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This guide offers valuable insights on writing an authentic, scholarly, and well-structured thesis for MPhil and PhD/MD candidates. Learn about thesis types, format, examinations, and practical writing tips.
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Writing a Thesis John Kirby Postgraduate Tutor Faculty of Medical Sciences University of Newcastle 7th February, 2014
British Standard BSI 4821:1990 Now withdrawn! But can still provide useful information Library: Quick reference section (also some useful textbooks).
Criteria – all theses • Should be: • Authentic • Scholarly • Professional • Well-structured, written and presented
MPhil candidates • Should • Demonstrate advanced knowledge • Have good knowledge of literature • Theses need not (but usually do) • Contain material worthy of publication
PhD/MD candidates • Should • Provide evidence of adequate industry • Demonstrate ability for originality • Understand relationship with wider field • Thesis should contain material worthy of publication
Look at some theses • Not just those on your supervisors shelf • Often groups evolve a “house style” which may not suit you • Beware the “arms race” • Go to the library and look at a wide range of theses in your field • But remember - it is your thesis • If you feel strongly about a particular format, discuss it with your supervisor and agree before starting work
Types of thesis • ‘Standard’ • Divided into chapters with results and interpretations • By publication • Only for staff candidates • A series of ≥4 related papers in period of registration • All authors must agree you were the major contributor • ≥10,000 word introduction • Could be published as a review • Can be difficult to examine as papers have already satisfied external referees! • Need to make a prima facie case for the submission • Please see: http://www.ncl.ac.uk/regulations/docs/2003/rscdoctor.html
A caution • You will be required to submit an electronic form of your thesis in parallel with the two paper copies • This file could be easily checked for potential plagiarism From the Times Higher Education Supplement
What is plagiarism? http://www.ncl.ac.uk/right-cite/ Please try this program!
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. • The Way of Lao-tzu Chinese philosopher (604 BC - 531 BC)
One journey of a thousand miles? • No – this is far too daunting. • Divide your thesis into many smaller sections • Then you have many short journeys with each taking little time and seeming very achievable! • This requires good planning or you will produce lots of small pieces of text that do not link together
How do I write a book? • Agree a preliminary table of contents with your supervisor (progress review 3). • This should be very detailed • Materials and methodology are easy (descriptive) and get you started. • Results section is also descriptive and is crucial to the structure of your thesis. • Introduction and discussion can be harder to write.
Make your life easy! • Produce high quality images as you go. • don’t wait until the end to put these together • then simply cut and paste them into your thesis • You may already have done this for annual progress reviews • Maintain a bibliography as you go. • don’t simply download abstracts into Endnote • use the “add notes” facility to remind yourself why you think the paper is good (or bad).
One typical thesis layout • Title page (what is your title!) • Abstract (one page; 300 words) • Table of contents • List of Figures and Tables • Abbreviations • Acknowledgements
Caution: These plans can vary by subject area • Introduction • End with a clear statement of aims • Materials + Methodology • Results chapter(s) • Typically have one per aim • Often have separate mini introductions and specific discussions • Concluding discussion • Context with literature • Strengths, weaknesses, future work • Bibliography • Format?
Table of contents 1 Introduction Page 1.1 History of problem 1 1.2 First issue 1 1.2.1 sub issue 1 2 1.2.2 sub issue 2 4 1.3 Second issue 1.3.1 sub issue 1 5 1.3.2 sub issue 2 7 1.3.3 sub issue 3 8 1.3.4 sub issue 4 12 1.4 Third issue 1.4.1 sub issue 1 14 1.4.1.a sub sub issue 1 15 1.4.1.b sub sub issue 2 16 1.4.2 sub issue 2 18 1.5 Fourth issue 20 1.6 Fifth issue 1.6.1 25 etc, etc…
Backup, Backup, Backup! Tips • Write what you know/think and then reference a block of text • Try not to insert graphics within the text • Use separate pages • MUCH easier to format the final document • Minimise unnecessary use of colour • Cheaper and quicker to print
Finished? • Get fiends and family to prrofread • If English is not your first language, it can be helpful to employ a proof-reader. • Lists are available in the Student’s Union. • The cost is quite reasonable • The proof-reader will (must!) only alter English and not the concept you are trying to express. • Remember – your supervisor will focus mainly on your science rather than your English.
Reference format • The university recommends the “Harvard” format (and supplies an appropriate Endnote format!) • So, in the main text use: • (Kirby et al., 2010) • rather than • [278] • Ask your supervisors for advice as Institutes might suggest alternatives
… can be very hard! • Speak to former students Or • Attend the Graduate School’s “managing long documents workshop”
these can be done on-line (ask Richy)
Finished! Liaise with your supervisors They must nominate examiners well in advance of submission (to avoid long delays) Final printing takes much longer than you think! Colour toner? Enough paper? (both usually run out late on Sunday night) Binding Soft binding at first (Library)
