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Writing your Thesis

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Result Chapters* Structured as Papers'? General Discussion. References. Appendices ... http://is2.dal.ca/~dts/resources.html. Dissertation Doctor ... – PowerPoint PPT presentation

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Title: Writing your Thesis


1
Writing your Thesis
  • Faculty of Life and Health Sciences Research
    Graduate School

2
The Research Cycle
Knowledge
Ideas
Dissemination
Data Acquisition
3
Ask for Help
4
Dissertation Avoidance Complex
  • Just one more Experiment!!
  • Just waiting for intra-library loan
  • I need a break from Science
  • Have been avoiding my supervisor
  • Have been missing deadlines
  • Writers Block!

5
When to start writing?
  • As soon as possible, but with the end in mind

6
The Structure of a Science Thesis
  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Materials Methods
  • Result Chapters
  • Structured as Papers?
  • General Discussion
  • References
  • Appendices

7
Before you start writing
  • THINK!
  • Regardless of what youre writing
  • What was the point /aim/objectives?
  • Why did you do this?
  • What were the principal findings?
  • Whats the bottom line?

8
Preliminary work
  • Generate an Outline
  • A plot for your thesis writing
  • Several Pages - chapter headings / sub-headings /
    figure titles
  • Start with fleshing the structure given
  • Target logical story for the document
  • Discuss / revise with supervisor

9
Preliminary work
  • Clearly articulate
  • Background / generic theory
  • Focal theory ( starting hypothesis)
  • Analysis theory (why are you asking this
    question?)
  • The contribution to knowledge

10
Starting your writing
  • Methods
  • You can write this as you go along
  • You know what youve done
  • Based upon your protocol
  • Easiest Section?
  • Must be Replicable
  • Use Appendices for detailed items (Buffers /
    patient info / statistics)

11
Continuing your writing
  • Results
  • Start with Tables/Graphs
  • Make each stand alone.. Detailed legends
  • Pick the pictures
  • What tells the story?
  • Describe, then number crunch
  • Use Appendices for detailed items

12
Towards the end
  • General Discussion
  • Start with Key Points.. Key pts each chapter
  • Think theory areas, think contribution
  • What is the relevance of your work
  • Expand into self contained sections or paragraphs
  • Wrap with Restatement and Summary
  • Demonstrate your critical self awareness

13
Lastly
  • Introduction
  • Introduce the area set the background
  • Identify the gaps, conflicts etc.
  • Does it justify what your Aims were?
  • Chapter Introductions
  • Whats absolutely necessary?
  • Avoid extensive histories
  • Does it justify/refine your Aims?

14
Finishing Off
  • References
  • Kept up to date (start date of PhD onwards..
  • Use same abbrevs throughout
  • Get fellow PhD students to check
  • Abstract
  • Write as if this stands alone
  • Title
  • Succinct but complete (truly reflects results)

15
Data
  • Management Storage
  • Collation Presentation
  • Statistical Advice
  • Statistical Computing
  • Appendices

16
Further Tips
  • Write in double spacing
  • Comments easier
  • Request critical assessment from other staff /
    students
  • Get feel of final product
  • Cover Sheet
  • Working Title
  • Date/Draft Version

17
Always remember to Back Up!
18
Useful Sites
  • Dead Thesis Society
  • http//is2.dal.ca/dts/resources.html
  • Dissertation Doctor
  • http//www.dissertationdoctor.com/articles/avoidin
    g.html
  • Recent Theses
  • http//www.theses.com

19
Viva Voce !!!!!
  • Pre-submission (at least 3 months)
  • Intent to submit
  • Appoint External examiner
  • Post - Submission
  • Arrange Pre-viva with Head Grad School or
    Supervisor
  • Discussion with above on format of viva

20
Viva Voce !!!!!
  • Format
  • External / Internal / Supervisor submit views on
    thesis (1 week prior).
  • Head Grad School reviews and acts accordingly
  • Pre-viva meeting with examiners (30mins).
  • Student admitted and format of examiners roles
    explained.
  • Viva duration approx 2 hours
  • Student leaves and discussion takes place (approx
    15 mins).
  • Student informed of decision by chairperson

21
Viva Voce !!!!!
  • After Viva
  • Informed of corrections by Research Office.
  • Corrections to satisfaction of Internal
    examiner.
  • Deadline of 6 weeks.
  • Submit Bound Thesis.
  • Get a real job!!
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