master thesis book

• Technical Support
• Find My Rep

You are here

How to Write a Master's Thesis

• Yvonne N. Bui - San Francisco State University, USA
• Description

See what’s new to this edition by selecting the Features tab on this page. Should you need additional information or have questions regarding the HEOA information provided for this title, including what is new to this edition, please email [email protected] . Please include your name, contact information, and the name of the title for which you would like more information. For information on the HEOA, please go to http://ed.gov/policy/highered/leg/hea08/index.html .

For assistance with your order: Please email us at [email protected] or connect with your SAGE representative.

SAGE 2455 Teller Road Thousand Oaks, CA 91320 www.sagepub.com

“Yvonne Bui’s How to Write a Master’s Thesis should be mandatory for all thesis track master’s students.  It steers students away from the shortcuts students may be tempted to use that would be costly in the long run. The step by step intentional approach is what I like best about this book.”

“This is the best textbook about writing an M.A. thesis available in the market.” 

“This is the type of textbook that students keep and refer to after the class.”

Excellent book. Thorough, yet concise, information for students writing their Master's Thesis who may not have had a strong background in research.

Clear, Concise, easy for students to access and understand. Contains all the elements for a successful thesis.

I loved the ease of this book. It was clear without extra nonsense that would just confuse the students.

Clear, concise, easily accessible. Students find it of great value.

NEW TO THIS EDITION:             

• Concrete instruction and guides for conceptualizing the literature review help students navigate through the most challenging topics.        
• Step-by-step instructions and more screenshots give students the guidance they need to write the foundational chapter, along with the latest online resources and general library information.          
• Additional coverage of single case designs and mixed methods help students gain a more comprehensive understanding of research methods.           
• Expanded explanation of unintentional plagiarism within the ethics chapter shows students the path to successful and professional writing.       
• Detailed information on conference presentation as a way to disseminate research , in addition to getting published, help students understand all of the tools needed to write a master’s thesis.    

KEY FEATURES:  

• An advanced chapter organizer provides an up-front checklist of what to expect in the chapter and serves as a project planner, so that students can immediately prepare and work alongside the chapter as they begin to develop their thesis.
• Full guidance on conducting successful literature reviews includes up-to-date information on electronic databases and Internet tools complete with numerous figures and captured screen shots from relevant web sites, electronic databases, and SPSS software, all integrated with the text.
• Excerpts from research articles and samples from exemplary students' master's theses relate specifically to the content of each chapter and provide the reader with a real-world context.
• Detailed explanations of the various components of the master's thesis and concrete strategies on how to conduct a literature review help students write each chapter of the master's thesis, and apply the American Psychological Association (APA) editorial style.
• A comprehensive Resources section features "Try It!" boxes which lead students through a sample problem or writing exercise based on a piece of the thesis to reinforce prior course learning and the writing objectives at hand. Reflection/discussion questions in the same section are designed to help students work through the thesis process.

Sample Materials & Chapters

1: Overview of the Master's Degree and Thesis

3: Using the Literature to Research Your Problem

How to Write a Master's Thesis: A Guide to Planning Your Thesis, Pursuing It, and Avoiding Pitfalls

#scribendiinc

Part 1: Initial Considerations

Who needs to write a master’s thesis.

Thesis writing is one of the more daunting challenges of higher education. That being said, not all master's students have to write a thesis. For example, fields that place a stronger emphasis on applied knowledge, such as nursing, business, and education, tend to have projects and exams to test students on the skills and abilities associated with those fields. Conversely, in disciplines that require in-depth research or highly polished creative abilities, students are usually expected to prove their understanding and independence with a thesis.

What's Your Goal?

Do you want to write a thesis? The process is a long one, often spanning years. It's best to know exactly what you want before you begin. Many people are motivated by career goals. For example, hiring managers may see a master's degree as proof that the candidate is an expert within their field and can lead, motivate, and demonstrate initiative for themselves and others. Others dream of earning their doctorate, and they see a master's degree as a stepping stone toward their Ph.D .

No matter what your desired goal is, you should have one before you start your thesis. With your goal in mind, your work will have a purpose, which will allow you to measure your progress more easily.

Major Types of Theses

Once you've carefully researched or even enrolled in a master's program—a feat that involves its own planning and resources —you should know if you are expected to produce a quantitative (which occurs in many math and science programs), qualitative (which occurs in many humanities programs), or creative (which occurs in many creative writing, music, or fine arts programs) thesis.

Time and Energy Considerations

Advanced degrees are notoriously time and energy consuming. If you have a job, thesis writing will become your second job. If you have a family, they will need to know that your thesis will take a great deal of your attention, energy, and focus.

Your studies should not consume you, but they also should not take a back seat to everything else. You will be expected to attend classes, conduct research, source relevant literature, and schedule meetings with various people as you pursue your master's, so it's important to let those you care about know what's going on.

As a general note, most master's programs expect students to finish within a two-year period but are willing to grant extra time if requested, especially if that time is needed to deal with unexpected life events (more on those later).

Part 2: Form an Initial Thesis Question, and Find a Supervisor

When to begin forming your initial thesis question.

Some fields, such as history, may require you to have already formed your thesis question and to have used it to create a statement of intent (outlining the nature of your research) prior to applying to a master’s program. Others may require this information only after you've been accepted. Most of the time, you will be expected to come up with your topic yourself. However, in some disciplines, your supervisor may assign a general research topic to you.

Overall, requirements vary immensely from program to program, so it's best to confirm the exact requirements of your specific program.

What to Say to Your Supervisor

You will have a supervisor during your master's studies. Have you identified who that person will be? If yes, have you introduced yourself via email or phone and obtained information on the processes and procedures that are in place for your master's program? Once you've established contact, request an in-person meeting with him or her, and take a page of questions along with you. Your questions might include:

• Is there a research subject you can recommend in my field?
• I would like to pursue [target research subject] for my thesis. Can you help me narrow my focus?
• Can you give me an example of a properly formatted thesis proposal for my program?

Don't Be Afraid to Ask for Help (to a Degree)

Procedures and expectations vary from program to program, and your supervisor is there to help remove doubt and provide encouragement so you can follow the right path when you embark on writing your thesis. Since your supervisor has almost certainly worked with other graduate students (and was one at some point), take advantage of their experience, and ask questions to put your mind at ease about how to write a master’s thesis.

That being said, do not rely too heavily on your supervisor. As a graduate student, you are also expected to be able to work independently. Proving your independent initiative and capacity is part of what will earn you your master's degree.

Part 3: Revise Your Thesis

Read everything you can get your hands on.

Whether you have a question or need to create one, your next step is simple and applies to all kinds of theses: read.

Seek Out Knowledge or Research Gaps

Read everything you can that relates to the question or the field you are studying. The only way you will be able to determine where you can go is to see where everyone else has been. After you have read some published material, you will start to spot gaps in current research or notice things that could be developed further with an alternative approach. Things that are known but not understood or understood but not explained clearly or consistently are great potential thesis subjects. Addressing something already known from a new perspective or with a different style could also be a potentially valuable project. Whichever way you choose to do it, keep in mind that your project should make a valuable contribution to your field.

Talk with Experts in Your Field (and Don't Be Afraid to Revise Your Thesis)

To help narrow down your thesis topic, talk to your supervisor. Your supervisor will have an idea of what is current in your field and what can be left alone because others are already working on it. Additionally, the school you are attending will have programs and faculty with particular areas of interest within your chosen field.

On a similar note, don't be surprised if your thesis question changes as you study. Other students and researchers are out there, and as they publish, what you are working on can change. You might also discover that your question is too vague, not substantial enough, or even no longer relevant. Do not lose heart! Take what you know and adjust the question to address these concerns as they arise. The freedom to adapt is part of the power you hold as a graduate student.

Part 4: Select a Proposal Committee

What proposal committees are and why they're useful.

When you have a solid question or set of questions, draft a proposal.

You'll need an original stance and a clear justification for asking, and answering, your thesis question. To ensure this, a committee will review your thesis proposal. Thankfully, that committee will consist of people assigned by your supervisor or department head or handpicked by you. These people will be experts who understand your field of study and will do everything in their power to ensure that you are pursuing something worthwhile. And yes, it is okay to put your supervisor on your committee. Some programs even require that your supervisor be on your committee.

Just remember that the committee will expect you to schedule meetings with them, present your proposal, respond to any questions they might have for you, and ultimately present your findings and thesis when all the work is done. Choose those who are willing to support you, give constructive feedback, and help address issues with your proposal. And don't forget to give your proposal a good, thorough edit and proofread before you present it.

How to Prepare for Committee Meetings

Be ready for committee meetings with synopses of your material for committee members, answers for expected questions, and a calm attitude. To prepare for those meetings, sit in on proposal and thesis defenses so you can watch how other graduate students handle them and see what your committee might ask of you. You can even hold rehearsals with friends and fellow students acting as your committee to help you build confidence for your presentation.

Part 5: Write Your Thesis

What to do once your proposal is approved.

After you have written your thesis proposal and received feedback from your committee, the fun part starts: doing the work. This is where you will take your proposal and carry it out. If you drafted a qualitative or quantitative proposal, your experimentation or will begin here. If you wrote a creative proposal, you will now start working on your material. Your proposal should be strong enough to give you direction when you perform your experiments, conduct interviews, or craft your work. Take note that you will have to check in with your supervisor from time to time to give progress updates.

Thesis Writing: It's Important to Pace Yourself and Take Breaks

Do not expect the work to go quickly. You will need to pace yourself and make sure you record your progress meticulously. You can always discard information you don't need, but you cannot go back and grab a crucial fact that you can't quite remember. When in doubt, write it down. When drawing from a source, always create a citation for the information to save your future self time and stress. In the same sense, you may also find journaling to be a helpful process.

Additionally, take breaks and allow yourself to step away from your thesis, even if you're having fun (and especially if you're not). Ideally, your proposal should have milestones in it— points where you can stop and assess what you've already completed and what's left to do. When you reach a milestone, celebrate. Take a day off and relax. Better yet, give yourself a week's vacation! The rest will help you regain your focus and ensure that you function at your best.

How to Become More Comfortable with Presenting Your Work

Once you start reaching your milestones, you should be able to start sharing what you have. Just about everyone in a graduate program has experience giving a presentation at the front of the class, attending a seminar, or watching an interview. If you haven't (or even if you have), look for conferences and clubs that will give you the opportunity to learn about presenting your work and become comfortable with the idea of public speaking. The more you practice talking about what you are studying, the more comfortable you'll be with the information, which will make your committee defenses and other official meetings easier.

Published authors can be called upon to present at conferences, and if your thesis is strong, you may receive an email or a phone call asking if you would share your findings onstage.

Presenting at conferences is also a great way to boost your CV and network within your field. Make presenting part of your education, and it will become something you look forward to instead of fear.

What to Do If Your Relationship with Your Supervisor Sours

A small aside: If it isn't already obvious, you will be communicating extensively with others as you pursue your thesis. That also means that others will need to communicate with you, and if you've been noticing things getting quiet, you will need to be the one to speak up. Your supervisor should speak to you at least once a term and preferably once a week in the more active parts of your research and writing. If you give written work to your supervisor, you should have feedback within three weeks.

If your supervisor does not provide feedback, frequently misses appointments, or is consistently discouraging of your work, contact your graduate program advisor and ask for a new supervisor. The relationship with your supervisor is crucial to your success, especially if she or he is on your committee, and while your supervisor does not have to be friendly, there should at least be professional respect between you.

What to Do If a Crisis Strikes

If something happens in your life that disrupts everything (e.g., emotional strain, the birth of a child, or the death of a family member), ask for help. You are a human being, and personal lives can and do change without warning. Do not wait until you are falling apart before asking for help, either. Learn what resources exist for crises before you have one, so you can head off trauma before it hits. That being said, if you get blindsided, don't refuse help. Seek it out, and take the time you need to recover. Your degree is supposed to help you become a stronger and smarter person, not break you.

Part 6: Polish and Defend Your Master's Thesis

How to write a master’s thesis: the final stages.

After your work is done and everything is written down, you will have to give your thesis a good, thorough polishing. This is where you will have to organize the information, draft it into a paper format with an abstract, and abbreviate things to help meet your word-count limit. This is also where your final editing and proofreading passes will occur, after which you will face your final hurdle: presenting your thesis defense to your committee. If they approve your thesis, then congratulations! You are now a master of your chosen field.

Conclusion and Parting Thoughts

Remember that you do not (and should not) have to learn how to write a master’s thesis on your own. Thesis writing is collaborative, as is practically any kind of research.

While you will be expected to develop your thesis using your own initiative, pursue it with your own ambition, and complete it with your own abilities, you will also be expected to use all available resources to do so. The purpose of a master's thesis is to help you develop your own independent abilities, ensuring that you can drive your own career forward without constantly looking to others to provide direction. Leaders get master's degrees. That's why many business professionals in leadership roles have graduate degree initials after their last names. If you already have the skills necessary to motivate yourself, lead others, and drive change, you may only need your master's as an acknowledgement of your abilities. If you do not, but you apply yourself carefully and thoroughly to the pursuit of your thesis, you should come away from your studies with those skills in place.

A final thought regarding collaboration: all theses have a section for acknowledgements. Be sure to say thank you to those who helped you become a master. One day, someone might be doing the same for you.

Image source: Falkenpost/Pixabay.com 

We’re Masters at Master’s Theses! Make Yours Shine.

Let our expert academic editors perfect your writing, or get a free sample, about the author.

A Scribendi in-house editor, Anthony is happily putting his BA in English from Western University to good use with thoughtful feedback and incisive editing. An avid reader and gamer, he can be found during his off hours enjoying narrative-driven games and obscure and amusing texts, as well as cooking for his family.

Have You Read?

"The Complete Beginner's Guide to Academic Writing"

Related Posts

How to Write a Thesis or Dissertation

Selecting a Thesis Committee

Thesis/Dissertation Writing Series: How to Write a Literature Review

Upload your file(s) so we can calculate your word count, or enter your word count manually.

We will also recommend a service based on the file(s) you upload.

English is not my first language. I need English editing and proofreading so that I sound like a native speaker.

I need to have my journal article, dissertation, or term paper edited and proofread, or I need help with an admissions essay or proposal.

I have a novel, manuscript, play, or ebook. I need editing, copy editing, proofreading, a critique of my work, or a query package.

I need editing and proofreading for my white papers, reports, manuals, press releases, marketing materials, and other business documents.

I need to have my essay, project, assignment, or term paper edited and proofread.

I want to sound professional and to get hired. I have a resume, letter, email, or personal document that I need to have edited and proofread.

 Prices include your personal % discount.

 Prices include % sales tax ( ).

Have a language expert improve your writing

Run a free plagiarism check in 10 minutes, generate accurate citations for free.

• Knowledge Base
• Dissertation
• Dissertation & Thesis Outline | Example & Free Templates

Dissertation & Thesis Outline | Example & Free Templates

Published on June 7, 2022 by Tegan George . Revised on November 21, 2023.

A thesis or dissertation outline is one of the most critical early steps in your writing process . It helps you to lay out and organize your ideas and can provide you with a roadmap for deciding the specifics of your dissertation topic and showcasing its relevance to your field.

Generally, an outline contains information on the different sections included in your thesis or dissertation , such as:

• Your anticipated title
• Your abstract
• Your chapters (sometimes subdivided into further topics like literature review, research methods, avenues for future research, etc.)

In the final product, you can also provide a chapter outline for your readers. This is a short paragraph at the end of your introduction to inform readers about the organizational structure of your thesis or dissertation. This chapter outline is also known as a reading guide or summary outline.

Table of contents

How to outline your thesis or dissertation, dissertation and thesis outline templates, chapter outline example, sample sentences for your chapter outline, sample verbs for variation in your chapter outline, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about thesis and dissertation outlines.

While there are some inter-institutional differences, many outlines proceed in a fairly similar fashion.

• Working Title
• “Elevator pitch” of your work (often written last).
• Introduce your area of study, sharing details about your research question, problem statement , and hypotheses . Situate your research within an existing paradigm or conceptual or theoretical framework .
• Subdivide as you see fit into main topics and sub-topics.
• Describe your research methods (e.g., your scope , population , and data collection ).
• Present your research findings and share about your data analysis methods.
• Answer the research question in a concise way.
• Interpret your findings, discuss potential limitations of your own research and speculate about future implications or related opportunities.

For a more detailed overview of chapters and other elements, be sure to check out our article on the structure of a dissertation or download our template .

To help you get started, we’ve created a full thesis or dissertation template in Word or Google Docs format. It’s easy adapt it to your own requirements.

 Download Word template    Download Google Docs template

It can be easy to fall into a pattern of overusing the same words or sentence constructions, which can make your work monotonous and repetitive for your readers. Consider utilizing some of the alternative constructions presented below.

Example 1: Passive construction

The passive voice is a common choice for outlines and overviews because the context makes it clear who is carrying out the action (e.g., you are conducting the research ). However, overuse of the passive voice can make your text vague and imprecise.

Example 2: IS-AV construction

You can also present your information using the “IS-AV” (inanimate subject with an active verb ) construction.

A chapter is an inanimate object, so it is not capable of taking an action itself (e.g., presenting or discussing). However, the meaning of the sentence is still easily understandable, so the IS-AV construction can be a good way to add variety to your text.

Example 3: The “I” construction

Another option is to use the “I” construction, which is often recommended by style manuals (e.g., APA Style and Chicago style ). However, depending on your field of study, this construction is not always considered professional or academic. Ask your supervisor if you’re not sure.

Example 4: Mix-and-match

To truly make the most of these options, consider mixing and matching the passive voice , IS-AV construction , and “I” construction .This can help the flow of your argument and improve the readability of your text.

As you draft the chapter outline, you may also find yourself frequently repeating the same words, such as “discuss,” “present,” “prove,” or “show.” Consider branching out to add richness and nuance to your writing. Here are some examples of synonyms you can use.

If you want to know more about AI for academic writing, AI tools, or research bias, make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

Research bias

• Anchoring bias
• Halo effect
• The Baader–Meinhof phenomenon
• The placebo effect
• Nonresponse bias
• Deep learning
• Generative AI
• Machine learning
• Reinforcement learning
• Supervised vs. unsupervised learning

 (AI) Tools

• Grammar Checker
• Paraphrasing Tool
• Text Summarizer
• AI Detector
• Plagiarism Checker
• Citation Generator

When you mention different chapters within your text, it’s considered best to use Roman numerals for most citation styles. However, the most important thing here is to remain consistent whenever using numbers in your dissertation .

The title page of your thesis or dissertation goes first, before all other content or lists that you may choose to include.

A thesis or dissertation outline is one of the most critical first steps in your writing process. It helps you to lay out and organize your ideas and can provide you with a roadmap for deciding what kind of research you’d like to undertake.

• Your chapters (sometimes subdivided into further topics like literature review , research methods , avenues for future research, etc.)

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

George, T. (2023, November 21). Dissertation & Thesis Outline | Example & Free Templates. Scribbr. Retrieved April 9, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/dissertation/dissertation-thesis-outline/

Is this article helpful?

Tegan George

Other students also liked, dissertation table of contents in word | instructions & examples, figure and table lists | word instructions, template & examples, thesis & dissertation acknowledgements | tips & examples, unlimited academic ai-proofreading.

✔ Document error-free in 5minutes ✔ Unlimited document corrections ✔ Specialized in correcting academic texts

Academic Publishing

Publishing Your Master’s Thesis: Everything You Need to Know

A Master’s thesis is the final requirement of a graduate program, and it represents the culmination of months or years of hard work and dedication. But once the thesis has been approved and you have received your degree, what happens to the work you have produced? Can you publish your Master’s thesis, and if so, how?

The answer to this question is not a simple one, as it depends on a variety of factors, including your institution’s policies, your advisor’s preferences, and your own goals for the thesis. However, there are some general guidelines that can help you determine whether publishing your Master’s thesis is a feasible and worthwhile endeavour.

The first thing to consider is whether your institution allows or encourages thesis publication. Some universities have specific policies or programs in place to support the dissemination of graduate research, such as online repositories, scholarly journals, or book series. In these cases, you may be able to submit your thesis for publication through one of these channels, either directly or after making revisions based on feedback from your committee.

If your university does not have a formal publication process, or if your advisor does not support the idea of publishing your thesis, you still have options. You can explore independent publishing avenues, such as self-publishing platforms or open access journals, that can help you share your research with a wider audience.

Another factor to consider is the content and quality of your thesis. To be publishable, your Master’s thesis should be original, well-written, and of interest to a scholarly or professional audience. You may need to revise or expand certain sections, add more literature review or data analysis, or adapt your language and tone to suit a specific audience.

Once you have determined that your Master’s thesis is worth publishing, you should also consider the potential benefits and drawbacks of doing so. Publishing your thesis can increase your visibility and credibility as a researcher, help you build your professional network, and contribute to the advancement of knowledge in your field. However, it can also limit your options for future publications, as many journals or publishers do not accept previously published works. You may also need to navigate copyright and intellectual property issues, especially if your thesis includes materials or data from other sources.

In conclusion, the decision to publish your Master’s thesis is a complex and personal one that requires careful consideration of your goals, your institution’s policies, and the content and quality of your work. However, if you believe that your thesis has the potential to make a valuable contribution to your field and you are willing to put in the effort to revise and adapt it for publication, there are many opportunities and resources available to help you share your research with the world.

Best ways to publish my master's thesis

If you have completed a master’s thesis and would like to share it with a wider audience, there are several ways to publish it. Here are some of the best ways to publish your master’s thesis :

• Publish it in an academic journal

Many academic journals accept articles that are based on a master’s thesis. This is a great way to get your work published in a reputable academic publication and increase your visibility in your field. Look for journals that are relevant to your research topic and that accept submissions from graduate students.

• Self-publish

If you prefer to publish your thesis on your own , you can use self-publishing platforms like Amazon Kindle or Lulu to create and distribute your work. This is a good option if you want complete control over the publication process and want to make your work available to a wide audience.

• Publish it on a repository

Many universities have online repositories where graduate students can publish their work. This is a good option if you want to make your work available to other researchers, but do not want to go through the process of submitting it to a journal or publishing it on your own.

• Publish it as a book

If you have a longer thesis and want to publish it as a book, you can submit it to a publishing house. You will need to make sure that your work is well-written, edited, and formatted before submitting it to a publisher.

• Publish it on your personal website

If you have a personal website or blog, you can publish your thesis there. This is a good option if you want to make your work available to a wider audience and do not want to go through the process of submitting it to a journal or publishing it on your own.

There are several ways to publish your master’s thesis. The best option for you will depend on your goals, the length of your work, and your personal preferences. Whether you choose to publish your thesis in an academic journal, self-publish, or make it available on a repository, sharing your work can help you build your professional reputation and contribute to the advancement of knowledge in your field.

Are you a researcher or an author struggling to get your thesis published? Look no further than Lambert Academic Publishing! We offer an easy and affordable publishing process that allows you to share your research with a global audience. With no publishing contract required and professional editing and formatting services included, publishing your thesis with us has never been easier. Plus, our worldwide distribution network ensures that your work will be seen by a wider audience. Don’t let your research go unnoticed – publish your thesis with Lambert Academic Publishing today and take the first step towards sharing your findings with the world!

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Writing, Research & Publishing Guides

Enjoy fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime Try Prime and start saving today with fast, free delivery

Amazon Prime includes:

Fast, FREE Delivery is available to Prime members. To join, select "Try Amazon Prime and start saving today with Fast, FREE Delivery" below the Add to Cart button.

• Cardmembers earn 5% Back at Amazon.com with a Prime Credit Card.
• Unlimited Free Two-Day Delivery
• Streaming of thousands of movies and TV shows with limited ads on Prime Video.
• A Kindle book to borrow for free each month - with no due dates
• Listen to over 2 million songs and hundreds of playlists
• Unlimited photo storage with anywhere access

Important:  Your credit card will NOT be charged when you start your free trial or if you cancel during the trial period. If you're happy with Amazon Prime, do nothing. At the end of the free trial, your membership will automatically upgrade to a monthly membership.

Buy new: $18.56

Return this item for free.

Free returns are available for the shipping address you chose. You can return the item for any reason in new and unused condition: no shipping charges

• Go to your orders and start the return
• Select the return method

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required .

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

Image Unavailable

• To view this video download Flash Player

Follow the author

The Thesis Writing Survival Guide: Research and Write an Academic Thesis or Disseration with Less Stress Paperback – May 2, 2023

Purchase options and add-ons, writing a thesis or dissertation can be a tough task—this practical guide will make it much easier.

Are you a student who’s just a thesis or dissertation away from completing your degree? Do you feel it’s a hugely daunting task and you’re not sure where to begin, or how to tackle all the reading, researching, and writing ahead of you? Don’t worry—you don’t have to do it alone! This concise guide will support you every step of the way on your journey from initial idea to completed thesis. In this practical guide, packed with tips, tricks, and tools, you will learn:

• How to find the right topic for your thesis or dissertation
• How to write a convincing research proposal
• How to conduct a literature review
• How to choose and correctly apply an appropriate qualitative or quantitative research method
• How to develop a mindset that will keep you writing
• How to write like an academic and build up convincing arguments

With The Thesis Writing Survival Guide at your side, you will confidently overcome all the challenges that students typically encounter on their thesis or dissertation writing journey. The book is written with a focus on the typical needs of graduate students in the social sciences, although students from other disciplines and those who are writing a thesis as part of their undergraduate studies will also find plenty of useful advice in it. Learn the nuts and bolts of thesis writing—and successfully complete your degree! “This is a masterful guide! Concise but rich in wisdom and practical advice, the authors offer step-by-step advice on how to make the process of writing an academic thesis more of an adventure of discovery, and less of an onerous task—and do so with elegance, clarity, and even a bit of humor.” — Professor James J. Kennelly , Professor of International Business & Management, Skidmore College, New York (USA) “An engaging and very practical guide to the process of writing a thesis. It is full of practical, actionable tips which graduate students and doctoral candidates will find invaluable.” — Dr Jonathan Stoddart , Lecturer (Teaching), Academic Writing Centre, UCL Institute of Education, University College London (UK) “As a PhD student, I have found this book to be an excellent companion in own my thesis writing journey. It’s definitely my survival guide!” — Michela Bearzi , PhD student at the University of Udine (Italy) and the University of Jonkoping (Sweden) “The Thesis Writing Survival Guide provides many helpful guidelines and tips to guide and motivate the student.” — Dr Arona Dison , Coordinator of the UWC Writing Centre, University of the Western Cape (South Africa) “The perfect handbook to navigate the tumultuous process of writing a thesis. In this survival guide, the authors provide down to earth advice on how to avoid the pitfalls encountered by most students when writing their thesis.” — Professor Olivier Furrer , Chair of Marketing, University of Fribourg (Switzerland) About the authors: Dr Dietmar Sternad is an award-winning management professor with a passion for helping his students succeed. He is experienced in supervising thesis projects and enjoys helping students overcome the many hurdles they face when writing their theses. Harriet Power is an experienced editor who has spent over a decade editing and writing resources for leading educational publishers. She loves helping writers to express their ideas in a clear and engaging way.

• Print length 245 pages
• Language English
• Publication date May 2, 2023
• Dimensions 7 x 0.62 x 10 inches
• ISBN-10 3903386162
• ISBN-13 978-3903386167
• See all details

Frequently bought together

Similar items that may ship from close to you

From the Publisher

All you need to succeed in your thesis or dissertation project in one book, editorial reviews.

"This is a masterful guide! Concise but rich in wisdom and practical advice, the authors offer step-by-step advice on how to make the process of writing an academic thesis more of an adventure of discovery, and less of an onerous task-and do so with elegance, clarity, and even a bit of humor."

-Professor James J. Kennelly, Professor of International Business & Management, Skidmore College, New York (USA)

"An engaging and very practical guide to the process of writing a thesis. It is full of practical, actionable tips which graduate students and doctoral candidates will find invaluable."

-Dr Jonathan Stoddart, Lecturer (Teaching), Academic Writing Centre, UCL Institute of Education, University College London (UK)

"As a PhD student, I have found this book to be an excellent companion in own my thesis writing journey. It's definitely my survival guide!"

-Michela Bearzi, PhD student at the University of Udine (Italy) and the University of Jonkoping (Sweden)

"The Thesis Writing Survival Guide provides many helpful guidelines and tips to guide and motivate the student."

-Dr Arona Dison, Coordinator of the UWC Writing Centre, University of the Western Cape (South Africa)

"The perfect handbook to navigate the tumultuous process of writing a thesis. In this survival guide, the authors provide down to earth advice on how to avoid the pitfalls encountered by most students when writing their thesis."

-Professor Olivier Furrer, Chair of Marketing, University of Fribourg (Switzerland)

"Graduate students are often not explicitly taught how to write a thesis or dissertation, and this modern "how to" guide can provide actionable answers to the questions they have! This book conveys the scaffolded and iterative nature of thesis writing in digestible chapters and explains how graduate students can set themselves up for thesis success. As a graduate writing specialist, I definitely recommend this guide to all students working on their theses!"

-Samantha Demmerle, Assistant Director, Graduate Writing and Support, KU Writing Center, The University of Kansas (USA)

Product details

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ econcise (May 2, 2023)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 245 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 3903386162
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-3903386167
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15.2 ounces
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7 x 0.62 x 10 inches
• #28 in Education Research (Books)
• #33 in Social Sciences Research
• #113 in Writing Skill Reference (Books)

About the author

Dietmar sternad.

Dr Dietmar Sternad is a passionate management educator. He aims to create highly engaging learning experiences and learning materials that help his students and other people to become better leaders who can make a difference in the world.

Dietmar is a Professor of International Management at CUAS/FH Kärnten (Austria) and has extensive experience as a CEO of publishing companies as well as in teaching, consulting, and coaching top managers. He holds degrees from universities in Austria, Slovenia, and the UK, is an alumnus of the GLOCOLL (Harvard Business School) and IMTA (CEEMAN) management teachers programs and has received several national and international awards (e.g. from the Academy of Management or the Austrian State Prize for Teaching Excellence).

Dietmar is also the founder and CEO of econcise, an internationally active publisher of concise, approachable, and affordable management and leadership textbooks and ebooks.

Customer reviews

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

• Sort reviews by Top reviews Most recent Top reviews

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. please try again later..

Top reviews from other countries

• Amazon Newsletter
• About Amazon
• Accessibility
• Sustainability
• Press Center
• Investor Relations
• Amazon Devices
• Amazon Science
• Start Selling with Amazon
• Sell apps on Amazon
• Supply to Amazon
• Protect & Build Your Brand
• Become an Affiliate
• Become a Delivery Driver
• Start a Package Delivery Business
• Advertise Your Products
• Self-Publish with Us
• Host an Amazon Hub
• › See More Ways to Make Money
• Amazon Visa
• Amazon Store Card
• Amazon Secured Card
• Amazon Business Card
• Shop with Points
• Credit Card Marketplace
• Reload Your Balance
• Amazon Currency Converter
• Your Account
• Your Orders
• Shipping Rates & Policies
• Amazon Prime
• Returns & Replacements
• Manage Your Content and Devices
• Recalls and Product Safety Alerts
• Conditions of Use
• Privacy Notice
• Consumer Health Data Privacy Disclosure
• Your Ads Privacy Choices

9 Effective Tips for Publishing Thesis As a Book

While they may look alike, a thesis is not a book! The process of publishing thesis as a book is different right from its conception to completion. Created with an intent to target a specific audience, a thesis differs from a book in multiple aspects. Although your thesis topic would surely be relevant to your field of study, it perhaps, can be of interest to a wider audience. In such a case, your thesis can be turned into a book .

In this article, we will shed some light on the possible ways of publishing your thesis as a book .

Table of Contents

What is the Difference Between a Thesis and a Book?

Researchers spend years working on their thesis. A thesis focuses on the research conducted, and is thus published as journal articles . However, in some cases, it may also be published as a book for a wider readership. While both thesis and book writing require effort, time, and are equally longer versions of documents, they are different in several ways.

• A thesis always begins with a question or hypothesis. On the other hand, a book begins with a series of reflections to grab the reader’s attention. To a certain extent, it could be said that while the thesis starts with a question, the book starts with an answer.
• Another major difference between the two is their audience. The content of a thesis, as well as its format and language is aimed at the academic community. However, since the book is written with an intent to reach out to wider audience, the language and format is simpler for easy comprehension by non-academic readers as well.
• Furthermore, thesis is about documenting or reporting your research activities during doctorate; whereas, a book can be considered as a narrative medium to capture the reader’s attention toward your research and its impact on the society.

How to Turn a Thesis into a Book?

The structure of your thesis will not necessarily be similar to the structure of your book. This is primarily because the readership is different and the approach depends on both the audience as well as the purpose of your book. If the book is intended as a primary reference for a course, take the course syllabus into account to establish the topics to be covered. Perhaps your thesis already covers most of the topics, but you will have to fill in the gaps with existing literature.

Additionally, it may be so that you want your book to be a complementary reference not only for one course, but for several courses with different focuses; in this case, you must consider different interests of your audience.

The layout of most thesis involve cross-references, footnotes, and an extensive final bibliography. While publishing your thesis as a book , eliminate excessive academic jargon and reduce the bibliography to reference books for an ordinary reader.

Key Factors to Consider While Publishing Your Thesis as a Book

• Purpose of the book and the problems it intends to solve
• A proposed title
• The need for your proposed book
• Existing and potential competition
• Index of contents
• Overview of the book
• Summary of each book chapter
• Timeline for completing the book
• Brief description of the audience and the courses it would cover

With all of this in mind, here are 9 steps to successfully turn your thesis into a book .

9 Steps to Successfully Publish Your Thesis as a Book!

1. Establish Your Target Audience

Based on the topic of your thesis, determine the areas that may potentially rise interest in your book’s audience. Once you establish your target audience, figure out the nature of book they would like to read.

2. Determine the Objective of Your Book

Reflect on the scope of your book and the impact it would have on your target audience. Perhaps it can be used as a textbook or supplementary for one or more courses. Visualize what the reach of your book may be; if it is a book with an identified local market, an interest that arose in your educational institution, which can be traced to other similar institutions, or if it can have a national or even international reach.

3. Identify Your Competition

Find out which books are already on the market, what topics they cover, what problems do they solve, etc. Furthermore, ask yourself what would be the advantage of your book over those that already exist.

4. Define the Structure of Your Book

If the book is written as part of a curriculum, use that program to define its structure. If it covers several programs, make a list of topics to focus on individually and sequence them in an order based on educational criteria or interest for the potential reader.

5. Identify Potential Publishers

Search for publishers in your country or on the web and the kind of books they publish to see if there is a growing interest in the book you are planning to develop. Furthermore, you can also look at self-publishing or publishing-on-demand options if you already have a captive audience interested in your work.

6. Plan a Schedule

Based on the structure of your book, schedule your progress and create a work plan. Consider that many topics are already written in your thesis, you will only have to rewrite them and not have to do the research from scratch. Plan your day in such a way that you get enough time to fill in technical or generic gaps if they exist.

7. Follow a Writing Style

The writing style depends on the type of book and your target audience. While academic writing style is preferred in thesis writing, books can be written in simpler ways for easy comprehension. If you have already spoken to an interested publisher, they can help in determining the writing style to follow. If you’re self-publishing, refer to some competitor books to determine the most popular style of writing and follow it.

8. Incorporate Visual Aids

Depending on the subject of your book, there may be various types of visual and graphic aids to accentuate your writing, which may prove lucrative. Give due credit to images, diagrams, graphical representations, etc. to avoid copyright infringement. Furthermore, ensure that the presentation style of visual aids is same throughout the book.

9. Review Your Draft

Your supervisor and the advisory council review and refine you thesis draft. However, a book must be proofread , preferably by someone with a constructive view. You can also use professional editing services or just go ahead with an excellent grammar checking tool to avoid the hassle.

Do you plan on publishing your thesis as a book ? Have you published one before? Share your experience in the comments!

good article

Hello. Nice to read your paper. However, I fell on your article while browsing the net for the exact opposite reason and I think you can equally give me some insights. I am interested, as I earlier said, on how to transform my book into a thesis instead, and how I can defend it at an academic level. I am writing a research work on financial digital options trading and have done a lot of back testing with technical analysis that I explain, to rake thousands of dollars from the financial markets. I find the technical analysis very peculiar and would like to defend this piece of work as a thesis instead. Is it possible? Please you can reply me through e:mail thanks

Rate this article Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Enago Academy's Most Popular Articles

• AI in Academia
• Trending Now

Simplifying the Literature Review Journey — A comparative analysis of 6 AI summarization tools

Imagine having to skim through and read mountains of research papers and books, only to…

• Reporting Research

Research Recommendations – Guiding policy-makers for evidence-based decision making

Research recommendations play a crucial role in guiding scholars and researchers toward fruitful avenues of…

• Promoting Research

Concept Papers in Research: Deciphering the blueprint of brilliance

Concept papers hold significant importance as a precursor to a full-fledged research proposal in academia…

8 Effective Strategies to Write Argumentative Essays

In a bustling university town, there lived a student named Alex. Popular for creativity and…

• Diversity and Inclusion
• Language & Grammar

Language as a Bridge, Not a Barrier: ESL researchers’ path to successful research and publishing

The landscape of academic research has witnessed a remarkable shift in recent years with the…

Facing Difficulty Writing an Academic Essay? — Here is your one-stop solution!

Role of an Abstract in Research Paper With Examples

How Can You Create a Well Planned Research Paper Outline

What Is a Preprint? 5 Step Guide to Successfully Publish Yours!

Sign-up to read more

Subscribe for free to get unrestricted access to all our resources on research writing and academic publishing including:

• 2000+ blog articles
• 50+ Webinars
• 10+ Expert podcasts
• 50+ Infographics
• 10+ Checklists
• Research Guides

We hate spam too. We promise to protect your privacy and never spam you.

I am looking for Editing/ Proofreading services for my manuscript Tentative date of next journal submission:

What should universities' stance be on AI tools in research and academic writing?

The Effectiveness of the EIA Procedure in Industrial Zone Development in the City

• First Online: 28 April 2022

Cite this chapter

• Antonina Amosova   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-1163-0908 12 ,
• Darya Vasilieva   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-0808-8364 12 ,
• Anna Churkina   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-3206-1169 12 &
• Anna Suchonosova   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-1260-6213 12  

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering ((LNCE,volume 227))

264 Accesses

The article examines the development of industrial areas of the city, increasing their investment attractiveness, economic efficiency of land use, environmental safety of industries, the introduction of modern technologies for cleaning emissions and discharges, etc. The basic principles of city industrial zones environment protection by applying the procedure of environmental impact assessment (EIA) are analyzed. The international and Russian experience and history of EIA procedure development are considered. Statistical materials on pollution of the territory of large cities of Samara region (Togliatti) and industrial enterprises which make the greatest contribution to the pollution of the region were studied. By the example of the project of development of the land plot occupied by the industrial site of PJSC “KuibyshevAzot” on the territory of the Northern industrial hub of Togliatti, Samara region, the structure of the EIA project is analyzed, the main environmental impact monitoring measures are considered. The effectiveness of the EIA system and its role in the development of the industrial zone of the city were assessed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

• Available as PDF
• Read on any device
• Instant download
• Own it forever
• Available as EPUB and PDF
• Compact, lightweight edition
• Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
• Free shipping worldwide - see info
• Durable hardcover edition

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Shestakova, A.Y.: Urban planning concept “smart city”: concept, structure, basic design standards. Trends Sci. Edu. Dev. 63 (3), 75–80 (2020)

Google Scholar  

Federal State Statistics Service. https://rosstat.gov.ru/folder/12781 . Last accessed 21 May 2021

Akhmedova, E.A., Kuderov, L.L., Akhmedov, H.A.: Problems of spatial reorganization of industrial zones in major cities (the example of Samara). Bull. Volga Regional Branch Russian Acad. Archit. Constr. Sci. 21 , 111–117 (2018)

Akhmedova, E.A., Zhogoleva, A.V.: Infrastructure of regional industrial clusters in the Middle Volga region (by the example of the Samara region). Sci. Rev. 4 , 178–182 (2015)

Dianova-Klokova, I.V., Metanyev, D.A., Khrustalev, D.A.: Architecture of scientific and production innovation complexes in foreign countries. South Korea. Archit. Constr. Russia. 8 (212), 2–9 (2015)

Kotenko, I.A., Tokareva, V.A.: Tendencies of urban development and renovation of industrial areas in Samara. Bull. Samara State Univ. Archit. Civ. Eng. Urban Plann. Archit. 2 (23), 110–117 (2016)

Rebain, T.Y. et al.: Samara in the Mirror of Urbanism: Monograph. Samara State Architectural and Construction University, Samara (2004)

Gnilomedov, A.S.: Transformation of territories of mass industrial housing development in the post-Soviet period of development of the city of Samara. Traditions and innovations in construction and architecture. In: Proceedings of the 71st Russian Scientific and Technical Conference, pp. 336–338 (2014)

Sinelnik, A.K.: Urban History of Samara Krai. Samara State Architectural and Construction University, Samara (2000)

Yamasaki, J., Itsubo, N., Murayama, A., Nitanai, R.: Eco-efficiency assessment of 42 countries’ administrative divisions based on environmental impact and gross regional product. City Environ. Interactions 10 , 100061 (2021)

Yilmaz, F., Ozturk, M., Selbas, R.: Thermodynamic performance analysis and environmental impact assessment of an integrated system for hydrogen and ammonia generation. Int. J. Hydrogen Energy (2020)

Sousa, P., Gomes, D., Formigo, N.: Ecosystem services in environmental impact assessment. Energy Rep. 6–1 , 466–471 (2020)

Article   Google Scholar  

IAIA. The leading global network on impact assessment [WWW Document]. https://www.iaia.org/index.php . Last accessed 12 May 2021, Last accessed 21 May 2021

van Eldik, M.A., Vahdatikhaki, F., Oliveira dos Santos, J.M., Visser M., Doree, A.: BIM-based environmental impact assessment for infrastructure design projects. Autom. Constr. 120 , 103379 (2020)

SNiP 1.02.01-85. Instruction on Composition, Order of Development, Coordination and Approval of Design and Estimate Documentation for Construction of Enterprises, Buildings and Structures. Gosstroy USSR, Moscow (1986)

Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context. UNECE, Geneva (1994)

Grishin, N.N.: Legal Problems of Public Participation in Environmental Impact Assessment: Ph. Candidate of Law Sciences, Moscow (2000)

Khovavko, I.Y.: Environmental impact assessment: Russian and foreign experience, Vestn. Moscow State University. Ser. 6. Econ. 4 , 96–111 (2010)

Order of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation of 01.12.2020 No. 999. On approval of requirements for environmental impact assessment materials (2020)

Matveev, A.N., Samusenok, V.P., Yuriev, A.L.: Environmental Impact Assessment: Textbook. Publishing house of Irkutsk State University, Irkutsk (2007)

Ryabukhina, E.V.: Environmental impact assessment. Yaroslavl State University (2010)

Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of 16.02.2008 N 87 On the composition of sections of design documentation and requirements for their content (as amended on 9 April 2021). Available at: http://www.consultant.ru/document/cons_doc_LAW_75048/ . Last accessed 10 May 2021, Last accessed 21 May 2021

Environmental bulletin Samara region 2020. http://pogoda-sv.ru/docs/ecology_info/sam_jan_2020.pdf . Last accessed 10 May 2021

Rules of Land Use and Development of Togliatti Urban District (as revised on 09.06.2021 No. 965). https://tgl.ru/structure/department/pravila-zemlepolzovaniya-i-zastroyki . Last accessed 31 Oct 2021

Haunina, E.A.: Potential of industrial heritage redevelopment for territorial development of the city: economic and socio-cultural aspects. Issues Theor. Econ. 4 (9), 117–125 (2020)

Vasilieva, D., Parsova, V., Vlasov, A., Tarbaev, V.: Monitoring of land use and land abandonment at the municipal level: example of Samara Region. In: Proceedings of the International Conference “Economic Science for Rural Development”, No 53, 2020, Jelgava, LLU ESAF, pp. 240–247 (2020)

Vlasov, A.G., Vasilieva D.I., Tarbaev, V.A.: Land monitoring application results in land management on the Samara region example. In: 18th International Scientific Conference PEDTP, pp. 595–605 (2019)

Download references

Author information

Authors and affiliations.

Samara State Technical University, 244 Molodogvardeyskaya St, Samara, 443100, Russia

Antonina Amosova, Darya Vasilieva, Anna Churkina & Anna Suchonosova

You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and affiliations.

Samara State Technical University, Samara, Russia

Natalia Potienko

Elena Ahmedova

Moscow State University of Civil Engineering, Moscow, Russia

Antonina Karlina

Tomsk State University of Control System, Tomsk, Russia

Vladimir Faerman

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2022 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Amosova, A., Vasilieva, D., Churkina, A., Suchonosova, A. (2022). The Effectiveness of the EIA Procedure in Industrial Zone Development in the City. In: Potienko, N., Ahmedova, E., Karlina, A., Faerman, V. (eds) Architectural, Construction, Environmental and Digital Technologies for Future Cities. Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, vol 227. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-94770-5_11

Download citation

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-94770-5_11

Published : 28 April 2022

Publisher Name : Springer, Cham

Print ISBN : 978-3-030-94769-9

Online ISBN : 978-3-030-94770-5

eBook Packages : Engineering Engineering (R0)

Share this chapter

Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content:

Sorry, a shareable link is not currently available for this article.

Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative

• Publish with us

Policies and ethics

• Find a journal
• Track your research