Are you using tables in your thesis or dissertation? Here are 10 tips. The first nine are rules or guidelines from the APA 7 manual. The last one is my own. Tip 1: Tables should be aligned with the left margin, rather than centred. Tip 2: The table number and heading should be …
As a student, you know how stressful it is to write your thesis or dissertation. But you’re not the only one involved in this huge exercise. Spare a thought for your supervisor(s) and examiners. They have to read your document. And they’re probably stressed too! A very smart move on your part is to make …
Signposting in your thesis – your examiners will Love You for it! Read More »
At this time of year, many students are in the process of finishing their dissertations or theses. Now is the time to examine your research document from start to finish. Perhaps the most overlooked issue in dissertations and theses is that the theoretical or conceptual framework is not followed throughout the document. So often, the framework …
What is the most OVERLOOKED issue in dissertations and theses? Read More »
Over the past few weeks, I’ve read a few dissertations in their draft forms. They had several challenges in common. Let’s examine five mistakes they made, and how to fix them. 1. The dissertations took several pages to describe the characteristics of their participants. Each demographic was described in detail with an accompanying table and …
5 Essentials to GET RIGHT in your Dissertation or Thesis Read More »
Have you considered using a diagram to explain the concepts in your thesis? A diagram that explains concepts and their expected relationships is called a conceptual diagram, and it’s simpler than you think. The image in this post shows a conceptual diagram of the relationship between three concepts: Work-life balance, Organisational commitment, and attitudes to …
Using a DIAGRAM to EXPLAIN the CONCEPTS in your thesis Read More »
There are a few potentially confusing concepts in research, particularly if you’re using a mixture of qualitative and/or quantitative research approaches! Let’s examine a few. Mixed Methods research is usually considered as incorporating both qualitative and quantitative approaches. However, some authors include a mix of multiple qualitative methods or a mix of multiple quantitative methods …
Theoretical and conceptual framing in academic writing is a challenge for many students. So why do you need theory at all? Why not simply identify a problem, conduct an interview or a survey, and report your results without using a theoretical base? Well, first, as a postgraduate student, you are required to use a theoretical …
Do You Find it Challenging to Introduce Theory into Your Thesis or Dissertation? Read More »
Presenting your problem as a RESEARCH problem is one of the most important tasks early on in a thesis or dissertation. You have to convince your readers – your supervisor(s), panel and examiners – that your problem is researchable, i.e., that it is a RESEARCH Problem. Van de Ven (2007), provides 4 essentials for you …
For those of us in the Southern Hemisphere, it’s Spring! At last, it’s warm and there are blossoms all around. For post-grad students, Spring also brings expectations of serious progress on theses, dissertations, and proposals (sure you know the feeling). So too does the Fall for students in the Northern Hemisphere. So, why not spring …
In your first chapter, your thesis or dissertation makes all sorts of promises. But can it do what it says it’s going to do? Can it actually fulfil its promises? Well, that’s largely up to you. You need to set it up so that it can. Here are 5 essential points that you need to check: …
5 Checks to Ensure that Your Thesis Can Fulfil its Promises Read More »