A Study of Problem relating to the Process of Doing Theses of Students Studying in Master of Arts Programs in Comparative Religion and Ethical Studies, Department of Humanities, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Mahidol University

Abstract

The study, “Problems in the Thesis Writing Process Among Students in the MA Programs in Comparative Religion and Ethical Studies, Department of Humanities, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Mahidol University,” is a quantitative research aiming to study levels of problems and compare problems found in the thesis writing process among students in the MA Programs in Comparative Religion and Ethical
Studies. Samples were 27 former students in the MA Programs in Comparative Religion and Ethical Studies who were graduated between 2008 and 2012. The data collection tool was questionnaires. Percentage, average and T-Test were used to analyze the data.

        Findings showed that most samples had a low level of problems (=2.32). The samples had a moderate level of personal problems (=2.78); and low levels of problems in the process of proposal defense (=2.23), in the process of thesis writing (=2.55) and in contacting office staff (=1.70), consecutively. The analysis with T-Test showed that no difference existed between students from different Programs. (The p-value was 0.919.)

          It is recommended that the Department and Programs should provide a training in thesis writing to students from the beginning. The Programs should encourage students to find research topics before they complete their coursework. The Department should develop a system to track students’ progress. It is also recommended that a further study be conducted on students’ personal problems, which appeared to
be the most important factor that delayed the thesis writing process. The study should be conducted on students in other departments or programs both in the MA and PhD levels. It should focus on students who are studying so that the latest information is obtained. A qualitative study should also be conducted with