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| S. no. | Question | Description |
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| 1 | Is there a difference between research in general and research for the award of MS degree? (yes/no). If yes, can you briefly state the difference? | The question was included to bifurcate research in general from academic research and whether the academic research is only to be undertaken at the PhD level or at both masters and PhD? |
| 2 | Is there a difference between research in general and research for the award of PhD degree? (yes/no).
If yes, can you briefly state the difference? | The question was included to bifurcate research in general from academic research and whether the academic research is only to be undertaken at the PhD level or at both masters and PhD? |
| 3 | Should there be a difference in the method of evaluation of research for MS (engineering) and MS/M.Phil (in other disciplines)? (yes/no). If yes, can you briefly state the difference? | This question was included to evaluate the differences in definitions of originality in masters thesis across the disciplines because of the difference in nature of the contents of a particular discipline. |
| 4 | Should there be a difference in the method of evaluation of research for PhD (engineering) and PhD (in other disciplines)? (yes/no).
If yes, can you briefly state the difference? | This question was included to evaluate the differences in definitions of originality in doctorate thesis across the disciplines because of the difference in the nature of the contents of a particular discipline. |
| 5 | Is there a difference in the concept of originality in MS and PhD? (yes/no) | This question was included to determine that is there any difference in the extent of originality at masters and PhD degrees. |
| 6 | If you answered yes to Q. no. 5, do you think that the difference lies in the quality of work? (yes/no).
(Give detailed comments in the space provided) | This question was included to find whether the difference in MS and PhD theses is related to the volume of work or quality. |
| 7 | If you answered no to Q. no. 5, do you think that the difference lies in the quantity of work? (yes/no).
(Give detailed comments in the space) | This question was included to find whether the difference in MS and PhD theses is related to the volume of work or quality. |
| 8 | Are the projects without any factor of research are acceptable at the MS level? (yes/no) | The projects that do not include any factor of research are developed. This question will determine whether these projects are acceptable at the master level. |
| 9 | Are the projects without any factor of research are acceptable at the PhD level? (yes/no) | The projects conclude at the development of applications or solving a social scenario. This question will determine whether these projects are acceptable at the doctorate level. |
| 10 | Is a survey considered to research at the MS level if it contributes unique points of interest to the domain? | A thorough survey concluding at unique points of interest are acceptable as MS thesis or not. |
| 11 | Is a survey considered to research at the PhD level if it contributes unique points of interest to the domain? | A thorough survey concluding at unique points of interest is acceptable as a PhD thesis or not. |
| 12 | Is a unique application that does not exist in the market considered to research at MS level? | Unique applications of existing theories are developed for market use. Are these applications acceptable as MS thesis? |
| 13 | Is a unique application that does not exist in the market considered to research at PhD level? | Unique applications of existing theories are developed for market use. Are these applications acceptable as PhD thesis? |
| 14 | Should MS thesis contribute something to the body of knowledge? | Body of knowledge (BoK) of the domains is defined. Should every MS thesis contribute something to extend that body of knowledge? |
| 15 | Should PhD thesis contribute something to the body of knowledge? | Body of knowledge (BoK) of the domains is defined. Should every PhD thesis contribute something to extend that body of knowledge? |
| 16 | Contribution to the body of knowledge and originality are alternate terms? | Contribution to the body of knowledge is accredited to creativity and originality. Are these alternative terms or have different meanings? |
| 17 | If you answered “no” to Q16, what is the difference? | The difference between both the terms is to be stated |
| 18 | 1. Put a tick and cross against each of the following. Which of the following are considered as original for MS and PhD?
(i) Contribution to the body of knowledge
(ii) A study with unique conclusions
(iii) An application of the theory which does not exist before
(iv) A method/algorithm/procedure which does not exist before and can be converted to an application in future
(v) An attempt to develop a method/algorithm/procedure which resulted in failure and warned others not to proceed in the same direction again
(vi) An attempt to develop a method/algorithm/procedure which resulted in failure and does not warn others to proceed in the same direction again
(vii) Combination of multiple existing methods of the domain in which degree is sought out had never been combined in the same way in past
(viii) Combination of multiple existing methods of a domain other than the domain in which degree is sought out had never been combined in the same way in past
(ix) An application of the method of domain A to a problem of domain B where the degree is claimed in domain A
(x) An application of the method of domain A to a problem of domain B where the degree is claimed in domain B | In this question, multiple concepts that exist in one form or another are given in the options list. The respondents are asked to pick one or many as more precisely defining the concept of originality in MS and PhD |
| 19 | Is the definition of originality in research the same for MS in science and MS in engineering disciplines? (yes/no) | Science and engineering are two different domains and both have some specific requirements for undertaking research. Is the definition of originality in MS research of both is the same or different? |
| 20 | If you answered “no” to Q9
(i) Which of the factors given in Q18 define originality in MS (science)?
(ii) Which of the factors given in Q18 define originality in MS (engineering)? | The options list provided in Q18 covered most of the existing definitions or concepts of originality. Which one of them is valid for MS engineering? |
| 21 | Is the definition of originality in research the same for a PhD in science and a PhD in engineering disciplines? (yes/no) | Science and engineering are two different domains and both have some specific requirements for undertaking research. Is the definition of originality in PhD research of both is same or different? |
| 22 | If you answered “no” to Q21
(i) Which of the factors given in Q18 define originality in PhD (science)?
(ii) Which of the factors given in Q18 define originality in PhD (engineering) | The options list provided in Q18 covered most of the existing definitions or concepts of originality. Which one of them is valid for PhD engineering? |
| 23 | 2. Which of the following is/are true?
(i) A research study extracted from a part of MS thesis and published in a quality journal is sufficient for determining the originality of research work?
(i) A research study that is a true representative of one’s whole MS thesis published in a quality journal is sufficient for determining the originality of research work?
(ii) A research study extracted from a part of MS thesis and presented in a reputed conference is sufficient for determining the originality of research work?
(iii) A research study that is a true representative of one’s whole MS thesis published in a reputed conference is sufficient for determining the originality of research work? | This question is included to find the relationship between publishability and originality in MS thesis. The question is also meant to determine the quality sources for publication of original content. |
| 24 | 3. Which of the following is/are true?
(i) A research study extracted from a part of a PhD thesis and published in a reputed journal is sufficient for determining the originality of research work?
(ii) A research study that is a true representative of one’s whole PhD thesis published in a reputed journal is sufficient for determining the originality of research work?
(iii) A research study extracted from a part of the PhD thesis and presented in a reputed conference is sufficient for determining the originality of research work?
(iv) A research study that is a true representative of one’s whole PhD thesis published in a reputed conference is sufficient for determining the originality of research work? | This question is included to find the relationship between publishability and originality in PhD thesis. The question is also meant to determine the quality sources for publication of original content. |
| 25 | Any other comments | Anything that worth determines the concept of originality. |
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