Research Postgraduate Student Handbook (2023/24)
 
 
 
Thesis Requirement
 
  1. The thesis should summarise the findings of the RPg student’s original and independent research, and is submitted for the award of a University research degree;
  2. The thesis should consist of the RPg student’s own account of his/her investigations and be an integrated and coherent piece of work;
  3. The thesis should be presented in English. Permission must be sought preferably at the point of admission, if another language, which is considered more appropriate to the subject, is to be used in the presentation of the thesis. Strong justifications on academic grounds must be provided to substantiate that the use of English will adversely affect the clarity of the thesis should another language be used. Applications shall be endorsed by the D/SRC, approved by the FRC/SB and copied, for information, to the GSB Chair, who may veto the decision of the FRC/SB.
  4. The thesis must meet PolyU’s English language standard expectations. To meet these expectations, the thesis must:
    • at all times clearly convey its content and meanings through an accurate use of the English language;
    • follow a clear and appropriate organisation at all levels: overall (as shown by the Table of Contents and all text-headings); within chapters and within sections; between chapters and sections; at paragraph level; and at clause and sentence levels;
    • follow acceptable conventions of standard English syntax;
    • use both common and specialist vocabulary accurately and consistently;
    • be fully spell-checked so that typographical errors have been removed;
    • be free of errors such as incorrect layout, mislabelling or inadequate labelling of tables and other visuals, failure to maintain consistent levels of numbering of section and sub-section headings, etc;
    • use punctuation with understanding of its function as an essential aid to comprehension; and
    • have an accurate and complete set of references (and appendices, if applicable) conforming to a style manual acceptable to the Chief Supervisor.
  5. The thesis may be accompanied by materials other than in the written form, subject to prior approval of D/SRC Chair.
  6. The thesis must be presented in accordance with the Regulations on the Format and Presentation of Thesis for RPg Degrees.