Home Page - MS Thesis
Tips for writing a PhD dissertation: FAQs answered
From how to choose a topic to writing the abstract and managing work-life balance through the years it takes to complete a doctorate, here we collect expert advice to get you through the PhD writing process
Campus team
Additional links.
You may also like
Popular resources
.css-1txxx8u{overflow:hidden;max-height:81px;text-indent:0px;} Emotions and learning: what role do emotions play in how and why students learn?
A diy guide to starting your own journal, universities, ai and the common good, artificial intelligence and academic integrity: striking a balance, create an onboarding programme for neurodivergent students.
Embarking on a PhD is “probably the most challenging task that a young scholar attempts to do”, write Mark Stephan Felix and Ian Smith in their practical guide to dissertation and thesis writing. After years of reading and research to answer a specific question or proposition, the candidate will submit about 80,000 words that explain their methods and results and demonstrate their unique contribution to knowledge. Here are the answers to frequently asked questions about writing a doctoral thesis or dissertation.
What’s the difference between a dissertation and a thesis?
Whatever the genre of the doctorate, a PhD must offer an original contribution to knowledge. The terms “dissertation” and “thesis” both refer to the long-form piece of work produced at the end of a research project and are often used interchangeably. Which one is used might depend on the country, discipline or university. In the UK, “thesis” is generally used for the work done for a PhD, while a “dissertation” is written for a master’s degree. The US did the same until the 1960s, says Oxbridge Essays, when the convention switched, and references appeared to a “master’s thesis” and “doctoral dissertation”. To complicate matters further, undergraduate long essays are also sometimes referred to as a thesis or dissertation.
The Oxford English Dictionary defines “thesis” as “a dissertation, especially by a candidate for a degree” and “dissertation” as “a detailed discourse on a subject, especially one submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of a degree or diploma”.
- Ten platinum rules for PhD supervisors
- Fostering freedom in PhD students: how supervisors can shape accessible paths for doctoral research
- Lessons from students on effective research supervision
The title “doctor of philosophy”, incidentally, comes from the degree’s origins, write Dr Felix, an associate professor at Mahidol University in Thailand, and Dr Smith, retired associate professor of education at the University of Sydney , whose co-authored guide focuses on the social sciences. The PhD was first awarded in the 19th century by the philosophy departments of German universities, which at that time taught science, social science and liberal arts.
How long should a PhD thesis be?
A PhD thesis (or dissertation) is typically 60,000 to 120,000 words ( 100 to 300 pages in length ) organised into chapters, divisions and subdivisions (with roughly 10,000 words per chapter) – from introduction (with clear aims and objectives) to conclusion.
The structure of a dissertation will vary depending on discipline (humanities, social sciences and STEM all have their own conventions), location and institution. Examples and guides to structure proliferate online. The University of Salford , for example, lists: title page, declaration, acknowledgements, abstract, table of contents, lists of figures, tables and abbreviations (where needed), chapters, appendices and references.
A scientific-style thesis will likely need: introduction, literature review, materials and methods, results, discussion, bibliography and references.
As well as checking the overall criteria and expectations of your institution for your research, consult your school handbook for the required length and format (font, layout conventions and so on) for your dissertation.
A PhD takes three to four years to complete; this might extend to six to eight years for a part-time doctorate.
What are the steps for completing a PhD?
Before you get started in earnest , you’ll likely have found a potential supervisor, who will guide your PhD journey, and done a research proposal (which outlines what you plan to research and how) as part of your application, as well as a literature review of existing scholarship in the field, which may form part of your final submission.
In the UK, PhD candidates undertake original research and write the results in a thesis or dissertation, says author and vlogger Simon Clark , who posted videos to YouTube throughout his own PhD journey . Then they submit the thesis in hard copy and attend the viva voce (which is Latin for “living voice” and is also called an oral defence or doctoral defence) to convince the examiners that their work is original, understood and all their own. Afterwards, if necessary, they make changes and resubmit. If the changes are approved, the degree is awarded.
The steps are similar in Australia , although candidates are mostly assessed on their thesis only; some universities may include taught courses, and some use a viva voce. A PhD in Australia usually takes three years full time.
In the US, the PhD process begins with taught classes (similar to a taught master’s) and a comprehensive exam (called a “field exam” or “dissertation qualifying exam”) before the candidate embarks on their original research. The whole journey takes four to six years.
A PhD candidate will need three skills and attitudes to get through their doctoral studies, says Tara Brabazon , professor of cultural studies at Flinders University in Australia who has written extensively about the PhD journey :
- master the academic foundational skills (research, writing, ability to navigate different modalities)
- time-management skills and the ability to focus on reading and writing
- determined motivation to do a PhD.
How do I choose the topic for my PhD dissertation or thesis?
It’s important to find a topic that will sustain your interest for the years it will take to complete a PhD. “Finding a sustainable topic is the most important thing you [as a PhD student] would do,” says Dr Brabazon in a video for Times Higher Education . “Write down on a big piece of paper all the topics, all the ideas, all the questions that really interest you, and start to cross out all the ones that might just be a passing interest.” Also, she says, impose the “Who cares? Who gives a damn?” question to decide if the topic will be useful in a future academic career.
The availability of funding and scholarships is also often an important factor in this decision, says veteran PhD supervisor Richard Godwin, from Harper Adams University .
Define a gap in knowledge – and one that can be questioned, explored, researched and written about in the time available to you, says Gina Wisker, head of the Centre for Learning and Teaching at the University of Brighton. “Set some boundaries,” she advises. “Don’t try to ask everything related to your topic in every way.”
James Hartley, research professor in psychology at Keele University, says it can also be useful to think about topics that spark general interest. If you do pick something that taps into the zeitgeist, your findings are more likely to be noticed.
You also need to find someone else who is interested in it, too. For STEM candidates , this will probably be a case of joining a team of people working in a similar area where, ideally, scholarship funding is available. A centre for doctoral training (CDT) or doctoral training partnership (DTP) will advertise research projects. For those in the liberal arts and social sciences, it will be a matter of identifying a suitable supervisor .
Avoid topics that are too broad (hunger across a whole country, for example) or too narrow (hunger in a single street) to yield useful solutions of academic significance, write Mark Stephan Felix and Ian Smith. And ensure that you’re not repeating previous research or trying to solve a problem that has already been answered. A PhD thesis must be original.
What is a thesis proposal?
After you have read widely to refine your topic and ensure that it and your research methods are original, and discussed your project with a (potential) supervisor, you’re ready to write a thesis proposal , a document of 1,500 to 3,000 words that sets out the proposed direction of your research. In the UK, a research proposal is usually part of the application process for admission to a research degree. As with the final dissertation itself, format varies among disciplines, institutions and countries but will usually contain title page, aims, literature review, methodology, timetable and bibliography. Examples of research proposals are available online.
How to write an abstract for a dissertation or thesis
The abstract presents your thesis to the wider world – and as such may be its most important element , says the NUI Galway writing guide. It outlines the why, how, what and so what of the thesis . Unlike the introduction, which provides background but not research findings, the abstract summarises all sections of the dissertation in a concise, thorough, focused way and demonstrates how well the writer understands their material. Check word-length limits with your university – and stick to them. About 300 to 500 words is a rough guide – but it can be up to 1,000 words.
The abstract is also important for selection and indexing of your thesis, according to the University of Melbourne guide , so be sure to include searchable keywords.
It is the first thing to be read but the last element you should write. However, Pat Thomson , professor of education at the University of Nottingham , advises that it is not something to be tackled at the last minute.
How to write a stellar conclusion
As well as chapter conclusions, a thesis often has an overall conclusion to draw together the key points covered and to reflect on the unique contribution to knowledge. It can comment on future implications of the research and open up new ideas emanating from the work. It is shorter and more general than the discussion chapter , says online editing site Scribbr, and reiterates how the work answers the main question posed at the beginning of the thesis. The conclusion chapter also often discusses the limitations of the research (time, scope, word limit, access) in a constructive manner.
It can be useful to keep a collection of ideas as you go – in the online forum DoctoralWriting SIG , academic developer Claire Aitchison, of the University of South Australia , suggests using a “conclusions bank” for themes and inspirations, and using free-writing to keep this final section fresh. (Just when you feel you’ve run out of steam.) Avoid aggrandising or exaggerating the impact of your work. It should remind the reader what has been done, and why it matters.
How to format a bibliography (or where to find a reliable model)
Most universities use a preferred style of references , writes THE associate editor Ingrid Curl. Make sure you know what this is and follow it. “One of the most common errors in academic writing is to cite papers in the text that do not then appear in the bibliography. All references in your thesis need to be cross-checked with the bibliography before submission. Using a database during your research can save a great deal of time in the writing-up process.”
A bibliography contains not only works cited explicitly but also those that have informed or contributed to the research – and as such illustrates its scope; works are not limited to written publications but include sources such as film or visual art.
Examiners can start marking from the back of the script, writes Dr Brabazon. “Just as cooks are judged by their ingredients and implements, we judge doctoral students by the calibre of their sources,” she advises. She also says that candidates should be prepared to speak in an oral examination of the PhD about any texts included in their bibliography, especially if there is a disconnect between the thesis and the texts listed.
Can I use informal language in my PhD?
Don’t write like a stereotypical academic , say Kevin Haggerty, professor of sociology at the University of Alberta , and Aaron Doyle, associate professor in sociology at Carleton University , in their tongue-in-cheek guide to the PhD journey. “If you cannot write clearly and persuasively, everything about PhD study becomes harder.” Avoid jargon, exotic words, passive voice and long, convoluted sentences – and work on it consistently. “Writing is like playing guitar; it can improve only through consistent, concerted effort.”
Be deliberate and take care with your writing . “Write your first draft, leave it and then come back to it with a critical eye. Look objectively at the writing and read it closely for style and sense,” advises THE ’s Ms Curl. “Look out for common errors such as dangling modifiers, subject-verb disagreement and inconsistency. If you are too involved with the text to be able to take a step back and do this, then ask a friend or colleague to read it with a critical eye. Remember Hemingway’s advice: ‘Prose is architecture, not interior decoration.’ Clarity is key.”
How often should a PhD candidate meet with their supervisor?
Since the PhD supervisor provides a range of support and advice – including on research techniques, planning and submission – regular formal supervisions are essential, as is establishing a line of contact such as email if the candidate needs help or advice outside arranged times. The frequency varies according to university, discipline and individual scholars.
Once a week is ideal, says Dr Brabazon. She also advocates a two-hour initial meeting to establish the foundations of the candidate-supervisor relationship .
The University of Edinburgh guide to writing a thesis suggests that creating a timetable of supervisor meetings right at the beginning of the research process will allow candidates to ensure that their work stays on track throughout. The meetings are also the place to get regular feedback on draft chapters.
“A clear structure and a solid framework are vital for research,” writes Dr Godwin on THE Campus . Use your supervisor to establish this and provide a realistic view of what can be achieved. “It is vital to help students identify the true scientific merit, the practical significance of their work and its value to society.”
How to proofread your dissertation (what to look for)
Proofreading is the final step before printing and submission. Give yourself time to ensure that your work is the best it can be . Don’t leave proofreading to the last minute; ideally, break it up into a few close-reading sessions. Find a quiet place without distractions. A checklist can help ensure that all aspects are covered.
Proofing is often helped by a change of format – so it can be easier to read a printout rather than working off the screen – or by reading sections out of order. Fresh eyes are better at spotting typographical errors and inconsistencies, so leave time between writing and proofreading. Check with your university’s policies before asking another person to proofread your thesis for you.
As well as close details such as spelling and grammar, check that all sections are complete, all required elements are included , and nothing is repeated or redundant. Don’t forget to check headings and subheadings. Does the text flow from one section to another? Is the structure clear? Is the work a coherent whole with a clear line throughout?
Ensure consistency in, for example, UK v US spellings, capitalisation, format, numbers (digits or words, commas, units of measurement), contractions, italics and hyphenation. Spellchecks and online plagiarism checkers are also your friend.
How do you manage your time to complete a PhD dissertation?
Treat your PhD like a full-time job, that is, with an eight-hour working day. Within that, you’ll need to plan your time in a way that gives a sense of progress . Setbacks and periods where it feels as if you are treading water are all but inevitable, so keeping track of small wins is important, writes A Happy PhD blogger Luis P. Prieto.
Be specific with your goals – use the SMART acronym (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and timely).
And it’s never too soon to start writing – even if early drafts are overwritten and discarded.
“ Write little and write often . Many of us make the mistake of taking to writing as one would take to a sprint, in other words, with relatively short bursts of intense activity. Whilst this can prove productive, generally speaking it is not sustainable…In addition to sustaining your activity, writing little bits on a frequent basis ensures that you progress with your thinking. The comfort of remaining in abstract thought is common; writing forces us to concretise our thinking,” says Christian Gilliam, AHSS researcher developer at the University of Cambridge ’s Centre for Teaching and Learning.
Make time to write. “If you are more alert early in the day, find times that suit you in the morning; if you are a ‘night person’, block out some writing sessions in the evenings,” advises NUI Galway’s Dermot Burns, a lecturer in English and creative arts. Set targets, keep daily notes of experiment details that you will need in your thesis, don’t confuse writing with editing or revising – and always back up your work.
What work-life balance tips should I follow to complete my dissertation?
During your PhD programme, you may have opportunities to take part in professional development activities, such as teaching, attending academic conferences and publishing your work. Your research may include residencies, field trips or archive visits. This will require time-management skills as well as prioritising where you devote your energy and factoring in rest and relaxation. Organise your routine to suit your needs , and plan for steady and regular progress.
How to deal with setbacks while writing a thesis or dissertation
Have a contingency plan for delays or roadblocks such as unexpected results.
Accept that writing is messy, first drafts are imperfect, and writer’s block is inevitable, says Dr Burns. His tips for breaking it include relaxation to free your mind from clutter, writing a plan and drawing a mind map of key points for clarity. He also advises feedback, reflection and revision: “Progressing from a rough version of your thoughts to a superior and workable text takes time, effort, different perspectives and some expertise.”
“Academia can be a relentlessly brutal merry-go-round of rejection, rebuttal and failure,” writes Lorraine Hope , professor of applied cognitive psychology at the University of Portsmouth, on THE Campus. Resilience is important. Ensure that you and your supervisor have a relationship that supports open, frank, judgement-free communication.
If you would like advice and insight from academics and university staff delivered direct to your inbox each week, sign up for the Campus newsletter .
Authoring a PhD Thesis: How to Plan, Draft, Write and Finish a Doctoral Dissertation (2003), by Patrick Dunleavy
Writing Your Dissertation in Fifteen Minutes a Day: A Guide to Starting, Revising, and Finishing Your Doctoral Thesis (1998), by Joan Balker
Challenges in Writing Your Dissertation: Coping with the Emotional, Interpersonal, and Spiritual Struggles (2015), by Noelle Sterne
Emotions and learning: what role do emotions play in how and why students learn?
Global perspectives: navigating challenges in higher education across borders, how to help young women see themselves as coders, contextual learning: linking learning to the real world, authentic assessment in higher education and the role of digital creative technologies, how hard can it be testing ai detection tools.
Register for free
and unlock a host of features on the THE site
- Manuscript Preparation
Know How to Structure Your PhD Thesis
- 4 minute read
- 33.8K views
Table of Contents
In your academic career, few projects are more important than your PhD thesis. Unfortunately, many university professors and advisors assume that their students know how to structure a PhD. Books have literally been written on the subject, but there’s no need to read a book in order to know about PhD thesis paper format and structure. With that said, however, it’s important to understand that your PhD thesis format requirement may not be the same as another student’s. The bottom line is that how to structure a PhD thesis often depends on your university and department guidelines.
But, let’s take a look at a general PhD thesis format. We’ll look at the main sections, and how to connect them to each other. We’ll also examine different hints and tips for each of the sections. As you read through this toolkit, compare it to published PhD theses in your area of study to see how a real-life example looks.
Main Sections of a PhD Thesis
In almost every PhD thesis or dissertation, there are standard sections. Of course, some of these may differ, depending on your university or department requirements, as well as your topic of study, but this will give you a good idea of the basic components of a PhD thesis format.
- Abstract : The abstract is a brief summary that quickly outlines your research, touches on each of the main sections of your thesis, and clearly outlines your contribution to the field by way of your PhD thesis. Even though the abstract is very short, similar to what you’ve seen in published research articles, its impact shouldn’t be underestimated. The abstract is there to answer the most important question to the reviewer. “Why is this important?”
- Introduction : In this section, you help the reviewer understand your entire dissertation, including what your paper is about, why it’s important to the field, a brief description of your methodology, and how your research and the thesis are laid out. Think of your introduction as an expansion of your abstract.
- Literature Review : Within the literature review, you are making a case for your new research by telling the story of the work that’s already been done. You’ll cover a bit about the history of the topic at hand, and how your study fits into the present and future.
- Theory Framework : Here, you explain assumptions related to your study. Here you’re explaining to the review what theoretical concepts you might have used in your research, how it relates to existing knowledge and ideas.
- Methods : This section of a PhD thesis is typically the most detailed and descriptive, depending of course on your research design. Here you’ll discuss the specific techniques you used to get the information you were looking for, in addition to how those methods are relevant and appropriate, as well as how you specifically used each method described.
- Results : Here you present your empirical findings. This section is sometimes also called the “empiracles” chapter. This section is usually pretty straightforward and technical, and full of details. Don’t shortcut this chapter.
- Discussion : This can be a tricky chapter, because it’s where you want to show the reviewer that you know what you’re talking about. You need to speak as a PhD versus a student. The discussion chapter is similar to the empirical/results chapter, but you’re building on those results to push the new information that you learned, prior to making your conclusion.
- Conclusion : Here, you take a step back and reflect on what your original goals and intentions for the research were. You’ll outline them in context of your new findings and expertise.
Tips for your PhD Thesis Format
As you put together your PhD thesis, it’s easy to get a little overwhelmed. Here are some tips that might keep you on track.
- Don’t try to write your PhD as a first-draft. Every great masterwork has typically been edited, and edited, and…edited.
- Work with your thesis supervisor to plan the structure and format of your PhD thesis. Be prepared to rewrite each section, as you work out rough drafts. Don’t get discouraged by this process. It’s typical.
- Make your writing interesting. Academic writing has a reputation of being very dry.
- You don’t have to necessarily work on the chapters and sections outlined above in chronological order. Work on each section as things come up, and while your work on that section is relevant to what you’re doing.
- Don’t rush things. Write a first draft, and leave it for a few days, so you can come back to it with a more critical take. Look at it objectively and carefully grammatical errors, clarity, logic and flow.
- Know what style your references need to be in, and utilize tools out there to organize them in the required format.
- It’s easier to accidentally plagiarize than you think. Make sure you’re referencing appropriately, and check your document for inadvertent plagiarism throughout your writing process.
PhD Thesis Editing Plus
Want some support during your PhD writing process? Our PhD Thesis Editing Plus service includes extensive and detailed editing of your thesis to improve the flow and quality of your writing. Unlimited editing support for guaranteed results. Learn more here , and get started today!
- Publication Process
Journal Acceptance Rates: Everything You Need to Know
- Publication Recognition
How to Make a PowerPoint Presentation of Your Research Paper
You may also like.
Make Hook, Line, and Sinker: The Art of Crafting Engaging Introductions
Can Describing Study Limitations Improve the Quality of Your Paper?
A Guide to Crafting Shorter, Impactful Sentences in Academic Writing
6 Steps to Write an Excellent Discussion in Your Manuscript
How to Write Clear and Crisp Civil Engineering Papers? Here are 5 Key Tips to Consider
The Clear Path to An Impactful Paper: ②
The Essentials of Writing to Communicate Research in Medicine
Changing Lines: Sentence Patterns in Academic Writing
Input your search keywords and press Enter.
Recent searches
Institutions, conferences, journals gallery.
40,000+ journal templates to choose from for your next paper
Flexible pricing plans that caters to everyone’s needs
Plagiarism check
Detect plagiarism early. Powered by Turnitin.
Journal Submission
Get accepted in top journals.
For Publishers
Streamline publishing process with automated workflows
Client Stories
Read what our clients have yielded with our products and services
Convert from Word
Word file to JATS XML, PMC XML, DOAJ XML and more
Convert from PDF
PDF file to SciELO XML, CrossRef XML and more
Convert from JATS XML
JATS XML to Redalyc XML, DataCite XML and more
Adhere to standard of all global publishing bodies
Compliance for medical journals in PubMed database
Generate standardized XML for SciELO indexed journals
CUST Thesis — Template for authors
— or sign up using email —
CUST Thesis
Guideline source: View
All company, product and service names used in this website are for identification purposes only. All product names, trademarks and registered trademarks are property of their respective owners.
Use of these names, trademarks and brands does not imply endorsement or affiliation. Disclaimer Notice
Capital University
Approved by publishing and review experts on SciSpace, this template is built as per for CUST Thesis formatting guidelines as mentioned in Capital University author instructions. The current version was created on and has been used by 793 authors to write and format their manuscripts to this journal.
SciSpace is a very innovative solution to the formatting problem and existing providers, such as Mendeley or Word did not really evolve in recent years.
- Andreas Frutiger, Researcher, ETH Zurich, Institute for Biomedical Engineering
(Before submission check for plagiarism via Turnitin)
What to expect from SciSpace?
Speed and accuracy over ms word.
With SciSpace, you do not need a word template for CUST Thesis.
It automatically formats your research paper to Capital University formatting guidelines and citation style.
You can download a submission ready research paper in pdf, LaTeX and docx formats.
Time taken to format a paper and Compliance with guidelines
Plagiarism Reports via Turnitin
SciSpace has partnered with Turnitin, the leading provider of Plagiarism Check software.
Using this service, researchers can compare submissions against more than 170 million scholarly articles, a database of 70+ billion current and archived web pages. How Turnitin Integration works?
Freedom from formatting guidelines
One editor, 100K journal formats – world's largest collection of journal templates
With such a huge verified library, what you need is already there.
Easy support from all your favorite tools
Automatically format and order your citations and bibliography in a click.
SciSpace allows imports from all reference managers like Mendeley, Zotero, Endnote, Google Scholar etc.
Frequently asked questions
1. can i write cust thesis in latex.
Absolutely not! Our tool has been designed to help you focus on writing. You can write your entire paper as per the CUST Thesis guidelines and auto format it.
2. Do you follow the CUST Thesis guidelines?
Yes, the template is compliant with the CUST Thesis guidelines. Our experts at SciSpace ensure that. If there are any changes to the journal's guidelines, we'll change our algorithm accordingly.
3. Can I cite my article in multiple styles in CUST Thesis?
Of course! We support all the top citation styles, such as APA style, MLA style, Vancouver style, Harvard style, and Chicago style. For example, when you write your paper and hit autoformat, our system will automatically update your article as per the CUST Thesis citation style.
4. Can I use the CUST Thesis templates for free?
Sign up for our free trial, and you'll be able to use all our features for seven days. You'll see how helpful they are and how inexpensive they are compared to other options, Especially for CUST Thesis.
5. Can I use a manuscript in CUST Thesis that I have written in MS Word?
Yes. You can choose the right template, copy-paste the contents from the word document, and click on auto-format. Once you're done, you'll have a publish-ready paper CUST Thesis that you can download at the end.
6. How long does it usually take you to format my papers in CUST Thesis?
It only takes a matter of seconds to edit your manuscript. Besides that, our intuitive editor saves you from writing and formatting it in CUST Thesis.
7. Where can I find the template for the CUST Thesis?
It is possible to find the Word template for any journal on Google. However, why use a template when you can write your entire manuscript on SciSpace , auto format it as per CUST Thesis's guidelines and download the same in Word, PDF and LaTeX formats? Give us a try!.
8. Can I reformat my paper to fit the CUST Thesis's guidelines?
Of course! You can do this using our intuitive editor. It's very easy. If you need help, our support team is always ready to assist you.
9. CUST Thesis an online tool or is there a desktop version?
SciSpace's CUST Thesis is currently available as an online tool. We're developing a desktop version, too. You can request (or upvote) any features that you think would be helpful for you and other researchers in the "feature request" section of your account once you've signed up with us.
10. I cannot find my template in your gallery. Can you create it for me like CUST Thesis?
Sure. You can request any template and we'll have it setup within a few days. You can find the request box in Journal Gallery on the right side bar under the heading, "Couldn't find the format you were looking for like CUST Thesis?”
11. What is the output that I would get after using CUST Thesis?
After writing your paper autoformatting in CUST Thesis, you can download it in multiple formats, viz., PDF, Docx, and LaTeX.
12. Is CUST Thesis's impact factor high enough that I should try publishing my article there?
To be honest, the answer is no. The impact factor is one of the many elements that determine the quality of a journal. Few of these factors include review board, rejection rates, frequency of inclusion in indexes, and Eigenfactor. You need to assess all these factors before you make your final call.
13. What is Sherpa RoMEO Archiving Policy for CUST Thesis?
- Pre-prints as being the version of the paper before peer review and
- Post-prints as being the version of the paper after peer-review, with revisions having been made.
14. What are the most common citation types In CUST Thesis?
15. how do i submit my article to the cust thesis, 16. can i download cust thesis in endnote format.
Yes, SciSpace provides this functionality. After signing up, you would need to import your existing references from Word or Bib file to SciSpace. Then SciSpace would allow you to download your references in CUST Thesis Endnote style according to Elsevier guidelines.
with CUST Thesis format applied
Fast and reliable, built for complaince.
Instant formatting to 100% publisher guidelines on - SciSpace.
No word template required
Typset automatically formats your research paper to CUST Thesis formatting guidelines and citation style.
Verifed journal formats
One editor, 100K journal formats. With the largest collection of verified journal formats, what you need is already there.
Trusted by academicians
I spent hours with MS word for reformatting. It was frustrating - plain and simple. With SciSpace, I can draft my manuscripts and once it is finished I can just submit. In case, I have to submit to another journal it is really just a button click instead of an afternoon of reformatting.
- What Is a PhD Thesis?
- Doing a PhD
This page will explain what a PhD thesis is and offer advice on how to write a good thesis, from outlining the typical structure to guiding you through the referencing. A summary of this page is as follows:
- A PhD thesis is a concentrated piece of original research which must be carried out by all PhD students in order to successfully earn their doctoral degree.
- The fundamental purpose of a thesis is to explain the conclusion that has been reached as a result of undertaking the research project.
- The typical PhD thesis structure will contain four chapters of original work sandwiched between a literature review chapter and a concluding chapter.
- There is no universal rule for the length of a thesis, but general guidelines set the word count between 70,000 to 100,000 words .
What Is a Thesis?
A thesis is the main output of a PhD as it explains your workflow in reaching the conclusions you have come to in undertaking the research project. As a result, much of the content of your thesis will be based around your chapters of original work.
For your thesis to be successful, it needs to adequately defend your argument and provide a unique or increased insight into your field that was not previously available. As such, you can’t rely on other ideas or results to produce your thesis; it needs to be an original piece of text that belongs to you and you alone.
What Should a Thesis Include?
Although each thesis will be unique, they will all follow the same general format. To demonstrate this, we’ve put together an example structure of a PhD thesis and explained what you should include in each section below.
Acknowledgements
This is a personal section which you may or may not choose to include. The vast majority of students include it, giving both gratitude and recognition to their supervisor, university, sponsor/funder and anyone else who has supported them along the way.
1. Introduction
Provide a brief overview of your reason for carrying out your research project and what you hope to achieve by undertaking it. Following this, explain the structure of your thesis to give the reader context for what he or she is about to read.
2. Literature Review
Set the context of your research by explaining the foundation of what is currently known within your field of research, what recent developments have occurred, and where the gaps in knowledge are. You should conclude the literature review by outlining the overarching aims and objectives of the research project.
3. Main Body
This section focuses on explaining all aspects of your original research and so will form the bulk of your thesis. Typically, this section will contain four chapters covering the below:
- your research/data collection methodologies,
- your results,
- a comprehensive analysis of your results,
- a detailed discussion of your findings.
Depending on your project, each of your chapters may independently contain the structure listed above or in some projects, each chapter could be focussed entirely on one aspect (e.g. a standalone results chapter). Ideally, each of these chapters should be formatted such that they could be translated into papers for submission to peer-reviewed journals. Therefore, following your PhD, you should be able to submit papers for peer-review by reusing content you have already produced.
4. Conclusion
The conclusion will be a summary of your key findings with emphasis placed on the new contributions you have made to your field.
When producing your conclusion, it’s imperative that you relate it back to your original research aims, objectives and hypotheses. Make sure you have answered your original question.
Finding a PhD has never been this easy – search for a PhD by keyword, location or academic area of interest.
How Many Words Is a PhD Thesis?
A common question we receive from students is – “how long should my thesis be?“.
Every university has different guidelines on this matter, therefore, consult with your university to get an understanding of their full requirements. Generally speaking, most supervisors will suggest somewhere between 70,000 and 100,000 words . This usually corresponds to somewhere between 250 – 350 pages .
We must stress that this is flexible, and it is important not to focus solely on the length of your thesis, but rather the quality.
How Do I Format My Thesis?
Although the exact formatting requirements will vary depending on the university, the typical formatting policies adopted by most universities are:
What Happens When I Finish My Thesis?
After you have submitted your thesis, you will attend a viva . A viva is an interview-style examination during which you are required to defend your thesis and answer questions on it. The aim of the viva is to convince your examiners that your work is of the level required for a doctoral degree. It is one of the last steps in the PhD process and arguably one of the most daunting!
For more information on the viva process and for tips on how to confidently pass it, please refer to our in-depth PhD Viva Guide .
How Do I Publish My Thesis?
Unfortunately, you can’t publish your thesis in its entirety in a journal. However, universities can make it available for others to read through their library system.
If you want to submit your work in a journal, you will need to develop it into one or more peer-reviewed papers. This will largely involve reformatting, condensing and tailoring it to meet the standards of the journal you are targeting.
Browse PhDs Now
Join thousands of students.
Join thousands of other students and stay up to date with the latest PhD programmes, funding opportunities and advice.
Graduate Students' Guide to Library Resources and Services
- Literature Reviews
- Search Tools & Strategies
- Document Requests (Interlibrary Loan)
- E-books (guide redirect)
- Theses and Dissertations
- Current Awareness Tools (Staying up-to-date)
- Citation Management Software (guide redirect) This link opens in a new window
- Open Access Publishing Opportunities (guide redirect) This link opens in a new window
- Presentation Tools and Resources
- Avoiding Plagiarism and Copyright Infringement
- Teaching Support
ETD Help -- UC Graduate School
The Graduate School ETD Informaton Web site provides an ETD submission time line, submission requirements and an FAQ page that addresses a wide range of formatting, PDF creation and publishing questions.
ETD Help Desk
Dissertations and theses resources.
At UC Libraries
- Center for Research Libraries (non-US dissertations) Use ILLiad to request. Some dissertations are available online.
- Inter-Library Loan Service (ILLiad) If the dissertation is not available or digitized, use the Thesis/Dissertation form in ILLiad to request through interlibrary loan.
On the Public Web
- British Library EThOS - Search and order these online "Search over 480,000 doctoral theses. Download instantly for your research, or order a scanned copy quickly and easily."
- DART - Europe E-theses Portal Open access portal to theses from 400+ European universities.
- eScholarship University of California "eScholarship® provides scholarly publishing and repository services that enable departments, research units, publishing programs, and individual scholars associated with the University of California to have direct control over the creation and dissemination of the full range of their scholarship."
- Global ETD Search (NDLTD) The Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (NDLTD) is an international organization dedicated to promoting the adoption, creation, use, dissemination, and preservation of electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs).
- OATD - Open Access Theses and Dissertations "OATD.org aims to be the best possible resource for finding open access graduate theses and dissertations published around the world. Metadata (information about the theses) comes from over 1100 colleges, universities, and research institutions."
- PDTQ Open Open access collection within ProQuest's Dissertations & Theses.
E-Books on Theses and Dissertations
- Strategies for Writing a Thesis by Publication in the Social Sciences and Humanities by Lynn P. Nygaard; Kristin Solli ISBN: 9780367204075 Publication Date: 2020-10-13 " Drawing on current research and informed by extensive experience of working with and running workshops for PhD candidates who write article-based dissertations, this book gives readers an idea of what writing a thesis by publication entails." Particular emphasis is put on how to put the individual articles together to create a coherent thesis that clarifies the student's individual original contribution.
For additional e-book titles published before 2019 please see " Need help with the dissertation process? (Electronic Resources )."
- << Previous: E-books (guide redirect)
- Next: Current Awareness Tools (Staying up-to-date) >>
- Last Updated: Mar 11, 2024 10:56 AM
- URL: https://guides.libraries.uc.edu/gradstudents
University of Cincinnati Libraries
PO Box 210033 Cincinnati, Ohio 45221-0033
Phone: 513-556-1424
Contact Us | Staff Directory
University of Cincinnati
Alerts | Clery and HEOA Notice | Notice of Non-Discrimination | eAccessibility Concern | Privacy Statement | Copyright Information
© 2021 University of Cincinnati
- Harvard Library
- Research Guides
- Faculty of Arts & Sciences Libraries
Overleaf Professional at Harvard
Writing your dissertation.
- Get Started
- LaTeX Resources
- Sync with Reference Managers
- Add Graphs, Tables, & Images
- Collaborate with Overleaf
- Multilingual Typesetting
Overleaf's unofficial Harvard PhD Thesis and Dissertation template was created 3 years ago, please consult the Form of the PhD Dissertation for specifics on formatting your dissertation. We recommend reviewing this sample dissertation and the Top Ten Common Errors provided by the Registrar's Office.
Additional Templates via GitHub
- Dissertate - scroll down for Harvard
- Harvard GSAS
Related Links
- Dissertations: a guide to preparing and submitting your dissertation - GSAS
- PhD Degree Requirements - SEAS
- Additional resources are available through the GSAS Center for Writing and Communicating Ideas and the Academic Ressource Center.
- GSAS also provides assistance to students seeking dissertation completion fellowships via the Fellowships Office.
- << Previous: Sync with Reference Managers
- Next: Publish >>
- Last Updated: Apr 22, 2022 11:08 AM
- URL: https://guides.library.harvard.edu/overleaf
Harvard University Digital Accessibility Policy
Theses and Dissertations
Check Cornell’s library catalog , which lists the dissertations available in our library collection.
The print thesis collection in Uris Library is currently shelved on Level 3B before the Q to QA regular-sized volumes. Check with the library staff for the thesis shelving locations in other libraries (Mann, Catherwood, Fine Arts, etc.).
ProQuest Dissertations and Theses
According to ProQuest, coverage begins with 1637. With more than 2.4 million entries, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global is the starting point for finding citations to doctoral dissertations and master’s theses. Dissertations published from 1980 forward include 350-word abstracts written by the author. Master’s theses published from 1988 forward include 150-word abstracts. UMI also offers over 1.8 million titles for purchase in microfilm or paper formats. The full text of more than 930,000 are available in PDF format for immediate free download. Use Interlibrary Loan for the titles not available as full text online.
Foreign Dissertations at the Center for Research Libraries
To search for titles and verify holdings of dissertations at the Center for Research Libraries (CRL), use the CRL catalog . CRL seeks to provide comprehensive access to doctoral dissertations submitted to institutions outside the U. S. and Canada (currently more than 750,000 titles). One hundred European universities maintain exchange or deposit agreements with CRL. Russian dissertation abstracts in the social sciences are obtained on microfiche from INION. More detailed information about CRL’s dissertation holdings .
Please see our resource guide on dissertations and theses for additional resources and support.
Ph.D THESES
Dyuthi/manakin repository.
- Dyuthi Home →
About Dyuthi | Login
- By Issue Date
Search within this community and its collections:
RESEARCH OUT PUT OF THE RESEARCH SCHOLARS, FACULTY AND SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY OF COCHIN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Collections in this community
- Faculty of Engineering [135]
- Faculty of Environmental Studies [110]
- Faculty of Humanities [238]
- Faculty of Law [73]
- Faculty of Marine Sciences [785]
- Faculty of Sciences [840]
- Faculty of Social Sciences [341]
- Faculty of Technology [461]
Recent Submissions
Search dyuthi, all of dyuthi.
- Communities & Collections
This Community
Dyuthi Digital Repository Copyright © 2007-2011 Cochin University of Science and Technology . Items in Dyuthi are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
2024. 4. Haris Bin Khalid. Dr. Muhammad Ishfaq Khan. Faculty of Management and Social Science. Management Sciences. Psychographic Motivators and Brand Resonance: A Sequential Framework of Self-Expressive Brands and Brand Tribalism with the Moderating Role of Homophily and Brand TECHNOLOGY, Consciousness in Millennial. 2024.
Phd Scheme of Studies. Close; PhD Computer Science; PhD Mathematics ... Thesis Report; 1: MM133044: Qurat Al Aain: ... Factors Causing Customer Churn: A Qualitative Explanation of Customer Churns In Pakistan Telecom Industry: Fall-16: Management Sciences: Download: 51:
PhD Programs in CUST. At the time of its genesis, the founders of the university had a dynamic institution in mind that would act as a catalyst of change to mold our society in the cast of a knowledge based economy by proactively contributing towards the troika of industry, academia and the government. These multi-dimensional objectives can be ...
PhD Corner. The Affect of Employee Attitude, Supervisors Attitude and Communication Opportunities on Employee Silence, Mediated by Employee Intentions to Remain Silent. The Theory of Planned Behavior Perspective. 24. 25. A Low Complexity Signed-Response Based Secure and Energy Efficient Routing Protocol for Wireless Sensor Networks.
A PhD thesis is a work of original research all students are requiured to submit in order to succesfully complete their PhD. The thesis details the research that you carried out during the course of your doctoral degree and highlights the outcomes and conclusions reached. The PhD thesis is the most important part of a doctoral research degree ...
Most importantly, while writing your thesis, be sure to take care of yourself. Eat well, exercise, and get plenty of sleep so you're at your best when you sit down every day to write. This is the home stretch of your Ph.D., and you want to make sure you cross the finish line energized and ready for the next step.
In my department, theses must be no longer than 175 pages plus front matter and appendices. They can be written in either the so-called "traditional thesis format," which largely consists of a general introduction, a literature review, an overall description of the materials and methods, a presentation of all the results, and a general ...
A PhD thesis (or dissertation) is typically 60,000 to 120,000 words ( 100 to 300 pages in length) organised into chapters, divisions and subdivisions (with roughly 10,000 words per chapter) - from introduction (with clear aims and objectives) to conclusion. The structure of a dissertation will vary depending on discipline (humanities, social ...
3 sample title page for a phd dissertation copyright notice abstract sample abstract formatting errors front and back matter supplemental material tables and figures visual material acknowledging the work of others page 19 references footnotes bibliography citation & style guides use of copyrighted material page 20 services and information page 22 proquest publishing orders and payments
The bottom line is that how to structure a PhD thesis often depends on your university and department guidelines. But, let's take a look at a general PhD thesis format. We'll look at the main sections, and how to connect them to each other. We'll also examine different hints and tips for each of the sections.
CUST Thesis. Approved by publishing and review experts on SciSpace, this template is built as per for CUST Thesis formatting guidelines as mentioned in Capital University author instructions. The current version was created on and has been used by 793 authors to write and format their manuscripts to this journal. SciSpace is a very innovative ...
PhD Thesis; PhD Repository old; PhD Repository; PhD Regulations; PhD Mechanical Engineering; PhD Mathematics; PhD Management Sciences; PhD Engineering Management; ... CUST OB & HR Research Group; CUST Admissions; Current Students; CS Faculty Members; Cross-term Suppression in Winger Distribution.
A PhD thesis is a concentrated piece of original research which must be carried out by all PhD students in order to successfully earn their doctoral degree. The fundamental purpose of a thesis is to explain the conclusion that has been reached as a result of undertaking the research project. The typical PhD thesis structure will contain four ...
minimum of ten days for all members of the thesis committee to review the thesis. Step 1: Prepare the content of your presentation. The content of your presentation is the mirror of your thesis ...
ProQuest Dissertations and Theses: Global (PQDTGlobal) is the world's most comprehensive collection of full-text dissertations and theses. As the official digital dissertations archive for the Library of Congress and as the database of record for graduate research, PQDTGlobal includes millions of searchable citations to dissertations and theses from 1861 to the present day together with over a ...
Writing your Dissertation. Overleaf's unofficial Harvard PhD Thesis and Dissertation template was created 3 years ago, please consult the Form of the PhD Dissertation for specifics on formatting your dissertation. We recommend reviewing this sample dissertation and the Top Ten Common Errors provided by the Registrar's Office.
With more than 2.4 million entries, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global is the starting point for finding citations to doctoral dissertations and master's theses. Dissertations published from 1980 forward include 350-word abstracts written by the author. Master's theses published from 1988 forward include 150-word abstracts.
Design and Machine. 5. Industrial and Manufacturing Research Group. 6. Renewable Energy Research Group. 7. Mechanics and Materials in Design Research Group. Sr.No. Electrical Engineering.
Ph.D THESES. Search within this community and its collections: RESEARCH OUT PUT OF THE RESEARCH SCHOLARS, FACULTY AND SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY OF COCHIN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY. CUSAT.
The dissertation consists of four essays on the applications of machine learning methods to targeting and product development. The first essay addresses the problem of identifying customer needs from user generated content. Traditionally, market research relies on interviews and focus groups to identify customer needs.
work that has been carried out for this thesis:-1.Sarwar, A. and Muhammad, L. (2020), "Impact of employee perceptions of mistreatment on organizational performance in the hotel industry", Inter-national Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, Vol. 32 No. 1, pp. 230-248. 2.Sarwar, A. and Muhammad, L. (2021), Impact of Organizational ...
Dyuthi Home is the institutional repository of Cochin University of Science and Technology, where you can access the full text of e-theses and research publications of the university. Browse by title, author, department, or subject and discover the academic achievements of CUSAT scholars.
me in any respect during the completion of this thesis. I also wish to express my feeling of gratitude to Alexandra Elbakyan, the founder of Sci-hub. I am thankful to institutions i.e., CUST, Islamabad for the support this organization provided during my study period to convert my dream of getting PhD into reality.
Fakeeha Jafari - PhD Computer Science Dissertation Defence 24 April, 2024 Dissertation Defence of Fakeeha Jafari, CS Department, is scheduled to be held at 03:00 PM on May 03, 2024 (Friday) in the Workshop Room, located at the Second Floor of 'B' Block