Academic literature on the topic 'PhD Theses'

Stance has emerged in the literature on academic writing in a major way, and as an important and pervasive mechanism by which academic writers ‘inhabit’ their writing and give it distinctiveness (Baynham, 2011; 2014). In this study, I investigate what linguistic markers of stance accounting PhD authors are more frequently used in Bayero University Kano, Nigeria and what factors might constrain or influence their use. I draw primarily on a corpus-based textual analysis but complement this with a consideration of institutional and disciplinary factors which might explain why the writers investigated write as they do. I employ nine participants: six accounting PhD authors and three accounting PhD supervisors. I compile a corpus of six accounting PhD theses from Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria (BUK corpus), and an accounting sub-corpus: four accounting UK PhD theses (UK corpus) for comparative analysis with the BUK corpus. The result of comparative corpus-based textual analysis between BUK theses shows that there are certain similarities and differences in terms of using stance markers. For example, in terms of similarities all the six authors use higher frequencies of booster than the other categories of stance markers in their result sections; whereas in their conclusion section they all use higher frequencies of hedges than the other categories of stance markers. They also use few restricted typologies of each category of stance markers. On the other hand, there are certain differences in using stance markers, for example, only two out of the six authors use explicit self-mention features. Overall comparative results show that three authors use higher frequencies of hedge than the other categories of stance markers; whereas two authors use higher frequencies of booster than the other categories of stance markers; and one author use same frequency for both booster and hedge. The result of comparative corpus-based textual analysis between the BUK and UK corpora still shows there are certain similarities and differences that both corpora have higher frequencies of hedges than the other categories of stance markers. On the other hand, UK corpus has higher frequencies of attitude markers, neutral stance markers, explicit self-mention features; whereas BUK corpus has higher frequencies of hedge and booster. The contextual data however suggests that several factors might have constrained some of the accounting PhD authors (BUK) to use explicit self-mention features. Some of the factors are: the traditional practices of the University and Department discouraging the students to make themselves explicitly present through the use of personal pronouns; unequal power relationship between lecturers and students; a lack of explicit assumptions of academic writing, as well as absence of explicit statements or rules provided regarding the use of linguistic markers of stance in feedback provided during the supervision process. This study proposes an additional analytic category of stance into Hyland’s model, influenced by Mushin’s factual epistemological stance. The new category is neutral epistemic stance. Unlike previous studies which deal only in parts of theses, this study deals with theses as complete texts in order to add our understanding and knowledge on what linguistic markers of stance are more frequently used in the discipline of accounting across whole macrostructures of the theses particularly at BUK. On the basis of these findings, this study recommends a more broadly a genre-sensitive approach to the teaching of academic writing, including explicit teaching of linguistic markers of stance rather than traditional grammar only. It also recommends raising of awareness of the students on the institutional/social practices in relation to the construction of the PhD thesis, such as the norms and conventions of the discourse community.

The main aim of this study is to look for trends in the instructional technology field in Turkey and to visualize general tendencies in the field in research topics, research types, and methodologies. Content analysis research design was used in this study. In this study, the unit of analysis was MS theses and PhD. theses published in instructional technology departments in Turkey, and the researcher aimed to analyze all of the population. Hence, 215 MS theses and 32 PhD. theses were analyzed in this study. The data were categorized according to characteristics of the MS theses and PhD. theses (author, university, advisor, and publication year), research topics, research methods, sample type, sample size, data collection methods and research settings. These categories were statistically analyzed. In these statistical analyses both frequencies of these categories and fluctuations of these categories in time were analyzed. The findings of the study indicated that most of the MS theses were published in the Middle East Technical University and most of the dissertations were published in Ankara University. In addition to this, most of the MS theses and PhD. theses used quantitative research methods, and experimental studies were the most popular type. Not surprisingly, the study results revealed that convenient sampling was the most preferred sampling method and most of the studies used 31 &ndash<br>100 subjects in their samples. Moreover, questionnaires, aptitude tests and interview schedules were the most common data gathering instruments used, and higher education was the most preferred research environment for the studies analyzed. Finally, most of the MS theses and PhD. theses focused on delivery system media formats, comparison studies and learner variables.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--City University of Hong Kong, 2005.<br>"Submitted to Department of English and Communication in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy" Includes bibliographical references (leaves 351-359)

The objective in this compositional research has been to create a portfolio of compositions with the goal of developing my musical language. This has been achieved through a portfolio that explores characterisation, transformation, dialogue, interaction, contrast and, latterly, timbre in the context of a teleological framework. Seven works are presented for a range of instrumental and vocal forces according to the opportunities taken throughout the research period. The majority of the works in the portfolio are under 10 minutes in duration and the final two cumulative works explore longer timeframes of c.15 and c.30 minutes respectively. The seven pieces are presented in the order of completion:1. Multiple Infection (2010) for clarinet, cello, percussion and piano.2. Contrasting Spectrum (2011) for flute, clarinet, violin, cello and piano.3. Splintering Factions (2012) for chamber orchestra.4. Chinese Whispers (2013) for violin and viola.5. Memoriam retinebimus (2014) for SATB choir and solo group (4 females and 2 males). 6. Sporos (2015) for string quartet.7. Relentless Continuum (2015-2016) for symphony orchestra. This portfolio also includes an analytical commentary in eight chapters prefaced with an opening section (part one) introducing the author and compositional research. This part also presents elements of the author's musical language including a short introduction of characterisation, teleology, transformation, dialogue, interaction, contrast and timbre with a brief discussion of notable influences that led to the implementation of these elements. Lastly, part two details the seven pieces of the portfolio in the form of musical commentaries over seven chapters, one piece being discussed in each chapter. The last chapter presents reflections and evaluations on the portfolio and future goals.