Scribd
Upload
203 views21 pages

A Quick (And Very Informal) Guide To Thesis: Prepared By: Luigi Jaro and Jehanne Tupas

This informal guide provides an overview of the different types of thesis studies - policy papers, case studies, and legal reviews - and discusses their pros and cons. It outlines the key parts and milestones of developing a thesis, including selecting a topic, developing an outline, conducting research from appropriate legal sources, and defending the proposal and final draft. The guide emphasizes establishing a timeline, communicating with an adviser, and working efficiently while avoiding procrastination. It aims to help students navigate the thesis process and requirements.

Uploaded by

Luigi Jaro
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
203 views21 pages

A Quick (And Very Informal) Guide To Thesis: Prepared By: Luigi Jaro and Jehanne Tupas

This informal guide provides an overview of the different types of thesis studies - policy papers, case studies, and legal reviews - and discusses their pros and cons. It outlines the key parts and milestones of developing a thesis, including selecting a topic, developing an outline, conducting research from appropriate legal sources, and defending the proposal and final draft. The guide emphasizes establishing a timeline, communicating with an adviser, and working efficiently while avoiding procrastination. It aims to help students navigate the thesis process and requirements.

Uploaded by

Luigi Jaro
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 21

A Quick (and very Informal) Guide

to THESIS
Prepared by: Luigi Jaro and Jehanne Tupas
Kinds of Studies
◉ Policy Paper
◉ Case Study
◉ Legal Review or Analysis or Critique

2
Policy
◉ Introduces a policy, change or amendment in the current
law because there is perceived to be a legal problem

◉ Ex. Introduction of 2 child-policy, Mandatory use of body


cams for police operations, Amendment of Paternity Leave
Act to include live-in partners

3
Pros
◉ Novelty
o It introduces a fundamental change in the current
normative order which produces tangible results
and effects
◉ Crafting of thesis is straightforward
o Identify the current problem in status quo based on
a legal problem and provide a proposal to address
the problem
4
Cons
◉ Requires crafting of legislation
◉ Requires you to defend the legality, necessity, feasibility,
practicability of your proposal
◉ Broad scope - huge probability that research will spill over
to specialized areas such as economics, biology, medicine,
etc.
◉ Often involves SEVERAL legal issues to be answered
◉ Possibility of absence of legal issue
5
Case Study
◉ Assessment of the legality or illegality of a certain set of
facts. Basically answers the question whether a certain
situation is legal or illegal under the law

◉ Ex. The legality of the unilateral use of force against Syria


in response to state sponsored chemical attacks against its
own students

6
Pros
◉ Limited scope of discussion revolving around a certain set
of facts
◉ Easier to defend because you have facts to work with
◉ Akin to working on a real case

7
Cons
◉ Facts-Heavy, may even require you to gather facts
personally
◉ Requires extensive verification of facts, which may require
you to look for 3-5 different sources for a certain fact
◉ The need to establish the case for the other side
◉ Possibility of becoming moot - bye bye one-year’s work!

8
Legal Review or Analysis
◉ Reviews pronouncements by the court or actions executed
by branches of the government. It may also come in the
form of analysis on a proposed legislation to be passed

◉ Ex. Legal Analysis of the Sereno Ruling

9
Pros
◉ Material to be reviewed is already presented and case of
the other side is already established
◉ Limited scope – may involve only 1 legal issue
◉ Can be accomplished thru desk research as a methodology
(unlike the other 2 kinds)
◉ Research is often easier as sources are already available

10
Cons
◉ Novelty, or the lack of it!
◉ The tough task of adding new analysis and legal perspective,
specially when there are several dissenting opinions given
by other SC justices
◉ The more controversial the case – the harder to pass the
novelty test

11
HOW to select a thesis
topic?
1. Select a major field/branch of law
ex. Civil Law
2. Choose a particular subject under that field
ex. Succession
3. Identify a problem under that particular subject
ex. Inequality of shares between legitimate and illegitimate children
4. Research for a “working solution” (legal basis) and craft your thesis proposal
ex. Equal Inheritance for Legitimate and Illegitimate Children

12
Stuff to consider/remember before selecting
a thesis topic
◉ UMAY! – This will be a 1-year endeavor that may require you
working on Christmas and other holidays
◉ Are there enough materials and resources available to support
your thesis?
◉ Is there a thesis adviser that you can work with on this field?
◉ Is there a legal issue?
◉ Is it novel?

13
Tips during actual making of thesis

◉ Rule no. 1 – DO NOT CRAM!


◉ Establish timetables and deadlines with your thesis adviser
◉ Use available tools for efficiency – ex. Zotero, M-Word
Techniques, etc.
◉ Always communicate with your adviser

14
Parts of the Thesis

◉ Title Page
◉ Table of Contents
◉ Acknowledgments
◉ Abstract
◉ Introduction – Background of the Study, Statement of the
Problem, Significance of the Study, Scope and Limitations,
Methodology
◉ RRL
15
Parts of the Thesis

◉ Discussion and Analysis


◉ Conclusion
◉ Recommendation
◉ Annexes
◉ Bibliography

16
Research Sources
◉ Rule No. 2 – WIKIPEDIA IS NOT A SOURCE!
◉ Freedom of information website – www.foi.gov.ph
◉ Google scholar – scholar.google.com.ph
◉ JSTOR – www.jstor.org
◉ Googlebooks – books.google.com
◉ SC E-library – elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph
◉ American jurisprudence – www.justia.com
◉ Silliman Law Library – this was a goldmine for me!

17
Thesis Milestones

1st Semester:
◉ Proposal of Thesis Topics (need 3)
◉ Approval of Thesis Topic
◉ Selection of Thesis Adviser
◉ Submission of Thesis Sentence Outline
◉ Defense of Thesis Sentence Outline

18
Thesis Milestones

2nd Semester:
◉ Submission of Thesis Draft
◉ Submission of Final Draft
◉ Online Thesis Defense
◉ If needed – Executive Session, Re-defense, or Repeat
Thesis Program

19
Final words of advise

◉ Help each other out!


◉ The more you work now, the less you will have to work later
◉ While it may be burdensome, it will be worth it at the end
◉ REST if you must, but DON’T you QUIT!

20
“There is no elevator to success, you
have to take the stairs.”
- Zig Ziglar -

21

You might also like