Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
and thesis completion
A.H. Hamizad & M.S.M. Zahari
Faculty of Hotel and Tourism Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, Malaysia
N.M. Shahril & M.N. Shuhirdy
Faculty of Hotel and Tourism Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Penang, Malaysia
ABSTRACT: Owing to the complexities, academic scholars extensively regard the thesis as the last
safeguard for postgraduate students in accomplishing their studies. Many postgraduate students however
are reported of failing to submit their thesis work on time owing to various factors. In fact, accomplishing
thesis is one of the daunting challenges facing by the postgraduate students in many universities. Lack of
information seeking skills, writing skills and other factors could impede and delaying postgraduate thesis
completion. This paper empirically investigates the relationship between reading comprehension, writing
skills and thesis completion among the hospitality post graduates students.
Keywords
:
Postgraduate, student, reading comprehension, writing skills, thesis
1 INTRODUCTION
from student to a researcher or intellectual (Knight
& Sutton, 2004). Therefore, there is unrelenting
pressure on the universities to provide adequate
research training both in the field of expertise by
which postgraduate students will need to demon-
strate a significant and original contribution to
knowledge (Clewes, 1996).
Owing to its complexities, academic scholars
extensively regard the thesis as the last safeguard
for students in accomplishing their studies (Abel,
2002; Paltridge, 1997). Many postgraduate students
are reported of failing to submit their thesis work
on time. In Canada, for instance, the completion
rates are varying with 40 percent in arts, 60 percent
in the humanities and life sciences (Feigenbaum,
1994) whereas in the UK the completion rates are
between 51 percent to 64 percent in the humanities
and sciences (Wright & Cochrane, 2000). In fact,
accomplishing thesis or research project is one of
the most daunting challenges facing by the post-
graduate students in many universities.
The attrition and low completion rate among
the postgraduate students without exception is also
a major problem facing by the Faculty of Hotel
and Tourism Management, University Technol-
ogy MARA, Shah Alam, Malaysia. Report from
this Faculty revealed that low graduation rates
are owing to the failure of students in complet-
ing their final thesis or research project although
passing through all other coursework. Out of 70
students enrolled in the program approximately
In almost all universities besides other core and
non-core management subjects, thesis is one of the
core requirements for the postgraduate students
to accomplish before graduating. Thesis is a sub-
stantial piece of work, written with a view to prov-
ing or disproving something with the purpose of
adding to, or creating new knowledge of a specific
study field. Thesis requires student to demonstrate
a mastery of the subject area being researched
as well as a comprehensive understanding of the
research methodology being used (Clewes, 1996).
It encompasses both intellectual and skills devel-
opment and for the vast majority of postgraduate
students and the thesis by far is the most challeng-
ing piece of academic work (Bruning, Schraw,
Norby & Ronning, 2004). Carrying out a thesis
project can become equivalent to a full-time job
with no obvious immediate benefits and can take
several years to complete.
A thesis project should grasp more considera-
tion and attention than an examination or assign-
ment and setting postgraduate's research on the
back burner can deter their advancement in the
field (Clewes, 1996). Maintaining a steady progress
will help students to avoid the unfortunate circum-
stance of having an incomplete research project
after they have finished their coursework. Thesis
on the other hand is a kind of academic project
and this academic project marks the transition
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