introduction, I think that it is a good idea to ask someone who is not a specialist to read
this section and to comment.
References (See also under literature review)
It is tempting to omit the titles of the articles cited, and the university allows this, but
think of all the times when you have seen a reference in a paper and gone to look it up
only to find that it was not helpful after all.
Appendices
If there is material that should be in the thesis but which would break up the flow or bore
the reader unbearably, include it as an appendix. Some things which are typically
included in appendices are: important and original computer programs, data files that are
too large to be represented simply in the results chapters, pictures or diagrams of results
which are not important enough to keep in the main text.
Some sites with related material
How to survive a thesis defence
Research resources and linkssupplied by Deakin University
'Writing and presenting your thesis or dissertation'by Joseph Levine at Michigan State
University, USA
Postgraduate Student Resourcessupplied by University of Canberra
A useful aid to surviving meetings with management
The National Association of Graduate - Professional Students(USA)
Some relevant texts
Stevens, K. and Asmar, C (1999) 'Doing postgraduate research in Australia'. Melbourne
University Press, Melbourne ISBN 0 522 84880 X.
Phillips, E.M and Pugh, D.S. (1994) 'How to get a PhD : a handbook for students and their
supervisors'. Open University Press, Buckingham, England
Tufte, E.R. (1983) 'The visual display of quantitative information'. Graphics Press, Cheshire,
Conn.
Tufte, E.R. (1990) 'Envisioning information' Graphics Press, Cheshire, Conn.
Distribution
If you have found these documents useful, please feel free to pass the address or a hard copy to
any other thesis writers or graduate student organisations. Please do not sell them, or use any of
the contents without acknowledgement.
Suggestions, thanks and caveats
This document will be updated occasionally. If you have suggestions for inclusions, amendments
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How to Write a PhD Thesis
or other improvements, please send them. Do so after you have submitted the thesis---do not use
this invitation as a displacement activity. I thank Marilyn Ball, Gary Bryant, Bill Whiten and J.
Douglas, whose suggestions have been incorporated in this version. Substantial contributions
will be acknowledged in future versions. I also take this opportunity to thank my own thesis
advisers, Stjepan Marcelja and Jacob Israelachvili, for their help and friendship, and to thank the
graduate students to whom I have had the pleasure to be an adviser, a colleague and a friend.
Opinions expressed in these notes are mine and do not necessarily reflect the policy of the
University of New South Wales or of the School of Physics.
Joe Wolfe / J.Wolfe@unsw.edu.au, phone 61- 2-9385 4954
(UT + 10, +11 Oct-Mar).
School of Physics, University of New South Wales,
Sydney, Australia.
Joe's scientific home page
A list of educational links
Joe's music page www.6park.com
www.6park.com
www.6park.com
How to survive a thesis defence
some notes by
Joe Wolfe
School of Physics
The University of New South Wales
Sydney 2052 Australia
This document is an appendix to
How to write a thesis
l The thesis defence or viva is like an examination in some ways. It is different in many ways,
however. The chief difference is that the candidate usually knows more about the syllabus than do
the examiners.
l Some questions will be sincere questions: the asker asks because s/he doesn't know and expects
that the candidate will be able to rectify this. Students often expect questions to be difficult and
attacking, and answer them accordingly. Often the questions will be much simpler than you
expect.
l In a curious relativistic effect, time expands in the mind of the student. A few seconds pause to
reflect before answering seems eminently reasonable to the panel, but to the defender it seems like
minutes of mute failure. Take your time.
l For the same reason, let them take their time. Let them finish the question.
l The phrase "That's a good question" is exceedingly useful. It flatters the asker and may get
him/her onside, or less offside; it gives you time to think; it implies that you have understood the
question and assessed it already and that you have probably thought about it before. If necessary,
it can be followed by the stalwart "Now the answer to that is not obvious/straightforward..." which
has the same advantages.
l If the nightmare ever did come true, and some questioner found a question that put something in
the work in doubt... mind you this is thankfully very rare.... then what? Well the first thing would
be to concede that the question imposes a serious limitation on the applicability of the work "Well
you have identified a serious limitation in this technique, and the results have to be interpreted in
the light of that observation". The questioner is then more likely to back off and even help answer
it, whereas a straight denial may encourage him/her to pursue more ardently. Then go through the
argument in detail - showing listeners how serious it is while giving yourself time to find flaws in
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How to survive a thesis defence
it or to limit the damage that will ensue. In the worst caese, one would then think of what can be
saved. But all this is hypothetical because this won't happen.
l What usually happens is that the examiners have read the work perhaps twice, and looked closely
at some parts that interested them most. These are usually the good bits. They are not out to fail
you. It is a lot more complicated to fail you than to pass you. In general, they feel good about the
idea of a new, fresh researcher coming into their area. You are no immediate threat to them. They
have to show that they have read it and they have to give you the opportunity to show that you
understand it (you do, of course). And they usually have a genuine interest in the work. Some of
them may feel it is necessary to maintain their image as senior scholars and founts of wisdom.
Judicious use of the "Good question", "Yes, you're right of course", "Good idea.." and "Thanks for
that" will allow that with a minimum of fuss and a maximum of time for champagne drinking.
l If one of the examiners is a real ..., your thesis defence is probably not the best place and time in
which to do anything about it, except perhaps for allowing him/her to demonstrate it clearly and
thus to establish the support of the rest of the panel. If you want a major dispute, save it up for
when you are on even ground, unless you are very very sure of yourself and think that you have
nothing to lose.
l Be ready for a 'free kick'. It is relatively common that a panel will ask one (or more) questions
that, whatever the actual wording may be, are essentially an invitation to you to tell them (briefly)
what is important, new and good in your thesis. You ought not stumble at this stage, so you
should rehearse this. You should be able to produce on demand (say) a one minute speech and a
five minute speech, and be prepared to extend them if invited by further questions. Do not try to
recite your abstract: written and spoken styles should be rather different. Rather, rehearse answers
to the question: "What have you done that merits a PhD?".
l Read points i and ii again. Keep calm - and good luck!
Opinions expressed in these notes are mine and do not necessarily reflect the policy of the University of
New South Wales or of the School of Physics.
How to write a thesis
Joe Wolfe / J.Wolfe@unsw.edu.au/ 61-2-9385 4954 (UT + 10, +11 Oct-Mar)
The University of New South Wales
School of Physics
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Research Skills - Home Page
Welcome to Deakin University Library's Research Skills site where you will find information to
assist you in your research, guidance in selecting electronic information sources and significant
Deakin University Library print resources and services to support your research. Links are
provided to relevant authoritative www sites.
Introduction
Deakin University Library Services
Library Catalogue
Evaluating Resources
Referencing Styles
Journal Articles
Web Searching
Reference Resources
Government Information
Statistics
Standards
Theses and Dissertations
Scholarly Community
Literature Reviews
Alerting and Current Awareness or SDI Services
Content of this page is maintained by , Jenny Addie, addie@deakin.edu.au, Client Services
Manager, last updated 13th September 2001.The URL for this page is:
http://www.deakin.edu.au/library/reschsk.html
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20
Dissertation/Thesis Guide
Writing and Presenting Your
Thesis or Dissertation
S. Joseph Levine, Ph.D.
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan USA
(levine@msu.edu)
We have a new address for the Thesis/Dissertation Guide!
http://www.LearnerAssociates.net/dissthes
Standby while we take you to the new address.
(Don't forget to bookmark the new location once you get there!)
(Last Updated: )
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21
Dissertation/Thesis Guide
Writing and Presenting Your
Thesis or Dissertation
S. Joseph Levine, Ph.D.
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan USA
(levine@msu.edu)
(Last Updated: )
Introduction
This guide has been created to assist my graduate students in thinking through the many aspects of
crafting, implementing and defending a thesis or dissertation. It is my attempt to share some of the many
ideas that have surfaced over the past few years that definitely make the task of finishing a graduate degree
so much easier. (This Guide is a companion to the Guide for Writing a Funding Proposal.)
Usually a guide of this nature focuses on the actual implementation of the research. This is not the focus of
this guide. Instead of examining such aspects as identifying appropriate sample size, field testing the
instrument and selecting appropriate statistical tests, this guide looks at many of the quasi-political aspects
of the process. Such topics as how to select a supportive committee, making a compelling presentation of
your research outcomes and strategies for actually getting the paper written are discussed.
Of course, many of the ideas that are presented can be used successfully by other graduate students
studying under the guidance of other advisers and from many different disciplines. However, the use of
this guide carries no guarantee - implied or otherwise. When in doubt check with your adviser. Probably
the best advice to start with is the idea of not trying to do your research entirely by yourself. Do it in
conjunction with your adviser. Seek out his/her input and assistance. Stay in touch with your adviser so
that both of you know what's happening. There's a much better chance of getting to the end of your project
and with a smile on your face.
With this in mind, enjoy the guide. I hope it will help you finish your graduate degree in good shape. Good
luck and good researching!
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Dissertation/Thesis Guide
(NOTE: I have spent time reviewing a number of different books that are available to help in writing a
thesis/dissertation. The quality of the books, as can be expected, varies greatly. Feel free to check out my
listing of books and my reactions to them.
Summary of Key Ideas in this Guide
The Thinking About It Stage
1. Be inclusive with your thinking.
2. Write down your ideas.
3. Don't be overly influenced by others-it's your research.
4. Try and set a realistic goal.
5. Set appropriate time lines.
6. Take a leave of absence when it will do the most good.
7. Try a preliminary study to help clarify your research.
Preparing The Proposal
8. Read other proposals.
9. Prepare a comprehensive review of the literature.
10. Photocopy relevant articles.
11. Proposal should be first 3 chapters of dissertation.
12. Focus your research.
13. Include a title on your proposal.
14. Organize around a set of questions.
15. Some considerations for designing your research:
a. Design your research so the subjects benefit.
b. Choose your methodology wisely.
c. Consider combining methodologies.
d. Carefully select location for your research.
e. Avoid conducting research in conjunction with another agency.
16. Use your advisory committee well.
a. Select faculty who will support you.
b. Your major professor is your ally.
c. Provide committee with well written proposal.
d. Plan the proposal meeting well.
Writing The Thesis Or Dissertation
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Dissertation/Thesis Guide
17. Begin writing with sections you know the best.
18. Rewrite your proposal into dissertation sections.
19. Use real names/places in early drafts of dissertation.
20. Print each draft on a different color paper.
21. Use hand drawings of graphics/tables for early drafts.
22. Make your writing clear and unambiguous.
23. Review other dissertations before you begin to write.
24. Introduce tables in the text, present the table and then describe it.
25. Use similar or parallel wording whenever possible.
26. Let your Table of Contents help you improve your manu***.
27. Write real conclusions and implications - don't restate your findings.
28. Make your Suggestions for Further Research meaningful.
29. Chapter One should be written last.
The Thesis/Dissertation Defense
30. Attend some defenses before it's your turn.
31. Discuss your research with others.
32. Don't circulate chapters to committee.
33. The defense should be team effort - you and adviser.
34. Don't be defensive at your defense.
35. Organize your defense as an educational presentation.
36. Consider tape recording your defense.
37. Prepare an article on the outcomes of your research.
THE "THINKING ABOUT IT" STAGE
The "thinking about it stage" is when you are finally faced with the reality of completing your degree.
Usually the early phases of a graduate program proceed in clear and very structured ways. The beginning
phases of a graduate program proceed in much the same manner as an undergraduate degree program.
There are clear requirements and expectations, and the graduate student moves along, step by step, getting
ever closer to the completion of the program. One day, however, the clear structure begins to diminish and
now you're approaching the thesis/dissertation stage. This is a new and different time. These next steps are
more and more defined by you and not your adviser, the program, or the department.
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