Cierre del Seminario de Tesis Doctoral IV Adm.01/2023 3A

Cierre del Seminario de Tesis Doctoral IV Adm.01/2023 3A

Seminar Closure and Doctoral Thesis Guidance

Overview of the Seminar Closure

  • The meeting marks the closure of Seminar 4 and the overall doctoral training process, emphasizing that all participants should have made significant progress on their doctoral thesis.
  • Participants are reminded to review their work as they finalize their theses, which is a critical component of their academic journey.

Key Components of the Doctoral Process

  • The doctoral training included various modules, starting with research approaches and methods, where a key product was the "matriz de congruencia" (congruence matrix). This matrix has been refined throughout the research process.
  • Subsequent stages involved developing a theoretical framework, methodological design, results analysis, and proposal formulation. Each stage builds upon previous work to ensure comprehensive development.

Thesis Structure Requirements

  • In Seminar 4, participants focused on structuring their theses using an "intelligent document" available on the platform; updates to this document have been minimal but necessary for compliance.
  • It is crucial not to include secondary questions in the thesis body as they are not part of the intelligent document's requirements; only primary research hypotheses should be addressed within specified sections.

Final Steps Before Submission

  • Advisors will conclude their support by a specific date (21st), after which students must submit drafts for feedback or any incomplete proposals for approval before proceeding independently. Students are encouraged to utilize this time effectively to finalize their work.
  • Completed theses must be sent to designated coordinators based on program specialization (e.g., Dr. Pedro Luis Díaz Fernández for business administration) for final review before submission to research coordination offices.

Academic Integrity and Publication Guidelines

  • Students were advised against publishing results until after defending their thesis to avoid issues like self-plagiarism; it’s important to maintain academic integrity during this phase. Additionally, tools like Turnitin can help check for plagiarism but require careful handling of documents prior to submission.
  • A hypothetical example illustrates how students should manage submissions: if a student completes their proposal independently after working with an advisor, they must ensure all corrections are made before submitting it for final review at coordination offices; failure may result in non-receipt of necessary feedback or approval due to unresolved errors in documentation.

Process for Thesis Review and Defense

Requesting Extraordinary Review

  • Students must request a personalized extraordinary review through the research coordinator, Dr. Lisy, which includes a link for payment of a fee. This is necessary due to the high volume of theses being submitted.

Scheduling Defenses

  • Defenses are scheduled starting June 15, as prior dates are fully booked with multiple defenses occurring simultaneously. A significant number of students are in this process, requiring careful time management from the research team.

Methodological Release Requirements

  • Upon receiving methodological release from the research coordination, students must fill out a form assuming responsibility for originality and submit an anti-plagiarism report to upload their document into the system. This step is crucial for proceeding with their thesis submission.

Administrative and Document Release Steps

  • The administrative release checks for any outstanding payments and requires payment of graduation fees. Additionally, all documents must be reviewed and signed before they can be uploaded into the system along with specific photos required for documentation purposes.

Finalizing Graduation Process

  • Once all areas have released their requirements, students will receive notifications regarding scheduling their defense event, including links to presentation templates and guidelines on timing during the defense process. This marks the culmination of their efforts over three years in the program.

Addressing Student Concerns

Open Forum for Questions

  • An open space is provided for students to ask questions or express comments about their experiences or concerns related to completing their thesis process; orderly communication is encouraged by raising hands to speak rather than using chat functions.

Specific Student Inquiry on Certification

  • A student named William raises a concern about needing certification for his pedagogical practice from his workplace at the Secretary of Education in Cauca; he seeks guidance on whom to request this certification from—his school or directly from the Secretary's office? The response clarifies that both roles contribute towards fulfilling this requirement.

Clarification on Academic Follow-Up

  • All academic follow-ups regarding requirements are managed by Dr. Marcelo Mercado’s department; contact information will be shared in chat for further inquiries about academic processes related to thesis completion and certifications needed by students like William who are finalizing their proposals and conclusions.

Inquiries About Fees

  • Another student asks about graduation fees; it is clarified that such financial matters should be directed towards billing services rather than through academic channels, ensuring clarity on where to seek assistance regarding costs associated with graduation procedures.

Review Process for Thesis Submission

Overview of the Review Process

  • The document is to be sent for review to the university, with congratulations extended to William on his progress. The advisor approves it before sending it to Dr. Lisy, the education area coordinator, for further review.
  • The review process typically takes about 15 business days, although it may sometimes be completed sooner. This timeframe is crucial as there are many theses awaiting review.

Scheduling Defenses

  • There are plans to schedule thesis defenses after June 15th, with eight students already cleared for this timeline. This indicates a structured approach towards finalizing thesis submissions and defenses.

Questions Regarding Validation and Homologation

Clarifications on Academic Processes

  • Edgar raises questions about precedents for validation in Colombia regarding his doctoral studies in business administration and seeks clarity on the expediency of homologation processes with the Ministry of Education in Colombia.
  • It is confirmed that several theses have been validated by the Ministry of Education in Colombia, which can expedite the homologation process if students provide resolution numbers and dates related to their validations. This information significantly aids in speeding up administrative procedures.

Support and Communication Channels

Guidance on Contacting Authorities

  • Students are encouraged to reach out via email (Gabi Vidal's contact) for inquiries related to resolutions concerning homologation processes, ensuring they receive necessary support during their academic journey.

Requirements for Thesis Defense

Meeting Academic Criteria

  • Sheila confirms that Colombian students must meet specific requirements such as English proficiency, educational practice, and international conference participation before being assigned a thesis defense date. These criteria ensure that all candidates are adequately prepared for their defenses.

Timeline Adjustments

  • A reminder is given that while April 21 marks a deadline for certain processes, advisors may extend support until May 21 if needed corrections arise within student documents prior to submission deadlines. This flexibility allows students additional time to refine their work before final submission.

Submission Procedures Explained

Understanding Thesis Submission Protocol

  • Students must directly communicate with research coordinators when submitting their theses; advisors provide initial approvals but do not handle submissions themselves—this clarifies roles within the submission process and ensures proper channels are followed for reviews and feedback.

Defending Theses: Scheduling Insights

Anticipating Defense Dates

  • Upcoming defense dates will tentatively begin after June 15th; however, exact scheduling depends on individual timelines regarding thesis completion and subsequent revisions required post-review feedback from faculty members involved in each student's project evaluation process. Thus, flexibility remains key as each case varies based on readiness and quality of submissions received by faculty reviewers.

Antiplagiarism Procedures and Thesis Submission Process

Overview of Antiplagiarism Requirements

  • The doctor advises against using Turnitin for antiplagiarism checks, emphasizing the need to avoid it for Ecuadorian students.
  • Participants inquire about the university's software options for antiplagiarism, confirming that any software can be used except Turnitin.
  • A participant asks when the antiplagiarism report is due; it's clarified that it must be submitted after methodological release notification.

Submission Timeline and Responsibilities

  • Once notified of methodological approval, students must submit their antiplagiarism report before uploading their thesis to the system.
  • The doctor reiterates that all doctoral theses in Ecuador should not use Turnitin for their reports but can utilize other software.

Finalizing Thesis with Advisors

  • Students have until May 21 to finalize their thesis with advisors, who may suggest multiple corrections during this period.
  • The advisor (Dr. Miguel Ángel García) is responsible for submitting the final version of the thesis to coordination after review.

Coordination and Defense Preparation

  • After submission, coordination will contact students regarding their defense schedule and provide necessary templates and guidelines.
  • If submissions are delayed past May 21, additional fees may apply; however, a single resubmission without extra charges is allowed if done correctly.

Clarifications on Thesis Completion

  • A student confirms completion of required stays and seeks clarification on deadlines; they learn they have until April 21 to submit work to tutors.
  • It’s confirmed that once a thesis is sent to an advisor by April 21, they have until May 21 for feedback before final submission.

Additional Notes on Doctoral Program Requirements

  • A student from January 2023 cohort inquires about completing requirements despite pending stays; it's clarified that they have one year post-April deadline without extra fees.

Doctoral Thesis Process and Advisor Support

Requirements for Thesis Defense

  • The candidate must complete a third doctoral stay to fulfill all requirements before entering the planning process for thesis defense.
  • Once the third stay is completed, the candidate can proceed with scheduling their defense.

Advisor's Role and Validity of Support

  • The advisor's signature remains valid for thesis completion as they have guided the candidate throughout their journey, despite any contractual changes.
  • The relationship with the advisor may continue informally even after formal contract termination, depending on mutual agreement.

Progress Updates and Document Submission

  • A candidate confirms having completed three stays and is progressing on their thesis but is awaiting documents from previous stays that are in transit.
  • Delays in document submission could impact timelines; however, if everything is signed and sent, it should not hinder progress significantly.

Timeline for Thesis Review

  • After submitting the thesis to an advisor, there’s a standard review period of approximately 15 business days (around three calendar weeks). If this period extends beyond April 21st, it will still be acceptable.
  • Advisors typically conduct reviews within shorter timeframes when possible due to varying workloads across different periods.

Defense Procedure and Next Steps

  • Defenses will be conducted virtually; candidates do not need to travel unless specified otherwise by program requirements.
  • Following successful defense approval, candidates will begin the titling process through appropriate channels within their institution. This includes communication regarding next steps post-defense approval.

Discussion on Thesis Submission and Coordination

Clarification on Submission Deadlines

  • The speaker advises Ecuadorians not to use the touring method for submissions, emphasizing a specific approach.
  • Patricia Derli raises a question about the submission deadline, referencing an email from their advisor stating April 30 as the final date.
  • There is confusion regarding an extension mentioned by others, with clarification that if the advisor states April 30, it is indeed the final deadline.

Process of Document Review

  • The process involves submitting documents to research coordination after advisor review; advisors may have different timelines based on progress.
  • Once submitted, advisors will provide feedback. If corrections are needed, students must resubmit to coordination after making changes.

Payment Procedures

  • Discussion includes payment for graduation rights occurring post-methodological release; financial communication will follow.

Communication with Advisors and Final Submissions

Confusion Over Advisor Communication

  • A participant shares past communication issues with Gabriela Calderón regarding document submission processes and advisor status.
  • They express uncertainty about whether to continue working with their current advisor or submit directly to research coordination.

Importance of Advisor Feedback

  • It’s emphasized that students should work closely with their advisors for final revisions before submission to ensure all requirements are met.

Presentation Guidelines and Content Adjustments

Presentation Structure Concerns

  • A participant inquires about maintaining originality in qualitative research terminology while preparing their thesis presentation.
  • The response reassures that adjustments in language are acceptable as long as they align with qualitative standards.

Flexibility in Presentation Requirements

  • Questions arise regarding the number of slides allowed for presentations; it's clarified that while there is a guideline (12 slides), exceeding this slightly is permissible as long as time limits are respected.

Final Steps Before Graduation

Completion Status and Next Steps

  • One participant mentions having completed their thesis but needing additional components like summaries before moving forward.
  • They discuss postponing their defense due to personal reasons but seek clarity on how to proceed once ready for submission.

Discussion on Thesis Guidance and Community Challenges

Personal Challenges Faced by the Community

  • The speaker reflects on recent hardships, including the loss of a community member due to terminal cancer, highlighting emotional difficulties for both the individual and the community.

Concerns Regarding Thesis Supervision

  • A participant expresses concern about not receiving adequate supervision despite having paid for a specific number of advisory sessions, indicating anxiety over their progress compared to peers.
  • The participant questions why they have not received the expected support in completing their thesis, emphasizing urgency as deadlines approach.

Clarification on Advisory Process

  • The advisor explains that while formal guidance ends on April 21, there is an additional month available for students to finalize their work with their advisors before submission. This reassurance aims to alleviate student concerns about meeting requirements.
  • Students are reminded that completion depends significantly on their own efforts and progress during this period. They are encouraged to take responsibility for finishing their theses.

Adjustments in Thesis Topics

  • Another participant discusses changing their thesis topic mid-process due to institutional suggestions, seeking clarity on timelines for completion and defense of the new thesis. They express uncertainty about how much time they will have after initial guidance ends.
  • The advisor clarifies that students have one year from April 21 to complete all necessary revisions and submissions according to institutional protocols, ensuring they understand the timeline involved in defending their thesis.

Final Remarks and Encouragement

  • The session concludes with gratitude expressed towards participants for their engagement throughout the educational process across various programs offered by the university, reinforcing confidence in successful thesis defenses ahead. Students are encouraged to utilize resources effectively as they finalize their work.