Exploring master's dissertation writing common weaknesses : an analysis of interviews with examiners

Abstract EN

Writing a research paper is seen as an extremely hard and challenging task for non native learners of English language.

Accordingly, this study aims at investigating the common writing deficiencies found in EFL Master's dissertations at Ibn Khaldoun University of Tiaret.

For this purpose, ten internal examiners are asked for their consent to be interviewed.

The interview focuses on the criteria that the examiners identify as indicators of weakness in dissertations writing and the recommendations that they can suggest.

The findings show that while it is evident that examiners put great emphasis on the research paper format, significance of the research topic, presence of key items in the and necessary moves in the introductory section, relevance of literature review, consistency of the methods adopted and the ability to interpret the data gathered, four common indicators of Master's dissertation writing weaknesses are highlighted: the lack of alignment between the dissertation elements, inadequate academic writing style, poor paraphrasing and the ence of critical thinking.