5 Writing A Thesis Research Methods – Bazara Barry

Introduction A thesis is a report that conveys the theoretical approach to and the results of an investigation into a specific area. A thesis can also develop a purely theoretical approach to a topic. The most important task of a thesis writer is to communicate these findings or theoretical approaches clearly and effectively. Research Methods – Bazara Barry

Introduction A thesis writer should plan and organize information, and write this information in continuous prose. Knowledge of discourse structure and style is needed. He/She should provide structuring with major and minor numbered headings to guide the reader of the text at a glance. Research Methods – Bazara Barry

Research design 1.State the problem. 2.State the hypothesis (positive, negative, null). Positive: The adoption of the new design of the firewall will improve the security of the network. Negative: The adoption of the new design of the firewall will degrade the security of the network. Null: There will not be any significant difference in security with the adoption of the new design of the firewall.

Research Methods – Bazara Barry Research design 3.List the areas to be covered. 4.Select an appropriate research method. 5.State the objectives of your research.

Research Methods – Bazara Barry Reaching conclusions Your conclusions should be drawn from facts by logical reasoning. When you draw a conclusion based on research evidence, make sure that the reader is aware of the general principles upon which your argument rests. These general principles establish a logical connection between your findings and your conclusions.

Research Methods – Bazara Barry Literature review A chapter in the thesis that gives the writer’s theoretical approach to the thesis. It brings together all the theoretical approaches that you have read. The literature review will set out all the theoretical approaches under headings in systematic order. It shows that you have read widely on the theoretical basis of your chosen topic. It is well-known that the more you know about other people’s work in your field, the better you can approach your own research.

Research Methods – Bazara Barry The purposes of literature review 1.To gain help in approaching your research problem. 2.To gain theoretical knowledge. 3.To find out what others have done in your field.

Research Methods – Bazara Barry The benefits of a literature review 1.It reveals investigation similar to your own 2.It suggests methods of approach that could help you 3.It reveals new sources of data. 4.It helps you to evaluate your own researches by comparing them with others. 5.It shows you how others tackled problems similar to your own.

Research Methods – Bazara Barry How to write your literature review Set out your literature review from general to particular. Start with a broad overview of the theory and then narrow it down to more and specific theory. Remember that your review is a discussion of what others have written in relation to what you plan to do.

Research Methods – Bazara Barry Some points to keep in mind 1.You are constantly grouping studies and relating them to one another, as well as to your own study. 2.You are connecting your special area of interest to the broad historical horizon from which you can gain perspective for your work. 3.You are not simply writing a chain of pointless isolated summaries. Do not, for example, say: X says………., Y says………, Z says. 4.You are reviewing the literature, not simply reproducing it. 5.You are not quoting long passages from the literature. 6.You are using short, direct quotations.

Research Methods – Bazara Barry Relatedness of literature to the research topic Divide your problem into major and minor problems and number them. Group your readings and show how they relate to each problem. Reading #1  Relevant subdivision of the problem Reading #2  Relevant subdivision of the problem Reading #3  Relevant subdivision of the problem.

Research Methods – Bazara Barry Style for thesis writing Formal rather than informal. Simple rather than complex. Clear rather than ambiguous. Concrete rather than abstract. Active rather than passive. Concise rather than long-winded. Impersonal rather than personal.

Research Methods – Bazara Barry Style for thesis writing Use a well-chosen vocabulary and a low average number of words per sentence (15 – 20 per sentence). Use paragraphs of reasonable length (100 – 200 words per paragraph).

Research Methods – Bazara Barry Timetable for writing a Ph.D. thesis ChapterTopic%WordsMonths 1Introduction Literature Review Methodology Data analysis Conclusions & implications