Evaluation of Master's Dissertations of the Social Sciences and Education of Razi University Based on Scientific Writing Principles

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 M. A in Knowledge and Information Sciences, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran

2 Associate Professor of Knowledge and Information Sciences, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran.

3 Associate Professor of Knowledge and Information Sciences, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran

10.22034/hel.2023.708435

Abstract

Objective: The study aimed to assess adherence to scientific writing principles in Social Sciences dissertations at Razi University between 2013 and 2019 based on desirable research criteria.
Methods: This study is applied and utilized a descriptive-evaluative approach, examining 765 dissertations titles. A checklist was employed as the research measurement tool, validated for reliability and validity.
Results: Findings indicated Economics and general psychology departments had the most dissertations. Adherence to content criteria was prominent in knowledge and information science, guidance and counseling, educational management-entrepreneurship, psychology, accounting, economics, sociology, and political science. Likewise, adherence to structural criteria was highest in guidance and counseling, psychology, knowledge and information science, educational management-entrepreneurship, accounting, economics, sociology, and political science. Dissertations' content primarily adhered to desirable criteria in the introductory section, research data, participants, and ethical considerations. Similarly, in the structure of dissertations, criteria were observed in presentation format, references-citation, and writing style.
Conclusion: The results indicated significant differences in research criteria among faculty groups, with thesis content being weaker than structure. However, overall, the dissertations demonstrated higher adherence to scientific writing principles than the average level.

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References

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Higher Education Letter
Volume 16, Issue 63
October 2023
Pages 82-104

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