Conducting Master' Dissertations in an EFL Context: Practical Guidlines

Abstract

In their final stage of the academic career, Master students often encounter enormous challenges and difficulties in getting their research well completed. Their sense of excitement for graduation coupled the huge responsibility awaiting for them is quite overwhelming. Being in such situation may lead to lower quality of master’s dissertations. Conducting Master’s dissertations in EFL context poses unique opportunities and challenges, not only for students, but also for supervisors. In many cases, students struggle to put their ideas into meaningful and researchable topics due to the lack of experience and practice. Supervisors, on the other hand, may find it difficult to balance their roles as guide, feedback provider with the development of research skills their students are expected to possess. To ensure successful research from topic selection to viva voce, Master students are supposed to develop a strong understanding of the diverse layers of research methodology in terms of theory and practice.