results and Discussion: Learners will master the art of presenting results using visual aids like tables and graphs, while also discussing the findings in relation to their hypotheses and the wider academic field.
- Strong Conclusion and Thesis Finalisation: Participants will be able to summarise key findings in a compelling conclusion, discuss their implications, and present clear suggestions for future research. They will also gain essential skills in editing, revising, and formatting their thesis for submission.
Course Structure
Week 1: Introduction to Thesis Writing, Problem Statement, Literature Review, and Theoretical Framework
The first week focuses on the initial stages of thesis writing. Participants will learn how to define their research problem and develop a clear, concise problem statement. This strong foundation sets the tone for research questions and hypotheses. We will guide participants on how to align their research objectives and questions with their field's existing gaps. By the end of this week, participants will have a draft of their introduction and problem statement.
The first week focuses on the initial stages of thesis writing. Participants will learn how to define their research problem and develop a clear, concise problem statement. This strong foundation sets the tone for research questions and hypotheses. We will guide participants on how to align their research objectives and questions with their field's existing gaps. By the end of this week, participants will have a draft of their introduction and problem statement.
In addition to the problem statement, participants will explore how to conduct an effective literature review and build a solid theoretical framework. The session will cover strategies for synthesizing previous research, identifying gaps, and ensuring the literature review supports the research. Special attention will be given to structuring the literature review to create a coherent narrative that connects theories to the research problem. By the end of week 1, participants will be able to write a focused introduction, problem statement, and literature review.
Week 2: Research Methodology, Data Collection, and Analysis
In week 2, the course will dive into research methodology and the selection of appropriate research methods. Participants will learn about qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods and how to choose the best approach for their research. This session will guide participants in designing effective data collection tools, such as surveys, experiments, and interviews. Participants will also learn about data analysis methods and how to interpret data in relation to their research questions.
In week 2, the course will dive into research methodology and the selection of appropriate research methods. Participants will learn about qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods and how to choose the best approach for their research. This session will guide participants in designing effective data collection tools, such as surveys, experiments, and interviews. Participants will also learn about data analysis methods and how to interpret data in relation to their research questions.
Additionally, we will cover ethical considerations in research, ensuring participants understand the importance of transparency and integrity throughout the research process. By the end of this week, participants will be ready to write the methodology section, complete with clear data collection techniques, analysis methods, and ethical practices.
Week 3: Writing Results, Discussion, Conclusion, and Finalizing the Thesis
The final week focuses on the results, discussion, and conclusion sections. In this week, participants will learn how to present their research findings clearly, using visual aids like tables and graphs to summarize data effectively. The discussion section will teach participants how to relate their findings to existing literature, propose interpretations, and discuss the broader implications of their research.
The final week focuses on the results, discussion, and conclusion sections. In this week, participants will learn how to present their research findings clearly, using visual aids like tables and graphs to summarize data effectively. The discussion section will teach participants how to relate their findings to existing literature, propose interpretations, and discuss the broader implications of their research.
The conclusion will cover how to summarize key findings, suggest future research directions, and finalize the thesis. Participants will also be guided on editing and proofreading techniques to refine their thesis, ensuring clarity, coherence, and academic rigor. By the end of week 3, participants will have a polished, well-structured thesis ready for submission.
Course Assessment
For the Research Proposal assessment, participants will submit a detailed research proposal that forms the foundation of their thesis. This proposal is a crucial part of the academic thesis writing process and will allow participants to apply the concepts and strategies learned throughout the course.
Key components of the proposal:
Problem Statement: Participants must clearly define the research problem, outlining the gap in existing knowledge that their research will address.
Research Objectives: The proposal will include a clear set of research objectives that will guide the investigation.
Literature Review: Participants should present a brief but comprehensive review of the existing literature, identifying key theories and studies relevant to their research.
Research Methodology: The methodology section should describe the research design, data collection methods, and data analysis techniques that will be used in the study.
Expected Outcomes: Participants will outline the anticipated results and their potential significance within the field.
The Research Proposal ensures that participants are on the right track with their thesis, and it helps them identify and address any issues early in the research process. It will be evaluated based on clarity, depth, relevance, and academic rigor.
Feedback: Detailed feedback will be provided to help students refine their ideas and improve their research approach. This will also serve as the basis for the final thesis writing.
Target Audience
- Undergraduate and graduate students pursuing academic research
- Early-stage researchers and thesis writers
- Professionals seeking to enhance their academic writing skills
- Scholars aiming to refine their research methodology and writing process
- International students interested in mastering academic thesis writing
- Aspiring academics aiming to develop a strong foundation in thesis structure and content
- Researchers preparing for PhD-level writing and academic publication
- University faculty members looking to improve thesis supervision skills
- Academic writers focused on publishing high-quality research papers and reviews
- Individuals in academia or industry looking to gain expertise in writing research proposals and dissertations
Recommended Resources
Access additional resources on the LMS. Please log in weekly to view recommended readings, videos, case studies, and supplementary materials for each module.
Certificates
Upon successful completion of the course requirements, participants will receive a
certificate of completion from ExpertGate.
