Library guides / Biblioteekgidse: Theology: SUNScholar Theses & Stellenbosch University Research Outputs

SUNScholar

About SUNSholar
Search for E-theses on SUNScholar
Thesis or dissertation submission to SUNScholar Each master’s thesis and doctoral dissertation is required to be submitted electronically using SUNScholar, the digital research archive of the University, once it has been examined and before graduation. Student prepares document for furnishing in electronic format. Theses and dissertations should be created according to the instructions as set out in the Policies and Rules Yearbook 2022 : Section 5.7. - page 57 in PDF format.

Online platforms to support emerging academics and researchers

Earlier this year, Universities South Africa and the Department of Science and Innovation launched two online platforms designed as support interventions for emerging academics and researchers in the university sector. Thuso Resources is a free online repository of vital information resources, modules and programmes that have been selectively gathered from contributing universities and other sources and made available for capacity building and career development of individuals in the budding stages of their academic and research careers. Thuso Connect, the second platform, is intended to connect early career scholars and researchers with experienced mentors to support them on their academic journey. The platforms are part of the Advancing Early Career Research and Scholarship (AECRS) Programme.

New SU thesis and dissertation title page design

SU students who submit their final thesis or dissertation to SUNScholar after the examination process must use the new SU thesis or dissertation title page template for their title page. All theses and dissertations submitted to SUNScholar must conform to this requirement by the December 2023 graduation. The new thesis and dissertation title page templates are housed on the SUNScholar webpage under "Step 1: Student prepares document." The webpage can be accessed HERE.

SUNScholar Help Page

SUNScholar Help Page

Theses & Dissertations

Search for completed Theses and Dissertations

Stellenbosch University Thesis requirements

Missed the webinars of Library Research Week 2023? : YouTube recordings WATCH HERE
The annual Library Research Week took place during the week of 15 - 19 May 2023. Research Week 2023 was launched on the 15th of May 2023. This year's theme was Power-up your research pathway and there will be several webinars based on the themes Switching on for the research pathway, Connecting to the research pathway, (Em) powering through your research pathway and Energizing your inner power.
Division for Research Development (DRD) YouTube Information Sessions 2023
The aim of these session is to provide Stellenbosch University researchers with detailed information on the research-related support and services available through the Division for Research Development (DRD).
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The Division for Research Development (DRD) is tasked with providing effective research development and support opportunities to SU researchers (including academic staff, postdocs and postgraduate students), and to advance the research endeavour of the University as a whole. We strive to offer an effective, professional and valuable service to our research community and to partner with our researchers to contribute to Research for Impact as one of the core strategic areas as set out in SU`s Vision 2040.
Postgraduate resources - Enhancing Postgraduate Experience (EPE)
Here are a number of resources we have listed to assist you with your postgraduate studies at Stellenbosch University.
SUNLearn modules: Postgraduate skills development programme
Find the programme's SUNLearn modules on learn.sun.ac.za, under Training Courses > 'Postgraduate Office' tab.

Yearbook thesis requirements (see pp 185-213)
Stellenbosch University Agreement between Supervisors and Postgraduate students.Guidelines for post graduate research. This agreement is intended to foster mutual understanding between supervisors and higher degree students. The implementation thereof will depend on the needs and expectations of supervisors and individual higher degree students.
COMPULSORY MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING Between postgraduate student and supervisor/promoter(s) The aim of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) is to give the postgraduate student and supervisor an opportunity to develop a sound and productive working relationship. The MoU should be the result of a discussion in the early stages of the relationship, during which both student and supervisor can clarify expectations and preferences, surface any misunderstandings or misaligned expectations and cover some topics that will be important at different phases of the working relationship.

Formatting your Thesis or Dissertation

Microsoft Word 2010: Working with Large Documents

MSWord 2016 for Thesis formatting
YouTube: Research Indaba Series: Research Integrity lecture by Nicola Barsdorf This session includes a short presentation by Stellenbosch University’s Research Integrity Officer (RIO) which will provide an introduction to research integrity and why it is important, outline various breaches of research norms and standards and highlight Stellenbosch University’s policies & procedures relevant to Research Integrity.
YouTube webinar: Library Research Week 2023 Writing up your research with integrity – shedding light on the role of Turnitin (WATCH HERE)
Stellenbosch University Policy for responsible research conduct Stellenbosch University (SU) is committed to applying the values of equity, participation, transparency, service, tolerance and mutual respect, dedication, scholarship, responsibility and academic freedom in all its activities. This includes, by definition, all the research conducted at the University. The document serves as a broad policy framework, which must be interpreted in the context of the other relevant policy and procedural documents, referred to below. SU is of the view that good science assumes ethical accountability according to internationally acceptable norms and that the responsibility for this lies with every person conducting research under the auspices of SU.
Stellenbosch University research integrity and ethical clearance. According to the Policy for Responsible Research Conduct at Stellenbosch University all research at Stellenbosch University involving interaction with or observation of human subjects, or information linked to human subjects, or research involving groups of individuals, or organisations must go through a process of ethical screening and clearance. Researchers are responsible for ensuring that they obtain ethics approval for their research where applicable from the Research Ethics Committee (Humanities). If an investigator (students included) is unsure if ethics approval is required for a specific project, it is the responsibility of that investigator to seek and obtain clarification from the Division for Research Development [cgraham@sun.ac.za].
Stellenbosch University Ethical research clearance guidelines and process Division of Research Development: Research integrity and ethics More information, documents and procedures: https://www.sun.ac.za/english/research-innovation/Research-Development/integrity-ethics
Thesis: Framework for governance of personal information (POPIA) for resesearch data and information Stellenbosch University is committed to protecting the privacy of our students, employees, and partners, in line with the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA) as well as related South African legislation, global leading practices, and our commitment to good institutional governance. To help achieve this goal, SU has established a data privacy regulation to articulate the institutional stance on privacy; and clarify POPIA's principles within SU's institutional context and values.
What is personal information? Personal information is any information that can be used to identify a person or a business. This includes the information you may have of your customers, your employees, or service providers.
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A name, identity number, staff number, account number, customer number, company registration number, tax number, photos and videos, or any other ‘assignment’ to the person used to identify him or her.
Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA) for Researchers The Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA) applies to research activities that involve identifiable personal information of individuals or organisations. Considering the impact that research has on participants’ right to privacy is not just a POPIA obligation, it is also an integral part of research ethics.
Personal information Collect Responsibly for Research The way in which we ask for information is impor tant. Here are some suggestions on how we can design POPIA-compliant forms that are easy to complete.
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You may send out a survey, ask someone to complete a form, or you might take down their details during a call and enter it into a database. Every time you ask someone for information about themselves or their organization, you’re collecting personal information.
Tools: Online privacy impact self-assessment Quickly assess the value of and risks involved with personal information you plan to collect or process. For internal users only. Use your Stellenbosch University username and password to access the tool.
YouTube Webinar: Library Research Week 2023 Using the privacy impact self assessment tool for researchers at SU WATCH HERE
ATLAS.ti - Qualitative Data Analysis This workshop is for SU Master's and Doctoral students who want to learn more about how ATLAS.ti can be used during their literature review stage and for those who plan to work with qualitative data analysis, like interview or focus group transcripts, field notes, reports, images or videos. ATLAS.ti is a computer software that supports the process of analyzing such data.
YouTube Webinar: Library Research Week 2023 ATLAS ti The qualitative data analysis & research software WATCH HERE
Research Process: Useful tools for research DISCLAIMER Unless stated, Stellenbosch University has no affiliation with these software platforms and care should be given about what personal information you choose to share. Tools that are officially supported by the University will be indicated as such.
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For assistance on deciding which tools to use, visit the Framework for Governance of Personal Information website and complete the Online Privacy Impact Self-Assessment.

For more information on how researchers can protect their personal information, view the USAf POPIA for Researchers guidelines.
Postgraduate Skills Turnitin Sandbox
Thesis/Dissertation SUNScholar submission requirements

Writing your thesis or dissertation

Writefull for Word
Writefull is automated proofreading for science.
Writefull automatically proofreads your scientific text. Using Artificial Intelligence, it corrects grammar, punctuation, word use, and more - tailored to research writing. Writefull's suggestions appear to the right of your text. You can accept or reject them with a single click.
Writefull for word 'Full Edit' function
Our latest language models give language feedback of unprecedented quality. Select the ‘Full Edit’ mode in Writefull for Word to give them a try.
Grammarly
Great Writing, Simplified.Compose bold, clear, mistake-free writing with Grammarly’s AI-powered writing assistant. Get Corrections From Grammarly While You Write on all Your Favorite Sites. Take the Guesswork Out of Great Writing. Check Your Emails, Documents, Essays, and More.
Write that PhD Facebook Page
Resources to help you 'write that PhD'
AuthorAID research and proposal writing
AuthorAID offers online courses in research writing and proposal writing, which are free-to-enrol for researchers in developing countries. Our courses are hosted on INASP Moodle.
Author Skills Research4Life Training course
On this page, you will find a series of readings, hands-on activities and/or group discussions along with assignments to help you understand the scientific publishing process. Among others, you can learn how to read, write and publish research findings, and how you can reference management tools to work more efficiently. Completing this course will take five to seven hours of instruction.
INASP Moodle Online learning Platform
Welcome to INASP's online learning platform. We are an international development charity working with a global network of partners in Africa, Latin America and Asia. Our mission is to support Southern individuals and institutions to produce, share and use research and knowledge, which can transform lives.
AuthorAID Manuscript Check
A beginner’s guide to avoiding ‘predatory’ journals-using your critical thinking skills
You may have heard a lot about the dangers of so-called ‘predatory’[1] journals from your colleagues, your supervisor, or in online forums and webpages. Such journals often charge a fee for fast publication but have poor publishing practices, fail to carry out legitimate peer review, and fake their inclusion in important indexes. You should avoid publishing your research in these journals, or you could risk ruining your reputation or career. But there is often unclear and conflicting advice on how to tell a credible journal from a ‘predatory’ one, even from experienced researchers and supervisors.
Think-Check-Submit
INASP is pleased to be part of the team that set up and runs the Think. Check. Submit.initiative to help researchers identify trusted journals for their research. Think. Check. Submit. is developing a range of tools and practical resources to educate researchers, promote integrity, and build trust in credible research and publications. These resources include a checklist that is now available in nearly 40 languages.

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Theology: SUNScholar Theses & Stellenbosch University Research Outputs

SUNScholar

SUNScholar

Online platforms to support emerging academics and researchers

New SU thesis and dissertation title page design

SUNScholar Help Page

Search for completed Theses and Dissertations

Stellenbosch University Thesis requirements

Writing your thesis or dissertation

Google Scholar

Hebrew and Greek Biblical Fonts for assignments and theses: Download Fonts from Society of Biblical Literature (SBL) website