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Writing a thesis: �Structure and content

LORETTA GASPARINI

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Structure

  • Focus on University of Melbourne Honour’s thesis (Biomedicine) requirements

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  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Methodology
  • Results
  • Discussion
  • Conclusions
  • (Organisation/Presentation – check formatting guidelines)

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Abstract

  • What is the purpose of the abstract?
  • What should the abstract contain to achieve this purpose?

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Abstract

  • Background of problem, research gap, and aims of the study to address problem and fill gap
  • Contains major methods
  • Contains key findings
  • Clearly present significance of study and all conclusions

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  • Clear and concise

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Introduction

  • What is the purpose of the Introduction?
  • What should the Introduction contain to achieve this purpose?

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Introduction

  • Background leads to a clear and comprehensive explanation of the context and perspective
  • Provides clear links between aims, purpose and the literature
    • Introduction of topic 🡪 Evidence synthesis 🡪 Gap 🡪 Current study
    • Research questions and hypotheses – mirrored structure in Methods, Results, Discussion

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  • Complete, yet highly focussed and concise background

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Methodology

  • What is the purpose of the Methodology?
  • What should the Methodology contain to achieve this purpose?

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Methodology

  • Clear and detailed description of methods and analysis
    • Design; Participants; Procedure; Predictors; Outcomes; Analyses
  • Statistical/other analysis is appropriate, accurate and includes even minor details
    • Analyses organised and described showing how they will answer the Research Questions

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Methodology

  • Describe the methods undertaken in a transparent and reproducible manner.
    • Transparent = clear to a reader what happened, such that they can interpret the results. E.g. understanding methodological differences from other studies
    • Reproducible = like step-by-step instructions
  • Methods vs Appendix
    • Methods to include everything the reader needs for interpreting the results
    • Appendix (or Supplementary materials) can contain more minor details that are useful to someone conducting a replication or evidence synthesis
  • Is your study similar in design to a published study? Are there methodological details you have noticed are missing that you wished were clearer?
  • Hennessy et al. (2020). Ensuring Prevention Science Research is Synthesis-Ready for Immediate and Lasting Scientific Impact. https://doi.org/10.31222/osf.io/ptg9j

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Results

  • What is the purpose of the Results?
  • What should the Results contain to achieve this purpose?

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Results

  • Data presented clearly in a way that answers the research questions
    • Descriptive statistics/visualisations for understanding the structure of the data
    • Planned (inferential) analyses that answer research questions
    • Sensitivity analyses or exploratory analyses – can help further understanding of the data and interpretation of the results
    • Summary of results – with take-home messages reader needs for entering into the Discussion

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  • Arranged logically
  • Tables and figures have stand-alone legends
  • No labelling errors

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Discussion

  • What is the purpose of the Discussion?
  • What should the Discussion contain to achieve this purpose?

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Discussion

  • Structure
    • Key findings; Interpretation of results in response to RQs and within body of evidence; Limitations; Strengths; Future studies
  • All major themes included
    • Return to Introduction and ensure appropriate themes set up for interpretation and discussion of results
  • Evidence of a critical approach
    • Do not overdo the Limitations, but situate your results appropriately within the body of evidence
  • Evidence of understanding of the significance of the data
  • Many links between data and published work

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  • Clear and logical discussion

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Conclusions

  • What is the purpose of the Conclusions?
  • What should the Conclusions contain to achieve this purpose?

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Conclusions

  • Summarises key arguments
  • Conclusions are supported by the data
  • Provides a vision for the future
  • Includes a generalisable and interpretable take-home message

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Organisation and presentation

  • References cited correctly
  • Correct and consistent reference list formatting
  • Attractive layout
  • Subheadings and illustrations emphasise ideas
  • Negligible typographical/grammatical errors

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Writing style guides

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Abstract

Introduction

Methodology

Results

Discussion

Conclusion

Aims and Research Questions

Title

The matching sections should roughly mirror each other (in subheadings and structure) for ease of reading. Repeat aims and RQs throughout

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Abstract

Introduction

(RQs & hypotheses)

Methodology

Results

Discussion

(Answer to RQs)

Conclusion

Aims and Research Questions

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Title

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You can expect some people to read in this order as well as chronologically

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Thank you!

  • Email me at gasparini.lorett@gmail.com for the slides or questions

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References

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