"I'll write a few pages for the thesis, then later there will be fewer" - of course, that's true. But only on paper (hehe). In reality, what is written could also be useless. It's better to take 5 minutes to ask these 5 important questions at the BEGINNING of your thesis:
Question 1: Where do I start? - Topic and context of the thesis
The beginning of a work is always an interesting and current question. Let's take an example: How do students use Facebook groups when studying for exams? Everything about the topic is contained in this simple question:
Who: Students
What: Studying for exams
How and with what: with Facebook groups
This is the context of the work . Furthermore, this is the content in the theory chapter . So you need to know about these 3 things and research accordingly, read, educate yourself and then write.
Question 2: Where do I want to go? – The aim of the thesis
The aim of the work is obviously a text, a scientific text... Hmm. But that applies to every thesis. So what is MY specific goal ? Your goal can be formulated with this sentence: The goal of the thesis/work is to gain knowledge about ABC. Let's take our Facebook example:
The aim of the thesis/work is to gain insights into the use of Facebook groups by students when studying for exams.
The goal of the thesis must be formulated so simply.
Question 3: How do I proceed? - Methods in the thesis
The first idea is usually: search for sources and read them and then write them. Hmm. Sounds logical. But will the writing be good? Looking back… That sounds a bit risky. The methods describe the way in which the key question is answered.
Better follow this question pattern:
1. What is my key question or research question?
2. What information do I need about what or who?
3. Where can I find this information?
4. How can I collect this information and by what means?
5. How do I evaluate the information to answer my key question?
Question number 4 concerns your methods. Find out more about the answer to question 4 in the Thesis Guide.
Question 4: What do I need? - Sources and aids for the thesis
To write the text you need other texts. Clear. But they have to fit and be good. Also clear. But when you start looking for sources, you will encounter many problems. And it can take a long time...
Better to answer these 3 questions at the beginning:
1. What kind of sources do I need? (Examples include: books, studies, statistics, interviews, internal documents such as protocols, etc.)
2. Where can I find the sources? (Catalogues or people or archives or websites etc.)
3. How do I evaluate these sources? That's a good question. And there seem to be a lot of answers.
The pragmatic answer: I read a relevant section in the book and then rewrite it for my text. Problem solved. Probably... If the text fits and the bullet point fits and if there is no better text. Here is a safer and much shorter way:
Key question ==> Sub-questions ==> Micro questions ==> Filtering answers from sources ==> Write and finish
With this micro question method you can write 5 pages per day. You will find detailed descriptions of this scheme and procedure in the Thesis Guide.
Question 5: What exactly comes out? – A thesis text with a central theme
Everyone says a common thread looks like this: introduction, main part, conclusion. But you're just as smart with it as you are with cooking: starter, main course, dessert - lots of scope! A model structure according to this scheme is better:
1 Introduction
2. Theory
3. State of research
4. Methodology
5. Results
6. Conclusion
In each chapter there are standardized subchapters . This makes it clear what comes out: namely what you write in each of these chapters. So: fill out the chapter and the work is finished.
It will probably take more than 5 minutes to answer the 5 questions. But you'll probably save 2 - 4 weeks just by researching. This is my experience from many thesis coaching sessions.
Silvio and the Aristolo team wish you lots of fun and success with your thesis.
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Where do I begin? Where do I want to go? How do I proceed? How long do I need to do this? What comes out? Before you write your thesis, take the time to answer these 5 questions carefully.
