How To Write A Thesis

Transcription

1 School of Medical Sciences Introductory Program Thesis Writing David Allen Physiology Acknowledgement based on notes originally prepared by Brett Hambly

2 The thesis should be a substantial, original contribution to the subject The organisation of the thesis follows standard scientific practice historical analysis of the relevant literature and definition of the problem you plan to study (Introduction) details of the techniques used for the experimental work (Methods) account of the experiments performed and their outcome (Results) consideration of what your results mean and how they compare with others in the literature (Discussion).

3 You cannot present as your own any work that has been previously been published (including other theses) Copyright law/university plagiarism rules However, you may incorporate the work of others if it is appropriately acknowledged copied diagrams with reference OK in moderation; direct quotations avoid unless specifically referenced and identified by quotation marks.

4 The maximum length of the thesis is 25,000 words (excluding references and figure legends). This will usually equate to approximately 85 pages for the main text (at 300 words per page, assuming 1.5 line spacing and reasonable margins). Normally, the entire thesis will be approximately 120 pages, including all parts of the thesis Typically there are about 100 references Aim for a short but clear thesis.

5 Honours theses are submitted early Nov. Writing your thesis is probably the biggest single task you have ever embarked on Requires careful planning to minimise stress So split the task up into manageable portions Most students need 4-6 weeks to complete their thesis Therefore finish experiments sometime in Sept. Preparing the figs. and writing the text are comparable sized tasks Try to develop the figs. throughout the year

6 Your introductory essay (submitted June/July) will, after modification, become the Introduction to your thesis. Use the opportunity to become familiar with Word, Power Point and Endnote/Reference Manager. Keep the Introduction up-to-date by correcting examiners criticisms, including changes in direction etc. (then ¼ of the work is done). Use the talks you give in your Honours sessions to develop ideas and especially figs. that will be used in the thesis. Try to write the Methods section during the year (then I/2 the work is done). Make figs. for the Results as you generate the data (then 5/8 of the work is done).

7 Early in the year you have plenty of time, so read widely Learn to use Medline/PubMed/ISI Web of Knowledge/Google Scholar Take every opportunity to talk to your supervisor. They are busy people but will find time for you Other research staff in your lab are also good resources Study recent Honours and PhD theses from your lab

8 Keep your own notes as you read papers, books, reviews etc. Be critical in evaluating the literature; Keep your notes short; Keep copies of papers you will want to refer to (print out or pdf?).

9 Remember a good thesis has elements of a story a problem is identified, a way of tackling it dreamed up, some experiments done, a solution to part of the problem is found. This is the foundation of Introduction, Methods, Results and Conclusions. Within each main section write a series of subheadings. Prepare a draft outline from sub-headings. Remember you are writing for a generalist scientist with no special knowledge of your topic. Keep explaining why you are doing things. A common mistake is to describe something without explaining the reason you are doing it. No one is interested in detailed experiments unless they can understand why you are doing them.

10 Do it in sections so the task is not too overwhelming Methods. The basic test is to include details if they are necessary for some else to repeat the work. Put down all the details you find difficult to remember (then you will know where to find them). Results. Organise around the Figs. Do not just give the bare results. For each section say why you did these experiments and a one sentence conclusion. Use linking sentences e.g The above section showed that intracellular calcium rises in response to damage; here we try to establish the pathway of calcium entry Do not repeat the results in the Conclusions. Try to aim for an overview in the Conclusion leading to the big picture. Suggest future directions. Aim for a balanced approach in your treatment of the topic: Consider both sides of any argument. Taking a one-sided approach will alientate your reader and is not considered scholarly ; Analyse material in terms of its broader significance: Evaluate your evidence How does this evidence fit with my theory? This demonstrates a higher-order analysis, and hence, your intellectual sophistication and maturity. End result is a better mark.

11 In your first draft you aim to put your ideas down quickly and roughly. Keep rereading and improving Try a number of different strategies to check the readability of your draft: Read out loud; Give it to a friend or a non-academic colleague to read and make comments As you revise your work, you may come across problems where you are not happy with your handling of a section. Do not get hung up on them, but sleep on them Discuss them with your supervisor In a perfect world and a prize winning thesis All measurements should be objective No result should be quoted which is not supported by an appropriate statistic.

12 If your presentation is sloppy you will lose marks even if your manuscript is otherwise brilliant. No errors in grammar or spelling. With words that have two spellings (i.e., an English and an American version) pick one spelling and then use that version consistently. All abbreviations defined on first use Take a meticulous approach to compiling your reference list. Even (especially) with computers all manner of errors can creep in. DO NOT LEAVE PRINTING TO THE LAST MOMENT

13 1. Use Plain English. This means writing simply and directly. 2. Avoid long sentences. 3. Avoid superlatives but be objective i.e. Replace This drug had a huge effect with Streptomycin reduced intracellular calcium to % of control (p < 0.05). 4. Avoid lab jargon and excessive numbers of abbreviations (if many include a formal definitions section). 5. Vary the beginnings of sentences to maintain your reader s interest. 6. Use headings and sub-headings to help the reader. 7. Maintain a formal, objective tone. 8. Avoid dangling participles. e.g. Writing quickly, I can finish in 4 weeks. The reader cannot understand the first part of the sentence until after reading the second. 9. Experimental work is written in the past tense but general observations can be in the present tense e.g The tension developed by muscles was measured. The muscle tension represents one indicator of muscle damage.

14 Become familiar with all the software you will use early in the year BACK UP REGULARLY KEEP ANOTHER COPY (hard discs have a finite life and memory sticks are cheap) Version control

15 aim for clarity and brevity make it attractive colour - space between paragraphs - different fonts for headings start sufficiently early to avoid a stressful, rushed finish give sections to your supervisor well before the deadline rules about thesis presentation are found on your departmental website if there is no rule you are free to do as you choose but follow lab practice usually submit as spring-bound version start with 3 copies (submit two and one for yourself) later you can make some permanently bound versions to keep for yourself and your supervisor usual to correct any errors identified by examiners (this is not compulsory but good practice). The remaining slides are some detailed suggestions for formatting you may find useful later ENJOY YOUR HONOURS YEAR

16 Title Page: All the details as illustrated on the title page must appear (see example). Abstract/Summary: A well-prepared abstract enables examiners to identify the objective of the thesis. The abstract should fit on one page ( words). Acknowledgments: Acknowledge any special library, research or financial assistance and the contributions other postgraduates and academic staff may have made. You may also include the contribution made by family members, colleagues, friends or partners.

17 Dedication: Optional. You may quote an appropriate person or even compose your own poem! Table of Contents: Chapters (or Sections) and subheadings only. Refers to the body of text and appendices, not to introductory pages. List of Figures and Tables: Tables, figures and illustrations should be numbered, bear an explanatory legend and be referred to within the text. Graphs and photographs should be displayed and labelled on the same page. If space does not permit you to follow this procedure, type on a separate page and insert the page facing the graph or photograph. List of Abbreviations : Desirable if numerous and not absolutely standard e.g DNA

18 Main Body of Text: Begin each chapter on a new page. The text generally begins two lines below the chapter title. Bibliography: Use Endnote or similar to format these. Appendix: Optional (no one will read it). It may be placed in another volume if the source material is confidential.

19 Body of text Header 1.25 cm 2.54 cm Font: Times New Roman 90 pt 36 pt 26 pt 16 pt 12 pt 3.17 cm 3.17 cm Line spacing: cm

20 Subheadings Tabbed in 16 pt 14 pt 12 pt

21 Figures Legend on same page Sufficient detail in legend for an informed reader to understand the data with minimal reference to the text Include Header with appropriate page number Convert figs. to Windows Metafile (easier to manipulate)

22 Tables Table title Horizontal lines around column names and at bottom Vertical lines optional

23 References All authors Year Full title Volume & Page numbers

24 Front Page

25 Table of Contents Number separately with Roman numerals