About the thesis track

Information and guidelines for thesis track students (does not apply to the thesis completion track)

Thesis performed in the context of the research track must be within a relevant field to emergency and disaster management. In any case, research topic must be approved by the supervisor and the school's Thesis Committee. The purpose of the thesis is to allow students to prove independent thinking, as well as the ability to collect data, analyze it and report findings.

• An additional academic year is required to complete the thesis.
• Students who apply for the thesis track may be required to complete a number of courses, such as advanced statistics, or courses needed to complete knowledge gaps relevant to the topic of their research.

Eligible to apply for the research track (thesis) are students who meet the prerequisites set forth:

1. Average grade of at least 80 in classes taught in the first semester of the M.DM program; and
2. Minimum grade of 80 in each of the following 1^st semester courses:
   1. Introduction to epidemiology and research methods
   2. Statistics
   3. Scientific Writing

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Applicants are required to submit the application form by the last week of the first semester, with the following information:

• Up-to-date resume
• Declaration from the eligible intended supervisor regarding his/her consent to guide the candidate – this can be an email or a letter addressed to the department and signed by the designated supervisor.
• Two recommendations from academic faculty, indicating the candidate's aptitude toward scientific research.
• Statement of Purpose which will include reference to the candidate's motivation to complete the thesis, field of research, presentation of the thesis subject in the field of emergency and disaster management, concise review of relevant literature, importance and innovation of the proposed research, and the candidate's preliminary general approach to methods of the study. The statement of intent will not exceed 1500 words and will be submitted in English.
• It is possible to attach additional documents that demonstrate relevant academic and research abilities.

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Students interest in performing their thesis on existing databases will be asked to meet additional requirements:

• Take active part in designing the research, including in-depth review of the literature, consolidating objectives of the research, research hypotheses, setting methodology, defining the variables, inclusion/exclusion criteria, etc.

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• The thesis will be quantitative (qualitative thesis will not be approved), and will include using advanced statistical tools that fit research in the field of emergency and disaster management, such as multivariate regression analysis and adjustment for missing data.

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• The student must ensure access to the full database on which the study will be basing, as set forth in the research proposal. The student will prepare the file for statistical analysis and will perform the analysis independently while using statistical methods learned in the program. The student may use external statistical assistance for advanced analyses not taught in the program. The student will declare in writing that they have performed the analysis they are capable of doing themselves independently with the guidance of their supervision.

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• The student will monitor the quality of the data and their validity in the context of the research. The student will need to define variables that cannot be verified and validated and will report potential biases.

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• The student will independently phrase the principle findings and conclusions of the research.

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• The student will present a written consent from the director of the database to grant access to the data and to perform the proposed research.​

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Additional information for the thesis track:

The scope of the thesis should fit a 12-month research period.

Thesis based solely on qualitative methods are not allowed.

Submission deadline for research proposals: by the end of the school year of enrollment. Students failing to submit their proposal in time and were not granted permission for late submission will be automatically returned to the regular track by the end of the second semester of the following year to the year of enrollment into the program.

Submission deadline for thesis: No later than the end of the school year immediately following the year of enrollment. An extension of one year may be considered, pursuant to submission of a request details all the reasons for approval no later than the last week of the 2^nd semester of the year following the year of enrollment.

Thesis to be submitted in Hebrew or English. It shall not surpass 80 pages, including all parts. The thesis will be judged by the Mater's degree committee, according to regular protocol on the School of Public Health. The thesis will be sent for external review. The student may be required to make correction to their thesis. The student will then be asked to defend their thesis orally.

Grading:

The final grade breakdown for students enrolled in the thesis track is:

• 40% is based on coursework performance.
• 60% is allocated to the thesis, with 30% assessed by the supervisor and 30% evaluated by an external reviewer (15% for the written thesis and 15% for the oral exam).

* Please note that the content provided on this website is purely for informational purposes. In case there is any inconsistency or conflict between the information presented on this website and the regulations outlined by the School of Public Health / School of Advanced Studies, the Faculty of Medicine, and/or Tel-Aviv University, the regulations will take precedence and prevail over the information provided here.