storyline into a number of clear periods. The characteristics
of each period can then be treated more synoptically. The
crucial transitions are from one period to another. They are
separated out for focused treatment, while the more
ephemeral ebb and flow of less important events within
each period is given less emphasis.
◆Systematic accounts disaggregate complex processes into
their component parts, as in my study example above. An
overall set of phenomena (such as a change process or an
intellectual problem) is split into different components and
each aspect is treated using appropriate concepts, theories,
methods and evidence for that category. For instance, you
could split historical processes into separate economic,
political, cultural and social changes, and develop different
models of each, as well as an account of how they
interconnect. Or you could analyse a novel or a play in
terms of characters and their interactions, or identify
different elements, myths or themes woven through a
narrative.
◆Causal analyses go further than simply handling different
aspects under category headings. They seek to reconstruct
complex multi-causation processes by grading and sifting
how influences are patterned, weighting causes against each
other, distinguishing long-term and short-term, or necessary
and sufficient causes. Very sophisticated approaches here
may trace out a complete algorithm, an analytic model of
the processes that are being studied.
An analytic structure has many advantages, so long as the
set of organizing categories being used is simple and robust,
picking out clearly distinguishable sets of phenomena in very
clear-cut ways. To organize a whole thesis, you need a fairly
restricted structure of big, broad concepts. Fine-grain or subtle
distinctions that take ages to explain are not suitable for this
top-level organizing task, or indeed for providing an internal
structure for chapters (see Chapter 4). Robust organizing cate-
gories should also be recognizable ideas, with which readers
can easily connect. Both these requirements may seem to
limit the scope for you to personalize your thesis organization.
PLANNING AN INTEGRATED THESIS◆ 69