2018 Revised Hutech - Thesis Guidelines
2018 Revised Hutech - Thesis Guidelines
2018 Revised Hutech - Thesis Guidelines
THESIS GUIDELINES
Requirements and guidelines for preparation of Theses of
Master of Arts in English language
(For internal use only)
THESIS GUIDELINES
For Master of Arts in English linguistics
SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this manual is to provide overall guidelines of the Master thesis
preparation at HCMC University of Technology (HUTECH). This manual contains
explanations of style and format as well as organization of the thesis. It also features
an overview of a thesis sample. Hence, it is advisable that students should read all
guidelines prior their preparation of manuscript so as to grasp the format and purposes
behind the rules.
Students should be responsible for satisfying all requirements for the thesis
required by HUTECH, as detailed in this document. Furthermore, a student‟s thesis
which does not conform and use correct forms and rules of spelling, punctuation, and
grammar, and commits plagiarism, falsification of data, or other research misconduct
may result in a thesis being declared rejected.
The acceptant length of a master thesis is approximately 20,000 words (but not
more than 45,000 words).
The margins on each sheet must be 3.5 cm at the top, 3 cm at the bottom, 3.5 cm
on the left hand side, and 2 cm on the right hand side.
Font for the title page should be Times New Roman with a 20-point size.
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Font for the rest of the thesis should be Times New Roman with a 13-point size
(exceptions of footnotes, subscripts and superscripts, and for tables, figures or
illustrations imported from other sources).
Italics and boldface are acceptable only for occasional, appropriate use.
2.4. Justification
A thesis should be fully justified (e.g., have even left- and right-hand margins).
2.6. Pagination
Every single page in the thesis must be numbered at the bottom center, except
for the title page (the title page counts as a page but does not include a page
number).
The lead (prefatory) pages, up to the beginning of the text, are to be numbered
with lower case Roman numerals (e.g., i, ii, iii, iv, etc.) on the top middle of the
paper.
Beginning with the first page of the text, all page numbers must be in Arabic
numerals, beginning with the number “1”, and continuing consecutively.
2.7. Headings
Chapters should be written using at least major and minor headings, with the
levels of headings numerically distinguished, e.g.
1.1
1.1.1
A new page should begin with each element of the front matter (list of tables,
acknowledgements, etc.), the reference section, and each appendix.
A heading near the bottom of a page should be avoided unless there is room for
two lines of text following the heading. Instead, a little extra space should be
left on that page and the heading should begin on the next page.
The format of citation should be consistently conformed in accordance with the 6th
APA (American Psychological Association) style detailed at http://www.apastyle.org/
Format: Author‟s surname, initials of middle names and first name, year.
Many studies (e.g., Le Thi Ly, 2015; Nguyen Van Binh, 2014) examined the
trend in….
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b.1. Book
Format: Author‟s Surname, Middle name & first name in full words (Date of
publication). Title (Edition, if not the first). Place of publication: Publisher.
e.g.,
Nguyen, Thien Giap (2000). Vietnamese Pragmatics (Dụng Học Việt Ngữ). Ha
Noi: Publishing House of National University.
Tran, Hoang Phu (2005). Vietnamese Culture: An introduction (3rd ed.). Ho Chi
Minh City: Vietnam National University-HCM Press.
Format: Author‟s Surname, Middle name & first name in full words. (Year of journal).
Full title of article. Full Title of Journal, Volume Number (Issue Number), page
numbers of article.
e.g.,
Tran, Quoc Thao, & Dang, Van Hung (2014). Culture Teaching in English
Language Teaching: Teachers Beliefs and their Classroom Practices. Korea
TEOSL Journal, 11(1), 207-223.
Tran, Quoc Thao, & Seepho, S. (2016). Intercultural Language Education: EFL
Learners‟ Perceptions Toward Intercultural Language Communicative
Teaching. Philippine ESL Journal, 16, 46-64.
2.9. Footnotes
Notes (if any) should be positioned as footnotes, placed at the bottom of the
page on which the notes are marked by superscript numerals. Entries should be single-
spaced with a double space between entries. The numbering of footnotes should be
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The number and title of a table should be placed above the table.
The number and title of a figure should be placed below the figure.
The typeface of table and figure titles must match that of the text.
All tables and figures must be referenced explicitly in the text immediately
preceding their placement.
If there is not sufficient space on the page to place the table or figure, the text
should continue to the normal bottom margin and the table or figure should be
placed on the next page.
If a table or figure is more than half a page in size, it should be placed by itself
on the page immediately following the page on which it is first mentioned. In
this case, the text should continue to the normal bottom margin on the
preceding page, and it should be resumed normally across the page break, on
the page following the full-page table or figure.
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2.11. Proofreading
Cover page
Title page
Acknowledgements
Abstract
Table of contents
List of tables
List of figures
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 3: Methodology
Chapter 5: Conclusion
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References
Appendices
The cover page of the thesis is the very first page which displays the information
as follows:
The title page is right after the cover page, and it displays the same information
as appeared on the cover page.
This section is a declaration that the thesis has not previously been submitted
for a degree or similar award at another institution.
This section indicates the agreement of retention and use of the thesis deposited
in the library for purposes of study and research, in accordance with the normal
conditions established by the Librarian for the care, loan or reproduction of theses.
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3.5. Acknowledgements
Explaining the thesis journey, its challenges, and how to overcome them.
Identifying people to thank (e.g., supervisor, research participants, etc.) and
thanking them properly.
Accepting responsibility and making dedications.
3.6. Abstract
Background information
Research problem(s)
Aims / purposes
Research design (sampling, methods for data collection and analysis)
Results
Conclusions
Implications (if)
The word length is no more 350 words. Furthermore, there should be at least
five key words following right after the abstract.
The table of contents contains all front matter material that follows it (e.g., title page,
statement of authority, retention and use of the thesis, acknowledgements, and
abstract). It also lists the chapter titles as follows:
Chapter 1: Introduction
1.1.
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1.2.
1.3.
2.1.
2.2.
2.3.
This section appears after the table of contents. Each title should be worded
exactly as it appears on the table in the document. All tables in the text and in the
appendices should be included.
The list of figures should appear after the list of tables. Each entry should be
worded exactly as it is worded in the figure title, except that parenthetical information
in the figure legend that has meaning only in reference to the figure need not appear in
the figure title in this list. All figures appearing in the text and appendices should be
included on this list.
This type of list presents all the abbreviations and symbols that are used in the
thesis. It should appear after the lists of tables and figures.
The role of the literature review in thesis is to provide a critical review and analysis
of the literature relevant to a particular topic. The purposes of a literature review can
be to:
Most of the citations should be recent (preferable in the last five to seven years).
Earlier studies should only be cited if they appear to be classic, landmark
studies.
Literature reviews should cite works from journals, books or government
document.
The Methodology Chapter tells readers how the research has been conducted in
order to answer research questions. It may have sections that explain:
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Research design
Research site / Research context
Sample and sampling procedures
Research instruments
Data collection procedures
Data analysis procedures
Validity and reliability
RESULTS
The Results section is normally written in a descriptive and narrative style, presenting
straightforwardly all the details observed and recorded that will make the focused
experiment stand out from the previous studies. The moves and steps for this section
can be as follows:
Moves Steps
Move 1 – Preparatory information
Move 2 – Reporting results
Move 3 – Commenting on results Interpreting results
Comparing results with literature
Evaluating results
Accounting for results
Move 4 – Summarizing results
Adapted from Yang and Allison‟s Framework for the Results Section Analysis (2003,
p. 374)
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DISCUSSIONS
This section will indicate how the results can be reviewed, interpreted,
evaluated, and made use of for specific implications, and applications. The focus is
shifted to the specific findings from the present study where are foregrounded. The
works of others are mentioned this time to confirm, compare, or contradicted with
these findings. It explains differences and similarities, and makes claims for
contributions to research.
Moves Notes
Move 1 – Information move Background about theory, research
aims or methodology
Move 2 – Finding With or without a reference to a graph
or a table
Move 3 – Expected or unexpected Comment on whether the result is
outcome expected or not
Move 4 – Reference to previous
research
Move 5 – Explanation Reasons for expected or unexpected
results
Move 6 – Claim Contribution to research, sometimes
with recommendations for action
Adapted from Peacock‟s Framework for the Discussion Section Analysis (2002, p.
492)
3.16. References
correct and presented consistently. For more information on the 6th APA Reference
Style, please visit the website: http://www.apastyle.org/
3.17. Appendices
Materials related to the text but not suitable to be included in it (raw data, tables,
copies of documents, etc.) may be placed in an appendix. When there is more than one
appendix, each should be given a letter, e.g. Appendix A, Appendix B. Appendices
should be referred to the body of thesis.
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(TITLE)
(Research title; Font: 20, Times New Roman, centered, bold)
Submitted to the
Faculty of English Linguistics
in partial fulfillment of the Master‟s degree in English Linguistics
By
NGUYEN VAN A
Supervised by
NGUYEN VAN B, PHD
(Font: 16, Times New Roman, centered, bold)
CERTIFICATE OF ORIGINALITY
THESIS TITLE
NGUYEN VAN A
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I hereby state that I, NGUYEN VAN A, being a candidate for the degree of Master of
Arts (English Linguistics) accept the requirements of the University relating to the
retention and use of Master‟s Theses deposited in the Library.
In terms of these conditions, I agree that the original of my Master‟s Thesis deposited
in the Library should be accessible for purposes of study and research, in accordance
with the normal conditions established by the Librarian for the care, loan, and
reproduction for theses.
Signature …………………………….
NGUYEN VAN A
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would first like to express my deepest gratitude to Dr. Nguyen Van B, my supervisor,
for his patience, guidance, insightful advice, and constant encouragement through the
whole research process. Without his support and guidance, this thesis would never
have been completed.
…..
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ABSTRACT
Acknowledgements…………………………………………………………… iii
Abstract……………………………………………………………………….. iv
Table of contents……………………………………………………………… v
List of abbreviations………………………………………………………….. xi
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
2.2….
….
2.x Summary………………………………………………………….
CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY
CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION
REFERENCES
APPENDICES
Appendix A
Appendix B
….
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LIST OF TABLES
Page
LIST OF FIGURES
Page
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
……..
CHAPTER 2
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introduction
….
2.x Summary
26
CHAPTER 3
METHODOLOGY
3.1 Introduction
….
3.x Summary
27
CHAPTER 4
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Results
4.2.1…
4.3 Discussions
4.3.1…
4.x Summary
28
CHAPTER 5
CONCLUSION
5.1 Conclusion
5.2…
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REFERENCES
Alptekin, C., & Alptekin, M. (1984). The Question of Culture: EFL Teaching in
Non-English Speaking Countries. ELT Journal, 38(1), pp. 14-20.
Baker, J. (2002). Trilingualism. In L. Delpit & J. K. Dowdy (Eds.). The Skin that we
Speak: Thoughts on Language and Culture in the Classroom, pp. 49-61. New
York: The New Press.
……
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APPENDIXES
APPENDIX A
…..