1、Graduation (Degree) Thesis Guidance for Students in the International School, Jinan University1. Aim and RequirementsThe writing of graduation (degree) thesis is an important part of the process in evaluating and reviewing the academic performance of graduating students. The aims are (1) to teach th
2、e students to comprehensively apply the basic theories, knowledge and skills in respective majors, (2) to help students develop their abilities in independent research, analysis and problem solving. The graduation thesis should be an important reference in evaluating the width and depth of the stude
3、nts knowledge, as well as a criterion in granting the bachelors degrees.The requirements of graduation thesis should include: (1) positive and serious attitude for independent research, (2) theoretical research with implication to reality, (3) writing styles that are clear, concise, smooth and logic
4、al, and (4) no acts of plagiarism.2. The Scope of TopicsThe topics of graduation thesis must be within the scope of respective majors, reflecting the latest development in theory or application. Topics should entail adequate amount of research for the students.For details in choosing topic, please r
5、efer to “Jinan University Guidelines for Thesis or Design by Undergraduate Students.” (Available at the website of Academic Affairs Department) 3. Structure of ThesisA graduation thesis should include: title, declaration, abstract and key words, table of content, text, acknowledgement, appendix and
6、references.1) The title of the thesis should be precise, clear, and adequate in reflecting the scope of research, avoiding abbreviations.2) A concise abstract should briefly state the purpose of the research and the main results. An abstract is often presented separate from the article, so it must b
7、e able to stand alone. The abstract should be about 150 words with 3-8 key words.3) The main text should be the most important part of a thesis, with clearly stated viewpoints, data, and analysis. It should be written in formal English, with 5000 words.4) Format of the thesis includes the following
8、details(1) The thesis should be word processed using software such as Microsoft Word. It should be formatted on A4 size paper, one-sided. The margins for each page should be 3cm on the left, 2cm on the right, 2.5cm on the top and bottom, respectively.(2) Cover for the thesis will be provided by the
9、Academic Affairs Department of University. Students should type titles and names on the cover accordingly in English. An inner-cover will also be provided by the university, which contains the same content as the cover, and it must be typed in Chinese.(3) The font of the thesis should be Times New R
10、oman. Use font size 16 for the title, 12 for the rest of thesis. Only the title should be in bold letters. 1.5 times of line spacing should be used throughout the thesis. (4) Page numbers should be printed on the lower right-hand corners of every page except cover.(5) Title of the thesis should be n
11、o more than 20 words.(6) The abstract should be written in less than 150 words. Three to eight keys words should be listed at the end of the abstract on a separate line, with semi-column (;) separating each word. (7) A table of content should be constructed, including structure of the thesis, append
12、ix, reference and respective page numbers.(8) To present levels of subsections in the main text, the thesis should use numerical symbols such as “1”, “1.1”, “1.1.1”, and “1.1.1.1” for different levels respectively. Within the text, numbering of content should use brackets such as “(1)”.(9) Tables an
13、d illustrations (charts): must be self explaining (readers can understand them without reading the text). Each table should have table number, table title, and source of information. Each illustration (chart) should also have figure number, figure title, and source of data. All tables must be number
14、ed numerically, so must the figures.(10) Acknowledgements should be placed at the end of the main text, in expressing gratuity to institutions or persons.(11) Appendix is a supplemental part of the thesis, which is not compulsory. The following items can be placed in appendix:a) materials that do no
15、t fit into the main text logicallyb) materials that are too long or photo copied c) not interesting to ordinary readers, only valuable to professionals(12) References to publications should be as follows: Smith (1992) reported that. or This problem has been studied previously (e.g., Smith et al., 19
16、69).The author should make sure that there is a strict one-to-one correspondence between the names and years in the text and those on the list. The list of references should appear at the end of the main text (after any appendices). It should be 1.5 times spaced and listed in alphabetical order by a
17、uthors name or as by the order of appearance in main text.(13) References should appear as follows:For monographs1 Hawawini, G., Swary, I., 1990. Mergers and Acquisitions in the U.S. Banking Industry: Evidence from the Capital Markets. North-Holland, Amsterdam.For contributions to collective works2
18、Brunner, K., Meltzer, A.H., 1990. Money supply, in: Friedman, B.M., Hahn, F.H. (Eds.), Handbook of Monetary Economics, Vol. 1. North-Holland, Amsterdam, pp. 357-396.For periodicals3 Griffiths, W., Judge, G., 1992. Testing and estimating location vectors when the error covariance matrix is unknown. J
19、ournal of Econometrics 54, 121-138.Chinese names may be listed in the references with the surname first, as follows:Liu Y.H., Chew S.B., and Li W.Z., Education, experience and productivity of labor in Chinas township and village enterprises: The case of Jiangsu province, China Economic Review 9, 47-
20、58.Note that journal titles should not be abbreviated. Citing and listing of Web references. As a minimum, the full URL should be given. Any further information, if known (Author names, dates, reference to a source publication, etc.), should also be given. Web references can be listed separately (e.
21、g., after the reference list) under a different heading if desired, or can be included in the reference list.4. Order of BindingThesis should be bound on the left-hand side. The order of binding should be: cover, inner-cover, Declaration, abstract and keywords, table of content, main text, acknowled
22、gement, appendix, references, and thesis evaluation form.5. Process of Writing Thesis(1) The graduating student submits a topic, a topic report form (along with the electronic file of this form) to the class monitor. The class monitor then presents the reports to the department office. The departmen
23、t office designates supervisors to each student.(2) The graduating student writes a one-page outline for the thesis. The outline should be written after conducting extensive reading and discussing with supervisor. The following points should be clearly stated in the outline: the purpose of thesis, t
24、heories and current research related to the topic, the needed data/information, the intended research/analysis method, and conclusion intended to reach. The outline should be implemented after discussion with supervisor.(3) The student writes the first draft and discusses with supervisor.(4) The gra
25、duating student rewrites the thesis and discusses with supervisor frequently until the final draft is finished.(5) The student should fill out a “Declaration” and hand it in along with final draft of thesis (in three printed copies and one electronic copy). The supervisor fills out a “Thesis Evaluat
26、ion Form” at the same time.6. Jinan University Evaluation Criteria for Graduation Design/Thesis by Undergraduate StudentsCriteria Details of Criteria WeightsChoice of TopicThe thesis topic should have implication to the reality, with certain originality. It should require the student to apply knowle
27、dge comprehensively.0.2Conclusion Opinions in the thesis should be clearly stated, with correct points of views, which meet the requirements of undergraduate study.0.2Difficulty The thesis should choose a proper level of difficulty, which brings an adequate amount of research work for an undergradua
28、te student.0.1References The extensiveness of references should be sufficient in order to reflect the current research results0.1Knowledge and AbilityThe knowledge and ability possessed by a graduating student should be properly demonstrated in the thesis.0.1Organization and Writing styleThe thesis
29、should have clearly stated concepts and organization, with proper summarization and format in texts, tables and illustrations. The graduating student should demonstrate serious attitude toward academic research in the thesis.0.15Defense SectionThe student should make clear statements during the defe
30、nse section, as well as answer questions in correct, in-depth, and logical manner. 0.15Total Score 17. Grading GuidelinesGrades GuidelinesExcellent 90-100 The thesis has clear viewpoints, strong analysis, sufficient data, and correct conclusion. The research has originality idea, unconventional opin
31、ions or new methods of analysis. The research should have valuable implication to current academic or empirical study. The thesis is written with clearly stated purpose, carefully laid structure, concise expressions, and easy-to-understand wording.Good 80-89 The thesis has clear viewpoints, proper a
32、nalysis, sufficient data and correct conclusion. The research has certain implication to current academic or empirical study. The paper is written with clearly stated purpose, well laid structure and error-proof language.Fair 70-79 The thesis has clear purpose and viewpoints, correct conclusions and
33、 sufficient data. But methods of analysis and persuasion are not very strong. Structure of the thesis is explicit. Writing skill is acceptable.Passed 60-69 The thesis has correct viewpoints and conclusions. Data is collected. But the method of analysis is not very strong. The research relates to cur
34、rent academic or empirical study, but not persuasive. Writing skill is basically acceptable. Failed under 60 There is sign of plagiarism in this thesis. The purpose of research is not clear. The viewpoints are not clear. Data is not sufficient. Analysis is illogical. The thesis has no value in acade
35、mic or empirical study, nor is it persuasive. The writing skill is not acceptable.8. Calculation of Final Scores Final Mark of Thesis = Supervisors Mark (20%) + Evaluators Mark (40%) + Defense Performance (40%)9. The Defense MeetingThe supervisor of each thesis should first write an evaluation upon
36、completion of the final draft, including recommendation to participate the defense section. Each department should also designate an evaluator of the thesis to write a second evaluation, also present recommendation regarding the participation of defense meeting. During the defense meeting, each part
37、icipant should spend 10 minutes explaining the main findings of the thesis and spend 5 minutes on answering questions from the judges.10. Time Table to Complete Graduation Thesis (See Specific Major for Details)Major Intended Time of Graduation Content Deadline1. The Department offers speeches on th
38、e writing of thesis2. Handing in the topics of thesis3. Assigning supervisors4. Handing in the Topic Report Form5. Handing in the outline of thesis6. Handing in the first draft of thesis and the Mid-term Evaluation Form7. Handing in the final draft of thesis8. Defense meeting9. Giving the final score of the thesis
