How to Make Thesis Findings

When you do a thesis to satisfy the requirements for a master's or Ph.D., your thesis findings are the heart of your work. The value of your thesis will stand or fall on the validity and quality of your thesis findings. Once you have completed your literature review, created a research design and formulated hypotheses from your research questions to test, the rest of your thesis project centers on making your thesis findings.

Instructions

1. Understand what thesis findings are. Thesis findings consist two broad categories. One is the aggregate data you collect, such as totals from surveys in social science or observations of plant populations in botany. The other is the results of data analysis, such as statistics generated from the raw data. Thesis findings do not include interpretation of the results to draw conclusions or formulate theoretical explanations. These are vital parts of your thesis, but they are distinct and separate from thesis findings.

2. Operationalize your hypotheses. This is the process of devising a specific test or tests to obtain data that either support or fail to support a hypothesis. Consider carefully whether your test is valid (does it measure what you want it to measure) and is it reliable (under the test conditions will you get consistent results). Whenever possible, do preliminary runs to verify the validity and reliability of your testing procedure before collecting your data.

3. Collect the data. The watchword here is quality. Adhere strictly to the procedures you've established. If a deviation is unavoidable, record it. Take the time to be through and meticulous. Careless execution of your observational procedures will result in invalid data and can ruin a thesis.

4. Perform data analysis. You will need to organize your observations and compile them into totals, percentages, and other basic information. Follow this up with the more detailed data analysis, such as generating statistics like standard deviations and regression analysis. Review your findings and look for gaps in your data. If you are doing genuinely original research, your findings at this point will almost certainly bring out new questions you need to answer.

5. Revisit the data collecting phase of your research if needed. Gather more data to address questions brought out in your data analysis and repeat Steps 3 and 4 to process the additional data.

6. Present your findings. Using tables, graphs and text, write up your findings. Remember tat thesis findings go in a section of your written thesis separate from your literature review, discussion and other sections. Keep your writing clearly defined and focused. You should prepare to present your findings to audiences in your department and at conferences. Finally, discuss your findings with faculty and prepare to answer objections and challenges to your work.

Tips & Warnings

• It's great when your findings confirm your hypotheses. However, that doesn't always happen. Don't panic. A thesis is meant to demonstrate you can carry out worthwhile and original research. Proving your argument is secondary. You can (and many graduate students do) receive advanced degrees when their work hasn't proved their hypotheses. Do quality work, regardless of the outcome. That is what will get you that degree.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• The Thesis (University of Indiana)