Master of Mass Communication Programme
School of Communication and Information
Nanyang Technological University
Purpose of the Dissertation (used in NTU to indicate the Master’s thesis)
The dissertation (6 Academic Units) is a required component of the M. Mass Comm. programme. Its main purpose is to develop the student's abilities for independent research and analysis and/or to develop and implement comprehensive professional project plans.
The dissertation should be a reflection of the knowledge gained from coursework along with professional experience and insight toward mastery of communication issues and problem solving.
The dissertation is therefore an indication of mastery in a field of study as well as a demonstration of the student's abilities to engage in substantive professional research and/or project activities.
Types of Dissertation
The dissertation may take the form of a thesis or project. In all cases, the term “dissertation” is the official university designation for both the thesis and project option within the programme.
Thesis:
The thesis option is regarded as mainly a research effort. It therefore follows the pattern of setting objectives based on posing research questions in a specific area of mass communication. The thesis will normally include a literature review, developing and implementing reasonably rigorous methods for investigation and providing an analysis of the results. It will also include conclusions based on the analysis as well as a list of references used and appendices if necessary.
Students contemplating a further research degree or anticipating being engaged in research activities in their future professional work are advised to undertake the thesis option for their master's dissertation. The thesis option is often required for consideration into a higher research degree programme such as a Ph.D.
Project:
The project option is meant as a practical planning and implementation contribution which furthers the goals and missions of professional media organisations in Singapore and the region. The project is likely to take the form of defining a problem to be solved, assessing the pertinent issues, setting objectives for outcomes to be met, developing and implementing a plan of action and producing tangible/measurable results. The project option is likely to be considered as a “terminal” degree. This means the formal educational degree process ends at this stage.
Identifying a Topic
Ideas for a dissertation topic may come from coursework, work experience or other activities. It is recommended that students start, and continuously refine, a list of possible topic ideas as they progress through their coursework. Ideas might be built on a combination of term papers, subject project work, readings, lecture material and the student's own working experience.
Selecting a Supervisor
Students are encouraged to “source” for a supervisor. This means making the effort to meet not only those faculty teaching subjects in the programme, but, also other faculty in the School. All full-time faculty members of the School (including visiting faculty with approval) may be dissertation supervisors. Students may wish to consult the School's handbook and website at http//:www.ntu.edu.sg/sci for information on faculty interests and publications. Students are also encouraged to consult with their professors and/or the programme coordinator.
It helps, when initially approaching a prospective supervisor, to have some topic ideas in mind and even perhaps an outline of a proposal.
Role of the Supervisor
The dissertation supervisor's main role is to advise and guide you through the dissertation process. They can help you shape your ideas into a do-able dissertation topic and advise you on the best course of action. They will necessarily be concerned with the organisation of the dissertation, its development, execution and overall quality.
Each supervisor and student will negotiate an appropriate working relationship
through periodic meetings in-person and/or through electronic means. Supervisors will review drafts of the dissertation prior to submission for examination. Students must anticipate that their supervisor will need a fair amount of time to read and comment on each draft. Also, supervisors may be on leave or otherwise unavailable for parts or all of the semester break periods. Therefore, plan accordingly to synchronize your schedule with your supervisor’s in order to complete the dissertation in a timely manner.
It remains, however, the sole responsibility of the student to ensure that all requirements of the dissertation are met.
Dissertation Proposal
The dissertation proposal is a 3-5 page document which outlines the major areas of the dissertation. It is advisable to prepare the proposal in the same format as the actual dissertation itself. For the thesis option, this might include a brief introduction to the topic, objectives, literature to be reviewed, methods and analysis procedures proposed and anticipated outcomes, and a concise bibliography. For the project option, the proposal might include a brief introduction to the problem, objectives to be met, background information to be considered, scope of the project work and anticipated outcomes. A timeline for the completion of the dissertation should also be included.
It is important to tie together a dissertation title, supervisor selection and proposal in a timely manner. To this end, students are to submit the dissertation proposal form any time after having completed at least four subjects and no later than at the time they have completed all eight subjects. Consideration for the student's continued candidacy in the programme depends upon timely completion of the dissertation proposal form.
Dissertation Proposal Form: (See Appendix A)
This form includes the student's study plan (subjects taken and to be taken) the dissertation title, a 3-5 page dissertation proposal and the anticipated date of submission for examination. The proposal form is to be signed by the dissertation supervisor. By signing the form, the supervisor agrees that at this stage of the proposal, the dissertation is of sufficent scope and rigour to qualify as an approved dissertation topic.
The dissertation proposal form may be officially filled up and signed after having completed four subjects. Students are encouraged to begin preparing the proposal much earlier, however.
Important: The dissertation proposal form must be filled up and signed, at the latest, by the completion of the coursework component of the programme (8 subjects) in order for candidacy in the programme to continue.
Internal Examiner:
The supervisor may suggest to the programme coordinator, the name of a faculty member to act as the internal examiner. Students, however, are not explicitly involved. Per the rules set forth by the Office of Academic Services (Graduate Studies Branch) pertaining to the dissertation examination process, at no time will the name of the internal examiner be revealed to the student as this is to be a “blind” review process.
If the proposed internal examiner declines to serve in this capacity, or if none is indicated by the supervisor, an internal examiner will be assigned by the programme coordinator.
The internal examiner will not be involved in the supervision of the dissertation and is not to be consulted by the student or supervisor on the actual preparation of the dissertation leading to the submission for examination.
Students are encouraged, however, to consult any faculty member for advice. They may in fact be asked to do so by their supervisor where additional advice and suggestions are helpful in a specific matter that may fall outside the particular expertise of the supervisor.
Standards
The standards set for the minimum quality of a dissertation are those generally recognized as being:
a. Adequate in scope to indicate a mastery of the field of study;
b. Reasonably rigorous in method, providing a clear indication of limitations;
c. Comprehensive and complete in the analysis;
d. Stating conclusions which are justified and qualified by the overall validity
and reliability.
e. Proficient level of English grammar, word usage and spelling.
Methods:
Both qualitative and quantitative methods and/or research procedures are acceptable for use in a dissertation. It is assumed that students will make every attempt to provide for a rigourous application of the research methods used. Some non-rigourous research methods may not qualify to meet the minimum standard in the opinion of a supervisor or internal examiner. Proper justification of the particular manner of application of any method is a necessity.
Length:
There is no minimum page limit. However, many dissertations at the Master’s level are approximately 70-90 pages in length in order to adequately cover the necessary scope and expectations. There is no maximum page limit either, however, verboseness is discouraged. The university officially sets the limit of the dissertation to be 15,000 words, although this is only a guideline. Complete and concise is the standard advised to determine length. In other words, the dissertation should be as long as it needs to be and no longer.
Style:
The School has adopted APA (Amercian Psychological Association) style for academic writing. This style is a set of guidelines for use of citations in the main body of text as well as for formatting figures, tables and references. The APA style book is available in the School’s Resource Centre. Appendix G provides an example of a reference list prepared in APA style.
The student and supervisor will work together to determine when the dissertation is ready for examination. As the supervisor is the first examiner, it is highly advisable that the supervisor has indicated that the dissertation is, in the very least, suitable for submission.
When the dissertation is ready for submission, the student must prepare two ringbound copies and submit along with form R/768/95 – Master’s Programme By Coursework and Dissertation: Submission of Dissertation (see Appendix B). The two ringbound copies and the submission form are to be presented to the programme office from where they will be sent to the Office of Academic Services (Graduate Studies Branch).
Important Note
When submitting the above two ringbound copies for examination, there must be no mention of the supervisor’s name on the title page and no acknowledgement page yet. When the dissertation has been passed and approved for official submission, the supervisor’s name must then be indicated on the title page. An acknowledgement page can also be included at that time.
Examination Process:
The examiners, including your supervisor and the internal examiner, will have approximately one month to prepare an examiner's report. During this time, the examiners will not communicate with each other or the student on any matters pertaining to the examination of the dissertation. In some cases, an external examiner may also be appointed to examine the dissertation.
Students will be informed by the Office of Academic Services (Graduate Studies Branch) of the outcome of their dissertation examination in due course. One of four outcomes are possible:
1. The dissertation is passed with no further amendments needed.
The student may proceed to make two hardbound copies and submit these
along with a diskette of the dissertation (see below).
2. The dissertation is passed pending minor amendments as specified in the
examiner's report.
The student is to make the minor amendments and verify these with their supervisor. Upon satisfaction of the supervisor that the minor amendments have been completed, the student may proceed to submit the two hardbound copies and diskette no later than one month from the date of the examiner's report. There is no further examination in the case of minor amendments.
3. The dissertation is passed pending major amendments as specified in the
examiner's report.
In this case, the student, in consultation with the supervisor, is to make the necessary major amendments. Upon satisfaction of the supervisor that the major amendments have been completed, the student must re-submit one ringbound copy for re-examination within two months of the examiner's report. In this case, neither the supervisor nor the internal examiner will be involved in the re-examination. This will be done by the SCI Director of Graduate Studies or his designee and to be further approved by the NTU Graduate Board.
4. The dissertation is not passed.
In this case, the student is referred to further work and advised to re-submit a dissertation at a later date, but, at least before the end of their time limit (see below) in the programme.
Final Submission of Two Hardbound Copies and Diskette
Upon notification of approval of the dissertation by the Office of Academic Services, students are to prepare two hardbound copies and a diskette.
Two Hardbound Copies
Students are advised to strictly follow the guidelines for submission of the hardbound copies as printed on form R/768/95. For further details refer to the University Statutes and the website: http://www.ntu.edu.sg/registrar/postgraduate/coursework/infoleaflet.pdf
It is important especially to adhere to the guidelines on page size (A4), margins (left margin of 3.7cm for binding) and page numbering (lowercase roman numerals for preliminary pages and regular continuous numbering from Chapter One through the Appendices) .
The terms 'thesis' and 'project' are not to be used in official correspondence or on the dissertation document itself. Regardless of option, the document is referred to as the 'dissertation'.
Where possible, additional materials that can be reduced to A4, black and white pages, should be included in the bound dissertation as appendices.
Colour may be used in charts, figures, photos, etc. in the hardbound dissertation but must be the same in both copies. It is preferable to use black for all text.
Materials that are part of the dissertation but cannot fit the bound A4 format (i.e. videotape, ad layout, storyboard etc.) are to be submitted along with the dissertation (one copy only) for examination. These should be referred to in the text and can be seen by the examiners. Upon final submission of the hardbound copies, these collaterals will remain with a hardbound copy in the School's Resource Centre.
Diskette:
At the same time as the two hardbound copies are submitted, students are to submit a diskette containing one file in Word version 6.0 or later of their complete dissertation as submitted in the hardbound version. That is, the entire dissertation is to be contained in one file on the diskette with no other files.
The diskette is to be neatly labelled with the student's name, matriculation number, and title of the dissertation.
Additional Administrative Matters
Change of Supervisor
While students may request a change of supervisor, this is strongly advised against as it will probably mean re-working the dissertation anew. Students should carefully consider the selection of their supervisor from the start.
It is possible that a supervisor may leave the university before the student has completed the dissertation. This is especially true with visiting faculty and faculty nearing the completion of their contract. Students are advised to consult with their supervisor and consider carefully the supervisor's availability for the anticipated duration of the process. In the case of the departure of a supervisor, the student, in consultation with the programme coordinator and upon approval of the Dean, will be assigned a new supervisor.
Leave of Absence
A leave of absence may be granted for a period of one semester or longer in the case of justified and documented medical conditions or other extenuating cirumstances that prevent the student from continuing in the programme. Because of past abuse of the leave of absence, the University is unlikely to grant a leave of absence after coursework is completed. In any case, a leave of absence will not be granted simply because the student claims the burden of work pressures. It is assumed that students (especially part-time) will have considered their work obligations and the balance they may need to make in order to complete their graduate studies. This means that students are liable for payment of fees for each successive semester until the dissertation is completed and submitted for examination.
Fees
After successfully completing the necessary eight subjects, all students will be assessed the part-time fee in each successive semester until the completion and submission of the dissertation. There is no need to change status as a full-time or part-time student.
No Fee Assessment Upon Submission of the Dissertation for Examination
Officially, students who submit their dissertation for examination before the end of the second week of classes in any semester will not be assessed fees for that semester. Because of processing time required, it is highly recommended that students do not push this deadline too closely. In reality, students should submit no later than the first week of classes (that is, at the start of the new semester).
Upon submission of the two hardbound copies and diskette, the Office of Academic Services (Graduate Studies Branch) will notify the student by letter that the degree has been conferred. The letter is an official document of the university which grants the student the status, rights and obligations of the degree of Master of Mass Communication. You have officially graduated upon issuance of this letter. (Congratulations!)
The degree scroll will be handed to the graduated student at the next convocation ceremony (held each August or September) or mailed at the time of convocation.
Students who submit the two hardbound copies and diskette by 15 June will be able to participate in the convocation in August/September. (In order to meet this deadline, the dissertation must be submitted for examination at least by March 15). Submission of the hardbound copies and diskette after 15 June will mean the student must wait for the convocation in the following year if they wish to participate in the ceremony. Please contact the Office of Academic Services for details of receiving the degree scroll sooner.
Time Limit
Students are reminded that the maximum time limit for completion of the programme for both full and part-time, is four academic years (eight consecutive semesters), inclusive of any leave of absence granted. Completion of the necessary eight subjects and submission of a dissertation for examination must occur by no later than the end of the eighth semester of enrollment to complete the degree.
Appendices:
A. Dissertation Proposal Form
B. Master’s Programme By Coursework and Dissertation: Submission of
Dissertation Form R/768/95
C. Title Page Example
D. Table of Contents Example
E. Hardbound Cover Example
F. Hardbound Spine Example
G. References Example (APA style)
Updated by Assoc Prof Lee Chun Wah (email: )
Coordinator, SCI Graduate Programmes by Coursework
(updated for 2004)
Appendix A: Dissertation Proposal Form
Nanyang Technological University
School of Communication and Information
Master of Mass Communication Programme
DISSERTATION PROPOSAL FORM
IMPORTANT: This form must be filled up and signed, at the latest, by the time the student has completed the coursework component of the programme (eight subjects) in order for candidacy in the programme to continue. It may be submitted at the earliest after having finished four subjects.
Name of Student: ________________________________________________
Email Address: __________________________________________________
Contact No: _____________________________________________________
Matriculation No: ________________________________________________
Name of Supervisor:______________________________________________
Dissertation Title: ________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
Option: ______ Thesis ______ Project
Study Plan:
Subjects Completed Subjects Remaining
(At least four) to be Taken
Core Subjects: ____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
General Electives:
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
Dissertation Proposal: Attach a 3-5 page proposal of your dissertation.
For the thesis option, the proposal may include a brief introduction with research questions, an indication of the the literature to be reviewed, proposed methods and analysis, anticipated outcomes, significance, and a concise bibliography.
For the project option, the proposal may include a brief introduction with objectives, and indication of background information to be considered, the scope of work, plan for implementation, and the anticipated final product.
In both cases of a thesis and project, a timeline for the completion of the dissertation should be provided as part of the proposal.
Anticipated Month/Year of Submission for Examination: ____/____
Student Signature and Date: ______________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
For Supervisor:
I have reviewed the attached proposal and agree to supervise this dissertation. Further, I agree that the proposal indicates sufficient scope and rigour at this stage to qualify as an acceptable dissertation topic.
Comments: _______________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Signature and Date: _________________________________________________
This form with the supervisor’s signature and attached proposal is to be submitted
to the programme coordinator.
__________________________________________________________________
CONFIDENTIAL - - FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY:
Name of Proposed Internal Examiner: _____________________________________
I have reviewed the attached proposal and agree/decline to act as the internal examiner for this dissertation.
Comments:_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Note: Internal Examiners are not to be involved in the supervision of the dissertation.
Signature and Date: ____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
For Programme Director, SCI Graduate Programmes by Coursework:
Approved/Not Approved
Comments: _________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Signature and Date: ___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Appendix B: Form R/768/95
NANYANG TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
MASTER’S PROGRAMMES BY COURSEWORK & DISSERTATION
SUBMISSION OF DISSERTATION
Notes to Candidate(s):
1. A candidate is no longer liable for the payment of tuition fees when he
satisfies both the following conditions:-
(a) he must have completed the entire coursework component of the programme
of study, and
(b) he has submitted his dissertation in the form ready and approved (by the
Dean concerned) for examination not later than the end of the second week
of any semester.
2. Two soft-bound copies of the dissertation must be attached to this form, Section I of which must be completed and signed by the candidate(s). Unsigned forms may delay processing of the submitted dissertation for examination. After completing Section I, please hand this forms to your supervisor for his attention.
3. The final dissertation, after examination and amendments (if any), must be submitted in the form given below:
(a) Each copy must be cyclostyled or printed and bound with hard covers in international size A4 (210mm x 297mm);
(b) Each page must have a margin of 3.7cm to allow for binding;
(c) The dissertation must be preceded by the following in the order given:
title page, declaration (for joint submissions only), acknowledgements, table
of contents and summary, all of which must be bound with the dissertation;
(d) The title and author’s name must be given in block letters on the cover of the dissertation;
(d) The title or an abbreviation thereof and the author’s name must be given on the spine of the dissertation;
(f) The dissertation must be bound in dark blue with gold lettering not exceeding 16pts;
(g) Pages must be numbered in one continuous sequence in Arabic numerals. Where a dissertation consists of more than one volume, one numbering sequence must be used.
4. All hard-bound copies of dissertation will be displayed in the university Library.
Section I: To be Completed by Candidate(s)
To Office of Academic Services
Through Supervisor
Degree Registered for :
_____________________________________________________________________
Title of Dissertation :
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
I/We submit 2 soft-bound copies of my/our dissertation in partial fulfilment of the above degree for examination. I/We have read and understood the Notes to Candidate(s) above.
Name of Candidate Registration No. Signature Date
(dd/mm/yy)
1.
2.
Section II : To be Completed by Supervisor(s)
1. The candidate(s) named on this document has/have* completed the writing up of his/their* dissertation to my satisfaction. In my opinion the dissertation is ready for examination.
2. Remarks (attach separate sheet if necessary):
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Name of Supervisor(s): (1) ___________________________
Signature & Date : ______________________________________
(2) ____________________________
Signature & Date : _______________________________________
_______________________________________________________
Section III: To be Completed by Programme Director
Recommended/Not recommended* for examination.
Comments (if any).
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
Signature & Date :
_______________________________________________________
Section IV: To be Completed by Vice-Dean
Approved/Not approved* for examination.
Signature & Date :
__________________________________________________________________
* Delete accordingly
Appendix C: Title Page Example
Setting the Pace:
Why M.Mass Comm. Graduates Are Highly Valued
Submitted by:
FOO LI SHUAN
Supervisor:
Assoc. Prof. Adeline Goh
A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for
the degree of Master of Mass Communication
in the School of Communication and Information
Nanyang Technological University
(2004)
Appendix D: Table of Contents Example
Table of Contents
Page
Acknowledgements i
Abstract ii
Table of Contents iii
List of Figures v
List of Tables vi
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Overview to Topic 2
1.2 Scope of Problems 4
1.3 Research Questions 5
1.4 Objectives 7
CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Past Lit. on Topic 9
2.2 Related Lit. on Topic 19
2.3 Most Recent Lit. on Topic 29
2.4 Link between Lit. and Research Questions 32
CHAPTER 3: METHODS
3.1 Method to Meet Objectives 33
3.2 How the Method was Carried Out Rigorously 39
3.3 Framework for Analysis 45
3.4 Limitations 48
CHAPTER 4: RESULTS
4.1 Data 50
4.2 Even More Data 60
4.3 Summary of Results 73
iii
CHAPTER 5: ANALYSIS
5.5 The Part Where I Actually Used My Brain 74
5.6 Scintallating Discussion of The Meaning of the Data 74
CHAPTER 6: CONCLUSION
6.1 Conclusions the Methods and Results Actually Justify 89
6.2 Gratuitous Statement on Need for More Research 95
REFERENCES 96
APPENDICES 100
Appendix E: Hardbound Cover Example
SETTING THE PACE:
WHY M. MASS COMM. STUDENTS
ARE HIGHLY VALUED
NTU LOGO
FOO LI SHUAN
SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION
NANYANG TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
2004
Appendix F: Hardcover Spine Example
__________________________________________________________
VALUE OF M.MASS COMM. FOO LI SHUAN 2004
__________________________________________________________
Appendix G: References Example
Note: References are only those sources used and cited in the dissertation. APA style is the School's accepted format for references as well as citations, figures and tables, etc. The APA style book is available in the School's Resource Centre. All reference examples below are in APA style.
REFERENCES
Achille, Y. & Miege, B. (1994). The limits to the adaptation strategies of European public service television. Media, Culture and Society, 16: 31-46.
Alexander, A & Morrison, M. (1995). Electronic toyland and the structures of power: An analysis of critical studies on children and consumers. Critical Studies in Mass Communication, 12(3): 344-53.
Chan, J. M. & Ma, E.K.Y. (1996). Asian television: Global trends and local processes,
Report of the 8th MacBride Round Table on Communication. Seoul: Korean Broadcasting Academic Society, 21-42.
French, D. & Richards, M.A. (Eds.) (1996). Contemporary television: Eastern Perspectives. London & New Delhi: Sage Publications.
Hammon, J. S., Keeney, R.L. & Raiffa, H. (1998). The Hidden Traps in Decision Making. “Harvard Business Review”, September-October: 47-58.
Hukill, M., Ono, R. & Vallath, C. (Eds.) (forthcoming). Electronic Communication Convergence: Policy Challenges for Asia. New Delhi: Sage Publications.
Ling, P. L. (1999, June). Managing the Digital Players: Regulator’s Role is Constructive not Constrictive. Paper presented at the Asia Broadcasting Union (ABU) seminar on Digital Television: Managing the Transition, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Mehra, A. (Ed.) (1988). Newspaper Management in the New Multimedia Age. Singapore: AMIC.
Saunier, V. (1999, June). ‘Hong kong goes slow on local telecom market’, Asia-Pacific Telecommunications, 12(6): 1.
Singapore Broadcasting Authority (1996). Inaugural annual report. Republic of Singapore.
Siriyuvasak, U. (1994). ‘The development of a participatory democracy: Raison d’etre for media reform in Thailand’, Southeast Asian Journal of Social Science, 22: 101-4.
Zettl, H. (1998). Video Basics 2, Belmont CA: Wadsworth.