Writing your Thesis

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Writing your Thesis

• Faculty of Life and Health Sciences Research
  Graduate School

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The Research Cycle
Knowledge
Ideas
Dissemination
Data Acquisition
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Ask for Help
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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!

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When to start writing?

• As soon as possible, but with the end in mind

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The Structure of a Science Thesis

• Abstract
• Introduction
• Materials Methods
• Result Chapters
• Structured as Papers?
• General Discussion
• References
• Appendices

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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?

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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

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Preliminary work

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

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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)

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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

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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

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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?

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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)

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Data

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

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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

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Always remember to Back Up!
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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

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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

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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

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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!!