6 Thesis Writing General Guidelines & Tips

8/13/2019 6 Thesis Writing General Guidelines & Tips

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Thesis Writing: General

Guidelines and Tips

A. S. M. A. HaseebDept. of Mechanical Engineering

University of Malaya

Office: Room 13, Level 5, Engineering Tower Bldg.

Tel: 7967 4492, E-mail: [email protected]

References

John W. Chinneck, How to Organize your Thesis,

http://www.sce.carleton.ca/faculty/chinneck/thesis.html

Joe Wolfe, How to Write a PhD Thesis,

http://www.phys.unsw.edu.au/%7Ejw/thesis.html

J. I. Maletic, Everything you wanted to know about Thesis &

Dissertations but were afraid to ask!

San Francisco Edit, www.sfedit.net

Armin Gruen, Thesis Writing, www.photogrammetry.ethz.ch


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Contents

Introduction Masters vs PhD Getting Started Introduction Problem statement

Literature Review Materials and methods Results and discussion

Conclusions

References Abstract Reviewing

Appendices Further Tips

Contents

Introduction to thesis writing Masters vs PhD Getting Started Introduction Problem statement

Literature Review Materials and methods Results and discussion

Conclusions



What Graduate Research is All About

An original contribution to knowledge

Thesis must show two important things:

- you have identified a worthwhile problem not previously answered- you have solved the problem / answered the question

Examiners points of view:

Good research problem answered before? useful question

to work on?

The question was adequately answered?

Adequate contribution to knowledge?

Introduction

Master's vs. PhD Thesis

Different expectations not in format but in significanceand level of discovery

a Doctoral thesis a more difficult problem to be solved,and consequently more substantial contributions.

The Ph.D. a substantial and innovative contribution to

knowledge


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Order of contents

Preface

Text

Supplement

i. Tit le Page

ii. Abstract

iii. Acknowledgements

iv. Table of Contents

v. L is t of Figures

vi. List of Tables

vii. List of Symbols and Abbreviations

1. Introduction

2. Literature Review

3. Methodology

4. Results and Data Analysis

5. Discuss ion

6. Conclusion and implications

7. Suggest ions

- Reserch instruments such as questionnaires,

maps or computer programmes

- Appendices: additional illustration of data

sources, raw data etc. support written text

- References

IPS Guideline for thesis

Best way is to prepare an extended outline

Begin by making up the Table of Contents, listing each

section and subsection

For each section and subsection write a brief point-

form description of contents of that section

The entire outline might be 2 - 5 pages long

You and your thesis supervisor should carefully review

this outline unnecessary material? missing material?

Getting started

Making an outline of a chapter ?

Assemble all figures in a logical orderto explain to

someone what they all meant

Rehearse explaining it to someone else

Note down the key words of your explanation Key

words provide a skeleton for chapter outline

Getting started continued


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Where Do I Begin?

Best place to begin where you feel most at ease

Methodology chapter often the easiest to write

- just write down what you did; carefully, formally and

in a logical order

Write Section by section worry about order and

transitions later

When Do I Begin?

Start today! Tomorrow is too late!


How Long Does it Take to Write a Thesis?

Longer than you think

Leave yourself enough time hasty job may have painful

consequences at the defense


Audience

Readers

pretty knowledgeable about general problem,but haven't been intimately involved with details

Spell difficult new concepts out clearly

Imagine explaining your ideas directly to a person whohas appropriate background

Don't make readers work too hard Choose section titles

and wordings to give information c learly

A thesis is not a story doesn't follow the chronology ofthings that you tried



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A timetable

Make a timetable for writing dates for first and seconddrafts of each chapter to your superviser(s)

Chart with items that you can check off as you have

finished them


Style

The text must be clear Good grammar and thoughtful writing easier to read Scientific writing is a little formal No slang Short, simple phrases and words are better than long ones

Thesis must be a connected, convincing argument not

just a list of facts and observations

Tips

Spend enough time planning the structure Get copies of other (good) theses. Talk to your supervisor

Write abstract and introduction chapter last


Tips:

Avoid repetitions (copying your own sentences

several times)

Must not copy other peoples sentences. Develop

your own style

Maintain thread between adjoining chapters (joining

words/sentences)

Define all variables in equations and in calculations.Use variables according to general practice. Dont use

the same variables for different things

Describe test and computational conditions. The

reader usually is not familiar with your facilities

Leave out material that does not contribute directly to

the discussion or development of an idea



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Tips:

Apply punctuations correctly

Avoid bombastic words, rarely used vocabulary

Writing in the active voice improves the reading pace and

dynamics.

Active: Parameter (a) improves the performance of the algorithm

Passive: The performance of the algorithm is improved by parameter (a)

(Active expressions are more assertive!)

Illustrations and diagrams readable in terms of graphic style and

explanations of variables

Put down a draft (as rough as you like) for your own purposes,

then clean it up for your adviser to read


The table of contents a map for reader and writer

Create a thorough table of contents before you beginwriting and refer to it throughout the thesis writing process

Continually re-evaluate your order choice

Be sure that you to include every relevant piece of

information

Table of Contents

Contents

Introduction to thesis writing Masters vs PhD

Getting Started Introduction Problem statement Literature Review

Materials and methods Results and discussion Conclusions

References Abstract Reviewing Appendices Further Tips


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Step back mentally and take a broader view of the problem

How does it fit into the broader context of your discipline?

State briefly state-of-the-art of the research issues and objectives

of the work

Show rationale that explains what issue or controversy needs

resolvingWhy is the topic important?

State the problem(s) as simply as you can

Provide overview of the thesis contents

Introduction should be interesting

Dont overestimate the readers familiarity with the topic

Introduction

Tips:

+ Write the Introduction last!

+ Do not repeat the sentences from the abstract+ Use punchy style to attract reader

Checkpoints to consider

+ Does it arouse interest or curiosity?

+ Does it include a thesis statement?

+ Does it include all the important goals and contentstatements?

+ What is the authors purpose in writing this thesis?

+ Does it give sufficient credit to previous work?

Introduction continued

Problem statement

Identify the problem and its importance

Explain, defend, and/or prove that the current literature

and findings are inadequate, outdated, and/or wrong discussion of why it is worthwhile to answer this

question

Asserts that your research will help solve the problem

What makes a thesis question a good one?

First, it must remain unanswered Second, its answer must serve as a contribution to

knowledge

Introduction continued


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Addresses what is known about the issue background, from where

the problem arose, and how others have attempted to resolve the problem

Summary of recognized facts and information in academic literature

What other methods have been tried to solve it?

Should be organized by ideas rather than by authors or works

Concentrate on most important publications: Use primary literature

Keep it confined to topics really relevant to your own work

Dont try to show off by citing too many authors

Make sure you do not miss the latest developments

Make sure you understood what you have cited

Literature Review

Tips

Use spread sheet or word processor for literature review

write down title, authors, year, volume and pages

Also write a summary (a couple of sentences to a couple of pages)

In other columns of spread sheet

add key words (your own and theirs)

comments about its importance, relevance, quality

How many papers? about a hundred ? depends on the field use your judgment

A political point: do not omit relevant papers by researchers who

are like to be your examiners

Literature Review continued

What the examiners look in a Review of literature

Relevant to the research study?

Evidence of critical appraisal of other work, or is the

review just descriptive?

How well has the candidate mastered the technical or

theoretical literature?

Does the candidate make the links between the reviewand his or her methodology explicit?

Is there a summary of the essential features of other work

as it relates to this study?

Literature Review continued


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Common practice to combine them, as their content tends to

be interrelated

Break down this section into chapters based on subject

Diagrams, graphs, and charts will be very useful in illustratingyour results

Described the conditions under which obtained each set of

results were obtainedWhat was held constant? What werethe other relevant parameters?

Show measurement errors and standard errors on the graphs Use appropriate statistical tests

Results and Discussion

Discussion

- explain the meaning of your results

- where they fit in the current literature ?

- whether they concur with or deviate from others- are they consistent with current theories?

- do they give new insights?

- do they suggest new theories or mechanisms?

Try to distance yourself from your usual perspective

and look at your work

How other people in the field might see it

Results and Discussion continued

What the examiners are looking for

Do the solutions obtained relate to the questions posed?

Is the level and form of analysis appropriate for the data?

Could the presentation of the results be made clearer?

Are patterns and trends in the results accurately identified

and summarized?

Does the software appear to work satisfactorily?



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What the examiners are looking for

Is the candidate aware of possible limits to

confidence/reliability/validityof the work?

Have the main points to emerge from the results been

picked up for discussion?

Are there links made to the literature?

Is there evidence of attempts at theory building or

reconceptualisation of problems?

Are there speculations? Are they well grounded in the

results?


Contents


Getting Started Introduction Problem statement

Literature Review Materials and methods Results and discussion Conclusions



Less detailed than the rest of your thesis

A summary of conclusions is usually longer than the final

section of the abstract

Not a rambling summary of the thesis

short, concise statements of the inferences that you have made

because of your work

Short numbered paragraphs, ordered from most to leastimportant

All conclusions should be directly related to the research

question stated

Show the importance or implications of the research

Conclusion


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Be honest with the critical assessment of your results Dont

try to pretend things which you have not achieved

Optional (as per IPS Guidelines):

Finally, share your thoughts as to how your thesis can serve asthe starting point for future research. This subsection is intended

for future researchers who may be interested in taking your

ideas further

Some people only read abstract, introduction

and conclusion s. So make sure these three

chapters are internal ly consistent and

conclusive

Conclusion continued

Every citation made in thesis must appear in the list

of references (unlike Bibliography)

List of references a measuring stick to evaluate

the breadth of your research

The reader will typically review whether you have

consulted more prominent works

Follow strictly the IPS format

References

Abstract most widely published and most read

To be covered:

- Short statement about the area of investigation(motivation, objective etc.)

- Brief discussion of methods and procedures used

- Brief summary of findings- Brief summary of conclusions

Continuous summary, not disconnected notes

Abstract should be self-contained

Tips:

Write the abstract last!

Use punchy style to attract reader

Abstract


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Get other people to read your drafts

Set it aside for a week or more, then go back and edit it

again

Re-Write first draft taking everyones comments intoaccount

Run a spell check so that your supervisor does not waste

time

Check for any characteristic grammatical failings

Check it through anti-plagiarism software

Get the bugs out before the committee sees it

Re-do the studies in different places at different times for

comparison if you can

Reviewing

Reviewing continued

Checkpoints to consider

Does each paragraph have one main idea which clearly

relates to the thesis statement?

Do the paragraphs come in logical order?

Does each paragraph contain enough specific details

which expand or clarify the main idea of the paragraph?

Are transitions used between paragraphs to help the

reader follow the train of thought from one paragraph to

the other?

Contents


Getting Started Introduction Problem statement Literature Review

Materials and methods Results and discussion Conclusions

References Abstract Reviewing Appendices Further Tips


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What goes in the appendices? Any material which impedes

the smooth development of your presentation, but which isimportant to justify the results of a thesis.

too nitty-gritty a level of detail for inclusion in the main bodyof the thesis, but which should be available for perusal by the

examiners to convince them sufficiently.

Examples include program listings, immense tables of data,

lengthy mathematical proofs or derivations, etc.

Use letters to designateA, B, C, etc.

If there is only one appendix, it is called Appendix. If not,then Appendix A.

List appendices in the Table of Contents

Appendices

Additional Tips

Preparing Yourself To Write Your Thesis

Organize Your Thesis Using Electronic Folders

Back Up Your Thesis Files Every Day

Organize Your Thesis Using Physical Folders

Physical folders can also be used for notes, scraps,scribblings, letters, and other artifacts of your thesis

writing experience. Place all of your folders in a safe place

1. Consolidate all the information. Ensure that you have everything

you need to write, e.g. all data, references, drafts of tables, figures,

etc.2. Start writing. Write when your energy is high. Try to find a time

and place where you can think and write without distractions.3. Write quickly and in larger portions. Keep the flow going. The

first version does not have to be perfect. Leave gaps if nececssary,

search for correct words, data, figures, etc. later. Do the editing

later.4. Write in your own style (voice).Avoid copying sentences from

other authors, the reader will notice this.5. Keep to the plan of your outline. Avoid wandering around and

meandering. The reader must be able to follow you. Dont jump

from issue to issue.

Nine steps to developing an efficient draft of your manuscript

Additional Tips continued


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6. Write the thesis in parts. Treat each section as mini-essay.

Check if each section can stand alone.

7. Put your first draft aside. Let it rest for a few days or evenlonger. Fresh reading will give you additional insights intoand critics of your own text. Good things need time!

8. Revise it. This may have to be done several times. Let a

colleague have a look at it. If your control of the language

(English!) is not sufficient have somebody (expert)proofreading it

9. Target a journal. Thesis work should be published in

journals. Define your content in relation to the goals of thejournal. Consider the audience of the journal. Check severalrecent journal issues. Dont try to put everything into a

journal manuscript.


Nine steps

+ Is the wording appropriate and accurate?

+ Is the language acceptable (spelling, punctuation, grammar)?

+ Are the points presented in a coherent, logical order?

Concentrate on the essentials!

+ Do arguments flow smoothly & logically from one to the next?

+ Are arguments supported by appropriate examples?

+ Remember: Nobody should know more about the issue you are

dealing with than yourself. Consider this in your text by explainingthings carefully and clearly,but not too exhaustively!

+ Are references sufficient, not too exhaustive and relevant?

+ Pay credit to the earliest findings/developments (primaryliterature).


+ Is the referencing consistent and in accordance with the author

specifications?+ Are sources acknowledged? Dont just copy other authors

sentences and figures without referencing.

+ Are the pages numbered and are there indices?Do not think I have to write a whole thesis!

+ Stitch pieces together

+ Dont write one big piece at a time

Do not put off writing the thesis until the end

+ Start to write as early as possible, even if it is only your random

thoughts

+ Any task that you are performing can be written about!Dont forget that you have written several successful

documents before

+ Remember the errors you made before and learn from them



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You are not alone!

Dont isolate yourself during the thesis process

+ Discuss your fears, doubts and results (other students, thesis

writers, faculty,

advisors)+ Share suggestions how to overcome obstaclesTake a course on Technical Writing

+ Writing is to a large amount a skill, which can be learnedDont endure writers block

+ Most writers get this occasionally. It is not a career-ending

disease

+ Total block partial block: Dont suffer through, get advice

+ Caused by deadline anxiety it gets worse

A Word About Tables. Dont waste time in the first stages of

drafting and thesis writing by attempting to create perfect

tables and graphs on your computer.


A researcher should check, recheck, cross

check, ... all the results before submitting

a research paper to a journal

Documents

6 Thesis Writing General Guidelines & Tips