Thesis writing
Your thesis/dissertation is not the end of your study but your first piece of significant academic work. Completing it is both a contribution to new knowledge AND a learning process for you. What you learn about research and writing will outlive the relevance of the content. You can start by breaking the task of producing a thesis/dissertation into manageable “chunks”. This section addresses many of the challenges you will face along the way.
Getting started
Find out what you are expected to do by:
- Attending department based orientation and technical programs
- Read course handbooks
- Read the Graduate Students Office guidelines
- Books and websites on dissertation writing
- Look for previous dissertations in the library
Managing your writing
Set up your dissertation files – a separate file for each section (See session on “Planning thesis production using MS Word”)
- Cover page – see your handbook
- Formalities – see Graduate Studies Office's guidelines
- References/bibliography
- Appendices
- Key words
- Abstract
- List of Tables and Figures
- Ethics statement
- Statement of original authorship
- Acknowledgements
- Table of contents
Chapters (set up one file for each chapter)
- Chapter 1. Introduction and overview
- Chapter 2. Literature review
- Chapter 3. Research question
- Chapter 4. Methodology
- Chapter 5. Results
- Chapter 6. Discussion
- Chapter 7. Summary and conclusions
Free up headspace
- Write down everything you can so that you do not need to keep it in short term memory
- Do not write sequentially and be prepared to leave gaps
- Recycle
- Copy and paste into the appropriate chapter any material you have already written including preliminary reference sections or bibliographies (see sessions on EndNote)
- Set up a “recycle” file. Do not delete any paragraph you write. Save it because you may be able to reuse it somewhere else.
Structure each chapter
- Tell ";em what you're goin to tell "em (8)
- Tell "em (2)
- Tell "em what you told "em (6) - Mark Twain
- Introduction
- What the thesis is about (write now)
- What the chapters say (write after they are written)
- Summary and conclusion and
- Why the research is important (write anytime you work this out)
E.g. Chapter 1
Figuring out what your research is about
- Free up headspace then focus specifically on your research question and write it down
- Use research seminars, study groups, conferences and peers to get feedback on your idea
- Make sure it is expressed in terms that your peers can understand
- Discuss the refined statement with your supervisor and reach agreement as early in the process as possible
Managing your writing
- Identify the tasks that need to be done to complete each chapter
- Estimate how long each task will take
- Use planning tools such as Gantt Charts to establish important sequences
- Enter start dates, milestones and completion dates in your diary
- Review and revise regularly
- Hopelessly inaccurate estimates are much more efficient than no estimates at all
Planning and Management
Having short-term and long-term goals as well as a realistic plan will help you manage your progress and ensure you generate effective content.
- Set task targets with your supervisor
- Make maximum use of resources
- Get your material reviewed by peers (seminars, conferences, publish)
- Make contact with people doing similar research (network)
Managing content and process
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Content
- Set task targets with your supervisor
- Make maximum use the library and resources (see library sessions)
- Get your material reviewed by peers (seminars, conferences)
- Make contact with people doing similar research (network)
Process
- Staying motivated
- Rewards for progress
- Graph your word-count (chapters and refs only)
- Keep a journal of your progress recording how you solved problems and overcame difficulties
- Manage social support
- Keep your sense of humour
More resources
The SLD Blackboard module has
How to Write a Thesis (electronic version) by Murray
How to Write a Thesis by Murray
How to Get a PhD: A Handbook for Students and Their Supervisors
by Philips & Pugh