Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Honours) Thesis Guidelines

Each examiner will write a report explaining how the thesis contributes to knowledge in its field, and outlining the strengths and weaknesses of the thesis. Examination reports will differ depending on the topic and the field of research. The following criteria are listed only as a rough guide:

Research design and rationale

• Does the thesis clearly articulate a research question?
• Does it clearly explain how this question will be answered?
• Are all keywords and key concepts clearly explained?

Use of relevant literature

• Does the thesis demonstrate a suitable level of mastery over the existing secondary literature?
• Does the thesis define its contribution in relation to the relevant body of literature?
• Has previous scholarly analysis, criticism, and research relevant to this topic been identified and considered?
• Is scholarly literature handled competently, with meticulous referencing?

Methodology

• Does the thesis have a well defined, clearly bounded research methodology?
• Does the thesis justify this choice of methodology?
• Is this methodology convincingly presented as a suitable way to answer the research question?
• Does the thesis give evidence that all relevant theoretical/methodological concepts have been understood?
• Does the thesis use theoretical/methodological concepts in an informed, precise, and confident way?
• Has the research (where relevant) been conducted ethically, and have all ethical implications been handled appropriately?

Quality of the argument

• Does the thesis develop a coherent, logical, and linear argument?
• Does the thesis have a suitable introduction and conclusion?
• Does the argument answer the research question, using the chosen research methods?
• Does the thesis end with a well formulated concluding statement about the major findings of the project?

General presentation

• Is the thesis well written, with accurate grammar and word-choice, and with minimal errors?
• Is the thesis appropriately and consistently formatted?
• Is the author's own voice and own point of view clear throughout? Is there an excessive reliance on quotation, paraphrase, or secondary viewpoints?
• Does the thesis include, as appendices, all necessary supplementary documentation referred to in the main text (e.g. survey results, transcripts of interviews, etc.)?

The progression of your Honours thesis should typically follow this pattern:

• Negotiate topic with your appointed supervisor - early in your first semester
• Reviewing literature to focus on your research question and approach - during your first semester
• If required, submit ethics application to the Human Research Ethics Committee (see below for further details)
• Give your supervisor a drafted thesis outline and literature review for feedback - within 5 weeks of commencing the thesis
• Give your supervisor a complete (or nearly complete) draft of the thesis - no later than the 11th week of semester
• Final submission - by the last Friday of June (for a semester 1 submission) or the last Friday of November (for a semester 2 submission)
• The examination process typically takes 8 weeks from the date of submission.

The thesis should be submitted by the last Friday of June (for a semester 1 submission) or the last Friday of November (for a semester 2 submission).

When your thesis is ready for examination, please submit it using this form.

The thesis should follow the conventions of your discipline. When commencing your thesis, make sure you consult with your principal supervisor regarding matters such as style and specific requirements in your field of research. It is easier to begin using the correct style rather than to have to edit the document later.

Reviewing other theses in the library is also good practice. Many examples are also available online.

Any project requiring human research will require approval by the AC Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC). Human research is research conducted with or about people, including surveys, interviews or observations, medical or psychological testing, or accessing personal documents, data or biological specimens or tissue.

Information regarding HREC applications can be found here, and ethics applications can be submitted via this form.

Please note that the HREC meets and processes applications several times throughout the year. It is strongly recommended that applications should be submitted in advance of enrolling into your research project unit and the commencement of your research project to ensure enough time is permitted to have the applications processed.

At the end of your Honours program, you will receive a grade as follows:

Honours I - awarded for a grade of 85-100%

Honours IIA - awarded for a grade of 75-84%

Honours IIB - awarded for a grade of 65-74%

Honours III - awarded for a grade of 50-64%