The Online Thesis: The Advantage Of Wide Exposure
A thesis is an intellectual proposition put forward for discussion. It is defended against objections, and supports research or an idea proposed by an individual. A thesis is often backed by academic findings and surveys to support this idea or reason. Discussions and debates test the thesis and idea and the supporting research. If a thesis cannot answer the questions, dispute the objections or survive the debate, then it is abolished and considered a failure. A thesis should be available for comments and objections from around the world, an idea now possible through the use of the internet and the online thesis.
An online thesis is helpful as it becomes the target of objections from around the world, helping the writer to refine his or her research. Objections are important for a thesis, as they help gather new information and sometimes give the thesis a new direction or thought process. An online thesis, when published, gives the writer international exposure and prominence. Traditional, theses are presented as public lectures at universities and schools, but through the use of technology, publishing a thesis online has drastically improved the reception and conception of ideas.
Universities in the United States require most masters and doctoral students to publish a thesis. These theses serves as their final examinations on their subjects of focus, and only upon successfully defending their theses are they qualified for their degrees. The thesis is defending before a panel consisting of three or four examiners who have been given a copy of the thesis in advance. Their questions and objections judge the validity of the thesis, the knowledge of the subject and the driving factors behind the research. An online thesis, however, can expect a lot more questions and objections, since the whole world can review the thesis for approval. Many able students and scholars are afraid of public speaking, a fear that can hamper their efforts during their defenses, even when they have concurrent proof for their research. With an online thesis, objections are posted on a message board or through email, and cab be answered through any medium, including video and sound. This erases the sometimes claustrophobic situation of standing alone before a panel of judges. However, the internet has its pitfalls. A thesis is an original piece of research completed by a masters or doctoral candidate hoping to qualify for his or her degree, but it is not safe from plagiarism. Once it is published on the internet, the online thesis becomes fair game for the breaching of copyright acts, especially as competition around the world increases for better products and markets. The online thesis provides valuable contacts, but at the risk of the idea being stolen before it is even finalized.
While it comes with a price, the online thesis is still a viable choice. Once the online thesis is uploaded to a server and made available to the general public, it becomes the center of a whirlwind of debate and discussion, and such a whirlwind is only beneficial to its writer.
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