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South African Thesis Requirements

           BTh, MTh, and PhD

             By Kevin G. Smith
What are the expectations of a thesis at each level?

   THESIS REQUIREMENTS


South African Thesis Requirements
MTh: Some Basic Guidelines
• In a thesis-only programme, the MTh thesis should be
  approximately 40,000-50,000 words in length, and should
  contain in the vicinity of 100-150 bibliography entries.

• In a mini-thesis at the end of a coursework MTh, the
  guidelines are 20,000-25,000 words and 50-75 sources.

• The MTh thesis should be properly
  formatted, referenced, and edited.

• The MTh thesis should be logically and linguistically coherent.


South African Thesis Requirements
PhD: Some Basic Guidelines
• The PhD dissertation should be approximately 80,000-100,000
  words in length.

• The PhD dissertation should have approximately 250-300
  bibliography entries.

• The PhD dissertation should be properly
  formatted, referenced, and edited.

• The PhD dissertation should be logically and linguistically
  coherent.


South African Thesis Requirements
Comparison of Thesis Levels
BTh level                           MTh level                        PhD level
36 credits                          180 credits                      360 credits

10,000-15,000 words                 40,000-50,000 words              80,000-100,000 words

30-40 pages                         140-160 pages                    250-350 pages

30-50 sources                       100-150 sources                  250-300 sources

Candidates must systema-            Candidates must master the       Candidates must add new
tically analyze the selected        selected topic in the field of   knowledge to the field of
topic in the field of study.        study.                           study.




South African Thesis Requirements
Comparison of thesis levels
• BTh level: design and execute a small research project in a
  chosen field of study, showing reasonable command of the
  subject area and the appropriate research methods.

• MTh level: demonstrate mastery of the literature and
  research methods which relate to the chosen topic and field
  of study.

• PhD level: contribute new scientific knowledge in the field of
  study (assumes mastery of literature and research methods).



South African Thesis Requirements
Comparison of Thesis Levels

                                    PhD   • New knowledge
                                          • Publication



                                    MTh   • Literature
                                          • Methodologies



                                    BTh   • Basic skills
                                          • Limited scope



South African Thesis Requirements
Assessment Criteria by Level
                                    • Make a significant, original, and substantial contribution
                                      to existing knowledge at the frontiers of the discipline?
                                    • Write a research report worthy of publication, either in its

                             PhD      entirety or in key sections?


                                                 • Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of
                                                   existing research and literature in field.
                                                 • Select and properly apply appropriate
                                                   research methods with competence.

                            MTh                  • Develop a cohesive and coherent argument
                                                   around the chosen thesis.
                                                              • Identify, conceptualize, and
                                                                conduct a research project?
                                                              • Demonstrate familiarity with
                                                                academic models and methods.

                             BTh
                                                              • Demonstrate linguistic
                                                                competence in the presentation
                                                                of a coherent thesis.


South African Thesis Requirements
What kind of topic can be researched at each level?

   ILLUSTRATION OF VIABLE THESES


South African Thesis Requirements
Illustration: Synoptic Problem
Three students—Linda (BTh), Kalnisha (MTh), and Javier
(PhD)—all elect to write their theses on “the Synoptic
Problem”. What would be expected of each student to
do justice to the topic at the level of his or her thesis?
At which levels is it possible to write a thesis on “The
Synoptic Problem”?
Give this some thought before you move to the next
slide.


South African Thesis Requirements
Synoptic Problem: BTh Level
• Can Linda write her BTh thesis on The Synoptic
  Problem?
• At the BTh level, she does not need to master all the
  literature or to contribute anything new.
• All she has to do is write 40 solid pages, covering the
  major views in an organised manner.
• Therefore, this is doable.


South African Thesis Requirements
Synoptic Problem: MTh Level
• Can Kalnisha write her MTh thesis on The Synoptic
  Problem?
• She is unlikely to demonstrate mastery of the vast
  body of literature in a 150-page thesis.
• She is likely to write a dry and thin rehash of existing
  views.
• Therefore, this is not doable.


South African Thesis Requirements
Synoptic Problem: PhD Level
• Can Javier write his PhD dissertation on The Synoptic
  Problem?

• To pass his PhD, he will have to contribute something
  new to the scholarly discussion of The Synoptic Problem.

• The topic is doable if he has discovered an original
  hypothesis that he can defend convincingly.

• The burden is upon Javier to make an original
  contribution.

South African Thesis Requirements
How will my thesis be examined?

   ASSESSMENT CRITERIA FOR A PH.D.


South African Thesis Requirements
Exit-level outcomes for a PhD
 1. Identify, understand, interpret, integrate, apply, and
    communicate a body of new knowledge (original research) in
    interaction with existing knowledge (current state of research
    in the field of study).

 2. Apply logical, theoretical, analytic, creative and systematic
    thinking effectively to solve a range of problems within a
    focused research context.

 3. Exhibit the ability to identify and address issues of ethical
    action and social responsibility in the field of research.


South African Thesis Requirements
Exit-level outcomes for a PhD
 4. Apply principles of sound research practice in
    collecting, organizing, and evaluating information in terms of
    a critical understanding of relevant research
    methodologies, techniques, and technologies.

 5. Be aware of, and be able to interact constructively
    with, multicultural and multi-faith communities, from a
    theological perspective.

 6. Apply the insights of one or more disciplines to identify and
    critique issues of church and society.


South African Thesis Requirements
Core Assessment Criteria for PhD
• Does the candidate demonstrate comprehensive knowledge
  of existing research and literature?

• Does the candidate demonstrate a high level of independent
  research capability?

• Does the dissertation make a significant, original, and
  substantial contribution to existing knowledge at the frontiers
  of the discipline?

• Is the dissertation publishable, either as a whole or in part?


South African Thesis Requirements
Bill Domeris’ Criteria
• Demonstrate linguistic competence in the presentation of a
  coherent thesis.
• Demonstrate familiarity with academic methods and models.
• Demonstrate a good understanding of the relevant academic
  sources in the chosen area of study.
• Demonstrate ability to develop a cohesive and coherent
  argument around the chosen thesis.
• Include material which is worth publishing.
• Add significantly to the body of existing knowledge in the
  field.
• Make an original contribution to the subject area.

South African Thesis Requirements

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South African Thesis Requirements

  • 1. South African Thesis Requirements BTh, MTh, and PhD By Kevin G. Smith
  • 2. What are the expectations of a thesis at each level? THESIS REQUIREMENTS South African Thesis Requirements
  • 3. MTh: Some Basic Guidelines • In a thesis-only programme, the MTh thesis should be approximately 40,000-50,000 words in length, and should contain in the vicinity of 100-150 bibliography entries. • In a mini-thesis at the end of a coursework MTh, the guidelines are 20,000-25,000 words and 50-75 sources. • The MTh thesis should be properly formatted, referenced, and edited. • The MTh thesis should be logically and linguistically coherent. South African Thesis Requirements
  • 4. PhD: Some Basic Guidelines • The PhD dissertation should be approximately 80,000-100,000 words in length. • The PhD dissertation should have approximately 250-300 bibliography entries. • The PhD dissertation should be properly formatted, referenced, and edited. • The PhD dissertation should be logically and linguistically coherent. South African Thesis Requirements
  • 5. Comparison of Thesis Levels BTh level MTh level PhD level 36 credits 180 credits 360 credits 10,000-15,000 words 40,000-50,000 words 80,000-100,000 words 30-40 pages 140-160 pages 250-350 pages 30-50 sources 100-150 sources 250-300 sources Candidates must systema- Candidates must master the Candidates must add new tically analyze the selected selected topic in the field of knowledge to the field of topic in the field of study. study. study. South African Thesis Requirements
  • 6. Comparison of thesis levels • BTh level: design and execute a small research project in a chosen field of study, showing reasonable command of the subject area and the appropriate research methods. • MTh level: demonstrate mastery of the literature and research methods which relate to the chosen topic and field of study. • PhD level: contribute new scientific knowledge in the field of study (assumes mastery of literature and research methods). South African Thesis Requirements
  • 7. Comparison of Thesis Levels PhD • New knowledge • Publication MTh • Literature • Methodologies BTh • Basic skills • Limited scope South African Thesis Requirements
  • 8. Assessment Criteria by Level • Make a significant, original, and substantial contribution to existing knowledge at the frontiers of the discipline? • Write a research report worthy of publication, either in its PhD entirety or in key sections? • Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of existing research and literature in field. • Select and properly apply appropriate research methods with competence. MTh • Develop a cohesive and coherent argument around the chosen thesis. • Identify, conceptualize, and conduct a research project? • Demonstrate familiarity with academic models and methods. BTh • Demonstrate linguistic competence in the presentation of a coherent thesis. South African Thesis Requirements
  • 9. What kind of topic can be researched at each level? ILLUSTRATION OF VIABLE THESES South African Thesis Requirements
  • 10. Illustration: Synoptic Problem Three students—Linda (BTh), Kalnisha (MTh), and Javier (PhD)—all elect to write their theses on “the Synoptic Problem”. What would be expected of each student to do justice to the topic at the level of his or her thesis? At which levels is it possible to write a thesis on “The Synoptic Problem”? Give this some thought before you move to the next slide. South African Thesis Requirements
  • 11. Synoptic Problem: BTh Level • Can Linda write her BTh thesis on The Synoptic Problem? • At the BTh level, she does not need to master all the literature or to contribute anything new. • All she has to do is write 40 solid pages, covering the major views in an organised manner. • Therefore, this is doable. South African Thesis Requirements
  • 12. Synoptic Problem: MTh Level • Can Kalnisha write her MTh thesis on The Synoptic Problem? • She is unlikely to demonstrate mastery of the vast body of literature in a 150-page thesis. • She is likely to write a dry and thin rehash of existing views. • Therefore, this is not doable. South African Thesis Requirements
  • 13. Synoptic Problem: PhD Level • Can Javier write his PhD dissertation on The Synoptic Problem? • To pass his PhD, he will have to contribute something new to the scholarly discussion of The Synoptic Problem. • The topic is doable if he has discovered an original hypothesis that he can defend convincingly. • The burden is upon Javier to make an original contribution. South African Thesis Requirements
  • 14. How will my thesis be examined? ASSESSMENT CRITERIA FOR A PH.D. South African Thesis Requirements
  • 15. Exit-level outcomes for a PhD 1. Identify, understand, interpret, integrate, apply, and communicate a body of new knowledge (original research) in interaction with existing knowledge (current state of research in the field of study). 2. Apply logical, theoretical, analytic, creative and systematic thinking effectively to solve a range of problems within a focused research context. 3. Exhibit the ability to identify and address issues of ethical action and social responsibility in the field of research. South African Thesis Requirements
  • 16. Exit-level outcomes for a PhD 4. Apply principles of sound research practice in collecting, organizing, and evaluating information in terms of a critical understanding of relevant research methodologies, techniques, and technologies. 5. Be aware of, and be able to interact constructively with, multicultural and multi-faith communities, from a theological perspective. 6. Apply the insights of one or more disciplines to identify and critique issues of church and society. South African Thesis Requirements
  • 17. Core Assessment Criteria for PhD • Does the candidate demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of existing research and literature? • Does the candidate demonstrate a high level of independent research capability? • Does the dissertation make a significant, original, and substantial contribution to existing knowledge at the frontiers of the discipline? • Is the dissertation publishable, either as a whole or in part? South African Thesis Requirements
  • 18. Bill Domeris’ Criteria • Demonstrate linguistic competence in the presentation of a coherent thesis. • Demonstrate familiarity with academic methods and models. • Demonstrate a good understanding of the relevant academic sources in the chosen area of study. • Demonstrate ability to develop a cohesive and coherent argument around the chosen thesis. • Include material which is worth publishing. • Add significantly to the body of existing knowledge in the field. • Make an original contribution to the subject area. South African Thesis Requirements

Hinweis der Redaktion

  1. Three students—Linda (BTh), Kalnisha (MTh), and Javier (PhD)—all elect to write their theses on “the Synoptic Problem”. What would be expected of each student to do justice to the topic at the level of his/her thesis? At which levels is it possible to write a thesis on “The Synoptic Problem”?Give this some thought before you move to the next slide.
  2. Synoptic Problem: BTh LevelWhy is it possible to write a BTh thesis on “The Synoptic Problem”? The answer lies in understanding what is required at the BTh level. Linda does not need master all the literature on the Synoptic Problem, and she doesn’t need to contribute anything “new” to the discussion. All she has to do is write 40 solid pages that accurately represents the major scholarly views. That is doable.
  3. Synoptic Problem: MTh LevelIn the quiz, I suggested that it is NOT possible for Kalnisha to write a Masters thesis on “The Synoptic Problem”. Why? Because in a Masters thesis, Kalnisha will need to demonstrate mastery of a vast body of literature on the Synoptic Problem. I doubt very much whether she will be able to do justice to the extensive body of literature on the topic. Her thesis is likely to degenerate into a dry and thin rehash of the existing views—hardly the stuff of good theses.
  4. Synoptic Problem: PhD LevelWhat about Javier? Can he write a PhD dissertation on the Synoptic Problem? It depends. If he is just fascinated by the topic and fancies spending 2-3 years of his life researching it, it is very risky. To pass his PhD, he will have to contribute something new to the scholarly discussion of the Synoptic Problem. Considering the extensive discussion of the Synoptic Problem by the great scholars, that will be difficult. However, if Javier has done extensive preliminary study of the existing literature, and has an innovative new hypothesis to present, then his thesis could make a major contribution to scholarship. The burden of making an original contribution lies with Javier.