Master's Thesis Formatting - 7 steps to bypass the discussion committee
Organizing and coordinating the master’s thesis is a crucial element that contributes to the success of the scientific thesis and helps it pass the discussion committee successfully. Preparing the thesis in an organized and coordinated manner helps provide a comprehensive understanding of the content and enhances the reader’s understanding of the ideas presented. In this context, we will show you 10 easy steps to achieve Perfect coordination of the master’s thesis, with the aim of standing out before the discussion committee, but before we know what the coordination steps are, we must know the concept of coordination and its importance.
The concept of master’s thesis format
Master’s thesis format is a term that refers to the effective arrangement and organization of the various elements and sections that make up this research work. It relates to how the content is presented and organized in a way that facilitates the process of understanding and reading it. The format also aims to highlight the structure of the thesis and facilitate observation and comprehension by readers, especially the discussion committee.
The process of formatting a master’s thesis is not simple, but it is also not as difficult as a master’s thesis, as the difficulty of the master’s thesis depends on several factors, including the research topic, the field of study, the level of analysis and research required, and the extent required by the university or study program.
The importance of formatting a master’s thesis
The main goal of formatting a master’s thesis is to provide a smooth and effective reading experience for the recipient, regardless of the language of the thesis. There are differences between how to format a master’s thesis in English and Arabic, which lie in punctuation marks, terminology, citation patterns, references, and sentence and paragraph structures.
However, the goal remains ease of reading so that the reader can understand the content in a sequential and organized manner. Good formatting also contributes to achieving focus on the main idea of the message and makes the process of discussion and evaluation easier and more effective, through several points:
1- Clarity of presentation
Clarity of presentation in the master’s thesis format refers to how information and ideas are presented clearly and effectively within the thesis. Clarity of presentation is considered an important part of the overall format of the thesis, as it contributes to facilitating the reader’s understanding of the content and makes reading more effective. Good organization of chapters, paragraphs, and titles also allows for clarity. High in displaying information.
2- Facilitating reading
Facilitating reading in a master’s thesis format means organizing and arranging the content in a way that makes reading more understandable and smooth. This includes many elements that enhance readability and better understanding of the content. Good arrangement and organization also contribute to facilitating the reading process, making the reader able to follow the main idea of the thesis. Logically and sequentially.
3- Highlighting the logistical structure
Highlighting the logical structure in the master's thesis format means highlighting the logical organization of the content and ideas within the thesis. This aims to provide a logical and harmonious arrangement of information, which makes the reader able to understand the sequence of ideas and relationships between chapters and sections, due to the interconnectedness and logical sequence of the content.
4- Facilitating review and evaluation
Facilitating review and evaluation in a master's thesis format means organizing the content and elements in a way that helps the evaluator or reviewer effectively comprehend and evaluate the thesis. This includes providing an organized and consistent structure, logically organizing and arranging chapters and sections, and using methods that facilitate careful examination of the content.
5- Stimulating positive interaction
Stimulating positive interaction in master's thesis format means designing the thesis in a way that encourages positive responses from the reader or evaluator. This aims to make the thesis more attractive and effective, and stimulate positive understanding and influence from the reader, as good formatting creates a positive impact on readers, including committees. Discussion, where they feel confident that the message has been carefully prepared and well organized.
6- Achieving linguistic harmony
Achieving linguistic harmony in the format of a master’s thesis means ensuring consistency and consistency in the language used in the thesis. This relates to adjusting the linguistic style and wording so that the text appears consistent and unified. Formatting contributes to achieving linguistic and grammatical harmony, which makes the message easy to read and understand, and reduces the chances of confusion or understanding. The sinner.
Components of a master's thesis
1- The cover
2- Acknowledgments page
3- Dedication page
4- Summary
5- Index
5- Introduction
6- Literature references
7- Theoretical framework
8- Research methodology
9- Results
10- Discussion
11- Conclusions
12- Attachments and tables
13- Reference list
These components form the basic structure of the master’s thesis, and the order may change or some elements may be modified according to the requirements of the university or specialization. In the following lines, we will discuss the steps for formatting the master’s thesis in a simple way.
Steps for formatting a master’s thesis
1- Number of pages and words
The number of pages in a master’s thesis should not be less than 200 pages and not more than 250 pages, excluding appendices, in contrast to the doctoral thesis, which should not exceed 450 pages. The number of words required in a master’s thesis depends on the policy and requirements of the university that issues the higher degree, usually The number of acceptable words is specified in the program announcement or in the regulations and instructions.
Master's theses in science and engineering usually range from 20,000 to 40,000 words, while in the arts and social sciences they may be less than that and range from 15,000 to 30,000 words, but it is always best to check the guidelines of the program or college offering the postgraduate course for admission. Exact details about the number of words required.
2- Printing
The size of the paper that is used for printing must be (A4), and 5 paper copies are usually printed. The researcher will submit one copy to each of the university presidency, the dissertation supervisor, the researcher’s specialty department, the library of the university where the researcher is studying, and the fifth to the postgraduate studies department. The researcher provides a CD of the scientific thesis with the printed copy to all the mentioned bodies.
the language
Master's and doctoral dissertations are written in Arabic, and it is sometimes permitted to write them in another language in some specializations by decision of the University Council, provided that they contain a sufficient summary in Arabic. The rules of the language and the principles of writing in it must be adhered to, attention must be given to linguistic review, and ensuring that there are no linguistic, spelling, or typographical errors. Direct words and short sentences should be used, while minimizing verbal enhancements such as metaphor, metonymy, and metonymy as much as possible.
4- Paragraphs
The paragraph system must be adhered to in writing, taking into account its consistency and lack of length. There must be an indented space at the beginning of the first line of each paragraph, by leaving a space by pressing the Tab key once, or six times on the ruler (Space).
5- Numbering and abbreviations
Punctuation marks must be taken care of and placed in their correct places, with a commitment not to put a space between the punctuation mark and the word that comes before it, while placing one space after the punctuation mark. To learn more about punctuation marks, you can read this guide, and through it you will learn about what is written in the introduction to a master’s thesis. The conclusion of a master’s thesis, and how to format tables in a master’s thesis.
6- Fonts and margins
The Arabic text must be written in “Arabic Traditional” font type, and the English text must be written in “Times New Roman” font type. The font size varies in writing a master’s thesis, as chapter titles are written in 20 bold font size, and subtitles 1 are written in 18 font size. Bold, sub-headings 2 should be written in font size 16 bold, the body of the message should be in font size 14, and footnotes should be written in font size 12. As for how to write the margins of a master’s thesis, a margin of 5.3 cm should be left on the right of the page in theses. Arabic, and to its left in English letters, and the remaining page margin is 5.2 cm.
7- Tables
The contents of the table are written in the same font as the text, but with a font size of 12, and the fields in the table header are written in bold. The font size can be reduced in large tables, preferably not less than 8 points. The outer frame of the table should be 5.1 points, while adhering to the black color in The internal borders and the rest of the table cells. The table is inserted in an appropriate place after referring to it in the text, taking into account that it is centered on the page and does not exceed the margins specified for the page. When tables are located inside the text, they are separated by a double space from the bottom and top.
Some mistakes that occur while writing a master's thesis
1- Not clarifying the main goal of the thesis can make the reader get lost in the content. The introduction must include clarity about the reason for the research and the goals expected to be achieved.
2- Not organizing the chapters well can make the reader lose the connection between the topics. The chapters and sections must be arranged in a logical and sequential manner.
3- Not providing an in-depth analysis and comprehensive discussion of the results reduces the value of the message. The results must be well explained and understood and their effects and meaning analyzed.
4- Using ambiguous or imprecise words can cause confusion. The writer must use precise and clear language to communicate ideas.
5- Failure to adhere to a certain citation style (such as APA or MLA) can lead to accusations of plagiarism. The citation rules followed in the field of study must be taken into account.
6- Failure to check for linguistic and spelling errors could negatively affect the credibility of the message. A careful linguistic audit and spelling check must be carried out.
7- Repeating information unnecessarily makes the message repetitive. The writer must avoid repetition and focus on adding new value in each chapter.
8- Lack of regular communication with the supervisor could lead to the message deviating from the desired direction. You must inquire and obtain regular directions from the supervisor.
Some of the frequently asked questions
Is a master's thesis included in the average?
The short answer is no. The master’s thesis is not included in the student’s cumulative GPA, because the master’s thesis is considered a research work independent of the courses that the student studies in the master’s program. The master’s thesis is usually estimated in a number of credit hours, but these hours are not included in calculating the average. Cumulative.
What is the difference between Master and Master?
The difference between Master and Master is that Master is the term used in the traditional academic system, while Master is the term used in the Single European Academic System (L.M.D.), and both terms are synonymous with one meaning, which is an academic degree granted after obtaining a bachelor's degree.
How many years does a master's degree take?
In general, a master's degree takes two to three years to complete, but the duration of study may vary from one university to another, and from one program to another. Some universities may allow students to complete the master's program within one year, while some universities may require students to complete the program. Within three years.
When are master's theses rejected?
The master's thesis may be rejected if it does not comply with the university's requirements, such as not adhering to the standards of content, format or language, and if the master's thesis is not of scientific interest, that is, if it does not make a new contribution to the field of knowledge, and if there are technical or methodological flaws in the research, If the presentation is unclear or incoherent, or the results are inaccurate or misleading.
How many chapters are there in a master’s thesis?
There is no specific number (minimum and maximum) for the number of semesters for a master’s thesis. Rather, it is up to the need of the master’s thesis and the vision of the researcher. However, most master’s theses consist of five main semesters, and the master’s thesis may increase or decrease the number of semesters as needed. Some dissertations may require an additional chapter to discuss the results, or an additional chapter to present the recommendations.
When do you write a master's thesis?
The master's thesis is usually written during the second year of the master's program, after the student has completed a sufficient number of courses that qualify him to begin work on the thesis, but the time for writing the master's thesis may vary from one university to another, and from one program to another. Some Universities may allow students to begin work on the dissertation in the first year, while some universities may require students to complete all coursework before beginning work on the dissertation.
How long does it take to write a master’s thesis?
The duration of writing a master's thesis varies from one student to another, from one university to another, and from one program to another. Some students may be able to complete the thesis within one year, while it may take some students several years. In general, the duration of writing a master’s thesis ranges from one to three years.