Convention on the Rights of the Child The Structure according to the att.

Convention on the Rights of the Child The Structure according to the att.

Contents

1. The Capstone Thesis. 3
2. Identification of Research Area (Topic). 3
3. Appointment of Capstone Supervisor. 3
4. Formation of Thesis Advisory Committee. 4
5. Research Design Proposal 4
6. Parts of the Capstone thesis. 5
7. Thesis Structure. 5
8. Formatting. 8
9. Submission and Review Process. 9
10. Final presentation. 9
11. University Guidelines. 9
12. Schedule. 10
13. Evaluation. 11

Additional Tips for Thesis and Dissertation Writers. 12

AUE Capstone Manual

1.      The Capstone Thesis

The main intent of this document is to ensure that CMMC Capstone projects are presented in a conventional form, following universally accepted standards for academic papers. This guide does not reflect detailed information on how to research or write a thesis.

 

Students are expected to submit an original work between 8000 and 10000 words that would contribute towards the advancement of knowledge in their areas of study.  The thesis should stem from an original research that involves field study or library and is to be conducted under the supervision of Capstone Supervisor and the guidance of the Faculty Advisory Committee. In addition, the submitted thesis should be both content and expression acceptable and presented in a format which is consistent with the area of study and the Capstone Formatting Guidelines.

 

2.      Identification of Research Area (Topic)

Students should select an area of research that is both new and innovative. To achieve this, students should consult references and/or previous work that has been done related to the specific research area. They should also seek help from enterprise in industry, government, manufacturing, private and public organizations or specialists who might want to help or to provide information or data. The topic area should be of great interest to the student, with a passion for inquiry and knowledge acquisition through learning.

 

3.      Appointment of Capstone Supervisor

The Capstone supervisor (Seppe Verheyen) ensures that the student executes and reports on a thesis research project that is relevant to his/her academic field, that the student demonstrates sufficient understanding of the relevant research theories and methods.

 

The role of capstone supervisor entails different tasks that help students accomplish their Capstone project successfully. These include assisting students in: choosing an appropriate research topic, identifying research objectives and selecting a suitable research design and analysis approach.

4.      Formation of Thesis Advisory Committee

Subsequent the assignment of the Capstone Supervisor and the selection of a research topic, a Capstone Advisory Committee will be established. The committee is to be composed of a chair (Capstone supervisor) and at two other members of the AUE graduate faculty.

 

5.      Research Design Proposal

Under the supervision of the Capstone Supervisor, the student prepares a Capstone project proposal that should be submitted to the Faculty Advisory Committee.  The Proposal should address the following topics, in the exact order shown below.

 

1. Title:

The statement of title at this stage of thesis writing may be tentative. However, it should reflect the central purpose of the study in a brief but accurate and comprehensive manner.

 

1. Introduction:

One or more paragraphs should introduce the reader to the subject of study. The introduction may indicate several of the important sources for the proposed study.

 

1. Objectives:

The student should state clearly the central purpose of the proposed study and the specific objectives to be addressed.

 

1. Literature Review:

This section should indicate the extent to which the student has become acquainted with the relevant literature and other resources available on the subject. It may also be used to lead into the following section.

 

1. Significance:

The student should justify the proposed research. It should be explained how the study will add to present knowledge and/or modify existing theory or practice in the discipline.

 

1. Methodology:

This statement should explain how the student will undertake the study. Normally, a step-by-step procedure will be necessary. This section of the proposal should address such issues as procedures for the establishment of the study, method adopted, data collection, sampling, and how the data will be manipulated, including statistical treatments where appropriate. Limitations as to size, time, and other factors should also be presented. Plans for presentation and publication of the results of the study might also be included here.

 

1. References / Bibliography:

The sources that the student used should be in appropriate form in this section and cited appropriately in the text of the proposal. The approved style of the CMMC is The American Political Science Association format (http://proxyau.wrlc.org/login?url=http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/).

 

6.      Parts of the Capstone thesis

The thesis should be arranged as follows:

 

1. Title Page – conventional page showing essential bibliographical information
2. Preface (Optional)
3. Acknowledgements (Optional)
4. Table of Contents – a paginated guide or outline listing primary, secondary, and tertiary headings
5. List of Figures – a paginated listing of all figure captions as they appear with the figures they accompany. Used only when thesis contains figures.
6. List of Tables – format same as item 8. Used only when thesis contains tables
7. Text – the main body of the thesis
8. Bibliography – depending on the style used, also may be labeled References,
9. Appendix (Optional)

 

7.      Thesis Structure

The thesis will comprise the following chapters:

1. Introduction to the Study: Chapter 1

 

The Introduction begins the text section of the thesis. The primary function of the Introduction is to give an overview of the study, whether it is a chapter by itself or combined with the literature review. It normally contains one or more hypotheses that establish the purpose(s) of the study and upon which theoretical and organizational plans for the study are based. The components usually include the following:

1.1  Background

 

The beginning of this section should serve as an organized lead-in to the problem under investigation. This section should include an overview of the historical evolution of the problem and its current status. It may also include projected future considerations.

1.2  Statement of the problem

 

In this section, present the focal point(s) of your research. Introduce the “what” of the present investigation by clearly stating what the study will examine or investigate. State the specific major questions(s) or hypothesis (es) to be studied or tested. Make a precise statement of all the minor questions to be explored.

 

1.3 Purpose of the study

 

Justify the study. Why is the present investigation significant? Explain how it supports other studies, differs from previous studies, extends present knowledge or examines new issues.

  1.4 Theoretical bases and Organization

 

How does the present research correspond with other studies? What are the underlying theoretical bases upon which the study is constructed? One or more hypotheses should create the solid foundation upon which the conceptual framework is built.

1.5 Limitations of the study

 

Discuss both content and methodological limitations of the investigation. How will the research work within or around these limitations?

 

  1.6 Definition of terms

 

As appropriate, define any special terms used in the study and establish abbreviations that will be used consistently throughout the text. If you will be using a large number of abbreviations or acronyms, you might consider including a list of abbreviations/acronyms in the preliminary pages.

 

2. Review of the Literature: Chapter 2

 

The literature review should provide empirical evidence supporting the study and put the study in context with other research in the field. There are several ways in which this chapter may be structured: chronologically, categorically, through related theoretical viewpoints, or by a combination of the above. Emphasis should be placed on the reasons underlying the particular areas, topics, and periods of time selected for review. The literature review should:

 

• Provide evidence supporting the historical, theoretical, and research background for the study.

 

• Define how the investigation differs from other studies in the field.

 

• Show how the study relates to other research studies in similar areas. Theoretical foundations, expert opinion, and actual research findings should be included. Primary sources should be used whenever possible.

 

3. Methodology: Chapter 3

 

This section explicitly describes how the research was conducted, including any statistical analysis. It includes a detailed discussion of the research design or approach. This should be a clearly written description that permits a precise replication of the study. Several parts of this chapter (as listed below) apply mainly to a quantitative thesis, but may be appropriate to a qualitative thesis as well.

 

3.1  Design of the Research

 

Explain how the study is designed to investigate each question or hypothesis. If appropriate, identify all variables and how they are manipulated.

 

3.2  Population or Sample

 

In this demographics section, describe the principal characteristics of the population selected. If a random sample is used, describe the general population from which the sample was selected and the sampling procedure used.

 

• Treatment

 

Describe the exact sequence you followed to collect and tabulate the data. Describe the instrument(s) used to collect the data and establish the validity of the instrument(s) via studies by other researchers.

 

3.4   Data and Analysis Procedures

 

Describe and explain data analysis procedures or statistical treatments used. Include descriptions of tests, formulae, computer programs, and procedures.

 

4. Results and Discussion: Chapter 4

 

This section reports on and discusses the findings of the study. The results and subsequent discussion can be presented individually in separate sections.

 

• Presentation of findings

 

The results of the investigation are presented in narrative form and may be supplemented with graphics. Whenever appropriate, use tables and figures to present the data.

 

4.2 Discussion of the findings

 

In this section, the results you have just presented should be discussed in relation to each

question or hypothesis. Inferences, projections, and probable explanations of the results may also be included. Discuss the implications of patterns and trends, and include any secondary findings.

 

5. Summary, Conclusions, and Recommendations: Chapter 5

 

6. End Matter

 

This post-text segment, discussed below, contains the appendices (if any).

 

7. References (APSA Style)

 

The reference list, called References, Work Cited, Literature Cited, or Bibliography depending on which departmental style guide is used, directly follows the last text chapter. An exception is made for biology theses, where it follows the Acknowledgments section in the end matter. This section lists all references cited in the text either directly or indirectly and must include sources from which material has been adapted for use in tables and figures.

 

8.      Formatting

 

Type – Fonts of 12 characters per inch are acceptable for text and for figure/table captions. The preferred font is Arial 12-point.. Where necessary, smaller type may be used in figures and tables but never less than a font of 8.

 

Pagination – Place all page numbers in the center, one inch from the bottom edge of the page.

 

Spacing – Text must be 1.5 spaced.

 

Margins – All pages of the thesis must have the following margins: 1 inch on the right and bottom, 1½ inches on the left and top. For pages bearing a primary heading, the top margin is 2 inches. The first line of each paragraph should be indented one tab from the left margin.

 

Figures and Tables – Line drawings and diagrams, maps, charts, halftones, photographs, etc. are considered as figures and should be of professional quality. Photographs and figures may be either color or black and white. Original photographs or high-resolution reproductions are acceptable; photocopies are not. If photographs are pasted to the page, a high quality, long-lasting cement must be used. Figures and tables require captions, which should be single-spaced. If there is insufficient space within the required margins for both the figure/table and caption, the caption may be placed on the facing page, the back of which is blank except for the page number properly located in the upper right hand corner or bottom center. Captions must be in the same type as the text and listed as written in the List of Figures and List of Tables sections of thesis. No text or number on a table or figure should be (after reduction) smaller than the equivalent character in a character set whose shortest letters are 2 millimeters high (see Figure 1). An illustration that is wide must be placed broadside on the page, with the top at the binding (left) side.

 

Reference Citation –  The style and manner of reference citation and bibliographic is the American Political Science Association format.

9.      Submission and Review Process

Submission should be done electronically on the portal as well a hard-copy should be submitted.

Note that it is your responsibility for meeting the deadlines. Review the Submission Checklist to make sure you meet the requirements and have all the necessary materials when you arrive on campus to submit your capstone project.

10.  Final presentation

The thesis must be presented to Capstone Advisory Committee. The presentation presents evidence for the project. What kind of evidence is appropriate depends on what kind of thesis is being defended. A good presentation means more than one example, and answers to questions such as the following. What was your research question and what are the main results of your study? Did you were the complications and challenges for your capstone project? What are the further implications of your capstone project and what is added value to field of International Relations?

 

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