how to write a phd dissertation

How to Writea PhD

Dissertation

MuhammadAdil Raja

Introduction

Outline

Title andAbstract

IntroductoryChapter

LiteratureReview

ContributoryChapters

Conclusions

HOW TO WRITE A PHD DISSERTATION

Muhammad Adil Raja

Roaming Researchers, Inc.

cbndMarch 29, 2015

How to Writea PhD

Dissertation

MuhammadAdil Raja

Introduction

Outline

Title andAbstract

IntroductoryChapter

LiteratureReview


Conclusions

OUTLINE

1 INTRODUCTION

2 OUTLINE

3 TITLE AND ABSTRACT

4 INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER

5 LITERATURE REVIEW

6 CONTRIBUTORY CHAPTERS

7 CONCLUSIONS

How to Writea PhD

Dissertation

MuhammadAdil Raja

Introduction

Outline

Title andAbstract

IntroductoryChapter

LiteratureReview


Conclusions

INTRODUCTION I

Almost the last part of your PhD tenure.

The last before the dissertation defense.

Spare the last six months.

In certain cases you can write it as fast as in a coupleof months.

Depends upon how well organized you have beenthroughout those rough years.

Make sure you are done and dusted with the rest ofyour work.

How to Writea PhD

Dissertation

MuhammadAdil Raja

Introduction

Outline

Title andAbstract

IntroductoryChapter

LiteratureReview


Conclusions

INTRODUCTION II

Develop an outline.

An outline according to the number and titles ofchapters.

A dissertation is a document that normally containsmany chapters.

What would those chapters be?

Some of them are normally present in all of the theses.

Some depend upon what you have contributed to thebody of knowledge.

How to Writea PhD

Dissertation

MuhammadAdil Raja

Introduction

Outline

Title andAbstract

IntroductoryChapter

LiteratureReview


Conclusions

OUTLINE OF YOUR PHD DISSERTATION I

TitleFollowing could be some of your chapters.

1 Abstract.2 Introduction3 Literature Review.4 Your Methodology.5 First Contributory Chapter.6 Second Contributory Chapter.7 · · ·

8 Conclusions.

That’s it.

How to Writea PhD

Dissertation

MuhammadAdil Raja

Introduction

Outline

Title andAbstract

IntroductoryChapter

LiteratureReview


Conclusions

YOUR ABSTRACT I

Choose a catchy title.

To draw attention of the reader.

Small, relevant and eye-catching.

What does it mean to write an abstract?

What does “abstract” mean?

It does not say exactly what you have done.

It takes an indirect start to slowly describe your work.

Take a dissociated start.

Learn to be a little obscure.

Slowly come to the point.

Highlight the importance of the problems you havebeen working on.

Highlight what you have done.

How to Writea PhD

Dissertation

MuhammadAdil Raja

Introduction

Outline

Title andAbstract

IntroductoryChapter

LiteratureReview


Conclusions

YOUR ABSTRACT II

Don’t be too verbose.

Don’t be too obscure either.

Brevity and comprehension are keys here.

Restrict yourself to a few hundred words.

300 – 400 words are normally considered fine.

Also write acknowledgements.

Get a relevant template.

LATEXis better.

How to Writea PhD

Dissertation

MuhammadAdil Raja

Introduction

Outline

Title andAbstract

IntroductoryChapter

LiteratureReview


Conclusions

INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER I

This is where you are going to introduce the problemdomain.

Be a bit more specific here.

Taking a good start is crucial.

Broach up the discourse in a nice style.

Give a general introduction to the problem, or theproblem domain.

Explain why it is important.

Give small indications about what has been donealready to solve the problem.

Describe what you have proposed briefly.

Be concise and comprehensive again.

How to Writea PhD

Dissertation

MuhammadAdil Raja

Introduction

Outline

Title andAbstract

IntroductoryChapter

LiteratureReview


Conclusions

LITERATURE REVIEW I

This is where you reflect on the existing body ofknowledge.

Write about all the possible approaches that have beenadopted by others to solve the problem.

Give citations.

Be as comprehensive as possible.

Don’t even miss the minutest contributions.

Don’t even miss the contributions that you believe arenot so significant.

Cite the works properly.

Citations are extremely important.

Read on: How to Get a PhD.

http://www.slideshare.net/madilraja/how-to-get-a-phd-46354598

How to Writea PhD

Dissertation

MuhammadAdil Raja

Introduction

Outline

Title andAbstract

IntroductoryChapter

LiteratureReview


Conclusions

YOUR CONTRIBUTORY CHAPTERS I

These chapters contain material concerning what youhave contributed to the body of knowledge.

These could be as many as five chapters (even more).

It all depends on how much you have been working forall those years.

It is important to have one such chapter at least.

Based on the work you have already done.

Brush up your publications.

Even include them as such.

Don’t forget to edit them appropriately.

Beware of the intellectual property right and copyrightlaws.

Take permission from the publisher(s).

How to Writea PhD

Dissertation

MuhammadAdil Raja

Introduction

Outline

Title andAbstract

IntroductoryChapter

LiteratureReview


Conclusions

CONCLUSIONS I

The final chapter.

Contain concluding remarks.

Say what is good (or bad) about your thesis.

Normally people only write good things.

Write your thoughts about what could be any futurework.

how to write a phd dissertation

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