Index 165
Speculation, 105
Spell-checker, 21
Spelling
alternative, 20
looking at other theses, 5
proper names, 20
Starting off
adding notes from around thesis, 43
chronology of topic, 39
creating a structure, 40–42
creative process, 46–48
defining a topic, 39
encyclopedia review of topic, 39
first draft, 43
hypothesis formulation, 40
initial efforts, 42–44
obstacle to, 42
research first, write later approach, 44
restarting, dangers of, 45, 46
reviewing existing work, 39
simultaneous research and writing, 40
starting with a factual chapter, 45
starting with background chapters, 45
starting with introductory chapters, 44
time line, 41
Stating the problem, 62, 63
Statistical significance, 104
Storage technology, 24
Structural editing
conclusions, 128
different from narrative, 14
first draft, 126, 127
introductory chapter, 128
second draft, 126, 127
table of contents, 128
Structure of thesis
central chapters, 93
components written concurrently, 13
creating early, 18, 40
example, 19
for humanities, 14
for sciences, 14
modifying, 114
non-standard thesis, 15
number of chapters, 13
over-complicating, 13
research first and write later model, 44
standard thesis, 11–14
test run with chapter introductions, 49
Structure of thesis see also Background
chapters, Introductory chapter, 50
Students
agenda for future research, 88, 121
awareness of work involved, 55
co-authored papers, 36
confirmation (progress) report, 40
day-to-day grind, 57
disseminating research, 138–142
distractions, 48, 53, 149
following advice, 56, 92, 94
freezing up, 55
handling feedback, 127
honesty about progress, 35
outcomes, 6, 99, 105, 107, 109
probationary candidature, 40
qualities for success, 145
reacting to criticism, 26
spoken presentation skills, 149
stressed, 148, 149
working with your supervisor, 55–58
work routines, 39, 148
Study
versus case study, 85, 86, 91, 118
work routines, 39, 148
Style
captions, 19, 22
chapter headings, 19
consistency of, 17, 18, 125
paragraphs, 19
section headings, 19
Style manual, 25
Summaries
different from conclusions, 123
of chapters, 82, 121
Supervisor
adviser and explorer, 55
as researcher, 55
chapter by chapter feedback, 126
co-author of papers, 141
comments for guidance only, 127
feedback on argument structure, 127
for PhD, 58
helping brainstorm conclusions, 144
honesty about progress, 57
ignoring advice, 56
independent thinking, 56
printing rather than digital format, 126
problems lie with students, 56
providing with clean copy, 125
questioning, 52, 57, 62
reacting to feedback from, 80, 126, 127
relationship with, 55, 58
reliability of feedback, 126
students not thinking for themselves, 56
working as peers, 55
write-up period, 55
Suppositions, 105
Synthesis of thesis