How to write a good thesis or a dissertation?
Writing a thesis or dissertation or any project work is required to be done by the students of M.Phil, MBA & Phd Courses in completion of course and to obtain a degree. There are so many other courses like MCA and M.Sc. which also demand the preparation and submission of thesis or dissertation or any project work.
If you want to get good marks and make an impressive thesis then you should follow these instructions carefully. These instructions will lead you to make and submit an impressive thesis in a logical form. Which type of thesis will be prepared depends upon the subject and the topic chosen by the student or the scholar. Preparation of thesis becomes difficult in case of those topics where the collection of the data is required but there may be a lack of sources to collect the data. But there are so many common characteristics which should be there in each type of thesis or dissertation and does not matter what is the subject and what is topic.
Sections, Parts and Chapters
Each thesis must be divided in the sections or the parts and chapters inside for the convenience of the readers and to give it a logical touch and make it impressive. Generally a thesis must be divided in at least 3 parts. Every section of the part of the thesis contains several chapters. This part of the thesis should contain the following chapters in it.
SECTION - 1 (each section contains different chapters)
Chapter – 1 - Introduction
This chapter of part 1 contains the introduction about the topic you choose. For example if your topic is “Effect of Inflation in the life of General Public in area… “. Then in this section you will give the intro about the meaning of inflation and the meaning of life style, habits, earning of money and the causes of inflation etc. The demerits of inflation etc. can also be written in this section. DO NOT insert the information about the area, scope and the limitations of your study and leave if for the next chapters.
Chapter – 2 - Objective or Need of the Study
This chapter will be dedicated to the objective of your study. What is the need and why this study is being conducted or for which purpose this research is being done should be described in detail in this chapter.
This is the crucial chapter of your study and the objectives do not come to the mind easily.
Let us explain some of the common objectives which may fit easily in almost every type of thesis and study:
1. A specific problem which needs a solution.
2. No previous study has been made.
3. Study was made but very much time has passed & changes have occurred and it needs a fresh study now.
4. It will lead to the common welfare of the general public or may be helpful for the government agencies for the improvements and the developments for the country.
5. To find out the reasons or the causes why fact (s) about anything were accepted or rejected at a point of time previously or are being accepted or rejected currently.
There may be many other objectives for your study this was just to ignite your minds.
Chapter – 3 - Scope and limitations of this study
This chapter will describe the scope of the study and the limitation which it has. Scope may be further sub divided into the following parts for example:
Regarding Respondents (Their age, caste, only to male or female etc.)
Regarding Area
Regarding brand/product etc.
If we talk about the limitations then the limitations of the study may be due to the time availability and the cost etc.
Chapter – 4 - Review of the literature
If there is any research done or the study was made previously then that data will be useful for the current study. In this chapter you will describe what kind of literature was available and reviewed by you while making or initializing the study. So many books, articles and the other study material can be described in this chapter which was ready by you as the literature. Study of the literature will guide you about the extent of the work which has been done and which is pending to do.
Chapter – 5 – Methodology of the research
Researches are of many types i.e. descriptive, applied & exploratory etc. which kind of research it is and what kind of methodology has been used will be described in this chapter. With the end of this chapter, section -1 of the report also ends. You may have more than 5 chapters and can provide these suitable names, depending upon the type of research but these 5 chapters must be there in any type of research.
Section – 2
As the section -1 was introductory & was providing information about the objective, scope and the methodology of the research, the section – 2 is the main part of the research report. It also contains the different chapters.
Now there are the variations regarding the chapters & their names in this section. There are the different types of researches and different types of workings are required.
You may add the following chapters in this section in your thesis.
Chapter – 1 – Data Analysis & Interpretation
Chapter – 2 – Case Studies
Chapter - 3 – Processing data with hypothesis for acceptance and rejection.
As it’s a common problem among the scholars that they do not know how to use the statistical tools to analyze the data so most of them just try to mould the data to prove those facts which are almost known. So you are required not to do and are expecting to make genuine only.
Further, there is a whim among the students who do not know the meaning of hypothesis and assume that the formulation & the existence of hypothesis is a necessary part. So there is an advice for those that if you are not sure that which kind of hypothesis should be there in your report then please do not choose. Formulation of a hypothesis is not necessary to complete a research report. Each and every report needs not to contain a hypothesis.
Section – 3
This is the last section of research report and contains the following chapters in it.
Chapter – 1 - Summary, Major Findings & Suggestions
This chapter will describe in short, what did you do & found while making the study. You will insert a conclusion at this point. What according to you is the result of your study can be shown in this part. Making a sub part for the major findings you may tell the readers about those things which were unnoticed or has been changed or are new as compare to the old ones. The major findings will be written in the technical language and must be included in this chapter by making a sub part.
Chapter – 2 - Suggestions & Contribution by the study.
You might have found some of the good and the new things which according to you might be improved with the help of the suggestions. Suggestions must be in the non technical manners so that the layman can also understand it. Contribution of the study towards the progress or to the existing literature can be shown in this chapter by making a sub chapter.
The whole section – 3 should be finished by adding a chapter namely “Scope for the further study.”
Chapter – 3 - Scope for the further study
In this chapter you may describe what were the limitations & the scope of your study and how an enhanced study can be made. For example you may describe in which area the study was made and how the study can be made in the other areas too.
Bibliography – It’s that part of the research report in which you will write the names of those sources which were used during the process of preparation of report & completion of the projects. It will include the names of the books, articles, newspapers and magazines which you used and gone through during the process of your research. The names of websites can also be mentioned here.
Appendix – This must be the last part of the research repot & will include the format & the types of the documents & forms which were used for the collection of the data or some information while making study e.g. questionnaire etc. END OF RESEARCH REPORT
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Tips to select a topic
Choosing a meaningful research topic for your dissertation or master's thesis can be a challenge. Here are some criteria to help you decide.
After years of graduate school, choosing a great topic for your doctoral dissertation or master's thesis may feel like one of the biggest pressures yet. You're going to be spending months and perhaps years on this research project, and completion of your PhD or master's degree is contingent upon your success. To make things more stressful, your future employment may depend on choosing a topic that appeals to a hiring committee.
Take a deep breath. Yes, this is a difficult decision, but follow your instincts and you'll find your way to an appropriate and meaningful topic. Here are some criteria to keep in mind when choosing a dissertation or thesis topic.
Choose a topic you love. This may be the most important criteria. You're going to be spending so much time with this project, and your quality of life will be much better if these hours are spent enjoyably. What's more, the quality of your research, writing, and arguments will be much better if you feel genuine passion for your work, Choose a topic you find both fascinating and socially significant. Never let someone pressure you into writing about a certain topic!
Pick something your advisor finds interesting and is knowledgeable about. Of course, is this is not possible, you might want to change your advisor instead of changing your topic.
Pick a topic that will be helpful in your career path. If your goal is an academic career, pick a topic that you can easily modify into journal articles or a book, and that will lend itself well to future research. If you want to work at a teaching oriented institution, consider a topic you can use in the classroom. If you are going into industry, choose a topic that will make you more marketable.
Find a topic that establishes your niche in your field. Do your research and find a topic that fits into existing bodies of literature, but that builds upon theory and expands it.
Choose research that is unique. Do significant research to make sure this topic has not been done before. Be creative and choose an idea that stands out from the pack as original and innovative.
Think carefully before you choose a controversial topic. Academics are a sensitive lot, and in every field there are certain topics and positions that will send highly educated people into intellectual temper tantrums. This doesn't mean you should avoid topics that push people's buttons. However, if you choose a controversial topic, think carefully about whether it might restrict your employment, tenure, or publishing opportunities.
Pick a topic that you already have some expertise about. This will help preserve your sanity and get you out the door faster. This isn't the time to explore a brand new area. Along the way, take coursework and write class papers that will help you write your dissertation or thesis.
Pick a manageable topic. This is a huge project, but it isn't your life's research. A good advisor will help you narrow down your topic so that you don't remain in graduate school for many long years.
Read more: http://graduate-schools.suite101.com/article.cfm/dissertation_and_thesis_topics#ixzz0S5a081TP
After years of graduate school, choosing a great topic for your doctoral dissertation or master's thesis may feel like one of the biggest pressures yet. You're going to be spending months and perhaps years on this research project, and completion of your PhD or master's degree is contingent upon your success. To make things more stressful, your future employment may depend on choosing a topic that appeals to a hiring committee.
Take a deep breath. Yes, this is a difficult decision, but follow your instincts and you'll find your way to an appropriate and meaningful topic. Here are some criteria to keep in mind when choosing a dissertation or thesis topic.
Choose a topic you love. This may be the most important criteria. You're going to be spending so much time with this project, and your quality of life will be much better if these hours are spent enjoyably. What's more, the quality of your research, writing, and arguments will be much better if you feel genuine passion for your work, Choose a topic you find both fascinating and socially significant. Never let someone pressure you into writing about a certain topic!
Pick something your advisor finds interesting and is knowledgeable about. Of course, is this is not possible, you might want to change your advisor instead of changing your topic.
Pick a topic that will be helpful in your career path. If your goal is an academic career, pick a topic that you can easily modify into journal articles or a book, and that will lend itself well to future research. If you want to work at a teaching oriented institution, consider a topic you can use in the classroom. If you are going into industry, choose a topic that will make you more marketable.
Find a topic that establishes your niche in your field. Do your research and find a topic that fits into existing bodies of literature, but that builds upon theory and expands it.
Choose research that is unique. Do significant research to make sure this topic has not been done before. Be creative and choose an idea that stands out from the pack as original and innovative.
Think carefully before you choose a controversial topic. Academics are a sensitive lot, and in every field there are certain topics and positions that will send highly educated people into intellectual temper tantrums. This doesn't mean you should avoid topics that push people's buttons. However, if you choose a controversial topic, think carefully about whether it might restrict your employment, tenure, or publishing opportunities.
Pick a topic that you already have some expertise about. This will help preserve your sanity and get you out the door faster. This isn't the time to explore a brand new area. Along the way, take coursework and write class papers that will help you write your dissertation or thesis.
Pick a manageable topic. This is a huge project, but it isn't your life's research. A good advisor will help you narrow down your topic so that you don't remain in graduate school for many long years.
Read more: http://graduate-schools.suite101.com/article.cfm/dissertation_and_thesis_topics#ixzz0S5a081TP
How to select a topic
Whether it's a small investigation or your doctoral thesis the number the basis of any investigative work is the "problem".
Selecting a good problem to base your investigation on is the foundation of a successful thesis.
Take these ideas into consideration when you select your problem.
First of all, don't get confused about what "a problem" actually is. I've always found this term to be somewhat of a confusing. When I'd teach investigation to my students, I'd invariably get students who submit problems like "There are too many children dying of malnutrition in the Third World". No doubt, that's a problem, but NOT an investigation problem.
An investigative problem is, in essence, and unknown. Don't think in terms of problem in the traditional sense of the word. Think in terms of unknowns. What don't we know that we'd like to know. A problem for a thesis investigation might read more like, "WHY are too many children dying of malnutrition in the Third World". That's not actually a very good problem for investigation (we'll get to that) but it IS an investigation problem. Think in terms of resolving unknowns.
The second main thing to take into consideration is that the problem is original. It can be an outgrowth of known information or a new take on an old problem, but you'd better not base your thesis on something like "Why is the sky blue?". Unless you have an earth shattering new response, the answer is well known and therefore no valid as a problem statement. The best way to know whether your esoteric problem is really original, take some time to review the bibliography (which of course you'll be doing anyway) but most of all, talk to respected people in the field who can let you know how original (and realistic) your problem statement is.
Once you select an overall problem that will be the foundation of your project, you then need to hone that problem down into fine tuned machine. Trust me, you don't want to work on a thesis project with a poorly stated problem. Hours, days, even weeks spent getting this set up correctly will save you triple the time later, and avoid starting a project that turns into a dead end.
Essentially your job at this point is to take a vague problem and turn it into a precise and DOABLE problem statement.
What do I mean by precise and doable?
1. . Delimit it in space and time. OK, so you want to find out the reasons for malnutrition in the Third World. Were you thinking Latin America or Africa. Or South East Asia? Brazil or Bolivia, Tanzania or Ivory Coast? If your investigation is semi serious, you'd better know the answer to that, and of course it can't be all of them That's physically impossible for one investigator, or even a team of investigators to take on. This wide type of problem may be possible if you're doing a very broad view of overall trends and patterns, but be careful about how you select the space you'll cover. Don't leave it to the imagination. And select only what you'll be able to cover. How about, the causes of malnutrition in Bolivia. As for time, it's generally assumed that you're talking about the present, but remember that you could take a slice in time from the past. It's good to be sure that you know when you're talking about. If you have nutrition data from 1975, does that fall within your boundary? What about 1875 or 1575? Be clear about these issues.
2. Be careful with non-measurable variables. Your problem will implicitly contain variables that you're going to measure. In this case they would be nutrition and mortality. Pretty straight forward, as both of them are easily measurable. However, on occasion you'll find yourself wanting to use variable that are non-measurable. For instance, what about this: "What effect does increased salary have on worker motivation?". Interesting problem. However, how exactly are we going to measure worker motivation? Before taking on such a problem, it's important to make sure that you can figure out a reasonable way to approximate motivation (for instance by using similar measurable indicators such as sick days taken, assistance at non-mandatory functions, etc.)
3. Select areas that fit within your skill range. I'd love to study radio emissions from black holes, but I don't have any real knowledge of the field. The last thing you want to be doing in an investigation is trying to learn new skills on the fly. If you're doing a thesis project, select a problem that plays to your strengths and your existing knowledge base. The thrill of something really innovative and new that challenges you is the siren song that sinks many investigations. It's not a matter of not challenging yourself - it's a matter of challenging yourself with the resolution of the unknown and not with spending weeks trying to learn the skills you'll need just to analyze the problem.
4. Revise to fit within you logistic limitations. You have a limited amount of time and money. Everyone does. Make sure that it is feasible for you to undertake your study. In my experience, the number one project killer of all time is over extension. Problems have a way of blowing way out of proportion. Select a simple, clear statement that you have the time and budget to attack. If it proves to be too easy (doubtful) you can always add new wrinkles as you go. However, having a thesis or other investigation accepted as is, and, then struggling to cover all the bases is a frustrating experience.
5. Definitions. Make sure that every phrase and word within your problem statement is either painfully clear and obvious or clearly defined. You don't necessarily have to put it in the problem statement itself, but the words must be both clear to you and to anyone who will review your project. This sounds obvious, but it isn't. For instance, if you say, "What are the causes of rural poverty in Bolivia?" then you'd better know precisely what you mean by poverty and rural. What is the cut of line for poverty? If the Bolivian average salary is $600 per year, then does someone who makes $1200 a qualify as poor in your study? Is a person who lives on the outskirts of Dubuque Iowa rural or urban or semi rural? These issues can cause you lots of trouble. There are no "right" answers, but you'd better know how your study will define "poverty" and "rural".
You'll notice two recurring themes throughout this article that sum up the two main considerations that you need to take when selecting a problem:
1. Don't bite off more than you can chew.
2. Be excruciatingly clear.
This may sound like simple advice, but invariably my students and coworkers fail at these two basic requirements. The reasons are simple - it's HARD to truly be concrete about a concept. When we actually try to pin down the precise limits and definitions it can be hard. But believe me, if you don't do this correctly, your project will be 10 times harder.
Selecting a good problem to base your investigation on is the foundation of a successful thesis.
Take these ideas into consideration when you select your problem.
First of all, don't get confused about what "a problem" actually is. I've always found this term to be somewhat of a confusing. When I'd teach investigation to my students, I'd invariably get students who submit problems like "There are too many children dying of malnutrition in the Third World". No doubt, that's a problem, but NOT an investigation problem.
An investigative problem is, in essence, and unknown. Don't think in terms of problem in the traditional sense of the word. Think in terms of unknowns. What don't we know that we'd like to know. A problem for a thesis investigation might read more like, "WHY are too many children dying of malnutrition in the Third World". That's not actually a very good problem for investigation (we'll get to that) but it IS an investigation problem. Think in terms of resolving unknowns.
The second main thing to take into consideration is that the problem is original. It can be an outgrowth of known information or a new take on an old problem, but you'd better not base your thesis on something like "Why is the sky blue?". Unless you have an earth shattering new response, the answer is well known and therefore no valid as a problem statement. The best way to know whether your esoteric problem is really original, take some time to review the bibliography (which of course you'll be doing anyway) but most of all, talk to respected people in the field who can let you know how original (and realistic) your problem statement is.
Once you select an overall problem that will be the foundation of your project, you then need to hone that problem down into fine tuned machine. Trust me, you don't want to work on a thesis project with a poorly stated problem. Hours, days, even weeks spent getting this set up correctly will save you triple the time later, and avoid starting a project that turns into a dead end.
Essentially your job at this point is to take a vague problem and turn it into a precise and DOABLE problem statement.
What do I mean by precise and doable?
1. . Delimit it in space and time. OK, so you want to find out the reasons for malnutrition in the Third World. Were you thinking Latin America or Africa. Or South East Asia? Brazil or Bolivia, Tanzania or Ivory Coast? If your investigation is semi serious, you'd better know the answer to that, and of course it can't be all of them That's physically impossible for one investigator, or even a team of investigators to take on. This wide type of problem may be possible if you're doing a very broad view of overall trends and patterns, but be careful about how you select the space you'll cover. Don't leave it to the imagination. And select only what you'll be able to cover. How about, the causes of malnutrition in Bolivia. As for time, it's generally assumed that you're talking about the present, but remember that you could take a slice in time from the past. It's good to be sure that you know when you're talking about. If you have nutrition data from 1975, does that fall within your boundary? What about 1875 or 1575? Be clear about these issues.
2. Be careful with non-measurable variables. Your problem will implicitly contain variables that you're going to measure. In this case they would be nutrition and mortality. Pretty straight forward, as both of them are easily measurable. However, on occasion you'll find yourself wanting to use variable that are non-measurable. For instance, what about this: "What effect does increased salary have on worker motivation?". Interesting problem. However, how exactly are we going to measure worker motivation? Before taking on such a problem, it's important to make sure that you can figure out a reasonable way to approximate motivation (for instance by using similar measurable indicators such as sick days taken, assistance at non-mandatory functions, etc.)
3. Select areas that fit within your skill range. I'd love to study radio emissions from black holes, but I don't have any real knowledge of the field. The last thing you want to be doing in an investigation is trying to learn new skills on the fly. If you're doing a thesis project, select a problem that plays to your strengths and your existing knowledge base. The thrill of something really innovative and new that challenges you is the siren song that sinks many investigations. It's not a matter of not challenging yourself - it's a matter of challenging yourself with the resolution of the unknown and not with spending weeks trying to learn the skills you'll need just to analyze the problem.
4. Revise to fit within you logistic limitations. You have a limited amount of time and money. Everyone does. Make sure that it is feasible for you to undertake your study. In my experience, the number one project killer of all time is over extension. Problems have a way of blowing way out of proportion. Select a simple, clear statement that you have the time and budget to attack. If it proves to be too easy (doubtful) you can always add new wrinkles as you go. However, having a thesis or other investigation accepted as is, and, then struggling to cover all the bases is a frustrating experience.
5. Definitions. Make sure that every phrase and word within your problem statement is either painfully clear and obvious or clearly defined. You don't necessarily have to put it in the problem statement itself, but the words must be both clear to you and to anyone who will review your project. This sounds obvious, but it isn't. For instance, if you say, "What are the causes of rural poverty in Bolivia?" then you'd better know precisely what you mean by poverty and rural. What is the cut of line for poverty? If the Bolivian average salary is $600 per year, then does someone who makes $1200 a qualify as poor in your study? Is a person who lives on the outskirts of Dubuque Iowa rural or urban or semi rural? These issues can cause you lots of trouble. There are no "right" answers, but you'd better know how your study will define "poverty" and "rural".
You'll notice two recurring themes throughout this article that sum up the two main considerations that you need to take when selecting a problem:
1. Don't bite off more than you can chew.
2. Be excruciatingly clear.
This may sound like simple advice, but invariably my students and coworkers fail at these two basic requirements. The reasons are simple - it's HARD to truly be concrete about a concept. When we actually try to pin down the precise limits and definitions it can be hard. But believe me, if you don't do this correctly, your project will be 10 times harder.
Know your Thesis
Depending on the broad area of study (arts, humanities, social sciences, technology, etc), dissertations vary in their structure. They will normally be reporting on a research project of some kind and the structure nearly always reflects this by
a) introducing the research topic, with an explanation of why the subject was chosen for study
b) reviewing relevant literature and showing how this has informed the research issue
c) explaining how the research has been designed and why the research methods being used have been chosen
d) outlining the findings
e) analysing the findings and discussing them in the context of the literature review
f) concluding.
A typical chapter structure will thus be: Chapter 1, Introduction (about 5% of wordage); Chapter 2, Literature review (about 30% of wordage); Chapter 3, Design / methodology (about 15% of wordage); Chapter 4, Findings (about 15% of wordage); Chapter 5, Analysis / discussion (about 30% of wordage); Chapter 6, Conclusion (about 5% of wordage).[4] At the beginning there will be an abstract of 100-200 words that summarises the whole work. There will be a contents page following the summary. At the end there will be a references section that gives the full details of works referred to in the text of the dissertation. There may also be a glossary of technical terms, abbreviations and acronyms. There may in some circumstances be an appendix or appendices that provide the raw data (or examples of it) on which the analysis has been based.
a) introducing the research topic, with an explanation of why the subject was chosen for study
b) reviewing relevant literature and showing how this has informed the research issue
c) explaining how the research has been designed and why the research methods being used have been chosen
d) outlining the findings
e) analysing the findings and discussing them in the context of the literature review
f) concluding.
A typical chapter structure will thus be: Chapter 1, Introduction (about 5% of wordage); Chapter 2, Literature review (about 30% of wordage); Chapter 3, Design / methodology (about 15% of wordage); Chapter 4, Findings (about 15% of wordage); Chapter 5, Analysis / discussion (about 30% of wordage); Chapter 6, Conclusion (about 5% of wordage).[4] At the beginning there will be an abstract of 100-200 words that summarises the whole work. There will be a contents page following the summary. At the end there will be a references section that gives the full details of works referred to in the text of the dissertation. There may also be a glossary of technical terms, abbreviations and acronyms. There may in some circumstances be an appendix or appendices that provide the raw data (or examples of it) on which the analysis has been based.
Dissertation/ Thesis
The Thinking About It Stage
1. Be inclusive with your thinking.
2. Write down your ideas.
3. Don't be overly influenced by others-it's your research.
4. Try and set a realistic goal.
5. Set appropriate time lines.
6. Take a leave of absence when it will do the most good.
7. Try a preliminary study to help clarify your research.
Preparing The Proposal
8. Read other proposals.
9. Prepare a comprehensive review of the literature.
10. Photocopy relevant articles.
11. Proposal should be first 3 chapters of dissertation.
12. Focus your research.
13. Include a title on your proposal.
14. Organize around a set of questions.
15. Some considerations for designing your research:
a. Design your research so the subjects benefit.
b. Choose your methodology wisely.
c. Consider combining methodologies.
d. Carefully select location for your research.
e. Avoid conducting research in conjunction with another agency.
16. Use your advisory committee well.
a. Select faculty who will support you.
b. Your major professor is your ally.
c. Provide committee with well written proposal.
d. Plan the proposal meeting well.
Writing The Thesis Or Dissertation
17. Begin writing with sections you know the best.
18. Rewrite your proposal into dissertation sections.
19. Use real names/places in early drafts of dissertation.
20. Print each draft on a different color paper.
21. Use hand drawings of graphics/tables for early drafts.
22. Make your writing clear and unambiguous.
23. Review other dissertations before you begin to write.
24. Introduce tables in the text, present the table and then describe it.
25. Use similar or parallel wording whenever possible.
26. Let your Table of Contents help you improve your manuscript.
27. Write real conclusions and implications - don't restate your findings.
28. Make your Suggestions for Further Research meaningful.
29. Chapter One should be written last.
The Thesis/Dissertation Defense
30. Attend some defenses before it's your turn.
31. Discuss your research with others.
32. Don't circulate chapters to committee.
33. The defense should be team effort - you and adviser.
34. Don't be defensive at your defense.
35. Organize your defense as an educational presentation.
36. Consider tape recording your defense.
37. Prepare an article on the outcomes of your research.
1. Be inclusive with your thinking.
2. Write down your ideas.
3. Don't be overly influenced by others-it's your research.
4. Try and set a realistic goal.
5. Set appropriate time lines.
6. Take a leave of absence when it will do the most good.
7. Try a preliminary study to help clarify your research.
Preparing The Proposal
8. Read other proposals.
9. Prepare a comprehensive review of the literature.
10. Photocopy relevant articles.
11. Proposal should be first 3 chapters of dissertation.
12. Focus your research.
13. Include a title on your proposal.
14. Organize around a set of questions.
15. Some considerations for designing your research:
a. Design your research so the subjects benefit.
b. Choose your methodology wisely.
c. Consider combining methodologies.
d. Carefully select location for your research.
e. Avoid conducting research in conjunction with another agency.
16. Use your advisory committee well.
a. Select faculty who will support you.
b. Your major professor is your ally.
c. Provide committee with well written proposal.
d. Plan the proposal meeting well.
Writing The Thesis Or Dissertation
17. Begin writing with sections you know the best.
18. Rewrite your proposal into dissertation sections.
19. Use real names/places in early drafts of dissertation.
20. Print each draft on a different color paper.
21. Use hand drawings of graphics/tables for early drafts.
22. Make your writing clear and unambiguous.
23. Review other dissertations before you begin to write.
24. Introduce tables in the text, present the table and then describe it.
25. Use similar or parallel wording whenever possible.
26. Let your Table of Contents help you improve your manuscript.
27. Write real conclusions and implications - don't restate your findings.
28. Make your Suggestions for Further Research meaningful.
29. Chapter One should be written last.
The Thesis/Dissertation Defense
30. Attend some defenses before it's your turn.
31. Discuss your research with others.
32. Don't circulate chapters to committee.
33. The defense should be team effort - you and adviser.
34. Don't be defensive at your defense.
35. Organize your defense as an educational presentation.
36. Consider tape recording your defense.
37. Prepare an article on the outcomes of your research.
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