Commentary on the Preparation of the PhD ( Doctoral ) / Master Degree Concept Note
Commentary on the Preparation of the PhD ( Doctoral ) / Master Degree Concept Note
By Montanus Milanzi ( PhD Management Science ) Mzumbe University , SoPAM P . O . Box 2 Mzumbe , Tanzania Email : mcmilanzi @ hotmail . com , Tel : + 255 784 324627
I
am writing this short article in order to guide you and the general readers particularly researchers , who seem to have shown the determination to start and enter into the advanced degree bandwagon in our institutions of higher learning . Most of us who have engaged in such a journey at the beginning fail to recognize how the doctoral degree program and master degree study demand . The learners take the writing of a PhD or master proposal very lightly and with the halo effect of PhD / master degree work is very simple ! They think that preparing a dissertation / thesis proposal is a matter of sitting for 2 or 3 hours or surfing in the internet in the café or at home for half an hour attempting to cut and paste some texts and then produce a document , which is christened a Dissertation / Thesis Proposal .
I believe that even the genius ones would require some monster time ( may be months ) to germinate the ideas into a proposal . It is in fact most people or students equate the writing of the advanced Proposal for PhD or master degree as if it is similar to producing the bachelor degree or the diploma proposal . On the contrary , a dissertation or a thesis proposal for doctoral or master degree work should constitute a well thought out scientific piece of plan .
It is not the intention of the author of this article to debate on the nature and major features of dissertations / theses . The aim is rather to outline the major pre requirements that are needed before one starts to write a dissertation / thesis proposal specifically for those applicants whose degree programmes will be hosted by the School of Public Administration and Management ( SOPAM ) of Mzumbe University . To start with , it is wrong ( at least in our University ) to use the two words , ‘ dissertation ’ and ‘ thesis ’, interchangeably . The two words carry different meanings and hence , they should not be considered similar . Each of the two products possesses distinct and different features in the academic discourse . For instance , a dissertation should reflect an independent scientific research and critical evaluation literature based on scientifically recognized methods and techniques , demonstrate that the candidate is able to master the terminology and master information accurately , demonstrate that the candidate is able to integrate and critically evaluate information and has the ability to arrive at his / her own independent and ( possibly accurate ) conclusion and show the significance of the candidate ’ s research and the implications of the results . On the other hand , a thesis should : provide a proof of independent scientific research , reflect on in depth investigation of the available literature including the identification of anomalies and gaps present in the consulted literature , identify the rationale of the current study and make an original contribution to science specifically the generation of knowledge , among other intentions .
Students need not rush when preparing proposals for the higher degree dissertations / theses . It is advised that each applicant or student should first come up with a Concept Note or a Concept Paper ( less than 5 pages ), which hints on the basic issues related to his / her advanced study before writing a proposal . The piece of advice I am offering here is that a Concept Note should have informed a reader or the applicant him / herself the following pieces of information :
1 ) When a Concept Note is written a reader or a student him / herself should be able to answer the following question : Will the proposed research / study make any contribution to knowledge or
Convocation Newsletter | 2017 24