How to write the dissertation ?
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The document provides guidance on how to write a dissertation or thesis. It discusses establishing a writing routine, structuring the document with appropriate front matter, chapters, and end matter. Key chapters include an introduction outlining the research problem and significance, a literature review analyzing prior studies, a methodology chapter, and a discussion chapter interpreting the results. The document emphasizes writing in a clear, organized manner and properly citing references. It aims to help students understand the components of a dissertation and best practices for writing this academic document.
How to write the dissertation ?
- 1. How to Write the Dissertation ? Mr. Phinoj K Abraham, MOTh (Neurosciences) Assistant Professor SRM University
- 2. “A Journey of thousand miles begins with a single step” - Chinese Proverb Occupational Therapy Research - PHINOJ 2
- 3. Effective Writing Establish a routine Set clear goals for each week/day Use your outline & be organized Use short & Simple phrases Clear English & good grammar Seek help from experts Occupational Therapy Research - PHINOJ 3
- 4. Structuring your Thesis FRONT MATTER Title page Approval page Abstract Table of Content List of Tables List of Figures List of abbreviations Occupational Therapy Research - PHINOJ 4
- 5. Structuring your Thesis Contd… Ch. 1: Introduction Ch. 2: Review of Literature Related Literature (Descriptive literature) Literature Review Ch. 3: Methods Ch. 4: Results Ch. 5: Discussion Ch. 6: Conclusion Ch. 7/ 6.1: Limitations & Recommendations Ch. 8/ 6.2: Clinical Implication Occupational Therapy Research - PHINOJ 5
- 6. Structuring your Thesis Contd… END MATTER References Appendices Consent form Instrument used Master Chart Acknowledgement Occupational Therapy Research - PHINOJ 6
- 7. Anatomy of a Thesis Introduction : Why did you do it ? Methods : What did you do? Results : What did you find ? Discussion : What does it mean ? Occupational Therapy Research - PHINOJ 7
- 8. Formatting Chapter Heading 18pt Bold Main heading 14pt Bold Subheading 14pt (Bold + Italics?) Text 12pt Font Arial Occupational Therapy Research - PHINOJ 8
- 9. Checklist for proofing People first (Person with MS) Grammar Spelling, Punctuation Abbreviations Clarity & Organization Occupational Therapy Research - PHINOJ 9
- 10. Title Make it Specific; Include key words Avoid potentially unfamiliar acronyms & ambiguous terms. Revise for conciseness & to rephrase In Short, make it “Short & Sweet” Occupational Therapy Research - PHINOJ 10
- 11. Writing Introduction Introduce the broad research area & topic. State the research problem or question. Establish its significance. Mention existing solutions & their limitations. Outline the proposed new solution. Note: Use present tense Why did you do it ? Occupational Therapy Research - PHINOJ 11
- 12. Writing Introduction Contd… Background Lacunae of research Purpose of the study Occupational Therapy Research - PHINOJ 12 Gross Un Known Fine Know n
- 13. Writing Introduction Contd… Justification & Need of the study Carry out a thorough literature review Clearly state the research question Aims & Objectives Aim : What to do? Objectives: how to do? Hypothesis Alternative (H1) Null (H0) Occupational Therapy Research - PHINOJ 13
- 14. Introduction Common Mistakes Not enough information : The reader cannot understand the rest of your thesis. Too much information: You are not writing a textbook..!! Too few Reference: Less legitimacy Occupational Therapy Research - PHINOJ 14
- 15. Ch. 2 Review of Literature 1. Descriptive Literature (Related Literature) Theoretical backgrounds mainly from textbooks / editorials etc… 2. Literature Review Reviewing previous research in same area Occupational Therapy Research - PHINOJ 15
- 16. Ch. 2 Review of Literature Contd.. Literature Review Contd.. Critical Analysis of key studies Point out the flaws or gaps in research Cite every article or book Avoid plagiarism Use summaries Quotations Broad highly relevant work/ known unknown Occupational Therapy Research - PHINOJ 16
- 17. Ch. 2 Review of Literature Contd.. Some Additional Points If possible / relevant, Select article from various related professional literature sources about the same topic of interest. Categorize your search under various sections Add a summery of review at the end of each section or at the end of review. Occupational Therapy Research - PHINOJ 17
- 18. Reviewing the Literature Use appropriate Tenses; Researchers action – past tense Smith (2012) studied…; Pell (2004)found…. Research in general – present perfect Research has shown…; has been studied… Occupational Therapy Research - PHINOJ 18
- 19. Ch. 3 Methodology Describe how the experiment was planned Sufficient details to allow repetition. What did you do ? Occupational Therapy Research - PHINOJ 19
- 20. Methodology Summarize the research findings Qualitative / Quantitative Describe the research setting & sample Sample population, sample size, sampling method & recruitment etc… Explain the intervention, procedures and tools for data collection & analysis. Occupational Therapy Research - PHINOJ 20
- 21. Methodology Key Points Past tense Follow a logic order Include relevant details Reference standard methods Refer to manufacturer’s instructions Describe additional steps / Changes Contd… Occupational Therapy Research - PHINOJ 21
- 22. Methodology Key Points Contd… Detail experimental controls use correct abbreviations Leave a space between numbers & Units Use appendices when appropriate Occupational Therapy Research - PHINOJ 22
- 23. Methodology Common Mistakes Essential details are missing Incorrect word usage Providing a recipe list Occupational Therapy Research - PHINOJ 23
- 24. Ch. 4 Results Results are the core of you thesis What Happened ? What did you learn ? What did you find..? Occupational Therapy Research - PHINOJ 24
- 25. Results - Organization Clarify your aims What have you been trying to do ? Connect findings to your research question, objectives & hypothesis Occupational Therapy Research - PHINOJ 25
- 26. Results – Key Points Past Tense Arrange your results logically Make use of graphs & tables to summarize your data Give facts no opinions Occupational Therapy Research - PHINOJ 26
- 27. Results – Common Mistakes Including Methods Including irrelevant results Writing results in a chronological not logical order Occupational Therapy Research - PHINOJ 27
- 28. Ch. 5 Discussion Present principles, relationship & generalization shown by the results Agreement or contrast with the previous research. Point out lack of correlation State your conclusions Give reasons for your conclusions Discuss implications of your results. What does it Mean ? Occupational Therapy Research - PHINOJ 28
- 29. Discussion Key Points Past tense Restart your aims Focus then discuss the bigger picture be critical of the literature Occupational Therapy Research - PHINOJ 29
- 30. Discussion Common Mistakes Repetition : Introduction & Results Lack of organization, no logical flow Not addressing the key points Occupational Therapy Research - PHINOJ 30
- 31. Ch. 6 Conclusion Key Points Limitation of your work Suggestion for future research Occupational Therapy Research - PHINOJ 31
- 32. Reference Referencing is a standard method of acknowledging source of information & ideas that you have used in your text in a way that uniquely identifies their sources. Direct quotations, facts & figures, as well as ideas & theories, from both published & unpublished works, must be referenced - Occupational Therapy Research - PHINOJ 32 -APA APA
- 33. Reference Style Vancouver Style Ref:http://openjournals.net/files/Ref/VANCOUVER%20R eference%20guide.pdf APA (American Psychological Association) Style Ref: http://wiki.ubc.ca/images/6/6f/Apastyle.pdf Occupational Therapy Research - PHINOJ 33
- 34. Vancouver Style It is commonly used in medical & scientific journals References are listed in numerical order in the reference list at the end of the paper Ex: Occupational Therapy Research - PHINOJ 34
- 35. Steps involved in Referencing Occupational Therapy Research - PHINOJ 35 TEXT BOOKS Author Title Edition Place of publication Publisher Date (Year) JOURNALS Author Title of Article Journal Title Date Volume number Issue number Page number Note down the full bibliographic details including the page number(s) from which the information taken
- 36. Example of citing from WWW Vancouver Style Occupational Therapy Research - PHINOJ 36
- 37. Example of citing Journals Vancouver Style Occupational Therapy Research - PHINOJ 37
- 38. Appendices Consent form Master Chart – Data Permission Letter Questionnaire / Scales Acknowledgement (?) Occupational Therapy Research - PHINOJ 38
- 39. When in doubt…ask ! Occupational Therapy Research - PHINOJ 39
- 40. Occupational Therapy Research - PHINOJ 40 Occupational Therapy Research - PHINOJ