What  You  Can  Do  to  Write  Your  Thesis/Dissertation  Consistently!

IT  MEANS  TO  KEEP  COHERENCE  AMONG  THE  DIFFERENT  PARTS  OF  YOUR  THESIS/  DISSERTATION.      IN  OTHER  WORDS,  ALL  ITS  PARTS  SHOULD  FIT  TOGETHER  AS  A  WHOLE.!

What  Does  “Write  Consistently”  Mean?!

Types  of  Consistency!

•  Coherence  of  Ideas  •  Coherence  of  Wording  •  Coherence  of  Habits!

Coherence  of  Ideas  (I)!

It  is  also  called  logical  coherence.  All  ideas  should  be  related  so  as  to  contribute  to  achieve  the  purpose  of  the  thesis/  disserta;on.    Ideas  can  either  support  or  challenge  the  points  of  view  that  cons;tute  the  main  focus  of  the  study  ,  but  they  cannot  be  unrelated  to  it.    In  other  words,  ideas  should  be  harmonically  connected  like  sound  waves  in  a  song.  

Coherence  of  Ideas  (II)!

Ideas  must  be  coherent  throughout  the  whole  thesis/  disserta;on.  

 Their  discussion  has  to  follow  the  same  line  of  thought  in  each  chapter  and  very  especially  with  pivotal  elements  like:  

 • Problem  • Purpose  • Research  Ques;on  • Theore;cal  Framework  • Methodology  

Counterexample  of  Consistency  of  Ideas!Problem: High school students of a Texan school district who are taught using a traditional lecture approach get low scores in Science tests. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to know why students do not like Science subjects. Research Question: Why do Science teachers prefer lectures? Theoretical Framework: This study will be based on theories like the drive theory of motivation and constructivism. Methodology: A quasi-experimental research design will be used. !

Can  you  identify  the  inconsistencies  of  the  previous  slide?   Hints to identify the

inconsistencies: 1.  Establish the focus of each

pivotal element. 2.  Do all pivotal elements

have the same focus? Are they harmonically connected?

Coherence  of  Wording  (I)!

It  is  also  called  textual  coherence.  Some  texts  are  perceived  as  easy  to  read  while  others  require  too  much  effort  to  interpret.  Text  readability    is  the  result  of  the  interconnec;on  between  text  surface  (elements  like  words,  grammar,  style,  etc.)  and  the  concepts  and  rela;ons  that  underlie  it.    In  other  words,  wording  should  not  only  be  right  from  the  gramma;cal  point  of  view  but  also  express  the  right  appropriate  concepts  and  their  rela;onships.  

Coherence  of  Wording  (II)!

Consistency  of  wording  is  achieved  by  means  of  ac;ons  like:  

• Applying  the  rules  associated  to  the  type  of  text  that  is  expected  in  a  thesis/  disserta;on.  

• Using  the  language  devices  that  assure  a  cohesive  text  surface  (for  example,  signal  words  and  phrases).  

• Linking  concepts  and  rela;ons  explicitly  or  implicitly.  

• Using  the  same  wording  for  pivotal  concepts.  

• Paraphrasing  other  elements.  

Ac;ons   to   assure   consistency   of  wording   will   be   discussed   in   the  con fe rence   Wri0ng   Chapte r s ,  Paragraphs,   and   Sentences   on  November  16th,  2013.  

Counterexample  of  Consistency  of  Wording!Wordings of what a study intends to do (purpose)

In chapter 1: This study wanted to know how effective differentiation is to teach Science in High School. In the literature review: This study was focused on effective strategies to teach Science. In chapter 5: Since this study intended to find out a way to improve Science teaching, ….

Can  you  identify  the  inconsistencies  of  the  previous  slide?  

Hints to identify the inconsistencies:

1.  Determine the focus of each established purpose.

2.  Do all they have the same focus? Do they mean the same from the research point of view (same associated problem, research question, methodology?

Coherence  of  Habits  (I)!

It  can  also  be  called  wri0ng  rou0ne.  It  refers  to  a  set  of  ac;ons  that  you  can  do  whenever  you  have  to  write  a  sec;on  of  your  thesis/disserta;on  in  order  to  achieve  consistent  results.    Although  each  writer  may  find  a  different  set  of  ac;ons  that  beXer  fits  her/his  style,  academic  wri;ng  is  usually  approached  using  some  basic  procedures.  

Coherence  of  Habits  (II)!

1.  Prewriting Activities 2.  Write Draft 3.  Review Draft

Possible  set  of  ac;ons  when  wri;ng  each  sec;on  of  your  thesis/disserta;on  

Prewriting  Activities  

•  Think about what you want to communicate in the thesis/ dissertation section in order to establish its focus.

•  Review literature to find support for your arguments and also counterarguments that may challenge your points of view.

•  Identify citations that can be used. •  Create an outline for the section. •  Review the outline to know if its ideas flow well.

Write  Draft  

•  Write a first draft of the section using the outline as a guide.

•  Do the actions suggested to assure text and logical coherence.

•  Read the draft to check readability. •  Check if it follows the outline. •  Write as many drafts as you consider necessary to be sure

the text reflects your ideas accurately.

Review  Draft  

•  Check the coherence of the section in relation to other parts of the thesis/dissertation.

•  Proofread draft. •  Have other people read draft to check readability. •  Edit draft as needed.

Now  You  Know!

!

Any  question?  

You  are  invited  to  use  the  DoctoralNet  Academy  Map  at  hXp://www.gliffy.com/publish/3116574/    and  see  the  different  stages  that  you  should  follow  to  develop  your  thesis/disserta=on  

•  What  “write  consistently”  means  

•   Types  of  consistency  •  Coherence  of  Ideas  •  Coherence  of  Wording    •  Coherence  of  Habits  •  How  to  recognize  

them  

 

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3. Upcoming conferences:  Sun 3rd – Dissertation or Thesis Drift and How to

Combat It Sat 9th - How You Can Approach Each Chapter of

Your Thesis or Dissertation Sun 10th – Linking Literature & Methods Sat 16th – Writing Thesis/ Dissertation Chapters,

Paragraphs, and Sentences Sun 17th – All About Abstracts

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