Thesis Writing (7 Aug, 2010)

8/7/2019 Thesis Writing (7 Aug, 2010)

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HOW TO WRITE A THESIS?

Have you something to do tomorrow,do it today.

Ben Franklin


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WHAT IS A THESIS?

An argument to support a hypothesis An original piece ofresearch

The productofan apprenticeship

Something that could be published

Thesis is nothing butatransferenceof bones fromonegraveyardtoanother. Frank Dobie


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DEFINITION

A thesis for the Ph.D. (dissertation)

must for a distinctive contribution to

the knowledge of the subject andafford evidence of originality shown

by the discovery of new facts and/or

by the exercise of independent critical

power.


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LAY-OUT

First Chapter:Introduction

Last Chapter:Conclusion andSuggestions

Three Parts:1. Preliminary pages

2. Main body

3. Reference section


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GETTING STARTED

Decide your title

Write your title page

Start your document Look at other theses in your area

Plan your argument

You can always change things later

But you cant change anything unlessyou have something to change


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PLAN YOUR ARGUMENT

Introduction

Problem

Whats in the literature Method

Solution

Results


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CONTENTS

Title conveys a message

Abstract for the librarian and announcement

Contents listing shows that everything is

there Acknowledgements

Introduction I am doing the following

Review of Previous work show you know thesubject

Philosophy of the approach show you canpick out an important problem

Plan of Attack show you approached theproblem in a systematic manner


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CONTENTS Cont.

Description of the work details, so thatothers can follow what you did

Critical analysis of the results show youunderstand the limitations

Future work show you know whats missing

Conclusions repetition of the intro, but withreference to detail

References cover the field; examiners will lookfor key dereferences

Appendix the gruesome details that wouldclutter the description


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TITLE

Concise

Descriptive


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ABSTRACT

A brief summary of150-300 words

Research Question

A rationale for the study The hypothesis

The methodology

The main findings


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INTRODUCTION

Provides a necessary backgroundfor research problem

Begin with a general statement ofthe problem area

Focus on specific research problem

Justification of the proposed study


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LITERATURE REVIEW

Functions: Ensures that you are notreinventing the wheel

Give credit to those laying the ground

work Demonstrate your knowledge about of the

problem

Convince readers that you proposed

research will make a significantcontribution


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LITERATURE REVIEW Cont,d

Make use of subheading to bringorder

Focus, unite and cohere yourdiscussion

Cite influential papers

Keep up the recent developments


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METHODS

How plan to tackle the problem

Shows that your approach is most

appropriate


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DISCUSSION

Mention the limitations andweaknesses of your research


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BIBLIOGRAPHY

Keep a database ofcomplete references

Use a consistentcitation style

Use a tool (Endnote, Bibtex, etc.)

Attention todetail is important (correct

spellings!)

Keep complete references (page numbers,

volume,location anddates forproceedings,

etc.)


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BIBLIOGRAPHY Cont..

Findout whatthe local rules are forcitationstyle

Ifthere are norules use [AuthorYear]or[Author1,Author2, Author3, Year] so yourname shows up!

Assume the readeris familiarwith the main

references (butdont skip any)


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REVIEWING

Get otherpeople to read your drafts

Peers will give friendly comments and

typically have time on theirhands

Advisorwill steeryou

Above all: Get the bugs out before the

committee sees it


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IN SUMMARY

Start writing today (never tomorrow)

Make up a title page for inspiration

Write down your argument succinctly Turn the argument into a chapter plan

Maintain a file of stuff to put all the

material into

Dont be afraid to change the plan


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IN SUMMARY Cont..

Know your audience

Help them understand

Keep it short Use signposts

Get the contents right

Make sure youve covered the bases


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PLAGIARISM

Plagiarism means using other writersideas, words or frameworks withoutacknowledgement.

You are falsely claiming that the work isyour own.

This can range from deliberate plagiarismto splicing phrases.


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LIMITS OFPLAGIARISM


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WHAT ARE EXAMINERS LOOKING FOR?

Review of literature

Is the literature relevant?

Is the review critical or justdescriptive?

Is it comprehensive?

Does it link to the methodology in thethesis?

Does it summarize the essentialaspects?


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Methodology

Is there a clear hypothesis? Are precautions taken against

bias?

Are the limitations identified?

Is the data collectedappropriately?

Is the methodology justified?


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Presentation of results

Have the hypotheses in fact beentested?

Are the results shown to supportthe hypothesis?

Is the data properly analyzed?

Are the results presented clearly?

Are patterns identified andsummarized?


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Discussion and Conclusions

Are the limits of the researchidentified?

Are the main points to emergeidentified?

Are links made to the literature?

Is there theoretical development?

Are the speculations wellgrounded?


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ITS ALL OVER

Youve finished writing

& defending yourthesis

Whatdo you do next?

Turn it into abook

Publish some journal articles

around it

Make copies foryour

parents,

Make a copy foryourself


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GOOD LUCK!

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Thesis Writing (7 Aug, 2010)

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