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  • Textbook
  • © 2017

How To Write Your First Thesis

  • A practical guide for the entire process of producing a thesis for the first time
  • Written by authors with many years of experience advising students
  • Provides grounded advice to students who are new to writing extended original research, either undergraduate or graduate coursework

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  • Read on any device
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  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 39.99
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  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
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Table of contents (9 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xiii
  2. Transition to Your First Thesis

    • Paul Gruba, Justin Zobel
    Pages 1-12
  3. Getting Organized

    • Paul Gruba, Justin Zobel
    Pages 13-24
  4. The Structure of a Thesis

    • Paul Gruba, Justin Zobel
    Pages 25-35
  5. A Strong Beginning: The Introduction

    • Paul Gruba, Justin Zobel
    Pages 37-41
  6. Situating the Study: The Background

    • Paul Gruba, Justin Zobel
    Pages 43-51
  7. Explaining the Investigation: Methods and Innovations

    • Paul Gruba, Justin Zobel
    Pages 53-58
  8. Presenting the Outcome: The Results

    • Paul Gruba, Justin Zobel
    Pages 59-70
  9. Wrapping it up: Discussion and Conclusion

    • Paul Gruba, Justin Zobel
    Pages 71-78
  10. Before You Submit

    • Paul Gruba, Justin Zobel
    Pages 79-90
  11. Back Matter

    Pages 91-95

About this book

Many courses and degrees require that students write a short thesis. This book guides students through their first experience of producing a thesis and undertaking original research. Written by experienced researchers and advisors, the book sets out signposts and tasks to help students to understand what is needed to succeed, including scoping a topic, managing references, interpreting data, and successful completion.

For students, the task of writing a thesis is a transition from structured coursework to becoming a researcher. The book provides advice on:

  • What to expect from research and how to work with a supervisor
  • Getting organized and approaching the work in a productive way
  • Developing an overall thesis structure and avoidance of mistakes such as inadvertent plagiarism
  • Producing each major component: a strong introduction, background chapters that are situated in the discipline, and an explanation ofmethods and results that are crucial to successful original research
  • How to wrap up a complex project with an extended checklist of the many details needed to be checked before a final submission
Producing and managing a thesis for the first time can be a daunting task, and this reader-friendly guidebook provides a framework for students to do their best.

Authors and Affiliations

  • School of Languages & Linguistics, University of Melbourne SLL, Babel Bldg 608, Melbourne, Australia

    Paul Gruba

  • School of Computing & Information Systems, University of Melbourne Comp. Science & Software Engg., Carlton, VIC, Australia

    Justin Zobel

About the authors

Paul Gruba is Associate Professor in the School of Languages and Linguistics, University of Melbourne.

Justin Zobel is Professor in the School of Computing & Information Systems, University of Melbourne.

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 29.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access