Thesis Camp As An Effort To Complete The Student's Final Project (Tesis) Of The Unimus Nursing Master’s Degree Program During The COVID-19 Pandemic Corresponding author: Vivi Yosafianti Pohan vyp@unimus.ac.id South East Asia Nursing Research, Vol 4 No 1, March 2022 ISSN:2685-032X DOI: https://doi.org/10.26714/seanr.4.1.2022.1-6 Original Research Thesis Camp As An Effort To Complete The Student's Final Project (Tesis) Of The Unimus Nursing Master’s Degree Program During The COVID-19 Pandemic Vivi Yosafianti Pohan1 , Dera Alfiyanti1 1 Universitas Muhammadiyah Semarang, Indonesia Article Info Abstract Article History: Submitted: Dec 26th 2021 Accepted: March 1st 2022 Published: March 29th 2022 Keywords: Thesis camp; thesis; COVID- 19 pandemic This research is a research and development that aims to develop technical thesis learning by using thesis camp as one of the learning techniques in preparing a thesis proposal for Unimus nursing masters students. The technical development of this learning is based on the length of time it takes to complete a thesis proposal experienced by most of the Unimus master's nursing students who are preparing a thesis proposal. The results of the survey on students showed that 85% had difficulty in compiling a thesis proposal for various reasons, including difficulty finding the research title, difficulty finding problems, and difficulty managing time because most of the students were already working. This has an impact on the length of the student's study period which affects the discrepancy with the educational calendar. This study was designed to: 1) examine students' understanding in the preparation of a thesis proposal, 2) create a technical prototype for thesis camp learning, 3) test the effectiveness of the thesis camp, and 4) compile a thesis camp guidebook. This research generally uses a research and development approach. The research stages used descriptive qualitative methods in exploratory studies, and development through workshop activities in the context of preparing a camp thesis guide book. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it was not possible for students to consult directly with the thesis supervisor, so this thesis camp was carried out with blended learning (70% online learning and 30% learning offline) and while offline still using the Covid-19 prevention protocol, consist of here are wearing masks, washing hands, and keeping a distance. Thesis camp is proven to be effective in increasing the timeliness of completing thesis writing for nursing master students of Unimus. INTRODUCTION The proposed institutional research is highly relevant based on the university's higher education research roadmap through the institute for research and community service which is developing institutional research, namely research at the study program and faculty level. The research output is in the form of a Thesis Camp manual which provides a real picture of the steps for completing a thesis and can increase the motivation of Master of Nursing students in completing their final study project, namely the thesis. This can have an impact on timely graduation which https://jurnal.unimus.ac.id/index.php/SEANR/index https://jurnal.unimus.ac.id/index.php/SEANR/index https://jurnal.unimus.ac.id/index.php/SEANR/index https://crossmark.crossref.org/dialog/?doi=10.26714/seanr.4.1.2022.1-6&domain=pdf&date_stamp=2022-03-29 South East Asia Nursing Research, Vol 4 No 1, March 2022/ page 1-6 2 Vivi Yosafianti Pohan / Thesis Camp As An Effort To Complete The Student's Final Project (Tesis) Of The Unimus Nursing Master’s Degree Program During The COVID-19 Pandemic affects the accreditation value of study programs, faculties, and universities, and is a form of contribution to the University of Muhammadiyah Semarang, especially for the Nursing Masters Study Program. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the world of education. Conventional and routine learning that emphasizes the interaction of lecturers and students in the classroom shifts to distance learning. 1 Therefore, a strategy is needed so that students can complete the final project on time. METHODS The research uses a research and development approach. The R&D model in the field of education and learning is a process used to develop and validate educational products, one of which is the thesis learning method through Thesis Camp activities. The design chosen is an R&D design with modifications. This study uses a research and development method (Research and Development) theoretical model, namely a model based on theoretical studies and supported by empirical data about learners' language misconceptions. This research was completed by using descriptive methods in an exploratory study in order to obtain initial data that becomes a preliminary study (base line study). The FGD model was used in the framework of compiling a prototype model for the Thesis Camp guide. The research flow with the research design arranged as follows (Scheme 1). The subjects of this research are the supervisors and thesis examiners in the Unimus Master of Nursing Study program and students who are preparing a thesis proposal. In this research, several respondents will be selected to represent as research subjects. The selection of supervisors and students as the subject of this research will be carried out purposively. The FGD process will select research subjects who are experts in research and supervisors. The object of this research is a thesis proposal based on Thesis Camp. The data analysis technique used in this research is descriptive qualitative analysis. The validity of the data achieved was carried out by several methods, namely (1) multiple data collection methods, including methods of observation, interviews, questionnaires, tests, and documentation; (2) multiple data sources, including oral, written, and audiovisual data; (3) diligence and careful observation; and (4) discussion between researchers. 2 Scheme 1 Research Flow Identification of Problems Studies Introduction Focus Grup Discussion (FGD) Composing of Thesis Camp Guide Dissemination of Implementation Evaluation of Thesis Proposal Construction Thesis Proposal South East Asia Nursing Research, Vol 4 No 1, March 2022/ page 1-6 3 Vivi Yosafianti Pohan / Thesis Camp As An Effort To Complete The Student's Final Project (Tesis) Of The Unimus Nursing Master’s Degree Program During The COVID-19 Pandemic RESULT The participants of this research were 8 nursing master students who were preparing a thesis proposal. The age of the participants is in the range of 25 years - 48 years, sex is 7 women and 1 man, and 6 participants have worked, and participants are willing to carry out interviews, questionnaires, and Forum Discussion Groups (FGD). Interviews lasted for 10-15 minutes, filling out the questionnaire for 15 minutes, and FGD for 30-40 minutes at different times. The data analysis process begins with reading the transcript repeatedly, identifying meaningful participant statements, determining keywords, sub-theme categories, then identifying the sub-themes as the main themes. The themes obtained are described as follows: Theme 1: Thesis Camp Activity Statement Based on the results of interviews and FGD with 8 participants, it was found that the Thesis Camp activities were very helpful in completing student thesis proposals with various rational opinions, namely: the progress of thesis proposal writing was monitored, there was a clear picture of the steps in making a thesis proposal, the practice was difficult to implement, very helpful students in making a thesis, the progress of thesis work can be controlled and in accordance with the specified target date and can ask directly to the supervisor, time management is more structured and more enthusiastic, and is very helpful in directing the preparation of the thesis.The nursing master's student participants revealed that the Thesis Camp activities that had been carried out were not optimal or difficult to carry out due to various reasons such as the short duration of the activity so that it was difficult to time management, the response of the supervisor was long, and the difficulty in finding the right reference. Writing a master's thesis proposal for nursing students requires collaboration between students and their supervisors, in this case the supervisor sees the progress of students in preparing proposals and reports to the study program about the progress of student proposals. Writing a master's thesis proposal for nursing students can be completed if they have good and structured time management as well as high motivation and consistency in writing proposals. 11 Theme 2: Thesis Camp Learning Techniques The following schematic 3 describes the learning techniques in Thesis Camp. Thesis Camp is a learning technique strategy for thesis proposal preparation that has structured guidelines both in terms of time and stages of proposal preparation. The preparation of a thesis proposal through the Thesis Camp learning method is a learning method that has a target achievement. The preparation of thesis proposals by nursing master students can be realized according to the learning targets, of course, they must have high motivation from nursing master students. Scheme 2 Thesis Camp Activity Statement CATEGORY THEME SUB THEME The practice is difficult Monitored proposal writing Structured time management Thesis Camp Activity Theme 1: negative and positive impacts in the preparation of thesis proposals South East Asia Nursing Research, Vol 4 No 1, March 2022/ page 1-6 4 Vivi Yosafianti Pohan / Thesis Camp As An Effort To Complete The Student's Final Project (Tesis) Of The Unimus Nursing Master’s Degree Program During The COVID-19 Pandemic Scheme 3 Thesis Camp Pembelajaran Learning Techniques DISCUSSION The phenomenon that occurs in the preparation of thesis proposals shows that master's students are not optimal in writing thesis proposals as a condition for graduating from master's education. Research is an activity of stringing letters into words and words into sentences.5 The writing process is an effort to string ideas, ideas and or thoughts into sentences permanently, can be understood/understood by other parties, can be used to influence the ideas, ideas and or thoughts of others. Writing is a creative process, namely an activity that relies on one's (intellectual) thinking ability.10 Good writing goes through the process of organizing ideas or ideas as well as existing facts, so that writing can be understood clearly, systematically, and fulfills the stated goals. A written thesis proposal requires skills in processing various reference data that can support and give weight to the proposal design. This study showed that Master of Nursing Students are not ready to draft a thesis proposal which is one indicator of the cause of master students graduating not on time.8 Thesis is an academic work compiled as one of the requirements to achieve a master's degree originating from a study under the guidance of one or more lecturers who are responsible for a particular field.3 Thesis is a postgraduate student's scientific writing used as a requirement for obtaining a master's degree. Researchers (master students) in preparing a thesis need a reference as a source of quality data. One source of information that can be used as reference material in research is scientific magazines or journals. Thesis is a scientific paper that is used as a requirement by postgraduate students to obtain a master's degree. The results of the thesis research are expected to find a method or method that is more effective so that its benefits are useful for the public. 9 The development and completion of a thesis is influenced by several factors, such as the quality of supervision by lecturers, time management, and cognitive competence.4 Master's degree students must forge scientific thinking skills and the ability to conduct research, and be able to demonstrate the development of their knowledge.6 Scientific works that deserve to be published are scientific works that contain novelty, novelty and also scientific contributions. The idea of a scientific research paper in the form of a thesis is obtained through a literature search that becomes a reference. References must come from competent sources, contain an element of novelty, then the themes found can be directly consulted with lecturers in accordance with their fields of knowledge and research questions must be clear and focused. The correct flow of thesis research is to identify problems in general, then conduct a literature search on solutions that have been previously proposed by previous CATEGORY THEME SUB THEME Structured learning techniques Learning achievement targets Motivation for writing a thesis Theme 2: Learning techniques for writing a thesis proposal Thesis Camp South East Asia Nursing Research, Vol 4 No 1, March 2022/ page 1-6 5 Vivi Yosafianti Pohan / Thesis Camp As An Effort To Complete The Student's Final Project (Tesis) Of The Unimus Nursing Master’s Degree Program During The COVID-19 Pandemic researchers.8 The next step is to identify problem gaps that still require solutions or that have not been resolved or do need to be completed. Identification of innovative solutions to problems and scientific explanations is the next step. In formulating the hypothesis, experiments need to be carried out to test the hypothesis, if the hypothesis is proven with positive results, it can be continued with writing a thesis and publication. Master's students must also prepare their experimental tools. Literature review techniques, experimental tools, research methods designed, and factors that influence the results and how they relate must be well understood and mastered by students of the nursing master's program. The research proposal contains the main problem of a research as well as the steps in solving the problem. The components of the research proposal include background, problem-solving ideas, provisional analysis, and research objectives. The purpose of a master's student research proposal is to get approval from other parties (supervising lecturers and examiners) as experts who are competent to conduct research. The research proposal gives other parties an understanding of the importance of the research and what needs must be met in carrying out the research. The research proposal aims to be able to meet all kinds of needs that support research. These needs can be in the form of permits, places, tools, materials, literature, to financial support. The study program is a unified study plan that is used as a guide for the course of academic education whose implementation is based on a curriculum. The nursing master's program aims for students to master knowledge, skills, and attitudes in accordance with the educational curriculum targets that have been designed, including the study of thesis subjects.7 The study program's efforts in carrying out teaching and learning activities vary greatly in learning methods, one of which is the Thesis Camp learning method. Thesis Camp activity is an excellence camp activity to strengthen the knowledge base related to research and understanding to solve problems during thesis preparation.12 Thesis Camp is a training pattern conducted for Unimus Nursing Masters students to assist the process of writing a thesis proposal. The results of writing a thesis proposal will be continued for writing a final scientific paper for a Master of Nursing student called a thesis. The training carried out is continuous guidance and mentoring for 2 weeks (12 days), with a duration of 4- 6 hours a day. The output of the Thesis Camp activity is in the form of a thesis proposal document from chapters I-III which is ready for a thesis proposal exam. The expected outcome is an increase in students' abilities in writing and compiling thesis proposals and the next step is to carry out research, report and be accounted for by students through thesis exams and be published. This activity is very useful for master students because it equips students to be able to prepare thesis proposals and prepare to conduct research as the final project of studying in the Master of Nursing Study Program. This study also found that there was an increase in the percentage of thesis proposal preparation, namely chapters 1 to chapter 2 of 16 students (51%) and chapters 1 to chapter 3 of 15 students (49%) based on the survey conducted. This shows that the Thesis Camp activities that have been carried out for 2 weeks (12 days) have proven to be effective in the preparation of thesis proposals. Thesis Camp activity guidebook is a very meaningful activity guide for the implementation of Thesis Camp activities and has been registered nationally (ISBN). CONCLUSION Thesis Camp is proven to be effective in increasing the timeliness of completing student thesis writing. The acceleration (acceleration) of the progress of writing a South East Asia Nursing Research, Vol 4 No 1, March 2022/ page 1-6 6 Vivi Yosafianti Pohan / Thesis Camp As An Effort To Complete The Student's Final Project (Tesis) Of The Unimus Nursing Master’s Degree Program During The COVID-19 Pandemic thesis proposal has been realized in semester 1 of the Unimus Master of Nursing Study Program. ACKNOWLEDGMENT The author would like to thank LP2M Universitas Muhammadiyah Semarang which has financed this research as well as to the respondents and all parties who have helped and supported the research process and writing of this research article. REFERENCES 1. Abidah, A., Hidayatullah, H.N., Simamora, R.M., Fehabutar, D., & Mutakinati, L. The impact of Covid-19 to Indonesian education and its relation to the philosophy of merdeka belajar. Studies in Philosophy of Science and Education (SiPoSe) Vol.1, No.1, April 2020, pp.38-49. 2. Barosso, J. 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