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Possible Questions

This document outlines 14 questions to help prepare for presenting and defending a thesis study. It provides guidance on summarizing the topic, how it contributes to existing literature and enhances understanding, key findings in 1-15 minute summaries, background research methods, how the hypothesis was formed, why the particular research method was chosen, who the sample group was and why they were chosen, obstacles in working with the sample, expectations for analysis findings, lessons learned, recommendations, how it relates to existing theories, the future scope of the study, and professional plans after completing the study. The document aims to help structure responses to common questions that may arise when defending a thesis.

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39 views2 pages

Possible Questions

This document outlines 14 questions to help prepare for presenting and defending a thesis study. It provides guidance on summarizing the topic, how it contributes to existing literature and enhances understanding, key findings in 1-15 minute summaries, background research methods, how the hypothesis was formed, why the particular research method was chosen, who the sample group was and why they were chosen, obstacles in working with the sample, expectations for analysis findings, lessons learned, recommendations, how it relates to existing theories, the future scope of the study, and professional plans after completing the study. The document aims to help structure responses to common questions that may arise when defending a thesis.

Uploaded by

fecantere
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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1. What is your topic, and why did you choose it?

 Give a quick summary in just a few sentences on what you've researched. Give
a quick background on your process for choosing this topic.

2. How does your topic contribute to the existing literature? How is it


important?
 Talk about how your thesis enhances the general understanding of the topic to
extend the reach beyond what others have found, and then give examples of
why the world needs that increased understanding.

3. What are the key findings of your study?


 Give yourself several options by preparing 1) a very general, quick summary of
your findings that takes a minute or less, 2) a more detailed rundown of what
your study revealed that is 3-5 minutes long, and 3) a 10- to 15-minute
synopsis that delves into your results in detail.

4. What type of background research did you do for your study?


 Here you'll describe what you did while you were deciding what to study. This
usually includes a literary review to determine what previous researchers have
already introduced to the field. You also likely had to look into whether your
study was going to be possible and what you would need in order to collect the
needed data. Did you need info from databases that require permissions or fees?

5. What was your hypothesis, and how did you form it?
 Describe the expected results you had for your study and whether your
hypothesis came from previous research experience, long-held expectations, or
cultural myths.

6. Why did you choose your particular method for your study?
 Different research methods are more fitting to specific studies than others (e.g.,
qualitative vs. quantitative), and knowing this, you applied a method that would
present your findings most effectively. What factors led you to choose your
method?

7. Who formed the sample group of your study, and why did you choose this
population?
 Did you take extra measures to target this population? Or perhaps you found a
sample group that responded more readily to your request for participation, and
after hitting dead ends for months, convenience is what shaped your study
population. Make sure to present your reasoning in an honest but favorable
way.

8. What obstacles or limitations did you encounter while working with your
sample?
 Outline the process of pursuing respondents for your study and the difficulties
you faced in collecting enough quality data for your thesis. Perhaps the
decisions you made took shape based on the participants you ended up
interviewing.

9. Was there something specific you were expecting to find during your
analysis?
 Expectations are natural when you set out to explore a topic, especially one
you've been dancing around throughout your academic career. This question
can refer to your hypotheses, but it can also touch on your personal feelings
and expectations about this topic. What did you believe you would find when
you dove deeper into the subject? Was that what you actually found, or were
you surprised by your results?
10. What did you learn from your study?
 Your response to this question can include not only the basic findings of your
work (if you haven't covered this already) but also some personal surprises you
might have found that veered away from your expectations. Sometimes these
details are not included in the thesis, so these details can add some spice to
your defense.

11. What are the recommendations from your study?


 With connection to the reasons you chose the topic, your results can address
the problems your work is solving. Give specifics on how policymakers,
professionals in the field, etc., can improve their service with the knowledge
your thesis provides.

12. How did you relate your study to the existing theories in the literature?
 Point out how similar your work is to some and how it contrasts other works of
research; both contribute greatly to the overall body of research.

13. What is the future scope of this study?


 This one is pretty easy, since most theses include recommendations for future
research within the text. That means you already have this one covered, and
since you read over your thesis before your defense, it's already fresh in your
mind.

14. What do you plan to do professionally after you complete your study?
 This is a question directed more to you and your future professional plans. This
might align with the research you performed, and if so, you can direct your
question back to your research, maybe mentioning the personal motivations you
have for pursuing study of that subject.

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