Harley
What are the average requirements for a thesis or dissertation?
I am an avid writer, and I don't think a thesis or dissertation will be too difficult for me. However, this is a high school student speaking, so I can't really be sure. I'd like to know ( on average) what the requirements are in the forensic pathology field, so I can get used to writing with them. Thank you!
#doctorate-degree #masters #writing #thesis #dissertation #highschool #forensics #medical-education
4 answers
Kelly Desso
Kelly’s Answer
I've noticed that even some undergraduate programs, typically honors ones, are now offering students the opportunity to write a thesis. I must say, it's a brilliant way to lay the groundwork for advanced research. As Ann mentioned, it's a good idea to review the curriculum of your prospective school. You'll likely find several courses designed to equip students with the skills needed to write a thesis or dissertation. These might include research methods, qualitative/quantitative methods, and statistics (I recall one of my degrees required four levels of statistics, which proved invaluable for my doctoral dissertation).
Also, it's beneficial to identify instructors with whom you have a good rapport, as they may end up guiding you throughout your thesis journey. For my doctorate, I had the privilege of choosing my committee, whereas for my masters, the committee was assigned to me. Neither my doctorate nor my M.S. programs had a page minimum for the thesis, but they did provide a chapter-by-chapter outline (introduction, literature review, methodology, data findings, conclusions).
When you're considering a program, it's also important to find out how long you'll be given to complete your thesis. I've experienced timeframes ranging from as short as eight weeks to as long as several years, depending on the program.
Inspiration for your thesis topic can come from the most unexpected places. For my first M.S. program, I chose a topic that an educator had dismissed as a bad idea, based on personal opinion rather than rational argument. This only fueled my determination to impress the committee! For my second M.S., I selected a topic that would bolster my career advancement. For my doctorate, I knew I'd be dedicating several years to the subject, so I chose a topic that I was passionate about improving in the field. You'll hear a range of opinions from both committee and non-committee professors, but remember, it's the committee members who'll be giving the final approval!
James Constantine Frangos
James Constantine’s Answer
Thesis or Dissertation Guidelines for Forensic Pathology Studies
The requirements for a thesis or dissertation in forensic pathology can differ based on the specific program or institution. Yet, there are common elements and expectations typically linked to writing a thesis or dissertation in this field:
1. Length: Forensic pathology theses and dissertations generally vary in length from 50 to 200 pages, based on the level of study (master’s or doctoral) and the specific program requirements.
2. Original Research: A significant aspect of a forensic pathology thesis or dissertation is the incorporation of original research. This could involve performing experiments, surveys, case studies, or other empirical research on forensic pathology topics.
3. Literature Review: A thorough literature review is often required. This includes summarizing and evaluating existing research and scholarly works related to the study topic.
4. Methodology: It is vital to clearly outline the methodology used in conducting the research. In forensic pathology, this could involve detailing autopsy procedures, data collection methods, analysis techniques, etc.
5. Analysis and Findings: The presentation and interpretation of the research results is a crucial part of a thesis or dissertation. In forensic pathology, this could involve discussing findings from autopsies, forensic examinations, or other investigative procedures.
6. Conclusion and Recommendations: The thesis or dissertation should conclude with a summary of key findings, implications for the forensic pathology field, and suggestions for future research.
7. Formatting and Citation Style: Adhering to specific formatting guidelines (such as APA, MLA, Chicago) and ensuring proper citation of sources throughout the document is essential for maintaining academic integrity.
In summary, crafting a thesis or dissertation in forensic pathology demands a profound understanding of the subject, robust research skills, critical thinking abilities, and effective communication skills to clearly and convincingly present findings.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Consulted:
American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS): The AAFS provides useful information on standards and best practices in forensic sciences, including guidelines for writing theses and dissertations in fields like forensic pathology.
National Institute of Justice (NIJ): The NIJ provides resources related to forensic science research and education, which can be useful in understanding the expectations for academic writing in disciplines such as forensic pathology.
University Guidelines on Thesis/Dissertation Writing: Specific university guidelines from institutions offering programs in forensic pathology can offer detailed instructions on formatting requirements, research expectations, and other crucial aspects of writing a thesis or dissertation in this field.
Stay Blessed!
James Constantine Frangos.
Ann Gianoglio Burk, MBA
Ann’s Answer
Hi Harley,
I am glad that you enjoy writing! That will be a huge part a dissertation. I've worked with hundreds of students writing dissertations, so I hope I can help. The biggest difference between a thesis or dissertation and the sort of writing you are used to is that these will be research intensive. When writing a dissertation, you will pick a topic in which you are discovering knowledge that someone hasn't done before. You will have to do what we call secondary research and find out what studies have already been conducted on the topic first. Then you will determine what research questions you want to answer. For example, "Are the characteristics that all serial killers share?" Once you know what questions you want to answer you will determine what type of testing you want to do. An example would be surveying serial killers and then running statistics tests on these. (Don't worry. You will take plenty of courses that will teach how to do it.) From there you will explain what you learned from the study. In the end you will defend your findings in a presentation to faculty to consider your findings significant.
I recommend searching for dissertations online to get an idea of what they are like. I know this is a lot, so feel free to reach out with more questions!
Serge V. Vaval, M.P.A.
Serge V.’s Answer
What school is this for? Many of schools have different requirements for their thesis or dissertation. Click on the link below to see the requirements for Rowan University. Hope this helps you out.
https://rowanu.com/academic-resources/thesis-dissertation
Serge