Methodological Guide: for Academic Writing, Essays, Theses, Internship Reports

By Syriaque CINE, Ph.D., SMM

Beginning students often find it very difficult to plan their homework, structure them, and write them correctly. Likewise, many graduating students face serious methodological problems in writing their final papers, theses, and internship reports.

This methodological guide aims to meet the expectations of students and fill these various gaps. It presents in a substantial way the rules that apply to the writing of essays, scientific assignments, final papers, theses, and internship reports. It also presents the rules relating to the evaluation of theses, internship reports, and their defense.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Dec 2, 2021
• ISBN: 9781662460210

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Methodological Guide

for Academic Writing

Essays, Theses, Internship Reports

Syriaque CINE, Ph.D., SMM

Copyright © 2021 Syriaque Cine

All rights reserved

First Edition

PAGE PUBLISHING, INC.

Conneaut Lake, PA

First originally published by Page Publishing 2021

ISBN 978-1-6624-6020-3 (pbk)

ISBN 978-1-6624-6021-0 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

List of Tables

List of Acronyms

Foreword

Acknowledgments

University-Written Production

Elements of Structuring Scientific Work

1.1 The Cover Page and Its Elements

1.2 Subjects of Work in the Human Sciences

1.2.1 Choice of Concepts in the Development of Subjects

1.2.2 Link between the Concepts of the Subject and Its Content

1.3 The Structuring of Scientific Texts

1.3.1 Structuring Student Homework

1.3.2 The Structuring of Texts into Titles and Subtitles

1.3.3 Types of Structures and Titles

1.3.3.1 Classic Presentation and Digital Numbering

1.3.3.2 APA-Style Five-Level Format

Elements of Composition of Scientific Work

2.1 Font Style and Font Size

2.2 Citations

2.2.1 How to Cite

2.2.2 Three Ways of Citing

2.2.3 Bibliography

Essay Considerations

Theoretical Considerations on Essay

3.1 The Subject

3.2 Choice of the Subject

3.3 The Meaning of the Subject

3.4 The Orientation of the Subject

3.5 Approach to the Subject

3.6 The Problematic

3.7 Plans of Different Types of Subjects

3.7.1 Progressive Plan

3.7.2 Comparison Plan

3.7.3 Inventory Plan

3.7.4 Dialectical Plan

3.8 Research Plan and Writing Plan

3.8.1 The Research Plan or Work Plan

3.8.2 The Drafting Plan

3.9 Writing the Essay

3.9.1 Reference to Primary Documents

3.9.2 Reference to Documents Available on the Web

Practical Considerations on Essay

4.1 The Introduction

4.1.1 Subject Brought Up

4.1.2 Subject Posed

4.1.3 Divided Subject

4.2 Development

4.2.1 The Development of the Subject According to a Sustained Logic

4.2.2 The Development of the Subject in Reference to the Existing Literature

4.2.3 Use of Authors’ Writings

4.3 The Conclusion

4.3.1 Summary of the Work

4.3.2 Broadening of the Subject

4.4 Typical Essay Structures

4.4.1 A Typical Essay Structure Model

4.4.2 An Application Essay

Fundamental Research

The Research

5.1 Origin and Evolution of Research

5.2 Basic Research

5.2.1 Quantitative Fundamental Research

5.2.2 Qualitative Fundamental Research

5.3 Applied Research

The Research Project

6.1 Definition of the Research Project and Its Importance

6.2 Quantitative Basic Research Project and Report Structure

6.3 Structure of a Thesis and Dissertation Project

Thesis and Final Papers

7.1 A Thesis and a Final Paper

7.2 Determining the Type of Research for Your Thesis

Basic Elements of a Thesis/Dissertation Quantitative Fundamental Research

8.1 Research Theme

8.2 Research Topic

Introduction and Formulation of the Problem

9.1 Formulation of the Problem

9.1.1 Social Relevance of the Problem

9.1.2 Scientific Relevance of the Problem

9.1.3 Focus of the Research / Research Problematic

9.1.4 Objectives of the Study

9.1.5 Research Hypothesis

9.1.6 Importance of the Research

Literature Review

10.1 Authors’ Views

10.1.1 Review of the Literature on the Phenomenon in Foreign Countries

10.1.2 Review of the Literature on the Phenomenon in the Country Where the Study Is Carried Out

10.2 Conceptual Framework of the Research

10.3 Theoretical Framework of the Research

10.4 Theoretical Framework Retained

Methodological Framework

11.1 Brief Review of the Research

11.2 Ethical Considerations

11.2.1 Ethical Considerations Regarding the Informants

11.2.2 Ethical Considerations Related to the Research Report

11.3 Documentary Investigation Phase

11.4 Operating Framework / Construction of Data Collection Instruments

11.5 Mode of Use of Data Collection Instruments

11.6 Field Investigation

11.7 Description of the Research Area

11.8 Access to the Research Area

11.9 Sample

11.10 Presentation of the Results Analysis and Interpretation Procedures

Presentation of the Results

12.1 Data Processing and Presentation

12.1.1 Prior Codification of Information Collection Tools

12.1.2 Data Analysis and Verification

12.1.3 Data Coding Manual / Data Summary Matrix

12.1.4 Compilation and Classification of Results

12.2 Presentation of Results as Tables and Figures

Analysis, Interpretation of Results, and Conclusion

13.1 Analysis of Research Results

13.2 Interpretation of Research Results

13.3 Conclusion of the Research

13.3.1 Research Summary

13.3.2 Outlook and Recommendations

Writing and Supporting Procedures for Thesis/Dissertation

14.1 Steps Prior to Preparing the Thesis

14.1.1 Choice of Research Theme and Topic

14.1.2 Preliminary Research Project as Homework

14.2 Procedures Relating to the Preparation of the Thesis

14.2.1 Mentorship of the Student

14.2.2 Eligibility to Write the Thesis or the Dissertation

14.2.3 Basic Elements of the Thesis Structure

14.2.4 Calendar of Activities

14.2.5 Initial Deposit of Copies

14.2.6 Critical Reading and Defense

14.2.7 Thesis Evaluation Grid

14.2.8 Return of the Evaluated Thesis

14.2.9 Submission of Copies as a Prelude to the Defense

14.2.10 Evaluation of the Thesis by a Jury

14.2.11 Defense of the Thesis

14.2.12 Deliberation and Attribution of Grade

Internship and the Internship Report

The Internship

15.1 The Internship

15.1.1 The Importance of the Internship

15.1.2 The Actors of the Internship

15.1.2.1 The Student Intern

15.1.2.2 The Host Environment

15.1.2.3 The University or Technical School

15.1.3 Tutoring

15.1.3.1 A Tutor from the Training Center

15.1.3.2 A Tutor from the Host Institution

15.1.4 Period of the Internship

15.1.5 Relationship between Internship and Professional Perspective

15.1.6 Benefit to the Host Environment from the Student’s Internship Report

The Mission, the Subject, and the Internship Project

16.1 The Intern’s Mission

16.1.1 The Host Environment and the Intern’s Mission

16.1.2 The Student and the Intern’s Mission

16.2 The Topic of the Internship

16.2.1 The Process for Choosing the Topic of the Internship

16.2.1.1 The Choice of the Topic of the Internship as a Concerted Process

16.2.1.2 Choice of a Topic at the Beginning or During the Course of the Internship

16.2.1.3 Some Considerations for the Definition of the Topic

16.2.1.4 The Topic Quality for the Success of the Internship and the Writing of the Internship Report

16.2.1.5 The Time Allocated, Holding the Internship, and Writing the Internship Report

16.2.1.6 Link between Theoretical Knowledge and Internship Topic

16.3 The Internship Project and Some of Its Fundamental Elements

16.3.1 Title of the Report

16.3.2 Description in Five or Six Lines of the Problem to Be Solved

16.3.3 Importance of the Topic for the Company

16.3.4 Main Sources of Information

16.3.5 Proposal for a Problem-Solving Plan in Two or Three Parts

16.3.6 Planning Proposal

The Unfolding of the Internship

17.1 Types of Internships and Their Operating Methods

17.2 Field of Specialization and Unfolding of Internship

17.3 Problematic of the Topic and the Unfolding of the Internship

17.4 The Intern and the Unfolding of the Internship

17.4.1 Execution of the Internship Project by the Student Intern

17.4.2 Beginning of the Internship Report Writing Process

17.5 The Company and the Running of the Internship

17.5.1 Favorable Environment to the Smooth Running of the Internship

17.5.2 Supervision of the Intern’s Activities

17.6 The Training Establishment and the Running of the Internship

17.6.1 Preparation and Conduct of the Internship

17.6.2 Support of the Intern during the Running of the Internship

17.6.3 Writing and Finalizing the Internship Report

Internship Report

18.1 Types of Internship Reports

18.2 Plans of Internship Reports to Obtain a Diploma

18.2.1 Introduction and Problematic of the Internship Report

18.2.1.1 Context of the Internship

18.2.1.2 Brief Presentation of the Environment

18.2.1.3 Problematic of the Internship Report

18.2.1.4 Objective of the Internship and the Internship Report

18.2.1.5 Methodology Used

18.2.1.6 Announcement of the Internship Report Plan

18.2.2 Fundamental Components of the Body of the Internship Report

18.2.2.1 The Company/Institution/Organization and Its Environment

18.2.2.2 The Context of the Internship

18.2.2.3 Presentation and Description of the Work or the Missions Carried Out

18.2.2.4 Identification, Analysis, and Interpretation of the Internship Contributions and the Intern’s Opinion

18.2.3 Conclusion

Structural Elements of the Internship Report and Its Defense

19.1 The Cover Page and Its Constituent Elements

19.2 Acknowledgments

19.3 Table of Contents

19.4 Dedication (Optional)

19.5 Introduction

19.6 The Body of the Internship Report

19.7 Conclusion

19.8 Bibliography

19.9 Appendices

19.10 Activities Relating to the Writing and Defense of the Internship Report

19.10.1 Calendar of Activities

19.10.2 Initial Deposit of Copies

19.10.3 Critical Reading and Defense

19.10.4 Evaluation Grid for the Internship Report

19.10.5 Return of the Evaluated Internship Report to the Student

19.10.6 Submission of Copies as a Prelude to the Defense

19.10.7 Evaluation of the Internship Report by the Jury

19.10.8 Defense of the Internship Report

19.10.9 Deliberation and Attribution of Grades

Conclusion

Bibliography

Translated from French to English by the author Syriaque Ciné and Dr. Irvin Jean-Baptiste.

List of Tables

List of Acronyms

Acknowledgments

I would like to express my thanks to the people who encouraged me during the writing of this methodological guide. First of all, I want to thank Fathers Jean-Jacques Saint Louis, SMM; Claude Ciné, SMM; and Sully Guillaume Sam, for their fraternal support.

I then thank Professor Narcisse Fièvre and Dr. Fénol Métellus, coordinator and assistant coordinator of the UPR network in Haiti, for their encouragement and for reading the French version of the text.

I would like to thank my brothers, Adrien Ciné, Luc Ciné, and Pierre-Dinot Ciné, for their various supports provided during the writing of this book.

I thank Dr. Irvin Jean-Baptiste for his participation in proofreading the text and translating it from French to English.

I extend my thanks as well to Kens Lacoste and Juansito Elysée, for their support in the process of publishing this methodological guide.

I express my profound gratitude to Dr. Gerald Cattaro, from Fordham University, for having encouraged me to write this methodological guide.

I express my deep gratitude to Father Chuck Romano, Pastor of St. Raymond Catholic Church, for his warm welcome to me and his support during the process of translating and publishing this book.

Finally, my thanks go to Mrs. Myriam Meyts, for reading and correcting the final version of the French text to make it ready for the English translation.

Foreword

The transition from secondary education to the first cycle of university education puts the students in a new reality of learning and producing intellectual works. Whatever scientific discipline they embrace, many of them find themselves confronted with the difficulty of writing assignments of a wide variety of types and dimensions. As they advance in their studies, the assignments they write become more complex, and the problems they encounter in their writing become more acute.

Many university training programs take into account the challenge of student writing. Despite the efforts made, however, the problem persists and worsens. It manifests itself in the structure and content of homework, research work, research papers, and internship reports. Measures to gradually resolve this problem must involve students and faculty. They should also apply at all levels of the undergraduate cycle, that is, from the first to the fourth year.

Administrators of universities must include among the measures to be taken to tackle this problem effective learning tools that can help students cope with the new reality of learning and writing. This methodological guide, divided into four parts, intends to partially meet this goal. It is designed primarily for undergraduate students.

As the name suggests, it is not a methodology manual in the fullest sense. It is, instead, a methodological guide that is designed to assist beginning students in (a) academic writing, (b) resuming the basic elements of the essay, (c) learning the basic elements of fundamental research, and (d) recognizing the essential concepts of internships and internship reports. It aims to help students be able to better read and use methodological manuals whose contents are more complex.

The first part deals with academic writing. It aims to introduce the student to the basic elements of scientific production both in terms of their learning and that of their use in the various types of homework as soon as they enter university space.

The thesis is the second component of this guide. It intends to make the link between the last years of secondary education and the first years of the first cycle of university.

Students and professors can use it as a guide in writing simple and more or less complex-structured theses and assignments. It presents a synthesis of the rules of the essay, embracing the subject and the different types of plans. It ends with a presentation of a sample thesis outline and an overview of the structure of a sample thesis.

The third part presents the structure of a thesis to be