Fall 2000 -- University of Oregon
Prof. Pat McDowell

Assignment for 10/30:   
The purpose of this assignment is twofold:  to give you a chance to examine the structure of a thesis in detail, and to give you practice in giving a clear, concise oral presentation. 

Choose a master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation completed in our department, or one from another department if approved in advance by Pat.   Choose either a master’s thesis or a dissertation if you are working toward a master’s degree, but choose a dissertation if you are working towards a doctoral degree.  A list of theses and dissertations completed in the last twenty years is on reserve in the file in 108 Condon.  Choose one from this list, or explore further.  Write your name beside the thesis you select, or add the author and title with your name to this list, so no one else will try to choose the same one.   The theses and dissertations are available through the UO Library. 

Read the thesis and prepare an oral report that addresses the following questions.  Include any other issues that seem important.  Make transparencies if you wish, to assist in your presentation.  We will spend two class sessions on this assignment, and each of you will present your report.  Plan on no more than 8 to 10 minutes for your presentation, to allow time for questions.  Plan your presentation in advance and check your timing to make sure you do not exceed about 8 minutes. 

1. What is the research question(s)?  Is it clearly stated?  Is it an appropriate question in terms of scale and content?  Is it significant? 

2. Is the context for the question adequately presented?  Do you have a sense of where the research question stands in relation to other work done in the area and on a similar theme?  Is the case well made for the significance of the question?  Is there a clearly defined theoretical issue to which the thesis connects? 

3. Is the thesis/dissertation well organized and well written?  What are some positive and negative aspects of its organization and style? 

4. What kinds of methods are used to address the question(s)?  Are they appropriate?  What, if anything, is missing? 

5. What graphical devices (maps, graphs, etc.) are used?  Are they effective?  Give some positive and negative examples.  Are there too many or too few graphs, charts, maps, etc.? 

6. Did the author successfully answer his/her research question?  How strong was his/her argument?  Were you convinced?  Are there any missing elements?  Is the data or information adequately reported and documented?  How are the data or information reported and documented? 

7. What is the nature of the appendices (if any)?  Are they clear?  Are they necessary?  Should any material from the text have been moved to an appendix? 

8. How good is the bibliography?  Is it too broad or narrow? 

Class meeting:  
I will post a schedule of who is presenting on Monday here, some time in the future...

Class meeting:  Same as for 10/30.

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