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(by the end of one's 1st semester at the latest)

 
1)    Explore your research interests 
o   Begin by exploring topics that interest you within your field of study 
o   Conduct preliminary research to identify existing studies and literature relevant to those interests
 
2)    Narrow down your focus 
o   Identify specific areas or aspects that you find most compelling
o   Narrow down your focus by selecting a specific tentative research question or thesis topic that aligns with your research interests

(by the end of one's 2nd  semester)

 
1)    Conduct a preliminary systematic literature review to identify a problem (a gap or a niche) in the literature related to your research interests,
a)    A systematic literature review involves a comprehensive search of relevant literature using specific criteria, utilizing the key databases, e.g. Thesis Center (Ulusal Tez Merkezi), DergiParkPROQUEST and EBSCOHOST.
b)    Analyze and synthesize the findings from your literature review to further clarify/confirm the gap/niche in the existing research
 
2)    Note down why the identified problem would be of value and explain the significance of your research
a)    Clearly express the importance and value of addressing the identified research gap. 
b)    Explain how filling the gap or niche will contribute to the field, theory, practice and/or policy
 
3)    Prepare a preliminary proposal that reflects your research interests and the identified gap/niche in the literature, liasing with your advisor
a)    Share your ideas and the identified gap/niche in the literature with your advisor to refine and finalize your thesis topic
b)    Work collaboratively with your advisor to develop a thesis topic, considering the feasibility, resources, and timeline required for the chosen topic and methodology

(if full time, by the beginning of one's 3rd, if part-time, 4th semester)

 
A research proposal serves as a roadmap for your study, and provides a clear plan for conducting your research.
 
1)    Develop a detailed research proposal, considering the following:
a)    Clearly identify the major theoretical and/or conceptual tradition/framework that informs your study
b)    Conduct a thorough review and critical assessment of the assumption and claims made by other scholars/researchers in the chosen research field
c)    Provide a comprehensive discussion of the strengths and weakness of the identified assumptions and claims 
d)    Present a clear and well-supported rationale for your position in relation to the existing assumption and claims, drawing on sources and scholarly sources.  
e)    Locate and summarize the most relevant and significant empirical research in the target field to establish the current state of knowledge
f)      Clearly articulate how your study will build upon and contribute to the existing body of knowledge in the target field, highlighting its potential significance and impact.
 
2)    Prepare your proposal using the Proposal Outline, the Template & Guidelines or any other alternative form as specified by your advisor.
 
3)    Present your proposal to your peers/relevant parties, and get feedback, if/when deemed necessary.
 
4)    Submit your proposal to your advisor for review and approval. Ensure that it aligns with the expectations of your advisors and incorporates any feedback and/or revision your advisor may suggest.
 
5)    Liaise with your advisor to obtain approval from the appropriate ethics board, and gain consent from the target institutions/participants/guardians.
a)    Submit your proposal for approval/permission (Application for Bilkent Ethics Committee Approval). If the study is conducted in another higher education institution, Bilkent’s Ethics Committee Approval could still be useful; however, please note that higher education institutions have their own such procedures, and you are required to follow them.
b)    If you intend to conduct research in K-12 schools, click this link. N.B. 



1)   Collect your Data
  • Finalize your data collection tool(s)
  • Upon approval, begin collecting the necessary data for your study using the research methods and techniques specified in your proposal, while adhering to ethical considerations.

2) Analyse your Data
  • Prepare your data for analysis
  • Choose appropriate analysis methods (re: statistical/qualitative)
  • Prepare tables, figures, and/or other visual representations to present key findings and to draw meaningful conclusions. 





o   Write each chapter of your thesis, following a logical and organized structure, and adhering to the formatting requirements.
                                          I.         Introduction
  • briefly introduce the theoretical/conceptual framework within the context of previous research;
  • identify a research informed gap, introducing main variables;
  • state research aims;
  • formulate appropriate research questions;
  • present a compelling rationale, articulating the significance of filling the identified gap, and the potential benefits it may yield.
  • acknowledge the limitation of the study
  • provide clear definitions of key terms
                                        II.         Literature Review
  • introduce the theoretical/conceptual framework
  • explain the key concepts forming the foundation of your researcher, introducing the key scholars
  • provide a detailed overview of the previous research on the topic of your research,
  • critically evaluate and synthesise the studies relevant to your key variables/concepts, identifying patterns, inconsistencies, and/or contradictions
                                       III.         Methodology
  • Introduce the research method(s) that you chose, and justify your choice
  • Provide information about the context of your study
  • Explain and justify the sampling strategy used, providing participant related information.
  • Explain and justify the data collection tool(s), including reliability and validity related information
  • Describe the descriptive and/or inferential data collection procedures. Address ethical considerations.
  • Explain and justify the procedures for descriptive and/or inferential data analysis with reference to each research question.
                                      IV.         Results
  • Present and interpret your descriptive and/or inferential results in a clear and organized manner.
  • Make connections with the theoretical/conceptual framework
  • Utilize tables and figures where appropriate to enhance data presentation.
                                        V.         Discussion
  • Summarize the main findings of your study, and restate your research questions
  • Provide an in-depth discussion of the results, relating them to the existing literature, and highlighting the overall contributions of the research to the field.
  • Address any unexpected/contradictory findings
  • Discuss implications for practice and research


Submit your completed thesis to your advisor for review.
Make sure that your thesis is well-formatted, proofread, and free of any typographical errors before submission.
1)     Check with your advisor to confirm how to get prepared and what to expect before, during and after your oral defense. 
o   Create a 15-min presentation that effectively communicates the key aspects of your study.
o   Anticipate and prepare for potential questions that may arise during the oral defense.
o   Rehearse your presentation multiple times to become comfortable with the content and flow of your defense. 
2)     Defend your thesis before a Thesis Examination Committee
3)     Address questions and critiques from the oral defense committee with clarity and confidence, drawing upon your knowledge of the research
4)     After the defense, carefully review the feedback provided by the committee members. Make necessary revisions to your thesis to address the feedback and suggestions, improving the overall quality and coherence of your work.
Format your thesis adhering to the formatting guidelines provided by the Graduate School of Education. 
1)     Make any required changes indicated by your advisor and the committee members.
2)     Submit your thesis to the Office of the Graduate School of Education (GSE) for approval in a timely manner within three weeks after your oral defense at the latest. 
  • Make sure the Approval Pages are signed in blue ink by the committee members. Check with the Office of the GSE to confirm how many extra copies you need to have.
  • Go to the Council of Higher Education’s Thesis Center (Ulusal Tez Merkezi) website to complete the Thesis/Dissertation Data Entry Form (Sample Form) following the guidelines given. Download and take at least three copies of the completed form to the Office of the GSE
  • Prepare 3 CDs, making sure that each of which includes your thesis/dissertation saved as the reference number (i.e. referencenogiven.pdf) given by the Thesis Center, and each of which is labeled as the reference number given.


Department of English Language Teaching