Find a number of do’s and don’ts for this subject when writing a thesis:
Do’s when structuring a thesis
- Make your main question specific and relevant
- Use activating verbs: for example: analyze, test, determine, mean, contribute, change
- Mark out: to place, time period, phase, perspective, measurability
- Test your question with another: Well and?
- Create about 5 sub questions that together answer your main question, but do not overlap
- View your theses in the database of your course that have been completed with sufficient and pay attention to the main and sub questions
- Discuss your method with your supervisor
- Do not ask yourself: what CAN I tell about the subject, but: what SHOULD I tell about the subject?
- Prevent plagiarism: write down what you got from where
- Know the difference between quoting and paraphrasing
Dont’s when structuring a thesis
- A too broad research question: “What is the influence of culture on the habits of the Dutch?”
- A double research question: “Does the increased consumption of dairy products have an effect on tooth decay, and if so, what can we do about that?”
- Collect data before you have a research strategy
- Start investigations before the guidelines of the training and supervisor are completely clear
