Alternative Thesis Manual Revised edition 2025

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How to Format a Thesis

Alternative Thesis Manual

Alternative Thesis Manual Revised edition 2025

Components

The preparation of alternative dissertation, thesis are part of graduate studies. Students are required to prepare with three main components:
       1. The Preliminaries or Front Matters
       2. The Body of the Text
       3. Appendices
In all 3 parts, students must correctly arrange the format according to the University’s requirements in this alternative thesis manual.

The Preliminaries

The first page has the title English, The student name, Name of degree, program, University name and Year of submission.
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Specify details according to the format specified by the university.
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This page is for all the examination committee to sign the certification. As evidence that it has been reviewed and approved to be part of the course of study (the list of examination committees is preceded by academic titles and educational qualifications, indicating the highest qualifications).
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Acknowledgments must use written language, not spoken language. It is the part where the author expresses gratitude to the person or an agency that provides support, assistance or cooperation When referring to a person, the name-surname must be written with a prefix and, if there is an academic title or rank. Must not use abbreviations It should be no more than one page in length.  
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Abstract is the text that summarizes the entire content. There are three main themes: the purpose and scope of the research. Research Methodology (Including population characteristics or population sampling and tools used)
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A table of contents is a list of items that help interested parties find chapters. Or an important topic in each chapter (Use the first important topics such as 1.1, 2.1) including tables, figure, abbreviations and symbols (if any), more easily and quickly. 

1. List of Table
This list shows the numerically arranged labels of the tables used in the and their pages, both in the content.
2. List of Figure
This list shows the numerically arranged labels of the figures (e.g., photographs, graphs, diagrams, plans and images) used in the thesis and their pages, both in the content.
3. Abbreviations and Symbols (If any)
This page shows all of the abbreviations and/or symbols, together with their full terms or meanings, used in the thesis.


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The Body of the Text

The number of chapters is at the discretion of the advisor, in accordance with the Mae Fah Luang University announcement regarding the preparation of the alternative thesis.

1. Background and Importance of the Research Problem
It provides the background to and significance of the problem, as well as presenting the rationale for the study, in order to explain why the problem is worth investigating. The introduction may also discuss a problematic phenomenon and its potential solution. Whichever the case, the introduction has to discuss related or applicable theories and previous studies to support the rationale.
2. Research Objectives
It states the objective(s) and goal(s) of the study. The objective(s) and goal(s) must be related to the background given in the introduction. In case there are two or more objectives and goals, they are to be itemized in the order of significance.
3. The Importance of Research
It states the significance of the study, which outlines two major types of benefits the study may offer: (1) academic significance: the new or improved body of knowledge, principles or theories; and (2) applicational significance: potential application of research outcomes to developing or improving policies or their implementation.
4. Research Hypothesis
It gives a set of hypotheses, or projected outcomes of the study. The hypotheses, which must be related to the objectives and literature reviewed, will be tested in the course of research. A survey study, however, may not have a hypothesis.
5. Scope of Research
It sets a scope of the study by delimiting such factors as the sample population, data-gathering sites, research duration and so forth, all of which serve as criteria with reference to which research results will be discussed.
6. Preliminary Agreement
It states preliminary conventions or agreements between the researcher and the reader in terms of methods, conditions or instruments of the study. In other words, it is the section in which the researcher informs the reader of how the research will be conducted and concluded, such as the reason for the reliability of the questionnaire, the respondents’ confirmation of their truthful answers or unbiased sampling of subjects.
7. Research Limitations
It states limitations of the study, by explaining problems or unfavorable conditions that can potentially cause drawbacks to the study, such as a too small population or insufficient data-gathering time.
8. Terminology Definition
It provides a list of definitions of technical terms as they are used in the context of that particular study, in order to ensure the reader’s accurate understanding of those terms.

The literature review section presents contents, concepts, theories or any findings relevant to the study being conducted. Such relevancy should be in both content and research methodology terms.

Reviewed parts of relevant literature MUST NOT be copied or summarized and pasted chronologically. Instead, they must be paraphrased and re-expressed in the researcher’s own words and integrated with the researcher’s points to separately discuss each significant aspect of the study.

A research paper that has already been published must be reformatted according to the university’s guidelines, with consistent citation formatting applied throughout all chapters.

1. Conclusion
The conclusion part shall provide a concise but complete summary of the contents of the study, namely, the objectives, hypotheses, methodology and the relevant results or findings, in keeping with the theoretical framework employed. By NO means may the results of other studies, personal opinions or prejudiced remarks be included in this chapter. Reference to or citation of any supporting statements is NOT necessary.
2. Discussion
The discussion part shall attempt to address the acquired knowledge in a critical manner, by clearly and thoroughly discussing its possible causes or reasons in accord with the objectives and hypotheses. In addition, the researcher shall discuss his/her work in the light of other researchers’ works and state clearly whether and how his/her work supports or contradicts them. Finally, the researcher shall identify and explain his/her work’s academic impact or contribution, or in what way it may confirm, refute or redefine existing concepts in the given academic field.
3. Suggestion
The recommendation part shall present suggestions concerning different aspects of the study and its findings. This part provides two kinds of suggestion. (1) It suggests potential benefits or application of the study’s outcomes. (2) It recommends courses of further research to more comprehensively address other aspects of the problem.

Appendices

It is a section that adds various details from the content such as the name of the person who provided the information. Questionnaires or interviews used to collect information, etc. to help strengthen the understanding of the content or make the content richer. If presented as a table or an image Keep it formatted like the content. (If alternative format, a copy of the previously published article must be included as Appendix A)
This is a section that provides a summary of the author’s information, including first name, last name, educational background (specify bachelor’s degree or higher and graduated only), work experiences (if any), scholarship (if any), and publication (if any) by ordering the current year up first.
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General Requirements

Dividing of Sections, Topics in each Chapter and Content

The number of chapters shall be at the discretion of the advisor.

Language Style for Writing

Table/ Figure

Example Table 

1. A table shall be preceded by a number, a title, a description and a note (if necessary). If possible, the entire table shall be in one page.
The table should be accurate, clear and simple, and should be placed as close to the relevant text as possible.
2. If inserted between paragraphs, the first line of the table (the line that contains its number, title and description) the last line of the table shall be placed two lines above the first line of the next paragraph. (If the table has a note, the note shall be below the table.)
3. A table should be introduced in the paragraph immediately preceding it, so as to inform readers of its contents and purpose. After the table, only specific or significant points—NOT every single detail—illustrated by the table should be discussed.
4. Reference to a table shall be specific, with the table number clearly stated (e.g., ‘… as shown in Table 3.1’). Vague reference such as ‘… the table above’ or ‘… the table on page 3’ must be avoided.
5. All tables shall be numbered even though the thesis contains only two or three tables. Table numbering applies to the contents section and the appendix/appendices.
6. Table numbering in the contents section shall be solely in Arabic numerals—no letters can be used. The tables shall be numbered sequentially from the first to the last chapter.
7. Table numbering in the appendix/appendices shall be sequentially numbered, each consisting of a letter and a numeral. The letter refers to the appendix and the numeral to each of the tables presented in that appendix (e.g., ‘Table A1’ referring to the first table in Appendix A or ‘Table B3’ referring to the second table in Appendix B). Although there is only one appendix (meaning the appendix is not lettered), the table numbering system still applies, such as ‘Table A1’, ‘Table B3’, etc. (The tables in the appendix/appendices are not listed on the ‘LIST OF TABLES’).
8. A table’s number shall be typed in bold above the table and set at the left margin. If a table is not at the top of the page, the first line of the table (the line that contains its number, title and description) shall be placed two lines below the last line of the preceding paragraph
9. The title of a table shall be typed in regular font style and separated from the table’s number by two spaces. If it exceeds one line in length, it shall be divided into two lines, with the first letter of the second line aligned with that of the first line.
10. Only the horizontal borders of a table shall be darkened. The vertical borders may be darkened only if a table consists of so many columns that the texts in adjacent boxes are too close together to read clearly. However, the left-most and right-most vertical borders shall NOT be darkened.
11. The top and bottom horizontal borders shall be double-lined approximately 1 millimeter apart. All of the other horizontal borders shall be single-lined. The double-lined horizontal bottom border is used only at the end of a table, even if it continues across one page.
12. The texts and numbers, whether in the table’s heading row or column or other boxes, should be appropriately and neatly positioned, with sufficient space between immediate rows and columns. The text and numbering styles should be consistent; for example, the last digits of all integers must be aligned, the number of decimals must be consistent and the dots must also be aligned.
13. The width of a table should not exceed the right margin.
An oversized table should be reduced so that it fits the page, by photocopying or other means, and still maintains clarity and readability. Another option for an excessively wide table is to set its page to landscape orientation and set the top of the table at the left margin.
14. If a table continues to the next page, the table’s number and the parenthesized word ‘continued’ (e.g., Table 4.1 (continued)) shall be placed at the top of the next page. The table’s title is not to be included, but the heading row must be repeated at the top of each subsequent page. However, the continuing part of a table must contain at least two lines of text. In case the ‘note’ to a table has to be on the next page, a portion of the table (at least two lines of text) shall be moved onto the next page along with the ‘note’.
15. The ‘note’ supplies any of the following kinds of additional information about the table: (1) explanation of the entire table; (2) explanation of certain parts of the table; or (3) explanation of statistical figures.
16. The ‘note’ shall be placed immediately below the bottom border of the table, the notes shall be arranged in the order stated in 15 (note on the entire table, note on certain parts of the table and note on stat)

Example Table 

1. Figure include pictures, photographs, diagrams, maps, graphs chemicle structure and the like.
2. An illustrative figure must be clear, precise and relevant to the information that it illustrates.
3. A figure should be of a proper size—neither too big nor too small.
4. Use of figures is based on the same presentation, introduction and numbering principles as use of tables. A figure should be introduced in the paragraph immediately preceding it, so as to inform readers of its contents and purpose. After the figure, only specific or significant points—NOT every single detail—illustrated by the figure should be discussed. Reference to a figure shall be specific, with the figure number clearly stated (e.g., ‘… as shown in Figure 3.2’). Vague reference such as ‘… the figure above’ or ‘… the figure on page 3’ must be avoided.
5. All figures shall be numbered even though the thesis contains only two or three figures. Figure numbering applies to the contents section and the appendix/appendices. Figure numbering in the contents section shall be solely in Arabic numerals—no letters can be used. The figures shall be numbered sequentially from the first to the last chapter. Figure numbering in the appendix/appendices shall be sequentially numbered, each consisting of a letter and a numeral. The letter refers to the appendix and the numeral to each of the figures presented in that appendix (e.g., ‘Figure A1’ referring to the first figure in Appendix A or ‘Figure B3’ referring to the second figure in Appendix B). Although there is only one appendix (meaning the appendix is not lettered), the figure numbering system still applies, such as ‘Figure A1’, ‘Figure A3’, etc. (The figures in the appendix/appendices are not listed on the ‘LIST OF FIGURES’).
6. The word ‘Figure’ and its number—separated by one space—shall be centered and typed in bold, font size 12. If the title exceeds one line in length, it shall be divided into two lines, with the first letter of the second line aligned with that of the first line.
7. If a figure continues to the next page, the figure’s number and the parenthesized word ‘continued’ (e.g., Figure 4.1(continued)) shall be placed at the top of the next page.
8. For a reproduced figure, the word ‘Source’ in bold shall be placed at the left margin.

Citing Sources of Information

Citations within the content and the reference list must be consistent, meaning that sources cited in the text must appear in the reference list, and each source in the reference list must be cited in the content. If alternative format, the references should be placed at the end of each chapter, as shown in the example below.

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