Formalization is exactly as shown on sample pages (appendix K).

The Table of Contents must reflect the outline and organization of the thesis. Headings included in the Table of Contents must be worded exactly as stated in the document in lower-case characters. Page numbers in the Table of Contents must correspond to the page sequencing in body text.

The last word of each heading connected with corresponding page number with the leading. Use leader dots characters (in MS Word 2007: Page layout > Paragraph > Indent and spacing > Tabs > Leader 2, dots) to create leader dots for page numbers. These dots are already formatted correctly in the online templates.

The heading TABLE OF CONTENTS is centered by upper-case characters in bold 14-point font. The text starts after 2 spaces.

After all corrections have been made to the final document, recheck the wording and page numbers for all Table of Contents entries to make sure they exactly match those in the text; 90% of corrections needed in final documents are associated with the Table of Contents.

Symbols and abbreviations

This item is optional and can be included in thesis is case of terms, symbols, units of limited occurrence repeated more than 3 times in text.

The heading SYMBOLS AND ABBREVIATIONS is centered by upper-case characters in bold 14-point font. The text starts after 2 spaces by the words “The present thesis includes following symbols, interpretations, abbreviations and acronyms: …”. All terms are listed in alphabetic order (appendix L).

Generally accepted shortenings can be freely used in the text. Example — etc. – etcetera, e.g. – for example, yrs – years, etc.

If an abbreviation is rarely used in the text (3 times or less) firstly it’s fully noted with the acronym in parentheses afterwards. Example — International Migration Organization (IMO). Later only an abbreviation is used.

Introduction

This section is should contain a brief statement of the scope or purpose in writing the paper. It may also explain the author's choice of subject and his/her belief in its importance.

Topicality, thesis statement, purpose, object, subject. Following an optional introduction, the basic function of this section is to articulate a phenomenon that the student proposes to investigate (whether a socio-economic event, process, an intellectual idea or something else), and the question(s), issue(s) or problem(s) related to that phenomenon that the student plans to address in the thesis. The core of the statement may take the form of a hypothesis that the student will test, of a proposition or argument that the student intends to support, or of a general problem or question the student will explore. The section puts that basic problem statement in a larger context by explaining e.g. its historical origins (and its intellectual, economic, social, and/or other context. It also describes the sub-questions or themes that constitute the general problem. Students will cite appropriate scholarly, professional and other sources for the ideas, questions and background information contained in the section.

Research methods. In this section, the student will identify (a) the kinds of information needed to answer the question(s) raised in the thesis statement, (b) the methods the student will use to gather that information, and (c) the strategies by which the student will organize and analyze the information in such a way as to reach and support a conclusion, to construct a sound argument. If the central problem has several facets, the student may need an array of different methods for collecting and analyzing information. Students should be as precise as possible in each stage of the methods statement. Students should reflect on the broad methodological approaches that they propose to use, and cite sources from which they derive their methods and tools. A student's central goal is to demonstrate that he or she knows how to go about answering the question(s) that have been raised.

Justification and limitations should explain the rationale for the thesis and the importance of the topic. Indicate the reasons why this study is important to conduct and whom it will benefit. Identify the limits beyond which the inquiry will not go. For instance, if a student is writing on a historical subject, explain the relevance of the time period he or she will be exploring. Finally, describe the contribution the work will make to the field.

The literature review should be a comprehensive discussion. It should provide a unique and valuable reference resource for other scholars in economic field including overview of the problem or subject as it is known from the literature, and a broad statement summarizing the findings. In this section an overview of learned sources is needed.

An approximate volume of introduction is 3 to 5 pages. The heading INTRODUCTION is centered by upper-case characters in bold 14-point font.

Body text

 

Before starting the thesis, the student is required to conduct an independent study in which he (she) finds, reads and critiques a substantial body of previous scholarship related to his (her) thesis topic. The required work for review of the literature is a critical essay and a bibliography. The aim of the essay is to identify the categories of pertinent studies, report on major concepts, theories, debates, trends, and gaps in the field, and place the thesis topic in relation to earlier work.

The research may entail the collection and analysis of original (primary) information through some form of empirical data-gathering; it will certainly involve the use, analysis, and critique of already published (secondary) sources. Both primary and secondary research will demand appropriate scholarly methods.

The master’s thesis may take any number of methodological approaches, depending on the question and on the student’s studies: historiography, criticism of the literature, an integrative review of previous research, international analysis, policy studies, program evaluation and many other possibilities. The student should be able to justify his or her approach according to the particular research problem or issue.

Generally speaking, a master’s thesis will report a piece of original research. It’ll begin with a question or hypothesis and involve reading of sources to show that the question or hypothesis has not already been satisfactorily answered or proved. It also require a definition of variables or factors that must be considered in answering the questions or proving the hypothesis, and here again, reading will supply definitions of these variables and reasons to suppose that they are indeed the ones to be considered.

Each type of project or thesis concludes with a statement and discussion of results or conclusions. Clearly the relation of the evidence or analysis to the conclusions must withstand rigorous scrutiny based on principles of correct argument, appropriate statistical methods, or the like. It should present an original argument that is carefully documented from primary and/or secondary sources. The responsible use of sources will be evident in the notes acknowledging quotations and references throughout the thesis, and in a proper bibliography of works consulted.

A thesis adheres to a standard format, generally including three basic chapters or divisions: an introduction and statement of the problem, a review of the literature pertinent to the problem, an explanation of the materials and methods used to solve the problem, a discussion of results, and a conclusion.

To avoid overloading of work by division of text on numerous sections and subsections it’s highly recommended to make 3-4 chapters with 2-4 sections in each chapter. Doubling the caption of chapters and sections and to making a caption from two and more sentences is not allowed.

The final structure of thesis must be submitted by supervisor.

Each chapter must be ended by short conclusions starting by words « Conclusions. ….», «Thus, ….», «Therefore, ….», «Hereby, ….».

 

Visual Content in Text

 

 

The body text must include visual content presented in tables and figures. They are very useful for making the text more obvious, intelligible and easy to understand, reducing the physical volume of text itself. Tables and figures must be incorporated within the text. Insert each table and/or figure as close as possible after it has been referenced in the text.

All illustrating content (color or grayscale) included in thesis document must be clearly readable. All diagrams, drawings, and figures must be clear, sharp, and large enough to be read. Color figures, illustrations, or charts may be submitted. Numeration is made with Arabic numbers. Figures, tables, etc. may be numbered consecutively throughout (1, 2, 3, etc.) or may be numbered by chapter (1.2, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, etc.). All tables and figures, including the caption, must meet margin, font, and format requirements (appendix G). While formatting tables and figures use smaller font size than in main text – 12-13 pt. Single space before and after all tables and figures within the text. No hyphenation in captions allowed. Dots are put at the end of notes, but not in captions.

Master's student may place tables and/or figures in the body of the text or in a separate appendix unless several tables and/or figures are listed together and interrupt the flow of the text, then they must be placed in a separate appendix. If tables and/or figures are placed in a separate appendix, please be sure to reference this information in the text. Tables and/or figures one half page or less in length must appear on the same page with text either above or below. If a table and/or figure is larger than one half page, it should be inserted on a single page in appendix. Extra-wide tables or figures can be placed in landscape orientation (broadside) in appendix as well as page number.

The caption of a table and its corresponding number must be typed above the table in bold 13 pt font without indent separated from each other by a dash (no dots after number) aligned with the left-hand margin (appendix M).

Show full grid lines within the actual table. Note with references on source where table was taken is placed after the table edgewise in 12 pt with indent.

If a table is continued onto another page, repeat the table number, title, and table header row with a comment on the left above the table in bold 13 pt: « Table 2.3 continued » (if this table will still continue on the next page) or « Table 5 ended » (if this table will end on the current page).

Example —

Body text. Body text. Body text. Body text. Body text. Body text. Body text. Body text.….

¶

Table B.1 — Geographical structure of international trade of New Zealand, %

…

…

…

…………………………………………..Page rupture ……………………………………..…..

Table B.1 continued

…

…

…

………………………………………….. Page rupture ……………………………………..…..

Table B.1 ended

…

…

…

Note — Source: personal design based on [3, p. 25], [8, p. 35], [12, p. 67, table 8].

¶

Body text. Body text. Body text. Body text. Body text. Body text. Body text. Body text.….

Comments about the table’s text must be put at the foot of the page and numerated by Arabic numbers.

Example —

Body text. Body text. Body text. Body text. Body text. Body text. Body text. Body text.….

¶

Table B.1 — Geographical structure of international trade of New Zealand, %

…

….1)

…

Note — Source: personal design based on [3, p. 25], [8, p. 35], [12, p. 67, table 8].

¶

Body text. Body text. Body text. Body text. Body text. Body text. Body text. Body text.….

____________________

¹⁾ Preliminary data.

 

If some data is missing put a dash in a table.

The caption of a figure and its corresponding number must be typed below the figure in bold 13 pt separated from each other by a dash (no dots after number) aligned with the centered margin (appendix M). The figure caption must appear on the same page as the figure; the figure may be reduced to accommodate the caption but still must be readable.

Example —

Figure content

⇐ Предыдущая12345678910Следующая ⇒

Поделиться: