COMMENTS

  1. Primary vs. Secondary Sources

    Primary sources provide raw information and first-hand evidence. Examples include interview transcripts, statistical data, and works of art. Primary research gives you direct access to the subject of your research. Secondary sources provide second-hand information and commentary from other researchers. Examples include journal articles, reviews ...

  2. Primary/Secondary Sources

    A primary source is an original work created during or around the event being studied. A primary source is not interpretive. It will not examine events as they happen (For example a primary source from the French Revolution might tell you about the events of the day that Marie Antoinette was killed, but it won't talk about the socio-economic impact of her death.)

  3. A Guide to Writing a PhD Thesis

    The PhD thesis is the most important part of a doctoral degree. This page will introduce you to what you need to know about the PhD dissertation. ... Arts and Humanities dissertations usually involve investigating different texts, sources and theoretical frameworks; Social Sciences are more likely to focus on qualitive or quantitative surveys ...

  4. Primary sources

    A primary source is a first-hand expression or evidence of an event or experience. This evidence can be in the form of the written word, images, artefacts, data, film or sound recordings, and will have been created at some point during the lifetime of the person involved. Using primary sources in your research adds context and credibility to ...

  5. PDF Guidelines for The PhD Dissertation

    Every PhD candidate in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences is required to successfully complete and submit a dissertation to qualify for degree conferral. This document provides information on how to submit your dissertation, requirements for dissertation formatting, and your dissertation publishing and distribution options.

  6. What Is a PhD Thesis?

    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 ...

  7. Developing A Thesis

    A good thesis has two parts. It should tell what you plan to argue, and it should "telegraph" how you plan to argue—that is, what particular support for your claim is going where in your essay. Steps in Constructing a Thesis. First, analyze your primary sources. Look for tension, interest, ambiguity, controversy, and/or complication.

  8. What Is a Thesis?

    Revised on April 16, 2024. A thesis is a type of research paper based on your original research. It is usually submitted as the final step of a master's program or a capstone to a bachelor's degree. Writing a thesis can be a daunting experience. Other than a dissertation, it is one of the longest pieces of writing students typically complete.

  9. Dissertations and theses as a research tool

    Although requirements for citing dissertations vary according by style, they generally seek to convey the following information: that the item is a dissertation (rather than an article or a book); the type of degree it resulted in (master's, PhD, etc); whether it was published; and which institution granted the degree. An example of a citation ...

  10. Tips for writing a PhD dissertation: FAQs answered

    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.

  11. Finding primary sources

    About primary sources. Whether you are beginning a junior paper, a senior thesis, or a doctoral dissertation in history, the first challenge is to identify a cache of primary source material that addresses the issue, person, place, or period that interests you. This guide offers some general suggestions about how to get started.

  12. What Is a Dissertation?

    Revised on 5 May 2022. A dissertation is a large research project undertaken at the end of a degree. It involves in-depth consideration of a problem or question chosen by the student. It is usually the largest (and final) piece of written work produced during a degree. The length and structure of a dissertation vary widely depending on the ...

  13. Academic Guides: Evaluating Resources: Dissertations

    Dissertations, doctoral studies, project studies, capstones, and theses are all student-produced works that present and discuss an individual's research. Note: While dissertations are definitely scholarly and are reviewed and edited before publication, they do not go through a peer-review process, and thus, aren't considered peer-reviewed sources.

  14. Writing a Postgraduate or Doctoral Thesis: A Step-by-Step ...

    The references can be anything that is referred to obtain the data for the thesis work. The primary source of references are journals or periodicals and sometimes books. Books are said to be a lesser priority as the change in knowledge is higher in journals and magazines than in textbooks. ... Faryadi Q (2019) PhD thesis writing process: a ...

  15. What is a Ph.D. Dissertation?

    The dissertation is a technical work that documents and proves one's thesis. It is intended for a technical audience and must be clear and complete but not necessarily exhaustively comprehensive. Also note -- experimental data, if used, is not the proof -- it is evidence. The proof is presented as an analysis and critical presentation.

  16. Are dissertations and theses considered scholarly or peer-reviewed

    Dissertations and theses may be considered scholarly sources since they are closely supervised by a dissertation committee made up of scholars, are directed at an academic audience, are extensively researched, follow research methodology, and are cited in other scholarly work. However, dissertations are still considered student work and are not ...

  17. Know How to Structure Your PhD Thesis

    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.

  18. Can I use a dissertation as a scholarly source for my research?

    If your assignment calls for scholarly sources, a dissertation may be a great contribution to your resources. Remember that all sources should be evaluated to determine not just if they are scholarly, but whether they are relevant and current enough to be used in your research. You should check with your professor if you have any questions or ...

  19. PDF Guidelines for Presentation of Masters and Phd Dissertations/Theses by

    of the thesis/dissertation - usually 15 or fewer words) is presented at the top. This should be followed by the candidate's name in a new line. At the bottom the thesis statement should be presented. The thesis statement may be stated as "Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for

  20. Is referencing another PhD dissertation or Master's thesis a reasonable

    This is really an addendum to the two previous answers, but nevertheless it is still answer-worthy IMO.. It is mostly true that with PhD theses, the crux of the stuff is generally published in journals etc. so that those count as more reliable sources (I dare say primary sources). However, it is not necessarily true that this will always be so.

  21. Citing Indirect Sources (secondary sources)

    After you successfully defend your dissertation or doctoral project, what happens? This is a guide to submitting your dissertation or doctoral project for the formatting check and final copy. ... Original documents for unpublished and archived sources are difficult to retrieve so secondary sources may be used. An example includes a diary entry ...

  22. 'Augmenting' the doctoral thesis in preparation for a viva

    A PhD thesis may have a completely different structure to the one alluded to above; it may require more or less context for an oral examination; it may (whisper it) have fewer typos than mine did. Nevertheless, finding some form of structure in the isolating and stressful months and weeks prior to the viva is an absolute necessity for doctoral ...

  23. What Is a Thesis?

    A thesis is a type of research paper based on your original research. It is usually submitted as the final step of a PhD program in the UK. Writing a thesis can be a daunting experience. Indeed, alongside a dissertation, it is the longest piece of writing students typically complete. It relies on your ability to conduct research from start to ...

  24. American Psychological Association (APA)

    The American Psychological Association (APA) is a scientific and professional organization that represents psychologists in the United States. APA educates the public about psychology, behavioral science and mental health; promotes psychological science and practice; fosters the education and training of psychological scientists, practitioners and educators; advocates for psychological ...

  25. PhD Study in Sweden

    A standard PhD in Sweden requires a minimum of four years full-time work (equivalent to 240 ECTS credits) and awards a full doctorate (along with the all-important title of 'doctor'). Alternatively, you may choose to study for a shorter licentiate degree. This generally only requires two years of full-time work towards a shorter and less ...

  26. Master's & PhD Thesis Showcase

    Investigating the Performance of Sensor-driven Biometrics in the Assessment of Cognitive Workload. Emma Katherine MacNeil, Master's Candidate School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems Drexel University Advisor: Kurtulus Izzetoglu, PhD Associate Professor School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems Drexel ...

  27. Browse journals and books

    Abridged Science for High School Students. The Nuclear Research Foundation School Certificate Integrated, Volume 2. Book. • 1966. Abschlusskurs Sonografie der Bewegungsorgane First Edition. Book. • 2024. Absolute Radiometry. Electrically Calibrated Thermal Detectors of Optical Radiation.

  28. How to Write a Literature Review

    A literature review is a survey of scholarly sources on a specific topic. It provides an overview of current knowledge, allowing you to identify relevant theories, methods, and gaps in the existing research that you can later apply to your paper, thesis, or dissertation topic. There are five key steps to writing a literature review:

  29. What Is a Terminal Degree and Do You Need One?

    Although a PhD is considered terminal in many fields, such as computer science, it is not the case for every field. For example, the terminal degree to become a practicing medical doctor is an MD; though, occasionally a doctor—especially one that meets with patients and conducts original research—will have both an MD and a PhD.