ANALYSIS OF EFL STUDENT’S DIFFICULTIES IN DETERMINING OF THE TITLE OF ENGLISH THESIS

Nur Widad Wijaya; Nur Lailatul Badriyah; Nurul Faizah; Nurul Ismah; Rafika; Ratna Yunita; Rifqatun Zakiyyah; Rifki Fuadi

doi:10.61987/educazione.v1i2.531

Authors

Nur Widad Wijaya Universitas Nurul Jadid, Indonesia
Nur Lailatul Badriyah Universitas Nurul Jadid, Indonesia
Nurul Faizah Universitas Nurul Jadid, Indonesia
Nurul Ismah Universitas Nurul Jadid, Indonesia
Rafika Universitas Nurul Jadid, Indonesia
Ratna Yunita Universitas Nurul Jadid, Indonesia
Rifqatun Zakiyyah Universitas Nurul Jadid, Indonesia
Rifki Fuadi Universitas Nurul Jadid, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61987/educazione.v1i2.531

Keywords:

Academic Literacy, Conceptual Confusion, EFL Students

Abstract

The phenomenon of difficulty for English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students in determining the title of their thesis in English indicates the existence of complex academic problems in the early stages of research. This study aims to analyze in depth the factors that affect these difficulties and understand the dynamics of student experience in formulating research titles. This study departs from the reality of low academic literacy, conceptual confusion, and dependence on supervisors which often hinder the process of determining titles. The research uses a qualitative approach with a case study type, through in-depth interview techniques, documentation, and findings in the field. The results of the study show that the limitation of academic literacy causes students to have difficulty identifying research gaps, while conceptual confusion hinders the sharpening of the focus of the study, and dependence on lecturers reduces academic independence. These three factors are interrelated and form a pattern of recurring difficulties. The implications of this study emphasize the importance of strengthening scientific literacy, developing conceptual skills, and creating a more dialogical guidance pattern to improve the quality of determining the thesis title of EFL students in a more systematic and reflective manner.

References

Aflahah, A. (2017). Language style of Habiburrahman El-Shirazy in the dwilogy of Ayat-Ayat Cinta: a stylistic study. OKARA: Jurnal Bahasa dan Sastra, 11(1), 85-122.

Ansar, F. A. (2017). Code switching and code mixing in teaching-learning process.

Appel, R., & Muysken, P. (2005). Language contact and bilingualism. Amsterdam University Press.

Arisanti, M. (2019). The Problem Faced In Writing Thesis By Eighth Semester Students Of English Education Program Fkip-Umm In Academic The Students’ Problems In Writing An Undergraduate Thesis: A Case Study At English Language Teaching Program Of Muhammadiyah University Of Mataram.

Bavdekar, S. B. (2016). Formulating the Right Title for a Research Article.

Burgess, S., & Thompson, S. G. (2015). Multivariable Mendelian randomization: the use of pleiotropic genetic variants to estimate causal effects. American journal of epidemiology, 181(4), 251-260.

Cianflone, E. (2010). Scientific titles in Veterinary Medicine research papers. 9(30).

Creswell, J. W. (2012). Educational research: Planning, conducting, and evaluating quantitative and qualitative research. Pearson Education, Inc.

Denzin, N. K., & Lincoln, Y. S. (2008). Introduction: The discipline and practice of qualitative research.

Didham, R. K. (2006). Vertical stratification in the spatial distribution of the beech scale insect (Ultracoelostoma assimile) in Nothofagus tree canopies in New Zealand. Ecological Entomology, 31(2), 185-195.

English, L. B., & Trudgill, P. (2001). Language Obsolescence: From Language Contact to Revitalization.

Ensour, H. S. (2015). The effect of using youtube on youth worst and best case. British Journal of Applied Science & Technology, 8(3), 286-304.

Feak, C. B., & Swales, J. M. (2014). Tensions between the old and the new in EAP textbook revision: A tale of two projects. English language teaching textbooks: Content, consumption, production, 299-319.

Febrianitha, L., & Gusthini, M. (2025). Code-switching and code-mixing phenomena in Indonesian-English bilingual conversation: A case study of FYC Agency. Jurnal Ilmu Sosial dan Humaniora, 4(2), 223–236. https://doi.org/10.57248/jishum.v4i2.710

Febriany, A. T., & Octavani, L. U. (2025). Analysis of code mixing used by Maudy Ayunda on the YouTube channel. International Journal of Language and Cultural Linguistics, 1(1), 1–17.

(No DOI available in the journal record)

Fisher, O., & Oyserman, D. (2017). Assessing interpretations of experienced ease and difficulty as motivational constructs. Motivation Science, 3(2), 133–

Fitria, T. N. (2022). Analysis Of Efl Students’ Difficulties In Writing Andcompleting English Thesis. LLT Journal: A Journal on Language and Language Teaching, 25(1), 295–309. https://doi.org/10.24071/llt.v25i1.3607

Fresya, O., Adiantika, H. N., & Susilawati, S. (2024). An analysis of code mixing and code switching on Cinta Laura’s video “Kuliah keluar negeri itu perlu gak sih?”. Journal of English Pedagogy and Applied Linguistics, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.32627/jepal.v5i1.1065

Haggan, M. (2004). Research paper titles in literature, linguistics and science: Dimensions of attraction. Journal of Pragmatics, 36(2), 293–317. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-2166(03)00090-0

Hoffmann, C. (2014). Introduction to bilingualism.

Ibrahim, I., Astini, F. F., Saputra, D., & Hakim, L. (2025). Code-mixing in digital communication among EFL students in Eastern Indonesia. JOLLT Journal of Languages and Language Teaching, 13(4), 2205–2216. https://doi.org/10.33394/jollt.v13i4.16878

Jalilifar, A. (2010). An Exploration of Generic Tendencies in Applied Linguistics Titles.

Jaya, I. W. K., & Thohir, L. (2020). A Code Mixing Used By Lecturer and Student in Teaching and Learning Process at YouTube Videos. JURNAL LISDAYA, 16(1), 12-19.

Juniari, N. P. L., & Putra, E. D. (2025). Analysis of code-mixing in multilingual hospitality settings. Linguistika: Buletin Ilmiah Program Magister Linguistik Universitas Udayana, 32(1), 22–26. https://doi.org/10.24843/ling.2025.v32.i01.p03

Morales, O. A., Perdomo, B., Cassany, D., Tovar, R. M., & Izarra, É. (2020). Linguistic structures and functions of thesis and dissertation titles in Dentistry. Lebende Sprachen, 65(1), 49–73. https://doi.org/10.1515/les-

Mujiono Nova, M. U. J. I. O. N. O. (2016). Code switching in English instruction and factors affecting the language attitude of Indonesian EFL learners in using it.

Mujiono, M., Yufrizal, H., & Kadaryanto, B. (2013). The Implementation of Role Play in Increasing Students’ Speaking Ability. U-JET, 2(3).

Murray, R., & Moore, S. (2006). EBOOK: The handbook of academic writing: A fresh approach. McGraw-Hill Education (UK).

Nugraeni, O., Nabilla, S., & Kamila, R. (2025). Code switching and mixing in education: Strategies for effective language learning class. Elysian Journal: English Literature, Linguistics and Translation Studies, 5(2). https://doi.org/10.36733/elysian.v5i2.8207

Nuraeni, C. (2022). Code-Mixing In Selected Episodes On Boy

Nurrahma, A. I., Damayanti, E., & Agustin, R. R. N. (2025). Analisis penggunaan bahasa campuran (code-mixing) dalam bisnis pemasaran berbasis digital. Jurnal Ilmiah Wahana Pendidikan, 11(10), 275–282. https://doi.org/10.26618/bta64f96

Obar, J. A. (2015). Steve Wildman, Social media definition and the governance challenge. Telecommunications Policy, 39(9), 745-750.

Paltridge, B., & Starfield, S. (2020). Thesis and Dissertation Writing in a Second Language: A Handbook for Supervisors. Psychology Teaching Review, 26(1), 107–108. https://doi.org/10.53841/bpsptr.2020.26.1.107

Rahman, A., Gunawan, G., Said, D. R., & Mardi, M. (2025). Bilingual identity construction through social media: A study of English influenced code mixing. Jurnal Studi Guru dan Pembelajaran, 8(2). https://doi.org/10.30605/jsgp.8.2.2025.5842

Rahmanika, F., & Anastasia, F. (2024). Code-switching and code-mixing phenomena in English learning process at the department of English education. International Journal of English Learning and Applied Linguistics, 4(2). https://doi.org/10.21111/ijelal.v4i2.10165

Soler, V. (2007). Writing titles in science: An exploratory study. English for Specific Purposes, 26(1), 90–102.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esp.2006.08.001

Sukrisna, A. (2019). An analysis of using code mixing on atta halilintar’s video youtube channel (Doctoral dissertation, UIN Raden Intan Lampung).

Supardi, I., & Husin, S. (2006). An Analysis On Factors Causing Undergraduate Students’ Difficulties In Writing Thesis.

Supardi, I., & Husin, S. (2015). An Analysis On Factors Causing Undergraduate Students’ Difficulties In Writing Thesis.

Swales, J., & Feak, C. B. (1994). Academic Writing for Graduate Students.

Sweller, J. (2010). Cognitive load theory: Recent theoretical advances.

Turg’unova, F. R. (2022). The Title Of The Article In English As The Subject Of Research. British Journal of Global Ecology and Sustainable Development, 10, 174-177.

Yeasmin, S., & Rahman, K. F. (2012). Triangulation research method as the tool of social science research. BUP journal, 1(1), 154-163.