So whats in a thesis?

Some thoughts on relationships in content in theses/dissertations

 Abstract

Public Abstract

Ch. 1: Introduction

Ch. 2: Lit Review/Background

Ch. 3: Materials & Methods

Ch. 4: Results & Analysis

Ch. 5: Discussion

Ch. 6: Conclusions & Future Work

 Abstract

Overview Public Abstract

Ch. 1: Introduction

Ch. 2: Lit Review/Background

Narrower Ch. 3: Materials & Methods

Ch. 4: Results & Analysis

Specific Ch. 5: Discussion

Ch. 6: Conclusions & Future Work

 Abstract
Public Abstract
Introduce area of field
Ch. 1: Introduction

Introduce area of Ch. 2: Lit Review/Background

interest
Ch. 3: Materials & Methods
Introduce area of
study

Introduce Ch. 4: Results & Analysis

study
Ch. 5: Discussion
Briefly
outline Ch. 6: Conclusions & Future Work
study
 Abstract

Overview outline and correlate Public Abstract

categories of influence Ch. 1: Introduction

Ch. 2: Lit Review/Background

Overview giants
Ch. 3: Materials & Methods

Influences of
giants Ch. 4: Results & Analysis

How
Ch. 5: Discussion
influences
affect your Ch. 6: Conclusions & Future Work
study
 Abstract
Public Abstract
Outline study objectives
Ch. 1: Introduction

Ch. 2: Lit Review/Background

List evaluation criteria

Ch. 3: Materials & Methods

List possibilities

Describe Ch. 4: Results & Analysis

decision
process
Ch. 5: Discussion
Describe
study Ch. 6: Conclusions & Future Work
process
 Abstract
Overview evaluation objectives and
Public Abstract
criteria
Ch. 1: Introduction

Describe testing process

Ch. 2: Lit Review/Background

Give results of
testing/verification Ch. 3: Materials & Methods

Analyze results
Ch. 4: Results & Analysis
Tie results to
criteria
Ch. 5: Discussion
Tie results
to Ch. 6: Conclusions & Future Work
objectives
 Abstract
Public Abstract
Summarize analysis of results
Ch. 1: Introduction

Ch. 2: Lit Review/Background

Give conclusions
reached after doing the
analysis Ch. 3: Materials & Methods

Give insights
about
significance of Ch. 4: Results & Analysis
conclusions
Ch. 5: Discussion
Tie insights
to field Ch. 6: Conclusions & Future Work
 Abstract
Public Abstract

Overview significance Ch. 1: Introduction

Ch. 2: Lit Review/Background

List areas of
possible interest Ch. 3: Materials & Methods

to future grads
Ch. 4: Results & Analysis

List possible
significance Ch. 5: Discussion
of future
study Ch. 6: Conclusions & Future Work
What should I write?
More thoughts on content
 Abstract

Overview Public Abstract

Ch. 1: Introduction

Ch. 2: Lit Review/Background

Narrower Ch. 3: Materials & Methods

Ch. 4: Results & Analysis

Specific Ch. 5: Discussion

Ch. 6: Conclusions & Future Work

 Overview

Narrower Narrower Narrower

Narrower Narrower Narrower

Narrower Narrower Narrower

Specific Specific Specific

Part 1 Overview Part 2 Overview Part 3 Overview
 Overview

Part 1 Overview Part 2 Overview Part 3 Overview Part 4 Overview Part 5 Overview

Narrower Narrower Narrower Narrower Narrower

(This is a good space for the (This is a good space for the (This is a good space for the (This is a good space for the (This is a good space for the
decision matrix) decision matrix) decision matrix) decision matrix) decision matrix)

Specific Specific Specific Specific Specific

 Clean, clear writing

How should this objective be revised? What

criteria would it require?

Make an efficient 4-wheeler to help make

farmers lives easier, and save them money with
fuel-related costs.
 Clean, clear writing

How should this objective be revised? What

criteria would it require?

Obtain knowledge and application practices for

controls of electric power conversion and electric
motors.
 Clean, clear writing

How should this objective be revised? What

criteria would it require?

Save the environment by reducing the amount of

HFCs that are emitted into the atmosphere each
year
Item # Characteristic Characteristic Characteristic Characteristic Characteristic Characteristic
#1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6