Virtual Graduate School - Thesis Writing

0:00:06 - First considerations when looking at a thesis: Len Barton discusses what he first considers when looking at a thesis 0:00:42 - What makes a good thesis?: Len Barton discusses what makes a good thesis, in particular how well a student tells the research story in the thesis. 0:02:25 - Features of a bad thesis: Len Barton discusses aspects of a thesis that would make it weak 0:05:32 - Checking your thesis and writing the conclusion: Len Barton, an experienced examiner, suggests why reading through your thesis and checking it before writing your conclusion is a good idea. 0:06:49 - The thesis as evidence of development: Len Barton explains that the thesis isn't a 'final authoritative verdict' but shows evidence of development 0:07:17 - Writing about the research process: Professor Len Barton describes how some theses lack detail on what happens during the process of research. 0:09:33 - What is 'doctorateness'?: Len Barton of the Institute of Education talks about what doctorate level writing means to him. 0:12:27 - Making an "original contribution": Professor Len Barton states that too much is made of the word "original" and suggests ways in which your research makes a contribution. 0:14:04 - Writing as a learning process: Professor Len Barton talks about academic writing as a learning process.

0:00:06 - Professor Martin Smith: Introduction: Professor Martin Smith of the Department of Politics at the University of Sheffield, introduces himself to Jerry Wellington. 0:00:27 - An examiner's first impressions of a thesis. 0:01:38 - Features of a bad thesis: Martin Smith talks about what he considers to be common features of bad theses. 0:02:47 - Criteria for good empirical research: Professor Martin Smith discusses the features of empirical research he looks for when considering a thesis. 0:05:09 - Qualities of good writing in the thesis: Professor Martin Smith discusses what he looks for in the written thesis and emphasises clarity and good organisation 0:07:34 - What do we mean by a thesis being at doctoral level?: Professor Martin Smith talks about what "doctorateness" means and the different ways a thesis could be an original contribution to knowledge.

Features of a bad thesis - Tim Corcoran of the University of Sheffield School of Education argues that a lack of current content in the Literature Review and a failure to consider alternative positions to that of the author would be weaknesses in a thesis.

0:00:06 - An examiner's first impressions of a thesis: Julia Davies talks about the features of a good thesis and highlights a clear writing style and good 'signposting'. 0:01:32 - Features of a good thesis: Julia Davies talks about the features of a good thesis and highlights a clear writing style and good 'signposting'. 0:03:41 - Features of a weak thesis: Julia Davies talks about the features of a weak thesis and highlights being difficult to understand and unbalanced criticism of other researchers. 0:06:48 - An outstanding thesis: Julia Davies discusses an outstanding thesis

0:00:06 - How one external examiner reads a thesis: Professor Jackie Marsh outlines how she approaches a thesis as an external examiner. She highlights the importance of a succinct title and abstract and for the thesis to have a clear presentation and narrative. 0:04:06 - What do you look for in a “good thesis”?: Professor Jackie Marsh discusses the question "What do you look for in a good thesis”? She highlights structure, a clear and robust theoretical framework and a clear purpose amongst other points. 0:05:57 - Features of a weak thesis: Professor Jackie Marsh outlines some of the features of a weak thesis, including lack of a clear structure, insufficient substantive work and failing to relate the evidence base to the key research questions. 0:08:09 - A particularly good thesis: Professor Jackie Marsh recalls a particularly good thesis for its originality with regards to the methodology chapter and the use of images.