Evaluating Information
This is a really important part of the thesis process and will take place at various stages of it:
- when selecting appropriate resources
- when using/reading those resources
- when making your own case.
The first thing to remember is that a thesis is a piece of formal academic writing. In his excellent book, The Good Study Guide, Andrew Northedge gives a helpful explanation of what is meant by‘ Academic writing.
Academic writers use cautious considered language in an effort to be as exact as they can in their analysis. They try to say only what they mean and think can be justified. In daily life we cheerfully use language as a blunt instrument, to cudgel our way through the discussions that spring up around us. By contrast, academic writing uses language as a scalpel, to cut precisely between closely related arguments so they can be prised apart and analysed in detail. Learning how to read, think and write in this way is a central part of learning at degree level. (Northedge, 2005, p109) Academic research then, requires sources that are credible, unbiased, current and relevant to your needs.
Planning your thesis
Once you have a significant collection of notes you can begin to devise a plan. Some of the important points are
• Formulate a structure that develops an argument.
• Avoid relying on chronology to structure the thesis for you.
• Take charge of your notes; do not rely on them to tell you a plan.
• Edit out irrelevant material. This means you need a clear focus on objective.
• Identify the main sections/chapters and group the appropriate notes together.
• Consider visual illustrations to support your discussion/argument.