Guidelines for Students Undertaking Fourth Year Honours Theses (ECPS)
- Once students have made
the decision to do Honours, they should begin to consider a possible
area (or areas) of research in which they will write their honours
thesis. This could involve some preliminary work on their part before
they approach members of staff of the School or Discipline to discuss
and firm up the final topic, for example, preliminary reading in
areas of research interest, a survey of basic bibliographical material,
or viewing of relevant works of art or films. The process of firming
up the thesis topic with staff members is facilitated if students
bring some initial ideas to their first meeting with their supervisor.
Above all, it is crucial that students choose a thesis topic that
is of intrinsic interest to them: they need to be committed to their
research project.
- The procedures by which a
supervisor is appointed for the honours thesis may vary slightly
from one Discipline to the next. Normally, students will approach
the Honours co-ordinator of the Discipline who will, in turn, refer
them to a potential supervisor from the academic staff. Students
may wish to express an opinion as to which member of staff they would
ideally like to supervise them. In most cases Disciplines are likely
to agree such requests, but this may not be possible on all occasions.
- Students should familiarise themselves with the Faculty
and School/Discipline regulations and guidelines for the writing
of Honours theses. At the commencement of the thesis, they are advised
to find out about the standard format and presentation of the thesis
within their particular Discipline. If in doubt, they should ask
their supervisor.
- It is expected that students
will be familiar with library and computer facilities within the
University. This might involve, for example, an awareness of the
existence of the Rare Books Room in the Main Library or Document
Delivery Service. They should be aware that the Main Library runs
introductory sessions on research methods, etc.
- It
is crucial that students should keep in regular contact with their
supervisor, during the dissertation period at least once every two
weeks. For the most part contact should be on a face to face basis,
but where circumstances do not permit this contact via e-mail or
by telephone may be acceptable. From the commencement of the thesis,
students should ascertain the day or days on which the supervisor
will be available for supervisory sessions. This can be particularly
pertinent for part-time Honours students.
- Should
students be forced to cancel an appointment with their supervisor,
they should notify the supervisor in advance, and make alternative
arrangements.
- Students should keep their supervisor
informed if they are experiencing any difficulties which are impeding
the progress of the thesis. If they experience problems with the
supervisory process that cannot be dealt with by consultation with
the supervisor, students should consult the Honours co-ordinator
of the School/Discipline. (If the Honours co-ordinator also happens
to be the supervisor, they can speak to the Head of the School/Discipline.)
It is important that any problems with the progress of the thesis
or with supervision are dealt with as they arise and not allowed
to worsen through lack of attention.
- Students
are expected to respond appropriately to the advice and guidance
given by their supervisor in respect of the thesis. The supervisor
may point out errors of fact, incorrect dates, incorrect spelling
of names or titles, etc. in the students' drafts and such elementary
errors should be corrected as a matter of course. More importantly,
in commenting on drafts the supervisor will provide advice on such
matters as the nature of arguments advanced, important theoretical
and conceptual issues, the employment of evidence, or appropriate
literature to be consulted. Ultimately, however, the content of the
thesis remains the responsibility of the student. If students experience
difficulties with their command of expression or other aspects of
academic writing, their supervisor may refer them to the Language
and Learning Unit in the Arts Faculty.
- Students
should submit drafts at a date agreed upon with their supervisor.
Students are advised to arrange with their supervisor a realistic
timetable for the submission of drafts of the entire thesis. Supervisors
may not be able to read drafts given to them at the eleventh hour
before the final submission date of the thesis. Careful planning
of and adherence to the stages of writing and submitting drafts can
prevent difficulties arising later.
- Students
should allow sufficient time for their supervisor to return drafts
for discussion at the next supervisor's meeting. Under normal
circumstances, the turnaround time will not exceed two weeks.
- It is expected that the presentation of student drafts
will conform to the standards and requirements of the School or Discipline
and be suitable for the supervisor to read without undue difficulty.
- It is expected that students will carefully proof-read
the thesis before submission and ensure that it is presented in the
format required by the School/Discipline.
- Students
should, as a matter of course, keep back-up copies of the their thesis
at all stages of writing.
- The thesis will be
marked by two examiners, neither of whom will be the thesis supervisor.
Students may wish to express an opinion as to which member of staff
they would ideally like to examine the thesis, but the decision ultimately
lies with the supervisor or Discipline co-ordinator. In those instances
where a suitable examiner is not available within the School/Discipline
the thesis may be sent to another School or University for examination.
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