Reflections on theses of experimental reports for the master of translation and interpreting in China (2012–2022)
Quality Assurance in Education
ISSN: 0968-4883
Article publication date: 23 August 2023
Issue publication date: 9 January 2024
Abstract
Purpose
The number of universities offering Master of Translation and Interpreting (MTI) in China has increased to 316 in 15 years. This paper aims to take a closer look at the production patterns of experimental report theses in terms of total number, distribution across universities, supervision model and research content, reflects on the problems and suggests improvements, provides a reference for MTI education in China and beyond.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper presents a bibliometric analysis of the published final theses of experimental reports for the MTI in China between the years 2012 and 2022, the period during which this type of thesis was produced, to identify the production patterns of these theses.
Findings
The number of experimental reports published by the nine leading universities accounts for 80% of the total 296 papers. The uneven development is also reflected in the supervision model and research content. Most universities can structure the main content of theses according to the suggestions of the MTI Guidance Training Outline. However, there are still deficiencies in the areas of experimental design, experimental validity, research questions and academic standards.
Originality/value
This paper reflects on the problems of MTI theses of experimental reports. Also, suggestions are made for linking top-level design and university education, for joint progress in faculty development and talent training and for integrating industrial aspects and international visions, to provide a reference for MTI education in China and beyond.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank Dalian University of Foreign Languages for supporting the conduct of this research. Special thanks also go to the anonymous reviewers for their valuable advice.
Funding: This research was funded by National Social Science Fund of China, grant number 17BYY067.
Data availability statement: No new data were created or analysed in this study. Data sharing is not applicable to this article.
Disclosure statement: No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.
Citation
Zou, D. and Wang, B. (2024), "Reflections on theses of experimental reports for the master of translation and interpreting in China (2012–2022)", Quality Assurance in Education, Vol. 32 No. 1, pp. 17-29. https://doi.org/10.1108/QAE-04-2023-0079
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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