Writing a Thesis
John Kirby
Postgraduate Tutor
Faculty of Medical Sciences
University of Newcastle
7th February, 2014
1 page
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Now withdrawn!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
1.1 History of problem
1.2 First issue
1.2.1 sub issue 1
1.2.2 sub issue 2
1.3 Second issue
1.3.1 sub issue 1
1.3.2 sub issue 2
1.3.3 sub issue 3
1.3.4 sub issue 4
1.4 Third issue
1.4.1 sub issue 1
1.4.1.a sub sub issue 1
1.4.1.b sub sub issue 2
1.4.2 sub issue 2
1.5 Fourth issue
1.6 Fifth issue
1.6.1
Page
1
1
2
4
5
7
8
12
14
15
16
18
20
25
etc, etc…
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
Backup, Backup, Backup!
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
Formatting a huge document…
… 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)
Good Luck!