How to Write a Better Thesis

166 Index

discussion of results, 12

evaluation of work, 12

linking aims and conclusions, 12

T
Table of contents
and logic of structure, 5
draft, 37
final checklist, 130
including figures and tables, 130
style for, 19
Tables and figures see Figures and tables, 22
Talks in forums and workshops, 139
Teaching experience, 145
Technical words
avoiding use, 32
Technology-specific research, 12
Tenses, rules for use, 30
Terminology, establishing, 52
Terms, defining, 66, 117
Testing hypotheses, 88
Theories
current theory evaluation, 74, 117
different from hypothesis, 105
different from speculation, 105
Thesiese, 26–28, 30, 32
Thesis
95 per cent syndrome, 76, 77
analysis of examiners’ reports, 5, 6
a single piece of work, 14
attributes for success, 1, 2
audience for, 1
awareness of shortcomings/limitations,
102, 117
defining, 1
demosnstrating authority in field, 1
diagnostic check, 122
disseminating research, 138
examination criteria, 1
experimental work dominates time, 53
getting started, 40
guidelines, 2
high quality, 4
innovation-based, 94
literary quality, 2
logical flow of, 1
looking at other thesis, 4, 5
master version, 25
non-standard structures, 15
observation-based, 94
purpose in writing, 2
qualitative or quantitative work, 98, 99
research simultaneous with writing, 40
revising, 70, 71, 79–81

significance of study, 66, 67

starting with background chapters, 143

starting with the end in mind, 71

structure, 2, 9–15

synthesis, 11–13, 35, 68

types of, 3, 4

viewing from another’s perspective, 92

writing routines, 53

Thesis interdisciplinary, 15

Thesis see also PhD thesis, Structure

of thesis, 2

Third person writing, 28, 29, 62

Timeline for completion, 41

Title

for appendices, 34

working, 70

Title page

content, 130

final checklist, 130

Tracking changes, 23

Transitional phrases, 32

Transitional words, 30, 32

Triangulation, 89, 94

U

Underlining, 32

Unreliable data, 92, 98, 101

USB flash drive, 24

V

Variables (parameters), 103

Verb tenses, 30

Viewpoint, 89

Visual material

effective, 109

rules about use, 108

unhelpful, 111

Visual material see also Figures

and tables, 108

W

Wisdom, 104, 105, 116

Word limit, 4, 34

Word processing

backup storage, 24

document management, 23

LaTeX, 18

Microsoft Word, 18

naming versions, 24

OpenOffice, 18

saving documents, 24

spelling and grammar checks, 36

Word processing tools