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30 April 2024
Tips for the ideal layout of your thesis
Now that you are ready to start your thesis and you have already received guidance from your advisor about the structure, it is important to know how to create a good layout for your thesis. But what does such a layout look like? What should be included in your thesis? And how do you develop the core of your subject? Your advisor often has a certain direction in mind as a starting point, but which theories and models can you apply to this subject and how do you shape your research?
What is the correct format for a thesis?
Establishing the structure of your thesis ensures that you establish a clear framework for yourself to write your thesis. Always check the guidelines of your course, as the format of a thesis can vary depending on the course. Below, we provide you with an overview of the standard structure of a thesis:
- Title Page: Here you state the title, any subtitle, your name, course, submission date, student number, and any other relevant information according to the regulations of your course.
- Foreword (optional): Your foreword is a personal note in which you, for example, thank the people who contributed to your thesis.
- Summary/Abstract: Brief summary (or abstract) of your research, including the topic, research question, methods used, results, conclusion, and any recommendations. Please note: different rules apply to the summary and abstract. Also, check your manual for this.
- Table of Contents: Overview of all chapters, sections, and appendices with corresponding page numbers.
- Introduction: In your introduction, you introduce the topic of your thesis and provide background information, problem statement, objectives, relevance of the research, research question, and reading guide. Some courses may require you to place the problem analysis and problem definition in a separate chapter.
- Theoretical Framework: In your theoretical framework, you discuss relevant literature and theoretical concepts that frame the research.
- Methodology: Description of the research design, chosen methods, data collection and analysis, and guarantees of reliability and validity.
- Results: In the results section, you present the findings of your qualitative and/or quantitative research.
- Conclusion: In your conclusion, you answer the research question and provide a summary of the most important findings without adding new information.
- Discussion: Your discussion will include the interpretation of the results, comparison with existing literature, limitations of the study, and suggestions for further research.
- Recommendations (optional): In your recommendations, you provide concrete suggestions for next steps based on your research results. Your course may also require an advisory report.
- Reflection (optional): In your reflection (or reflection report), you give a personal reflection on both the thesis process and the learning process. Some courses may want you to write an epilogue, in which you can also include any further expressions of gratitude.
- Bibliography: In your thesis, you refer to sources in accordance with the applicable guidelines for source citations. In your bibliography, you place references to all sources used according to the prescribed reference style.
- Appendices: In your appendices, you include any additional documents that are relevant to the research, such as interviews, surveys, or codebooks. Some courses may impose a limit on the maximum number of attachments, so check this carefully.
Also, read our practical tips on thesis structure. In this section, we provide a general classification of a thesis and describe the different parts that typically make up a thesis. If you are struggling to find or select an appropriate topic for your research and thesis, make sure to take a look at our tips on how to choose a suitable topic.
Prepare the structure of your thesis in advance in Word
A helpful tip for writing your thesis is to prepare the chapters in advance using Word. You can then outline what you will discuss in each chapter. This will assist you in determining the appropriate placement of information. Moreover, it will provide you with a clear guideline for planning, allowing you to decide on the order in which you will address various topics.
Create a mind map for a clear layout
Creating a mind map is a helpful method for organizing the structure of your thesis. All you need is a large sheet of white paper and colored felt-tip pens. Alternatively, you can use dedicated mind mapping software. Mind mapping assists in processing information more efficiently, distinguishing between primary and secondary issues, and ultimately saving time.
Be sure to check out examples
By examining several notable examples, you can easily grasp the concept of structuring your thesis. Moreover, sample theses can serve as a source of inspiration for your selected topic. You can verify if your program offers thesis examples through its own database or explore an external database. We have conveniently compiled all the databases for you into one comprehensive overview. Just a quick reminder: Use these examples solely for inspiration and avoid directly copying or paraphrasing them to prevent plagiarism.
Prepare well before you start writing
Good preparation is said to be half the battle, and this principle also applies to writing your thesis.
Choose a topic that interests you, is current, and has practical relevance for your client. Make sure to conduct preliminary research and gather ample information. Based on your problem statement, you can formulate a well-defined research question (or main question) with or without associated sub-questions. Collecting relevant literature also requires thorough preparation. Additionally, carefully consider your research methodology and plan ahead to select the appropriate instruments. If you have sufficient time, you may opt for qualitative research, whereas if time is limited, a survey or statistical approach may be preferable.
Furthermore, be sure to regularly zoom out and assess the insights you have already gathered to ensure they align with your main theme.
In short: ensure a clear thesis layout
Would you like to effectively structure your thesis and ensure all sections are in the correct order? With a clear outline of the chapters and their respective content, along with practical instructions, you can confidently begin your thesis. Remember to always refer to the guidelines provided by your institution, as the structure of a thesis may vary between institutions.
Do you have difficulty creating structure in your thesis?
Is it difficult for you to structure your work or do you find yourself overwhelmed by the amount of information now that you have already started? Don’t hesitate to discuss this with your supervisor or seek assistance from a classmate. Alternatively, you can consider hiring external support.
Our thesis coaches are available to help you regain clarity and organize your thoughts. Through careful planning and regular communication, they will provide guidance and ensure you graduate on time.
If you have already written your thesis and would like a linguistic or structural check, feel free to contact us for assistance.
Contact Jouw Scriptiecoach if you need immediate help with your thesis.
Do you need immediate help with your thesis? Then request a free consultation now. During the consultation, we look at how best we can help you and which supervisor would be most suitable for your subject. You’ll also receive an immediate estimate of the number of hours we’ll need to get you across the finish line. Then you can easily purchase the hours online, and once the payment has gone through, we immediately connect you to your thesis supervisor. They’ll contact you quickly (often on the same day) so that you can get back to working on your thesis as soon as possible.