“If a man will begin with certainties, he will end up in doubts; but if he will be content to begin with doubts, he will end in certainties” – Fracis Bacow(1561-1626) “Advancement of Learning”
A Thesis is a written essay or treatise that is prepared as a requirement for the award of a Master’s Degree usually done on a particular subject in which one has done original research. – (Dictionary.com)
A Dissertation is a written essay, treatise or thesis that is prepared as requirement for the award of a Doctoral degree (Ph.D.). Dissertations demonstrate your ability to build theory, test ideas and/or discover new knowledge – (Kerhner, Charles.T.1994)
Thesis for the Ph.D. must form a distinctive contribution to the knowledge of the subject and afford evidence of originality shown by the discovery of new facts and/or by the exercise of independent critical power.
Research, an academic activity, a sort of formal training which enables you understand the new developments in your field in a better way.
The research process is recursive, meaning that the researcher regularly visits ideas, seeks new information when necessary and reconsiders and refines the research question, topic or approach. In other words, research almost always involves constant reflection and revision.
The essence of dissertation (thesis) is critical thinking not experimental data. Analysis and concepts form the heart of the work. A dissertation (thesis) concentrates on principles: it states the lessons learned, and not merely the facts behind them.
The facts that result from an experiment are called “data”. The term “Knowledge” implies that the facts have been analyzed, condensed or combined with facts from other experiments to produce useful information.
Source: Carnegie Mellon
ONE THAT KICKS THE DOOR OPEN FOR ANOTHER 3-4 FUTURE DISSERTATIONS / Means that you started an area of work or a line of thought that opens many more lines of thought HIGH – IMPACT, i.e. “LOOK, Ma, I…”
ACCESSIBLE TO OTHERS IN COMPUTER SCIENCE / ENGINEERING / It’s great if you have a wonderful theory / system but what if no-one except (You your advisor) understands it?
Thesis – the Skeleton | |||
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Title (and title page) | - | Conveys message | |
Abstract | - | For the librarian | |
Content Listing | - | Shows right things are there | |
Acknowledgements | - | Get your supervisor on your side | |
Introduction | - | Says – “I am going to look at the following things” | |
Review of Previous work | - | Show you know the subject | |
Philosophy of Approach | - | Show you can pick out important ideas succinctly | |
Plan of Attack | - | Show you approached the problem in a systematic way | |
Description of the work | - | Details, so that others can follow what you did | |
Critical Analysis of the work | - | Show you know the limitations | |
Future work | - | Show you know what is missing | |
Conclusions | - | Repetition of the intro. But with reference to detail | |
References | - | Cover the field, examiners will look for the key references | |
Appendices | - | Nitty Gritty details that would clutter your eloquent description |
The arguments have to flow smoothly into one another and they should all relate back to the central thesis of the paper. Let, in each paragraph you amplify upon your primary claim.
What do you wish to do, Persuade, Inquire or Negotiate?
means you wish to convince the reader that your position is valid and, perhaps, to ask the reader to take action.
is an explanatory approach to a problem in which you examine the issues without the insistence of persuation.
is a search for a solution, the attempt to resolve a conflict by inventing options or a mediated solution.
A thesis statement expresses a theory that you hope to support with your evidence and arguments. It performs three tasks:
Set the argument to control and focus the entire paper
Provide unity and a sense of direction
Specify to the reader the point of the research
Write what you know and feel, not what you think somebody wants to hear
Pause now and then to rethink the direction of the paper
Write portions of the paper when you are ready if necessary, leave
Blank spots on the page to remind you that more evidence will be required
Initial drafts are attempts to get words on the page rather than to create a polished document, write without fear or delay.
Click the names of the sources in your text
Enclose quotations in the text
Supply page numbers to the sources
A statement of
The completed thesis includes a title page, signature page, abstract, and bibliography. Follow the margin and format requirements exactly.
Intro. the topic thesis
Focusing the task
State the usefulness and aim of study
State previously developed methods in the research area
Which condition (for execution: hardware and software among others) are present?
Critical assessment of the literature: What is possible?
Stating from the previous item: Development of solution concept
Solution concept realization: Comparing the alternatives
Tool section
Documentation of important design decisions
Critical assessment of the implementation
Summary
Move 1 | ||
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Making a generalization | - | by reviewing the argument and presenting the findings of the paper
by coming to a firm judgement about the findings |
Move 2 | ||
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Drawing Implications | - | by pointing out implications, consequences, effects of the findings |
Move 3 | ||
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Looking to the future | - | by predicting about, what will happen in the future as the result of the finding (if they are true) or by recommending direction for future research or recommending future action |
Besides the 3 moves, the thesis conclusion covers the following areas:
Shortcomings, Benefits, Advantages, Applications of the current Research and Recommendations.
Final Thoughts…
from – S-Logix, Ph.D. Consultancy
(for direction and support)
Given the rigor and the intricacies involved in the study, coupled with requirement of cross functional knowledge it becomes difficult for a candidate to conduct research and analyze the results and hence the complex process of thesis writing. The complete process of working for the doctoral degree is abound with complexities and quandaries.
But… “believe in yourself”
You are in some of the best universities in the world
Make full use of the opportunities at your University
Don’t be intimidated – every professor was once a student, too
Look around and abreast – Get to know people / Professionals
Learn atleast one new thing everyday. That’s atleast 365 more new things you will know every year!
Be aggressive – What do you have to lose? Nothing ! Is your thesis murky is your mind?
Take the first step… Take them today !
Write down a tentative thesis title today !
All of this will change, but do it today so that you have something inspirational to start changing. Also, great for sporting a smile on your face years from now.
Parting thoughts – to mull ever…
Please revisit them after you complete writing a thesis
“A man may write anytime, if he will Set himself doggedly to it” – Samuel Johnson
“Keep right on to the end of the road” – Harry Lander
“After great pain, a formal feeling comes” – Emily Dickinson
THESIS !
Consult… Construct… Compete.
@S-Logix