In a dissertation or a thesis you concentrate on two main related shapes to the expression of your research and its findings:
Every scheme has its own rules, so you would be well advised at this stage to look back at the rules on length and layout, and the house style in terms of presentation, references, diagrams, bibliographies and appendices. Issues such as how much of your quoted material counts in the word count really matter if you are about to produce a work which is going over length. Issues about the quality of diagrams matter if you have limited access to excellent technology and are relying on hand drawing or photocopy. Ensure you know the rules and stick to them.
For further information see Chapters 23 and 24 of The Postgraduate Research Handbook by Gina Wisker, Authoring a PhD by Patrick Dunleavy, The PhD Writing Handbook by Desmond Thomas and The Lean PhD by Julian Kirchherr
This lively and rigorous book provides guidance on planning and conducting postgraduate research. Divided into four parts, each of which looks at...
The way in which you write up your work will depend on the type of researcher you are, working in either a methodical ways or in fits and starts as inspiration strikes. Both approaches can be successful, but there are some steps you can take to ensure success. Make sure that you maintain a good bibliographical record at all stages to reduce your work load towards the end of your course, impose on yourself a series of deadlines to meet if you fear that you might leave everything to the last minute and work from a plan: even if you have to change this repeatedly, it will give structure to your workload.
Things can go wrong for any postgraduate, but these hurdles are rarely disastrous, even though they can seem so at the time. In order to avoid letting things get down, try to analyse the problem if you find yourself lacking in motivation. Some problems (lack of money and time) may be resolved through taking a more rigorous approach to your personalised timetable. Other common stumbling blocks (such as feelings of isolation, writer’s block, or frustration over resources) can be resolved by asking your supervisor to put you in touch with other members of your school or department in a similar position, so that you can pool ideas and share moral support.
This content has been taken from How to Manage your Postgraduate Course by Lucinda Becker.
This book is designed to help readers to make the transition from a first degree or from the workplace to a postgraduate course. It focuses on the...