finishing your thesis

Friday, June 14, 2013 1Graduate School Training Courses

Finishing your Thesis

Friday, June 14, 2013 Graduate School Training Courses 2

Objectives

By the end of this course you will have– reviewed the structural features of an argument– identified some strategies for helping with the

writing-up process– written an individual timetable for submission– collected some tips on formatting your thesis


The structure of an argument

(From Toulmin, 1958)

Data Qualifier Claim/conclusionSo, ,

Since Unless

On account of

Warrant

Backing

Rebuttal

For a detailed description see:http://changingminds.org/disciplines/argument/making_argument/toulmin.htm


An example of an argument

(From Toulmin, 1958)

Claire was born in

Northern Ireland

presumably Claire is a British subject

So,

Since

Unless

On account of

A person born in Northern Ireland will be a British subject

The following statutes and legal provisions…

Both her parents were born in Eire, or She has become an Irish citizen

,


The structure of an argument

DATA CONCLUSION

GROUNDS FOR MAKING THIS LINK


Other argument models

• Sequential or narrative– Small logical steps through the argument– Likely to be longer

• Different perspectives– Problem area is examined from different aspects– Can be difficult to come to a concise conclusion


What is the Thesis for?

To establish the grounds for believing a claim or conclusion.

The grounds should be based on

– evidence (i.e. your results)– plus (usually) other evidence or accepted claims

warranting you to draw the conclusion from your evidence


So…

• Make clear what your central claim/conclusion is

• Make it clear how your research supports the claim/conclusion

• Keep the background (e.g. lit. review) relevant to your argument linking data with conclusions


Tips on structure…

• Logical structure (not necessarily chronological order)

• Make it clear why and how your results/design/analysis etc. solves the problem you set out to solve

• Provide a concise outline and summary of the thesis

• Tell them what you’ve discovered and why it’s important, original etc.– at the beginning– and again at the end


Planning the writing up

• Work out how much time you have• Be realistic: what constraints are there?• Set yourself concrete objectives• Establish milestones and allow for slippage• Work backwards!

– plan from the end up to now– start with your results; leave the introduction to last

• Allow time for feedback on drafts, proofing, formatting, copying , binding, etc.


SMARTA Objectives

Specific Prepare first draft of chapter two

Measurable How will I know when it’s done?

Achievable Can I do it in the time I’ve allowed?

Realistic Have I considered all the constraints?

Trackable Can I ensure I’m on target for completion?


The process of developing your Thesis

Establish your CentralAim and objectives

Choose an appropriate method

Develop your ideas with information and

support from published papers and

other references

Put your ideas into practice using your

chosen methodWhat did you find out?

Establish your findings anddraw your conclusions

Check and re-check


Key formatting tips (1)

• Follow guidelines for presentation of thesis from your Faculty Office, if any.

• Check out some recently completed theses:http://etheses.nottingham.ac.uk

• Be familiar with the language and typesetting conventions of your discipline

• Keep records of individual data so that you can go back to them if necessary

• Keep backup copies on USB/memory sticks, CDs/DVDs, documents sent to yourself or family on email etc.


Key formatting tips (2)

• Be careful about recording the sequence of any changes to the data

• Keep control over different versions• Buy or borrow a good dictionary and thesaurus• Number your pages, figures and tables. It is also a good idea

to number sections for cross-referencing• Consider putting a brief introduction at the start, and a

summary at the end, of each chapter• Define styles using “Word”:

– this will help make your formatting consistent– you can automatically generate tables of content/figures etc.

• Use EndNote or another bibliographic management software to store and output your references


General skills

• Knowledge of the general field of scholarship to which the particular subject belongs

• Critical judgement in a particular subject

• Competence in designing and executing a theoretical or empirical enquiry

• Capacity to assume responsibility for independent research in the field


Content of Thesis

• A work of substance, representing not less than 2 years (normally 3) of full-time research

• Distinct addition to knowledge• Originality (discovering new facts, critical

examinations of existing facts or ideas; devising and conducting investigations into ideas supplied by others)

finishing your thesis

Education