how should the hdr thesis hang together?

How should the HDR Thesis Hang Together?

Forum for Research StudentsSchool of Education and Professional Studies

Professor Richard G. BagnallDean (Research)Arts, Education and Law17.08.2012

Dean (Research). Arts, Education & Law

Thesis Structure

Varies somewhat with the methodology and the

informing discipline.

Advice from your research supervisors in that regard.

The key to success is to meet your thesis examiners’

expectations.


Thesis Examiners

Will be senior scholars in the discipline(s) of your study.

Not your research supervisor or anyone else who has

had significant input to your research.

Will standardly have definite views on the structure of

an acceptable Thesis.


Structural Expectations of the Thesis

May be understood with reference to a social sciences ideal-

typical structure.

With methodological variations on that ideal typical structure.

‘Ideal’ in an empirical, not a normative or an axiological sense.

Chapter headings may vary, but should be as self-explanatory as

possible.

With rare exceptions, any type of thesis will be expected to be

structured to form a coherent, interrelated whole.


The Ideal Standard Thesis

Describes an empirical study. Seeks to contribute to a body of disciplinary knowledge

(theory). If driven by a professional or practice-based interest or issue,

will:» Interpret and study that interest or issue through a selected

disciplinary perspective.» Will be judged on the extent of its contribution to the

perspectival theory.» The professional or practice-based interest or issue is thus

a vehicle for the generation of disciplinary knowledge. Seeks to be as objective as is epistemologically practicable.


Key Components of an Ideal Standard Thesis1. Preliminary Pages.2. Introduction.3. Literature Review.4. The Conceptual/Theoretical Framework (if warranting a separate

chapter; otherwise in 3 or 7).5. The Research Context (if needed).6. The Participants (if needed).7. Methodology.8. Results (one or more chapters).9. Discussion of Results (if not within 8).10. Conclusion and Recommendations.11. References.12. Appendices.


Preliminary Pages

With some variations on the order: Title Page Abstract Table of Contents Declaration List of Tables (if pertinent) List of Figures (if pertinent) Acknowledgements Preface (if pertinent)


Introduction

1. Background to the study» Professional or practice issue or problem (if pertinent).» The disciplinary perspective taken to that issue or problem

(if pertinent).OR» The disciplinary problem or issue being addressed.

2. The focus of the study or the research question(s).» The particular focus or of the study.» Flowing from the background.

3. An overview of how that focus was addressed in the study.4. An outline of structure of the thesis (i.e., of how the study is

reported in the thesis).


Literature Review1. Evidence for, dimensions of, and research on the issue or

problem. (A full account of Section One in the introductory chapter.)

2. A Review of Research to Date:» Within the disciplinary perspective adopted.» Structured to inform your study.» Mining the literature for material pertinent to your study.» Avoiding claims or attributions of personal belief.» Explicitly drawing-out implications for your study.

3. A Concluding Overview of Implications for Your Study:» The focus and nature of your study.» The Conceptual Framework for the study (possibly in a

following dedicated chapter on the methodology).


The Conceptual/Theoretical Framework

If warranting a separate chapter. Otherwise at the end of Literature Review or the start of the

Methodology. Grounded in the literature of your review.

1. Key concepts and their meaning in your study,2. The interrelationships between the key concepts:

» Explained in the text.» Illustrated in a Figure.» How that framework was used to address the focus of your

study.


The Research Context

A Chapter (if needed) describing key aspects of the study

site (e.g. the structure of the educational system in the

jurisdiction of your study).

Writing (as always in the thesis for an international

readership).

May be included in the Methodology chapter if

insubstantial.

Fully documented.


The Participants

A chapter (if needed) introducing each participant. May be a part of the initial results chapter, if very brief. To be included in studies focusing in great depth on the

experiences or beliefs of a small number of participants. Features of each introduction:

» Ensure anonymity (unless otherwise approved).» Use pseudonyms (and for the results reporting).» Use pertinent and interesting features.» Make them memorable.


MethodologyAll grounded in appropriate literature.1. The Conceptual/Theoretical Framework (if not already

presented).2. The Research Context (if pertinent and not already

presented).3. The Research epistemology.

» The nature of knowledge assumed in the study.» The broad research approach flowing from that

epistemology.» With justification as appropriate.

4. The Research Approach (if pertinent, e.g., when using a case study approach).

contd.


Methodology cont.

5. Data Collection

» Site and participant selection in your study.

» Data collection instruments and approaches used in your

study (detailed as appropriate in appendices).

6. Data Analysis

» Detailed description of how you analysed the data.

7. Ethical Considerations

» Ethical issues pertinent to the study.

» How you addressed those issues.


Results

Reporting the findings of your data analysis.

But only those that are directly pertinent to your research topic.

Fully evidencing the extent to which and the ways(s) in which

your findings are grounded in your data.

Structuring the chapter according to the dimensions of the topic

(may be more than one chapter).

Sectionally relating your findings to those of other pertinent

research to date (if not in the next chapter).

Using a chapter summary to draw your findings together.


Discussion of the Results

Here, if not in the previous chapter(s). A structured relating of your findings to those of other

published research to date.» Comparing your findings with those of other studies.» Interpreting differences to clarify the contribution to

knowledge from your study.» Articulating just what your study has contributed.

Drawing out any qualifying methodologically-grounded limitations of your study.

Concluding with a summary overview of the interpreted findings.


Conclusion and Recommendations

1. The conclusion of your study in relation to the research topic or question.» Grounded in the findings of your study (previous

chapter).» Presenting and explaining any interpretive models of

your findings (grounded in the literature to date).2. Implications of those findings for professional practice (if

pertinent).3. Recommendations for further research in the light of your

study’s findings.4. (Optionally) a concluding overview of your study and its

findings.


References

A list of the published sources referred to in your thesis.

All and only those referenced in the text.

Stylistically uniform, accurate, and properly sequenced.


Appendices

Appendices of instruments, approvals and such like

specifically identified in the text.

Also explanatory elaborations not appropriate to the main

text.

Appendix A, etc., each with an explanatory title.

Include only material that a reader may wish to read for

further information.


Variations on the Ideal-typical Thesis Structure

1) Historical.

2) Philosophical.

3) Biographical.


1) Historical Studies

Literature review commonly greatly reduced and included in the introductory chapter.

Conceptual framework subsumed in the methodology. Substantive (historical) chapters ordered and structured

chronologically and/or thematically. The final chapter (Conclusions and Recommendations) as

before. An extended bibliography of works that importantly

influenced the study may be included.» As well as the sources cited.


2) Philosophical Studies

Literature review and methodology commonly greatly reduced and included in the introductory chapter.

Conceptual framework subsumed in the methodology. Remaining chapters:

» A logical sequence presenting the argument and evidence.» The final chapter (Conclusions and Recommendations) as

before. An extended bibliography of works that importantly influenced the

study may be included.» As well as the sources sited.


3) Biographical Studies

Preface not pertinent

» In autobiographies, your story is part of the study.

» In biographies of others, each subject participant should be

introduced.

Use a separate chapter to introduce the subject participant(s).

Substantive ((auto) biographical) chapters ordered and structured

chronologically/developmentally and/or thematically.


Overall

Stay focused throughout the thesis on your research topic or question.

Be firm with yourself in leaving out all extraneous material and findings.

Make explicitly clear to the reader in each section how it contributes to and is a necessary part of your addressing the research topic or question.

Construct the thesis as through you were creating a picture in words.

Make sure that it forms a coherent whole, with its parts clearly interrelated.


Best Wishes.

Richard G. BagnallDean (Research)Arts, Education & Law

how should the hdr thesis hang together?

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