National Institute of Public Health School of Public Health. Guideline for Writing Thesis for the. For. Master Degree.

Transcription

1 National Institute of Public Health School of Public Health Guideline for Writing Thesis for the For Master Degree Academic Affairs February

2 Table of Contents Introduction... 4 Chapter 1: Requirements for Master Degree... 5 Chapter 2: Formation of the thesis Committee... 6 Thesis committee... 6 Main Advisor... 6 Co-advisor... 6 Roles and Responsibility of advisors... 6 Chapter 3: Proposal and Thesis defense... 7 Proposal defense... 7 Thesis defense... 7 Chapter 4: Technical Format for thesis... 8 Format for research study... 9 I. Introduction... 9 II. Background/Literature review III. Study aim IV. Methods V. Results VI. Discussion VII. Conclusions & Recommendations V. Ethical consideration VI. Dissemination plan (Optional) VII. Time frame VIII. Budget summary (Optional) IX. References X. Appendices (i.e. questionnaire, patient record) Format of Program development I. Executive summary II. Introduction III. Project context and background IV. Goals and objectives V. Project outputs VI. Project Strategies VII. Management of project funds VIII. Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting IX. References X. Annex or appendix Chapter 5: Front matters Title page Dedication page Acknowledgement Table of content List of table, List of figures List of abbreviations

3 Abstract Thesis format For the text Page number: Bibliography/references: Line spacing: Others Appendix A: Request for forming and changing thesis committee Appendix B: Quarterly report format on progress of student s thesis Appendix C: Request for proceeding to proposal/thesis defense Appendix D: Assessment from for thesis/proposal defense Appendix E: Notice of the Completion of proposal/thesis defense

4 Introduction The submission of a thesis is the last step in the program leading to the award of a Master Degree at the National Institute for Public Health School of Public Health (NIPH SPH). Thesis is an academic proof of the results of the student s research and related preparation. The thesis will be made available at the NIPH library for the use of students and public. The Academic Affair of NIPH SPH established this guideline to ensure the uniformity in the physical format of the thesis. The academic content and specific style of the thesis will be supervised by the student s thesis committee. Again, this guideline is also developed as a reference for all academic and thesis advisors for guiding students through the process of thesis development and thesis submission. As a reference, this guideline included several chapters presenting important information related to the degree requirement, thesis committee, proposal defense, and format for writing thesis. This guideline will be updated if necessary. Therefore, it is advised that faculty members and students should always refer to the latest version of the guideline. For any further information academic/thesis advisors and students should contact the academic affair. 4

5 Chapter 1: Requirements for Master Degree NIPH School of Public Health is the first Governmental institution to provide Master of Public Health program in the country. The school preparation started in The first batch of student was enrolled in The vision of the school is to become a vibrant center of excellence for public health professions. NIPH SPH aims at building the future of health professionals across Cambodia. At the start, the school focused mostly on building capacity of those who had been working in health sectors, especially government staff. In its long-term strategy, the school will shift the focus on building the capacity of the next generation of public health workers. By the time of this guideline comes out, NIPH SPH is providing master degree in Public Health in two tracts; disease control track and health system development track. The school is also preparing to launch new Master of Science program; Master of Science in Epidemiology and in Nutrition. All master degree at NIPH SPH will have similar degree requirements. In order to receive Master Degree from the NIPH SPH, students must; Fulfill all admission requirements Have completed at least 54 units/credit, among which 12 units/credits must earn from writing thesis. Have the Grade Point Average of at least Have no great C in any courses Pass the Thesis Defense 5

6 Chapter 2: Formation of the thesis Committee Since, passing Thesis defense is one of degree requirements, all students have to write their thesis and defense, with no exception. Therefore, in order to help students working on their thesis, as well as to maintain the quality of the thesis, students are required to set up their thesis committee. Thesis committee Each student s thesis committee consists of at least two faculty members (one main advisor and one or two co-advisors). Students are responsible for selecting their thesis committee in consultation with their academic advisor. Students must send their request of forming thesis committee to Academic Affaire, after get it signed by all thesis committee member, before they can move to defense their proposal (See Appendix A). Students can also change their main and co-advisors with an approval from the school. To do this, students must send a request to academic affair of the school by filing the form for changing thesis committee (See Appendix A). Main Advisor Main advisor must teach at NIPH SPH. dissertations stored at NIPH library. She/he must also have his/her own theses or Co-advisor Students are allowed to have up to 2 co-advisors. Among the two, students must choose one co-advisor who is faculty member, while another one can be either from the school or from other institutions. For co-advisor who is not NIPH SPH faculty member, students must obtain an approval from the school, prior to selecting him/her as their co-advisor. Roles and Responsibility of advisors Role and responsibility of advisors are below; Monitor the progress of their students these Identify barriers for the delay in thesis writing Report to school quarterly the status of student s thesis that are under their mentorship Main advisor must offer consultation to each student a minimum of 15 hours during the thesis preparation Co-advisor must offer consultation to each student a minimum of 10 hours during the thesis preparation Main advisor must file a quarterly report to academic affair and admin office of NIPH SPH (see Appendix B for the format of the quarterly report). 6

7 Chapter 3: Proposal and Thesis defense There are two steps students must fulfill before they can write up their thesis; pass the proposal defense and thesis defense. Proposal defense Proposal defense is where students have to show their knowledge about the course and the selected topics. During the defense, students are required to present their proposal and answers questions posed by thesis committee and audiences. Students will defense their proposal in front of all their thesis committee and a school representative. Before the defense students must meet the following criteria; Complete all coursework for a minimum of 42 units Obtain National Ethic Committee approval on their selected topic For those who did not have English score requirement meet at the enrollment, they must obtain their English proficiency score Student must submit a request (See appendix C) to proceed to the proposal defense to the academic affair. Then, the academic affair will arrange the with student s thesis committee and logistics on the proposal defense. Main advisor will mark the project/ research proposal with consultation with co-advisors (See Appendix D). Student s proposal can be graded as; satisfactory, satisfactory with minor change, conditional satisfactory and unsatisfactory. For students who do not receive satisfactory result, they have to continue working with their thesis committee based on the comments received during the proposal defense. Main advisor will have to inform academic affair about the completion of those requirement by signing on the confirmation of completion form and give it to student so that they can submit to academic affair as a proof (See Appendix E). Thesis defense The process of thesis defense will be similar to proposal defense. First student must pass their proposal defense. Then, students must send their request for proceeding to proposal defense to Academic Affair (using the same request form for proceeding to proposal defense). Main advisor and co-advisors must assess the thesis defense using official assessment form, which is the one that used in the proposal defense. During the defense, in addition to all thesis committee, one school representative will also joint. The main advisor marks the thesis defense with consensus from all co-advisors. If student does not get satisfactory result, main advisor must signed completion notice, so the student can send it to academic affair a proof of their complete work. Main advisor and all co-advisors will sign on successful thesis before the thesis can be filed to NIPH SPH. 7

8 Chapter 4: Technical Format for thesis Filing thesis to NIPH SPH is the last hurdle for students. Each thesis consists of two formats; technical format and front matters. In this guideline, the technical format and front matters will be presented in different chapters. Technical formats are different for each academic track. Therefore, in order to ensure the uniformity of all theses produced by students in different programs at NIPH SPH, the school issues the suggested technical formats as below; 8

9 Format for research study Students enrolling in disease control track and Master of Science programs are required to write research proposal using primary or secondary data. Research proposal also include program evaluation and program review. Below; are typical format for a research study thesis. Title Introduction Background/literature review Data source (if the secondary data is used) Objective of the study Methodology Results Discussion Conclusion and recommendation Ethical consideration References Timeframe Budget I. Introduction In introduction, students should include; Problem statement (basis for constructing research questions, hypothesis ): starting from general narrow down to specific Literature review pertinent to the study question and existing information (It should be most current, past 5 to 10 years at the most) Current or existing knowledge Gap in knowledge related to your study question Rationale or justification for the research project Importance and context of study question Why the research project is important and it should be undertaken? (relevance of the problem to national or local health activities, policy maker, program planner) Definition of terms 9

10 II. Background/Literature review It is possible to combine background and literature. However, background and literature review to organize in a way that help readers clearly understand the research topics to be discussed. - Create sub title to simplify your thesis structure - Collect information to support your points III. Study aim Broad: What is to be accomplished by the research project Specific: Break down what is to be accomplished into smaller logical component Example (SMART) General: To identify the reasons for low utilization of health centers in OD X in 2009 Specific: Determine the level of health service use in the health centers Identify socio-economic and cultural factor that may influence people s utilization of the services Make recommendations for PHD & OD to improve the use of the health centers Statement of research hypothesis Identify dependent variable and independent variables Ex: Health education involving active mother participation will improve more positive change in the child feeding than health education based on lecture. Independent variable: type of health education Dependent variable: change in child feeding IV. Methods In the method section, students should clearly describe what have been done. It is recommended that student should avoid using personal words such as I and We whenever possible. Students should also use this section to tell the readers what they plan to do. By informing below information; Study setting (place and date) 10

11 Study population (selection of study subjects) Sampling method, sample size calculation Eligible criteria Plan for data collection Training Study instrument (questionnaire, vital records, record review ) Type of variables (both dependent and independent), operational definition of variables Steps taken to assess and assure data quality Data management and analysis plans V. Results Definition of key analysis variables Measures of association Statistical analysis For proposal writing, student can omit the result, discussion and conclusion and recommendation all together. VI. Discussion VII. Conclusions & Recommendations V. Ethical consideration This section should describe how the study gets ethical approval from relevant ethical committee; National Ethics Committee (NEC) Informed consent VI. Dissemination plan (Optional) VII. Time frame VIII. Budget summary (Optional) 11

12 IX. References Students are encouraged to use Endnote software to manage their references. Vancouver style is preferable. However, students, with approval from thesis committee, can use different reference styles. Reference style using in the whole thesis must be consistent. The NIPH SPH will not accept thesis with inconsistent referencing style. X. Appendices (i.e. questionnaire, patient record) Appendices should be kept for the last. Appendix can include questionnaire, consent forms and other documents that relevant or useful to help readers to understand the thesis. 12

13 Format of Program development Due to the diversity of the programs implemented throughout the globe, the school allows more rooms of flexibility regarding the technical format for the program proposal. Students are encouraged to consult with their thesis committee to chose the format best suited with their work. However, some main bullet points must be followed in all program type- theses; I. Executive summary II. Introduction III. Project context and background IV. Goals and objectives V. Project outputs VI. Project Strategies VII. Management of project funds VIII. Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting IX. References X. Annex or appendix 13

14 Chapter 5: Front matters Front matters applied to thesis from all different academic tracks. This is to ensure the consistency of the physical form of the thesis submitted at NIPH SPH. Title page Must have no page number Dedication page This page is optional. When dedication page is included, it must have the page number on it. Acknowledgement This page is optional and it must have a page number Table of content Table of content must have page number List of table, List of figures List of table and list of figures should present on separated page. However, it is acceptable to put both list in a single page, given few number of table and figures. This page must have page number. List of abbreviations Abstract Abstract must includes; title of the thesis, student name and advisor names. Abstract can be up to 350 words maximum. Thesis format For the text The font should be Arial, Time News Roman or Courier with the size of 12pt. Page number: Students must use Arabic number and page number must locate at the bottom right corner. It should not have the word page. Bibliography/references: Bibliography/references must be located the end of thesis. Line spacing: The thesis should have line spacing of one and one haft (1.5pt). Figure and table should be in single line space. 14

15 Others Thesis must not have header/footers. It must be printed on white A4 paper. The margin of the whole thesis must be 1 inch. 15

16 Appendix A: Request for forming and changing thesis committee Kingdom of Cambodia Nation Religion King Academic Office School of Public Health National Institute of Public Health PLEASE PRINT ALL INFORMATION REQUEST FOR FORMING/CHANGING THESIS COMMITTEE Student s Name (Last/first name):.../... Student s ID... Telephone Number: INSTRUCTIONS FOR STUDENTS WHO REQUEST FOR FORMING THEIR THESIS COMMITTEE THEY MUST FILL IN SECTION I AND THEN SIGN AND DATE AT THE END OF THE FORM. FOR STUDENTS WHO REQUEST FOR CHANGING THEIR THESIS COMMITTEE THEY MUST FILL IN SECTION II AND THEN SIGN AND DATE AT THE END OF THE FORM. STUDENTS WILL RECEIVE AN APPROVAL NOTICE ON THEIR REQUEST FOR FORMING OR CHANGING THESIS COMMITTEE. A SIGNED COPY OF THIS FORM WILL BE GIVEN TO STUDENT FOR RECORD. SECTION 1: Forming Thesis Committee The thesis committee should be composed of at least two members among which one should be a faculty member at the NIPH school of Public Health. Students are also allowed to appoint someone from departments/institutions outside the school. All members of the thesis committees are subject to School of Public Health approval Proposed topic for the Thesis.. 16

17 Proposed Advisor and co-advisors Student must get all approval signatures from their proposed advisor and co-advisors before submitting this form to the academic affair of the NIPH School of Public Health 1 Name Status (advisor/coadvisor Working Place Signature 2 3 SECTION II: Changing Thesis Committee Proposed topic for the Thesis.. List of the Current Thesis Committee Name Working place Advisor/ Co-Advisor List of Newly Proposed Thesis Committee Student must get all approval signatures from their proposed advisor and co-advisors before submitting this form to the academic affair of the NIPH School of Public Health 1 Name Status (advisor/coadvisor Working Place Signature 17

18 2 3 Reasons for changing members of Thesis Committee.. The newly proposed advisor will take into effect from the date of approval. Date / / Seen & Approved Student Signature 18

19 Appendix B: Quarterly report format on progress of student s thesis NIPH School of Public Health Timesheet for Thesis Preparation Student Name: Batch: Advisor name: Project Title: DATE HOURS DESCRIPTION of Activities Next steps Other

20 Appendix C: Request for proceeding to proposal/thesis de Kingdom of Cambo Nation Religion King Academic Office School of Public Health National Institute of Public Health PLEASE PRINT ALL INFORMAT REQUEST FOR PROCEEDING TO THESIS DEFENSE Student s Name (Last/first name):.../... Student s ID... Telephone Number: INSTRUCTIONS: ONLY STUDENTS WHO RECEIVED A SATISFACTORY GRADE FROM TH PROPOSAL DEFENSE ARE ELIGIBLE TO REQUEST FOR PROCEEDING THESIS DEFENSE. STUDENTS WILL RECEIVE AN APPROVAL NOTICE WITHIN 30 DAYS. A SIGNED COPY OF THIS FORM WILL BE GIVEN TO STUDENT FOR REC SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR WILL CONTACT ADVISORS AND CO-ADVIS ABOUT THEIR AVAILABILITY FOR THE FINAL DEFENSE. STUDENTS MUST SEND THE THESIS TO THEIR ADVISOR AND CO-ADV AT LEAST 4 WEEKS BEFORE THE DATE OF THE THESIS DEFENSE. Topic of Thesis:....

21 Date of the Last Thesis Defense:.. Member of the Thesis Committee Name Working place Advisor/ Co-Advisor Date / / Student Signature OFFICIAL USED ONLY DATE OF PROPOSED THESIS DEFENSE: DATE. SCHOOL ADMININSTRATOR 21

22 Appendix D: Assessment from for thesis/proposal defense Kingdom of Cambodia Nation Religion King Academic Office School of Public Health National Institute of Public Health PLEASE PRINT ALL INFORMATION ASSESSMENT OF THE PROPOSAL /THESIS DEFENSE Student s Name (Last/first name):.../... Student s ID... PLEASE CHECK THE OPTION BELOW A- PROPOSAL DEFENSE B- THESIS DEFENSE Date of the Defense Time of the defense Title of Proposal/Thesis.... REMARKS: CONSENSUS MUST BE REACHED BETWEEN ALL COMMITTEE MEMBERS ON THE ASSESSEMENT OF THE STUDENT. ONLY ONE ASSESSEMENT FORM WILL BE ISSUED FOR EACH STUDENT DURING EACH ACT OF DEFENSE. * WHEN STUDENTS RECEIVE A GRADE SATISFACTORY WITH MINOR CHANGES THEY ARE REQUIRED TO FULFILL ALL THE 22

23 CHANGES ON THEIR PROPOSAL/THESIS WITH AN APPROVAL FROM THEIR ADVISOR ** WHEN STUDENTS RECEIVED A GRADE CONDITIONAL SATISFACTORY THEY HAVE TO REVISE THEIR PROPOSAL/THESIS BASED ON COMMENTS OF ALL THESIS COMMITTEE AND GET APPROVAL FROM ALL THESIS COMMITTEE MEMBERS **WHEN STUDENTS RECEVIED A GRADE AS UNSATISFACTORY THEY HAVE TO REDEFENSE THEIR PROPOSAL/THESIS AND THEY MAY ALSO BE REQUESTED TO CHANGE THEIR TOPIC OF RESEARCH PROPOSAL OR THESIS. ALL CHANGES (EXCEPT UNSATISFACTORY) MUST BE COMPLETED WITHIN ONE MONTH GRADE (PLEASE SELECT ONLY ONE) SATISFACTORY WITHOUT ANY CHANGES SATISFACTORY WITH MINOR CHANGES* CONDITIONAL SATISFACTORY ** UNSATISFACTORY*** NAME OF ADVISOR SIGNATURE NAME OF CO-ADVISORS.. SIGNATURE. NAME OF CO-ADVISORS. 23

24 .SIGNATURE. NAME OF CO-ADVISORS.. SIGNATURE. 24

25 Appendix E: Notice of the Completion of proposal/thesis defense Kingdom of Cambodia Nation Religion King Academic Office School of Public Health National Institute of Public Health PLEASE PRINT ALL INFORMATION CERTIFICATION OF COMPLETENES Student s Name (Last/first name):.../... Student s ID... REMARKS: THIS FORM IS USED AS AN EVIDENCE OF THE SATISFACTION OF WORK OF STUDENT IN RESPONSE TO THE COMMENTS MADED BY THESIS COMMITTEE DURING PROPOSAL DEFENSE/THESIS DEFENSE. STUDENT IS REQUIRED TO SUBMIT THIS FORM TO THE ACADEMIC AFFAIR OF THE SCHOOL AS A PROOF OF COMPLETENESS OF THEIR WORK THIS FORM IS TO BE SIGNED BY MAIN ADVISOR IF STUDENT RECEIVED GRADE SATISFACTORY WITH MINOR CHANGE ON HIS/HER PROPOSAL/THESIS DEFENSE. THIS FORM IS TO BE SINGED BY ALL THESIS COMMITTEE IF STUDENT RECEIVED GRADE CONDITIONAL SATISFACTORY ON HIS/HER PROPOSAL/THESIS DEFENSE. THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT THE ABOVE STUDENT HAS FULFILLED ALL THE REQUIREMENTS REQUESTED BY THE THESIS COMMITTEE DURING; A- PROPOSAL DEFENSE B- THESIS DEFENSE 25

26 Date of the Defense Grade Title of Proposal/Thesis.... THESIS COMMITTEE TO BE SINGED ON THIS FORM NAME OF ADVISOR SIGNATURE NAME OF CO-ADVISORS.. SIGNATURE. NAME OF CO-ADVISORS..SIGNATURE. NAME OF CO-ADVISORS.. SIGNATURE. 26