Introduction

You are almost finished with your thesis. Your literature survey is complete. Your research is done. You have an excellent idea of the structure your thesis will take. The job that lies ahead is to take all the data and turn it into a convincing, impactful and engaging presentation, both in the written thesis and for the defence presentation. That involves combining your institution’s academic guidelines, your supervisors and mentors’ guidance, your industry and subject trends, patterns and customs, your peer review comments and your own style. Doing that well, will elevate you study from good to great and will play a significant role in your future career. Here are some practises that will aid that.

  1. Developing a detailed outline:

You have been working to an outline which defines your work. That will include an introduction, a literature review, the methodology, and the results, discussion & conclusion. Relook that now, turning it into a working structure with chapters, sections and subsections, with key arguments and supporting evidence.

Produce a roadmap, a roadmap that guides and defines what you expect the final version to read like. Share that with your supervisor, more importantly work to follow that guideline.

Remember that your first attempt will not be perfect, you are likely to rewrite until you get to a point where it is final, review your timeline and create a realistic timeline and stick to it. Now is the time to gather your research materials, notes, and drafts and organise them.

  1. Confirm with your supervisor that the structure of the thesis is complete and correct.

Are there information gaps you must fill. Areas where you need to complete more work? Do that work, before you start writing. Before you start writing or thinking about a defence, complete the work.

  1. Gather your tools:

Before you start writing, you must gather information, conduct reference management and  essential data management and writing tools. Familiarise yourself with those tools, before you start writing.

  • Reference Management Software:

Tools like Zotero, Mendeley, or EndNote streamline citation management and bibliography creation and help ensure consistent formatting and accuracy in citations.

  • Project Management Tools:

If your working style is a little disorganised, using a time management tool may assist you in completing the job. If the compilation of your document requires collaboration with others, then tools like Trello, Asana, or Notion can help organize tasks, track progress, and manage deadlines.

  • Cloud Storage:

Don’t lose your work at the 11th hour. Backup. Google drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox are great for both for backing up and saving your work, and working from multiple devices.

  • Presentation tools for the defence.

How are you going to present you defence? Familiarise yourself with tools available to you. Do you rely on a conventional PowerPoint presentation or will a more innovative story telling option like Prezi be right for you, your subject and your audience? Each has advantages and disadvantages, neither of which you want to discover the night before you are going to present.

  1. Specialist Support:

Time management is one of the biggest obstacles students face when compiling a thesis. One of the best ways to “buy yourself more time” is to use an expert resource, rather than learning everything yourself from scratch. So wherever possible, draw in specialist to support your telling of the story.

  • Supervisor:

Your supervisor provides guidance, feedback, and support throughout the writing process.

Maintain regular communication and seek their input on chapter drafts.

Your supervisor may have given you exceptional support about the research process, but he/she may not be a good writer. If that is the case, find someone who is?

  • Peers and Colleagues:

Actively seek feedback from your supervisor and peers. Engage in peer review to obtain constructive criticism and feedback.

Discuss your research and writing challenges with colleagues.

Critically evaluate feedback and incorporate relevant suggestions.

Family and friends can also provide a fresh set of eyes.

  • A specialist for production of graphics, graphs, illustrations and images:

These are needed both in the thesis and in the presentation you will be constructing for the defence. Find a resource who can assist you?

Remember that there are components of the work you are going to produce for the thesis itself that you will use in the defence. This refers particularly to graphs, images, illustrations, flowcharts, infographics, charts, tables, diagrams, workflows, process charts and potentially images or maps.

  • Statistician:

If you have complex data or methods, getting advice from a statistician or methodologist can be very helpful.

That will ensure you present your statistical results clearly and accurately.

  1. Formatting:

Effectively use Word styles, formatting, and templates, to assist in achieving consistent formatting. Templates provide pre-designed layouts for efficient document creation.

  1. Professional editor:

Another area for specialist support is hiring a professional editor to support you in writing your submission. Using such a professional is fully acceptable in the publishing industry and no author would consider publishing a book, without getting a professional editor to review it first. This will significantly enhance clarity, coherence, and academic rigor, ultimately improving your chances of a successful defence and publication.

It is worth discussing the role of an editor with your supervisor. Som editors will automatically do a reference check. Certain institutions only allow the editor to make recommendations, others allow the editor to practically make the edits. Others will not. And of course, the editor is an expert. An expert in the institutional standards and in the subject. Some editors prefer to edit the final work after it is completed. Some prefer to edit chapter by chapter. That allows suggestions or edits to be developed as the writing develops.

Selecting an editor is probably the most important thing you can do at this stage of the thesis development. Do it wisely and do it as soon as possible. 

  1. Reference management software

Mastery of reference management software is a critical skill for an academic career. Different journals and institutions use different referencing styles, and it is your responsibility to ensure that your paper is referenced in the style of the journal or institution you are looking to be published in. It is an insult to the journal to send a paper in the wrong style and an insult to yourself to send though a paper with referencing errors in it. The best was way to manage this is to use a referencing tool such a Zotero, Mendeley or EndNote.

A powerful reference management software that helps you save time, stay organized, and collaborate with colleagues.

  1. The Referencing styles.

Equally important are the referencing styles. There are multiple options and your own institution will have a preferred version and you should implement it 100% correctly. Options include APA (American Psychological Association), MLA (Modern Language Association), , Chicago/Turabian, IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) and Harvard. Follow your own institutions version which often is a variation of Harvard.

  1. Reference check

You must remember that your work is being examined, and examiners expect certain sections, like the referencing protocols, to be 100% correct. A small error will cause the rest of the work to be finely examined. Hence this guide suggest you use a reference management software tool, it is also suggested you familiarise yourself with your institutions referencing style and that you perform a 3 way referencing check before you submit. This 3-way check is often completed by the professional editor by it is strongly suggested you ensure that work is done when you sign the contract.

The three parts to this reference check include:

  1. Ensuring that every reference in the reference list does in fact have a corresponding in-text citation?
  2. Every in-text citation does have a reference in the reference list?
  3. And also check s that every reference or in-text citation is free of formatting errors, typographical errors and inconsistencies which will undermine your credibility. Even with reference management software, errors can still occur, and it's your responsibility to ensure accuracy.
  1. Complete a final proofread of your thesis before you submit.

Remember it's your responsibility to ensure an error free and accurate thesis submission. So proofread it yourself before submitting.

  1. Preparing your Defence:

It is worthwhile to plan the defence presentation, concurrently with writing your thesis.

One issue is to anticipate potential questions from your examiners. You may decide to prepare clear and concise answers, or you may include the answer in the writing of the thesis.

Create the graphics, graphs, illustrations and images and use the same in your written thesis and your defence presentation. That will be recognised by the examiners who appreciate an organised mind; research, data, reports and presentation.

And practice your presentation until you can deliver without consulting any notes.

Conclusion to this article

Writing a dissertation or thesis is a challenging but rewarding endeavour. By adopting a structured approach, utilizing appropriate tools, engaging with key people, and implementing efficient processes, candidates can effectively document their research and contribute meaningfully to their field. Consistent effort, clear communication, and a positive mindset are essential for navigating this crucial stage of the journey.

 

About Garth Sutherland

Garth Sutherland boasts a wealth of marketing, research, communications and presentation expertise spanning over two decades, showcasing his prowess at a senior level with major brands across South Africa and the GCC. His impact on the marketing landscape has been enduring.

Having steered prominent brands in South Africa and successfully establishing multinational and local start-ups in Saudi Arabia, Dubai, and the GCC, Garth’s journey epitomizes a dynamic fusion of science, teaching, and experiential learning.

Trained as a scientist and educator, he honed his craft under the guidance of mentors with a traditional FMCG background.

As a natural integrator, Garth brings a distinctive approach to his work—aligning the essence of the brand, the strengths of its people, and the nuances of the environment to optimize brand positioning, success, and profitability.

 His impressive track record speaks for itself, with a pivotal role in guiding numerous brands to achieve their full potential.

If you’re eager to discover how Garth can elevate your small business to new heights, connect with him via LinkedIn or drop a message at  garth@smallbusinessmarketing.co.za

Alternatively, you can reach him directly at +27 81 265 5803.