The Conclusion and The DefenseThe Conclusion

and The Defense

CSCI 6620 Spring 2014

Thesis Projects: Chapters 11 and 12

The ConclusionThe Conclusion

Refer back to the aim and objectives Put results in wider context Analyze strengths and weaknesses Identify future work

Refer back to the aim and objectives Put results in wider context Analyze strengths and weaknesses Identify future work

Summarize the ResultsSummarize the Results

Results validate the aim Strong/Certain results affect wider

context Uncertain results identify future work

Results validate the aim Strong/Certain results affect wider

context Uncertain results identify future work

Identify Wider ContextIdentify Wider Context

What can my results be used for? Who can use my findings, and how? Have I made a contribution? Can related areas benefit? Is the work applied or theoretical? How does the work compare to other

work? Are my findings in line with other work?

What can my results be used for? Who can use my findings, and how? Have I made a contribution? Can related areas benefit? Is the work applied or theoretical? How does the work compare to other

work? Are my findings in line with other work?

Evaluate the WorkEvaluate the Work

To what degree can the results be trusted?

Be honest about strengths and weaknesses.

To what degree can the results be trusted?

Be honest about strengths and weaknesses.

Identify Future WorkIdentify Future Work

Any objectives not satisfied? What to do if more time available Do results reveal more questions? If theoretical results, how to apply Estimate what is needed to do future

work

Any objectives not satisfied? What to do if more time available Do results reveal more questions? If theoretical results, how to apply Estimate what is needed to do future

work

The DefenseThe Defense

The Oral Presentation Answering questions (defending

your work)

The Oral Presentation Answering questions (defending

your work)

Oral PresentationOral Presentation

Include enough detail so audience can understand

Keep within allotted time Clear, to the point, interesting Boring is more acceptable than lack

of content

Include enough detail so audience can understand

Keep within allotted time Clear, to the point, interesting Boring is more acceptable than lack

of content

OrganizationOrganization

Decide key points and order Elaborate on key points Final defense covers whole project Preliminary defense focus on

problem description, related work and choice of methods

Admit strengths and weaknesses

Decide key points and order Elaborate on key points Final defense covers whole project Preliminary defense focus on

problem description, related work and choice of methods

Admit strengths and weaknesses

Sample OrganizationSample Organization

Title Page Outline Background Arguments Aim and Objectives Approach (2) Results (2) Conclusions Future Work

Title Page Outline Background Arguments Aim and Objectives Approach (2) Results (2) Conclusions Future Work

Preparing SlidesPreparing Slides

Layout Font size Orientation Language Emphasis Figures Number of words Numbering slides Headings

Layout Font size Orientation Language Emphasis Figures Number of words Numbering slides Headings

Preparing Yourself for the PresentationPreparing Yourself for the Presentation

Use presentation tool Develop notes Practice so you don’t need notes :-)

Use presentation tool Develop notes Practice so you don’t need notes :-)

The PresentationThe Presentation Short intro Get to aim quickly Talk to audience Show slides properly Explain each slide Don’t read verbatim Watch the time Not too fast or too slow Use distractions if necessary Don’t block view Carefully use pointing device

Short intro Get to aim quickly Talk to audience Show slides properly Explain each slide Don’t read verbatim Watch the time Not too fast or too slow Use distractions if necessary Don’t block view Carefully use pointing device

Handling QuestionsHandling Questions

Be clear in your replies Clarify the question Do not take criticism personally Do not avoid a question Do not brush off a question Do not retaliate

Be clear in your replies Clarify the question Do not take criticism personally Do not avoid a question Do not brush off a question Do not retaliate

Preparing for the QuestionsPreparing for the Questions

Take the writing of the Future Work section seriously

Take some time off Have someone else ask you

questions Assess strong and weak points Pretend you’re the opponent

Take the writing of the Future Work section seriously

Take some time off Have someone else ask you

questions Assess strong and weak points Pretend you’re the opponent

Questions an Opponent Asks

Questions an Opponent Asks

Thesis Projects

Chapter 12

pp 103 - 105

Problem StatementProblem Statement

Has the author explained the problem that is to be investigated in a clear and understandable way?

Has the author provided convincing arguments for the need to investigate this problem?

Has the author provided convincing arguments that conducting the investigation will lead to the possibility of obtaining a solution, or increasing our understanding of the problem domain?

Has the author explained the problem that is to be investigated in a clear and understandable way?

Has the author provided convincing arguments for the need to investigate this problem?

Has the author provided convincing arguments that conducting the investigation will lead to the possibility of obtaining a solution, or increasing our understanding of the problem domain?

Aims and ObjectivesAims and Objectives

Has the author identified a specific aim to be achieved in the project?

Is the identified aim explained in a clear and understandable way?

Has the author derived a list of specific objectives from the aim?

Are the objectives presented in a clear and structured way?

Do the objectives support the aim, i.e. will fulfilling all the objectives lead to the aim being achieved?

Has the author identified a specific aim to be achieved in the project?

Is the identified aim explained in a clear and understandable way?

Has the author derived a list of specific objectives from the aim?

Are the objectives presented in a clear and structured way?

Do the objectives support the aim, i.e. will fulfilling all the objectives lead to the aim being achieved?

MethodsMethods Has the author clearly identified and explained the methods

that could potentially be used in the investigation? Has the author provided an insightful discussion of

advantages and disadvantages of each potential method for the investigation?

Has the author clearly stated which method (or methods) was selected for the investigation?

Has the author provided convincing arguments for the selected method(s)?

Has the author described clearly how the selected method(s) will be applied?

Has the author clearly identified and explained the methods that could potentially be used in the investigation?

Has the author provided an insightful discussion of advantages and disadvantages of each potential method for the investigation?

Has the author clearly stated which method (or methods) was selected for the investigation?

Has the author provided convincing arguments for the selected method(s)?

Has the author described clearly how the selected method(s) will be applied?

DataData

Has the author presented the collected data in a clear, understandable, systematic and correct way?

Is the collected data sufficient, given the stated aims and objectives of the project?

Has the author presented the collected data in a clear, understandable, systematic and correct way?

Is the collected data sufficient, given the stated aims and objectives of the project?

AnalysisAnalysis

Has the author made a thorough and systematic analysis of the data obtained?

Is the analysis described in a clear and understandable way?

If the data are quantitative, has the author applied significance tests or other numerical evaluation techniques in a relevant and correct way?

Has the author evaluated the state aims and objectives in the light of the data obtained?

Has the author made a thorough and systematic analysis of the data obtained?

Is the analysis described in a clear and understandable way?

If the data are quantitative, has the author applied significance tests or other numerical evaluation techniques in a relevant and correct way?

Has the author evaluated the state aims and objectives in the light of the data obtained?

ConclusionsConclusions

Has the author provided conclusions that are relevant, given the state aims and objectives?

If the work contains one or more hypotheses, does the author draw conclusions about whether these hypotheses are supported or falsified by the results?

Has the author provided valid arguments for the stated conclusions?

Has the author provided conclusions that are relevant, given the state aims and objectives?

If the work contains one or more hypotheses, does the author draw conclusions about whether these hypotheses are supported or falsified by the results?

Has the author provided valid arguments for the stated conclusions?

Discussion and future workDiscussion and future work

Has the author discussed the work in an insightful way, and thereby placed the work into a wider context?

Has the author identified relevant and plausible continuations of the work?

Has the author discussed the work in an insightful way, and thereby placed the work into a wider context?

Has the author identified relevant and plausible continuations of the work?

Overall assessmentOverall assessment

Were the objectives of the project fulfilled? Was the aim of the project reached? Has the project furthered our

understanding of the problem investigated? Will this work be useful in the future? Is the report well structured and

understandable? Is the report well written?

Were the objectives of the project fulfilled? Was the aim of the project reached? Has the project furthered our

understanding of the problem investigated? Will this work be useful in the future? Is the report well structured and

understandable? Is the report well written?

Additional QuestionsAdditional Questions

Does the author have a critical viewpoint, i.e. have sources used in the work been critically evaluated by the author?

Have terms of importance to the report been clearly defined?

Is the use of terms and definitions consistent throughout the report?

Is it clear when something is the author’s own work, and when it is someone else’s work?

Does the author have a critical viewpoint, i.e. have sources used in the work been critically evaluated by the author?

Have terms of importance to the report been clearly defined?

Is the use of terms and definitions consistent throughout the report?

Is it clear when something is the author’s own work, and when it is someone else’s work?

Additional Questions (continued)Additional Questions (continued)

Have all sources used by the author been clearly identified by use of literature references, and have the references been made in a correct way?

Are you aware of any additional relevant literature on the topic, which has not been used and cited by the author?

Are you aware of any work which closely resembles the work done in the project, but which has not been identified by the author?

Have all sources used by the author been clearly identified by use of literature references, and have the references been made in a correct way?

Are you aware of any additional relevant literature on the topic, which has not been used and cited by the author?

Are you aware of any work which closely resembles the work done in the project, but which has not been identified by the author?