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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
References Abstract Reviewing
Appendices Further Tips
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!
Getting started continued
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
Getting started continued
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
Getting started continued
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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
Getting started continued
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
Getting started continued
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
Getting started continued
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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
Getting started continued
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?
Results and Discussion continued
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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?
Results and Discussion continued
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
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
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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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.
Additional Tips continued
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).
Additional Tips continued
+ 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
Additional Tips continued
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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.
Additional Tips continued
A researcher should check, recheck, cross
check, ... all the results before submitting
a research paper to a journal
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