Structuring the thesis [electronic resource] : matching method, paradigm, theories and findings / Edited by David Kember & Michael Corbett.

Includes bibliographical references.

Intro; Preface; Reference; Contents; Classification of Thesis Structure Chapters; Editors and Contributors; Introduction; 1 Critical Reflections on the Conventional Thesis Structure and a Guide to the Research Questions Addressed in the Book; Abstract; A Voyage of Discovery; My Two Germinating Voyages; The Voyage as an Examiner; The Voice; The Role and Position of the Literature Review; Convoluted Writing Structure; The Supervisor Journey; Starting Point; Voice; Organising According to Emerging Themes; Position of the Literature Review. Research Students' Voyages Towards Alternative StructuresMethods, Theories and Paradigms; The Conventional Structure; References; 2 The Collective Voyage of Discovery: How the Book Was Developed and Produced; Abstract; The Collective Voyage; Rationale for the Critical Discussion: Questions Rather Than Answers; Call for Chapters; Expanded Call; Chapter Template; Initial Workshops; Discussion Workshops; First Drafts of Substantive and Framing Chapters; Reviewing; Conclusion; References; Mixed Methods; 3 The Paradigmatic Challenge of Mixed-Methods Research: Positivism, Relativism or Pragmatism? AbstractIntroduction; Education Research is Dynamic; Theory to Method; Context and Culture; Is There a Dichotomy?; Answering the Research Question; Method to Methodology; Summary; References; 4 An Exploration of Epistemological Beliefs, Learning Environment Expectations and Persistence Intentions: Insights into the Shaping of Student Persistence in the First Semester of University Study at Three Australian Universities; Research Question; What Was the Study About?; What Was the Method?; What Were the Theories and Paradigms Employed?; Structure; Commentary; References. 5 The Challenges Faced by Male Primary TeachersResearch Questions; What Was the Study About?; What Was the Method?; What Were the Theories and Paradigms Employed?; Structure; Commentary; References; 6 English Language Teaching in Nepal: An Investigation of Issues and Challenges; Research Question for This Chapter; What Was the Study About?; What Was the Methodology?; What Were the Theories and Paradigms Employed?; Grounded Theory; Interpretive and Positivist Paradigms; Structure of the Thesis; Commentary; References. 7 How Do Students Make Decisions About Overseas Higher Education? A Case Study of Chinese International Students at a Regional Australian UniversityResearch Question; What Was the Study About?; What Was the Method?; What Were the Theories and Paradigms Employed?; Paradigms; Literature Position; Structure; Commentary; References; 8 Linguistic Complexity in English Textbooks: A Functional Grammar Perspective; Research Question; What Was the Study About?; What Were the Theories and Paradigms Employed?; What Was the Method?; Structure; Chapter 1: Introduction.

The book is a collective investigation of the structuring of theses in education, the social sciences and other disciplines that commonly do not follow the standard procedures of the scientific method. To help research students design a structure for their own thesis and liberate their investigations from the constraints associated with the use of the conventional structure, it explains how the structures adopted were designed to suit the topic, methodology and paradigm. It also provides a wide range of examples to draw upon, which suit a broad spectrum of theory, methodological approaches, research methods and paradigms. Additionally, by analyzing the methodologies and paradigms, and reviewing the methodological and paradigmatic spectrum, it offers a significant contribution to the way research is conceptualized. The book addresses a number of key questions faced by students, supervisors and examiners:" hy do examiners often find it difficult to read work in non-scientific disciplines when theses are structured in accordance with the conventional scientific method?" hy do students in non-scientific disciplines struggle to write up the outcomes of their research in the conventional structure?" hat alternative thesis structures can be devised to better suit the wide range of methods?" hich theories and paradigms are commonly followed in education and the social sciences and how do these perspectives influence the research process?" hat methods, theories and paradigms are commonly adopted by education and social science students and what problems do these pose when students write their theses?