Management of a Thesis

1
Management of a Thesis

• Philip Griffith
• Professor of Law
• University of Technology Sydney

2
Management of a thesis

• Applications
• Successful record of research
• Describe idea to supervisor - then play with it
• Do a literature search
• Frame research questions
• Theoretical framework
• 4000 - 5000 word overview
• Why ?
• Full time or part time
• International student issues

3
Management of a thesis

• Relationship with supervisor
• Intellectual
• Professional
• Social
• Emotional
• Both parties have a responsibility to make it work

4
Management of a thesis

• Early stages
• Discuss how supervision contract will work
• Plan regular meetings
• Discuss supervision styles
• Agree on referencing and citation style
• Agree on writing style
• Research methodology
• Ethics approval
• University or faculty research librarian

5
Management of a thesis

• Three part diary
• Activity diary
• Research record
• Reflective journal

6
Management of a thesis

• Plan for first progress review
• Plan for writing and publishing during
  candidature
• Writing plan
• Write every day
• Write introduction last
• Build a glossary

7
Management of a thesis

• Middle period
• Steady accumulation
• Look for workshops and conferences
• Feedback and comments
• Regular meetings in a working environment
• Plan breaks
• Complete first draft no less than 2/3rds of
  minimum time

8
Management of a thesis

• Problems
• Stress
• Plagiarism
• Co authorship of articles
• Differences of opinion
• Supervisors need training
• Choosing examiners
• Late examiners reports

9
THANK YOU

• Philip Griffith
• Philip.Griffith_at_uts.edu.au
• 61 (0)418 206 062
• 61 02 9514 3766

10
Management of a thesis

• Applications
• Successful record of research
• Describe idea to supervisor - then play with it
• Do a literature search
• Frame research questions
• Theoretical framework
• 4000 - 5000 word overview
• Why ?
• Full time or part time
• International student isuues