Explore your initial research interests, finding studies along the lines of these interests.
Identify a problem (a gap or a niche) in the literature related to your research interests. Remember to utilise the following databases to begin with: Thesis Center (Ulusal Tez Merkezi), DergiPark, PROQUEST and EBSCOHOST.
Note down why the gap/niche identified would be of value.
Advisor Assignment
Discuss your interests with your thesis advisor.
Further explore the targeted variables, and explore any relevant theoretical/conceptual frameworks.
Topic Approval
Specify a thesis topic, and get the approval.
2nd PHASE: PREPARING YOUR THESIS PROPOSAL
Thesis Proposal
Prepare a thesis proposal, liaising with your thesis advisor.
3rd PHASE: CONDUCT & WRITE
Conduct the study & Write your thesis
Collect data
Analyse data
Take any necessary steps to ensure you conduct your research ethically (Application for Bilkent Ethics Committee Approval). If you intend to conduct research in K-12 schools, click this link. N.B. If the study is conducted in another higher education institution, Bilkent’s Ethics Committee Approval could still be useful; however, please note that higher education institutions have their own such procedures, and and you are required to follow them.
Defend your thesis before a Thesis Examination Committee, when your confirms you are ready to do so.
Check with your advisor to confirm how to get prepared and what to expect before, during and after your written and oral examination.
5th PHASE: COMPLETE
Finalising, Formatting & Submitting
make any required changes indicated by your advisor and the committee members.
submit your thesis to the Office of the Graduate School of Education (GSE) for approval, meeting the formatting requirements.
6th PHASE: EXIT
Exit Procedures Complete the exit procedures listed below:
Make sure the Approval Pages are signed in blue ink by the committee members. Check with the Office of the GSE to confirm how many extra copies you need to have.
Go to the Council of Higher Education’s Thesis Center (Ulusal Tez Merkezi) website to complete the Thesis/Dissertation Data Entry Form(Sample Form)following the guidelinesgiven. Download and take at least three copies of the completed form to the Office of the GSE.
Prepare 3 CDs, making sure that each of which includes your thesis/dissertation saved as the reference number (i.e. referencenogiven.pdf) given by the Thesis Center, and each of which is labeled as the reference number given.
Take at least three bound copies of your thesis/dissertation to the Office of GSE for getting the approval, and signature, of the Director of the Graduate School of Education. Leave a copy with the Office of the GSE.
Take a signed and approved bound copy to the Bilkent University Library together with aThesis/Dissertation Database Submission and Permission Form together with one of the CDs. Remember to leave the other two CDs with the Office of the GSE.
