Research Manual 2011-12 60 Appendix A GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS The participants of the National Security War Course are required to undertake research assignments e.g. Individual Research Work (Thesis), Group Research Paper and Seminar (s) / Conclusion Studies as part of their course curriculum designed to focus on original research and bringing out fresh ideas, concepts and solution to contemporary issues. Theses are required to be undertaken by all participants as partial requirement for the award of M.Sc/ M.Phil Degree in ‘National Security and War Studies’. It is also counted towards the final evaluation of the participants. The aim of thesis is to enable the participants to undertake scholarly research work of international academic standard at National Defence University. Thesis Parameters Thesis embodies a discovery of new facts or a fresh interpretation of known facts. In either case, the work should reflect the researcher’s ability to gather facts, present them logically, analyze them critically, and draw logical deductions and conclusions. The participants are expected to work and complete the paper as per the schedule. However, some research time is also allocated within the schedule for necessary assistance and guidance of participants. During the course of research, the participants are allowed free interaction with the Thesis Supervisor. There is no rigidity in determination of the parameters and the participants enjoy complete freedom in their research work. Topics for thesis are suggested both by the university and the students. The list encompasses a wide range of issues and subjects of multifaceted disciplines (refer to chapter 4).
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Research Manual 2011-12
60
Appendix A
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
The participants of the National Security War Course are required to
undertake research assignments e.g. Individual Research Work (Thesis), Group
Research Paper and Seminar (s) / Conclusion Studies as part of their course
curriculum designed to focus on original research and bringing out fresh ideas,
concepts and solution to contemporary issues. Theses are required to be undertaken
by all participants as partial requirement for the award of M.Sc/ M.Phil Degree in
‘National Security and War Studies’. It is also counted towards the final evaluation
of the participants. The aim of thesis is to enable the participants to undertake
scholarly research work of international academic standard at National Defence
University.
Thesis Parameters
Thesis embodies a discovery of new facts or a fresh interpretation of known
facts. In either case, the work should reflect the researcher’s ability to gather facts,
present them logically, analyze them critically, and draw logical deductions and
conclusions. The participants are expected to work and complete the paper as per
the schedule. However, some research time is also allocated within the schedule
for necessary assistance and guidance of participants. During the course of
research, the participants are allowed free interaction with the Thesis Supervisor.
There is no rigidity in determination of the parameters and the participants enjoy
complete freedom in their research work. Topics for thesis are suggested both by
the university and the students. The list encompasses a wide range of issues and
subjects of multifaceted disciplines (refer to chapter 4).
Research Manual 2011-12
61
Procedure As appended below: -
� Allotment of research topic and nomination of a Thesis Supervisor to
each participant.
� Review the existing literature on the allotted research topic and
formulate hypothesis, statement of the problem, research question(s),
an outline and working bibliography and submit to Thesis Supervisor.
� Discuss statement of the problem and research question(s) with Thesis
Supervisor and finalize it. Prior appointment would facilitate the job.
� Submit Research Proposal to respective supervisor as per the
schedule.
� Undertake research and develop research work within the stipulated
time period. Feel free to consult Thesis Supervisor or DS Research at
any stage of your research work.
� Please make full use of the visiting guest speakers and inland tours;
where these are relevant to research work.
� The theses are evaluated by the defence panel. The participants are
required to present the salient of their theses and take questions from
the defence panel. The names of qualified participants are then
processed for the award of degree.
� The research submitted to NDU will become the property of the
University, which if required may be published at any appropriate
time without specific permission of the author.
� Selected theses in abridged version are published in the NDU Journal
and circulated to the concerned Ministries and Service Headquarters.
� Participants are required to submit 5x binded copies of thesis along
with CD to IS,R&P Branch ISSRA.
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Appendix B
IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS
� Epistemology: Epistemology is known as a branch of philosophy that
investigates the origin, nature, methods and limits of Human knowledge.
� What is Research? It is finding out new information or explanation about
what things are, how they function, why they behave or appear as they do
and with what other things or phenomena they are related.
� Empiricism: The idea here is that knowledge comes from experience.
Historically, this view was called empiricism (i.e., original knowledge
comes from experience and five senses i.e., tasting, smelling, touching,
seeing and hearing).
� Rationalism: Historically, this idea was called rationalism (i.e., original
knowledge comes from thought and reasoning). It assumes that the human
mind or reasoning is the only true source of knowledge.
� Deductive Reasoning: (i.e., the process of drawing a specific conclusion
from a set of premises). Deductive reasoning is the classical approach used
by the great rationalists in the history of western civilization. Note that, in
formal logic and mathematics, a conclusion from deductive reasoning will
necessarily be true if the argument form is valid and if the premises are true.
� Inductive Reasoning: (i.e., reasoning from the particular to the general).
The conclusion from inductive reasoning is probabilistic (i.e., you make a
statement about what will probably happen). The so called “problem of
induction” is that the future might not resemble the present.
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� Qualitative Research: Research that relies on the collection of qualitative
data. That which concentrates on a single case or cases for in-depth analysis
(such as an anthropologist’s study of a tribe)
� Quantitative Research: Research that relies primarily on the collection of
quantitative data. That which studies a large sample to get quantifiable
measurements (e.g. percentages of people who like a certain kind of product)
� Mixed Research: Mixed research involves the mixing of quantitative and
qualitative methods or paradigm characteristics.
� Hypothesis: Is a guess explaining something. It is also an informed and
logical explanation which is testable in principle. Generally hypothesis
expresses the relationship between two or more variables.
� Variable: A variable is anything that can take on differing or varying
values. Examples are: examination scores, weight, height, pressure etc.
� Random sampling: It is what when every element in a population has a
known and equal chance of being selected on the sample.
� Non-random sampling: It is when it cannot be determined what chance an
element has of being selected on the sample.
� Primary Sources: Those which you collect yourself or, in the case of
history, contemporary or near contemporary accounts. Primary sources are
used to prove your claim.
� Secondary Sources: Those which are collected by others and used by the
researcher. Secondary sources are used in the review of literature—finding
out what others have written about the issue—and to refer to facts which you
need to build your argument but which you are not proving.
� Survey: It is a method used to collect in systematic way information from a
sample of individuals. Although most people are familiar with public
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opinion surveys that are reported in the press, most surveys are not public
opinion polls (such as political polling), but are used for scientific purposes.
� Questionnaire: It is an instrument comprising questions to be filled in by
respondents.
� Schedule: It is a questionnaire read out to the respondents and filled in by
the researcher.
� Endnote/ Footnote Method: In this the sources are referred to in serial
numbers both in the text and either at the bottom of the page or at the end of
the text.
� Author-date Method: In this the last name of the author or authors is given
with date and page numbers in the text. In the end all the sources are listed
alphabetically as in a bibliography. This method also enables you to make a
bibliography.
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Appendix C
GUIDELINES FOR SUPERVISORS
The supervisors are expected to:-
� Devote adequate time and hold regular supervisory meetings.
� To be accessible to discuss the problems encountered by the students.
� Promptly and critically review the whole written work.
� Submit ‘Students Progress Report’ as per schedule.
� Refer the student to interact with other students/experts working in the same
domain.
� Ensure that suggested corrections/amendments have been adequately
incorporated in the research work.
� Keep the record of students’ visit.
� Seek solutions to any point / source of disagreement or difference of opinion
through Director Research ISSRA.
� Approach Director Research ISSRA for obtaining permission of concerned
authorities for the conduct of survey / interview / research by students at any
specific institution.
GUIDELINES FOR STUDENTS
The students are expected to:-
� Agree with the supervisor on research topic and synopsis/ research proposal.
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� Work diligently with the ultimate goal of successful completion of the
research project within the stipulated time.
� Be able to work independently.
� Be innovative in the research project as it progresses.
� Attend lectures, seminars and any training programmes on the advice of the
supervisor.
� Agree with the supervisor on a schedule of meetings in office timings or
through appointment.
� Inform the supervisor promptly of any problems which may be hindering
progress.
� Must maintain the decorum in the case of lady supervisor and must address
her as Madam.
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Appendix D
NATIONAL DEFENCE UNIVERSITY ISLAMABAD
THESIS PROGRESS REPORT
� This Report will be used by ISSRA (IS,R&P Branch), as a tool for the monitoring of M.Sc /
M.Phil level research programme.
� To be completed by the faculty members supervising MSc / M.Phil Theses.