How To Write A Better Thesis (3rd Edition)

by David Evans, Justin Zobel, Paul Gruba

Overview

Take an integrated, down-to-earth approach. From proposal to examination, producing a dissertation or thesis is a challenge. Grounded in decades of experience with research training and supervision, this fully updated and revised edition draws on case studies and examples to guide you step-by-step towards productive success.
Early chapters frame the tasks ahead and show you how to get started. From there, practical advice and illustrations take you through the elements of formulating research questions, working with software, and purposeful writing of each of the different kinds of chapters, and finishes with a focus on revision, dissemination and deadlines. How to Write a Better Thesis presents a cohesive approach to research that will help you on the road to success.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780522861266
Publisher:	Melbourne University Publishing
Publication date:	12/01/2011
Edition description:	Third Edition, Third edition
Pages:	198
Product dimensions:	5.30(w) x 8.20(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

David Evans was Reader and Associate Professor in the Faculty of Architecture Building and Planning, University of Melbourne. Among his many books and articles is Restoring the Land (MUP).
Paul Gruba is Senior Lecturer in the School of Languages and Linguistics, University of Melbourne.
Justin Zobel is Professor in the Department of Computing and Information Systems, University of Melbourne. He is also the author of Writing for Computer Science.

Table of Contents

Preface to the Third Edition ix

Introduction xiii

Using This Book xiv

1 What Is a Thesis? 1

Criteria for Examination 1

Types of Thesis 5

Look at Other Theses 6

Examiners' Reports 7

2 Thesis Structure 11

Why We Have Trouble with New Tasks 12

Structuring Your Thesis 13

The 'Standard' Thesis Structure 14

Narrative 18

Non-standard Thesis Structures 20

3 Mechanics of Writing 22

Writing at a Computer 22

Document and Version Management 31

Writing Style 34

Plagiarism and Research Integrity 48

4 Making a Strong Start 53

Creating a Structure 55

Initial Efforts 58

Writing up at the End 60

Starting, and Starting Again 62

The Creative Process 64

Writing an Individual Chapter 66

Literature 73

Styles of Working 75

Working with Your Supervisor 78

5 The Introductory Chapter 84

Establishing a Context 84

Stating the Problem, Motivating the Study 87

Aim and Scope of the Study 89

Significance of the Study 93

Overview of the Study 94

Research Questions and Hypotheses 96

Revising the Aim, Aligning the Conclusion 99

6 Background Chapters 103

Developing Critical Thinking 104

Establishing Context 107

Preliminary Investigations 111

Revising 112

7 Establishing Your Contribution 118

Kinds of Contribution 119

Method 126

'Research Methods' 129

Argument 133

Organization 135

8 Outcomes and Results 138

Quantitative or Qualitative Data? 139

From Data to Results 141

Quantitative or Qualitative, Revisited 150

Illustrations 154

9 The Discussion or Interpretation 162

The Task of the Chapter 163

Structuring the Discussion 165

Writing With Authority 168

10 The Conclusion 172

11 Before You Submit 177

From First to Second Draft 178

Dotting the 'i's and Crossing the 't's 183

Appendices 191

Glossary 192

12 Beyond the Thesis 194

Disseminating Your Research 195

Afterword 214

Appendix: Analysis of Examiners' Reports 217

Characteristics of a High Quality Thesis 217

Characteristics of a Poor Thesis 219

Notes on Further Resources 222

Index 225

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"I have been using this book whilst writing my thesis and I want to express my sincere thanks to the authors as it has provided me with an excellent source of guidance and has made my life a lot easier over the past five months. I've recommended this book to a number of other PhD students and hope you continue to publish further editions as I found it to be an extremely valuable resource." (Chris De Gruyter, PhD Candidate at Monash University, Australia, March 2015)

Editorial Reviews

"This book is well worth reading for people writing up research, not only those writing a thesis. The truth is in there!"  — Neile A. Kirk, author, Dhumbadji! on the previous edition

From the Publisher