1. Writing your thesis 17th February 2015 Carmen Tsang
Department of Health Services and Policy, PHP

2. Writing your thesis Overview of PhD process and milestones
Thesis planning
Thesis writing
Preparing for your viva voce
Sources of information (and inspiration)

3. Initial thoughts about your thesis and viva
Activity 1
Initial thoughts about your thesis and viva

4. Introductions Name Department/faculty PhD subject
Pre- or post- PhD upgrade?
Full-time or part-time study?
Something about the person, not-PhD-related!

5. What is a PhD thesis?
A statement of your position on a research question/hypothesis
A (concise and succinct) account of your journey in examining the research question
Personal story - your voice and style
Book versus paper style thesis
Lunchtime Seminar on “Paper Style Thesis” – Professor Judith Green, Thursday 26 February - Jerry Morris A, Tavistock Place,

6. LSHTM description of a PhD thesis
“The scope of the thesis shall be what might reasonably be expected after three years of full-time study.”
Consist of the candidate’s own account of their investigations and indicate how they advance the study/knowledge of the subject.
Form a distinct contribution to the knowledge of the subject and afford evidence of originality shown by the discovery of new facts and/or the exercise of independent critical power.
Be an integrated whole and present a coherent argument.
Give a critical assessment of the relevant literature, describe the method of research and its findings, and include a discussion on those findings, and indicate in what respects they appear to the candidate to advance the study/knowledge of the subject.
Be written in English with satisfactory literary presentation.
Include a full reference list.
Not exceed 100,000 words including tables, figures and footnotes but excluding references and appendices.
LSHTM Research Degrees Handbook 2014/15, p61-62 and Regulations for the degrees of MPhil, PhD AND DrPH, p8

7. Timeline for thesis submission
Example for full time student (initial registration 2012/13 onwards), no interruption of studies and no extension of maximum submission time
Yr1
Yr2
Yr3
Yr4
Upgrade from MPhil to PhD
Expected thesis submission
Required (maximum) thesis submission
Part-time students registered 2012/13 onwards: expected to submit within 5 years, required to submit within 6 years
Registration before 2012/13: full-time expected to submit within 4 years, completed (all thesis corrections and award approved) within 5 years. Expected to submit within 6 years, completed within 7 years (part-time)

8. LSHTM regulations Check the regulations in your department/faculty
Examination entry
Submit forms to your Faculty Research Degrees Administrator, preferably 3-4 months before you plan to submit thesis
4 forms: Examination entry, Reproduction of thesis, Description of thesis and Nomination of examiners (completed by supervisor)
and, if appropriate, Statements on conjoint work and/or work previously submitted for another award
Submitting your thesis for examination
2 hard copies and 1 electronic copy
3 forms: Abstract, Declaration of word count and Declaration of own work
Restriction of access form?
Final thesis submission post-viva
1 hard copy and 1 electronic copy
FAQs, Research Degrees Handbook 2014/15, Logbook, etc

9. Thesis planning (1) Upgrade from MPhil to PhD
Expected thesis submission
Required (maximum) thesis submission
Yr1
Yr2
Yr3
Yr4
Year 1 - Develop a clear, appropriate, realistic and feasible project plan, supported by feedback from your upgrade
Year 2 - Discuss thesis with supervisor
(title, structure, content, timescale, drafts, submission)
End of Year 2/start of Year 3
Confirm target submission date, identify examiners, submit forms, plan publications, think beyond your PhD
PhD Logbook

10. Thesis planning (2) Structure your story
Remember your hypothesis/research question
Remember who your readers are
Clear/not ambiguous (can others understand it?)
Logical (does the order/structure make sense?)
Accurate (is it correct?)
Precise (is it exactly as I intend?)
No repetition (have I said it before?)
Relevant (does it need to be said?)

11. Thesis planning (3) "Piled Higher and Deeper" by Jorge Cham

12. Thesis planning (4)
Keep a log (e.g. Excel spreadsheet) or journal during your PhD
A reminder of your journey (motivation during PhD)
Record of challenges, solutions and achievements (skills and experience)
Useful for viva and moving on after your PhD (job interviews)
Speak to other PhD students, researchers and supervisor
Look at theses for recently awarded PhDs
Be prepared for your research to change during your PhD
Go FAR - Flexible, Adaptable and Resilient
Factor for unforeseen and unavoidable delays (e.g. ethics approval complications, setbacks in data collection or problems with fieldwork, illness or other life events)
Balance versus burnout

13. Slow and steady wins the race…
© Artisticco | Dreamstime.com - Tortoise And Hare Photo

14. Thesis outline Core of your thesis Other parts of your thesis
Introduction (and literature review)
Statement of the problem, hypothesis or research question
Methods
Results
Discussion
Conclusion
Other parts of your thesis
Abstract
Acknowledgements
Abbreviations
References - Endnote
Appendices
FAQs, Research Degrees Handbook 2014/15, Logbook, etc

15. Thesis writing
Check university regulations on style (clear and readable) and binding
Write regularly to develop a consistent writing style
Writing your thesis will take longer than you think, approx. 3 times longer
Leave time for editing and redrafting (including trimming)
Leave enough time for binding!
Back up your work frequently and in multiple places!! (check IT guidance on appropriate back up options)
School policy on third party copy editing and proof reading
Writing up status -> X Status
Post-viva revisions/corrections

16. When am I ready to submit my thesis?

17. When am I ready to submit my thesis?
Set yourself goals, but realistic goals
Communicate regularly with your supervisor
Review your plan with supervisor(s) so you are both clear about each other’s expectations
Agree timetable and deadlines for sending and reviewing drafts
Discuss research dissemination early on, e.g. papers and conferences
Allow extra time for unexpected delays
Funding constraints

18. Preparing for your viva voce
Viva can only be organised when examiners have been appointed
Find a suitable date for all parties as soon as possible (more difficult than you might think!)
The Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition – April to June 2015
Departmental seminars, student groups, special interest groups, conferences
Talk to people outside of your research circle – friends, family and strangers(!)
Mock viva

19. Before your viva
Prepare a summary of your research (often starting point of viva)
Re-read your thesis before your viva
Review the literature for new research
You are required to take a copy of your thesis into your viva
Check the exam room before the day of your viva
Plan your journey, allow extra time for traffic

20. Sources of information (and inspiration)
Resources on academic and thesis writing - Research Degrees Handbook 2014/15, p73
LSHTM library, e-theses online system (eThOS)
Beware different thesis formats at other universities
Guardian blog
Piled Higher and Deeper (PhD) comic strip

21. Planning for yourself…
Activity 2
Planning for yourself…