Research Project IV (Thesis Preparation)

Distance education course, where you learn to develop a thesis idea, and plan a thesis for research or post graduate academic studies; investigating a subject or problem in depth and detail.

Course Code: BGN301
Fee Code: S3
Duration (approx) Duration (approx) 100 hours
Qualification Statement of Attainment
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Thesis Preparation Course

  • Learn to prepare for and plan a thesis.
  • Start any time, work at your own pace
  • Be guided by highly qualified and experienced academic tutors

This is a unique course developed to expand a person's knowledge of research methodology; for students, writers, academics and entrepeneurs.

Lesson Structure

There are 10 lessons in this course:

  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
  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
  3. The Literature Review Part Two
    • Critical reading
    • Literature review structure
    • Writing
    • Verbs
    • Quotations
    • Presentation of work
  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
  5. The Method
    • Introduction
    • Structuring your research method
    • Research strategy
    • Data collection
    • Quantitative data
    • Qualitative data
    • Data sampling
    • Sampling methods
    • Research integrity
  6. Data Collection
    • Introduction
    • Primary and secondary sources of data
    • Quantitative data
    • Qualitative 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
  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
  8. Thesis Writing
    • Nature of thesis structure
    • Thesis structure guidelines: different types
  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

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

Aims

  • Construct a problem statement
  • Identify related literature resources which correspond to ‘the problem statement’
  • Understand nature of hypotheses and methods of hypothesis development
  • Develop initial method for your research project
  • Identify the data sources for the research project
  • Complete a Research Proposal
  • Understand how to structure a thesis
  • Complete an Ethics Form to gain approval for research
  • Write a thesis draft.

 
Flexible Study with ACS Distance Education

ACS Distance Education is unique. We allow you to choose how you study, where you study, what you study, how much you study, and when you study. 

  • Work fast or slow –you choose the intensity of study
  • Start, pause or restart according to changing demands of work, family or lifestyle.
  • Study this course by itself; or combine with others for a qualification
  • Mix and match modules so you only study what you want or need to learn -We allow you to construct your own “tailor made” certificates
  • Options in assignments allow you to focus on things with greater interest to you.
  • Study electronically (online or using a USB); or using printed notes.
  • Use (or don’t use) supplementary services for extra learning want –unlimited access to tutors,  an online student room, social media, bookstore, etc
  • Orientation video and student Manual at the start of your course will provide a clear guide to how you can study and get all sorts of support no matter where you live

 

WHY STUDY THIS COURSE?

To learn how to prepare a thesis - a significant academic document that presents the findings of your research work.

 

 

Member of Study Gold Coast Education Network.
Member of Study Gold Coast Education Network.
ACS Global Partner - Affiliated with colleges in seven countries around the world.
ACS Global Partner - Affiliated with colleges in seven countries around the world.
Since 1999 ACS has been a recognised member of IARC (International Approval and Registration Centre). A non-profit quality management organisation servicing education.
Since 1999 ACS has been a recognised member of IARC (International Approval and Registration Centre). A non-profit quality management organisation servicing education.

How can I start this course?

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If a student cannot submit their assignments for 6 months to ACS, they should advise the school to avoid cancellation of their student
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We offer printed notes for an additional fee. Also, you can request your course notes on a USB stick for an additional fee.

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More information is here

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Course Contributors

The following academics were involved in the development and/or updating of this course.

Dr Robert Browne

Zoologist, Environmental Scientist and Sustainability, science based consultancy with biotechnology corporations. Work focused on conservation and sustainability.
Robert has published work in the fields of nutrition, pathology, larval growth and development, husbandry, thermo-biology, reproduction technologies, and facility design.Robert has B.Sc., Ph, D.

Christine Todd

University lecturer, businesswoman, photographer, consultant and sustainability expert; with over 40 years industry experience
B.A., M.Plan.Prac., M.A.(Social).
An expert in planning, with years of practical experience in permaculture.

Dr. Lynette Morgan

Broad expertise in horticulture and crop production. She travels widely as a partner in Suntec Horticultural Consultants, and has clients in central America, the USA, Caribbean, South East Asia, the Middle East, Australia and New Zealand.

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