Statement of hypothesis.
This is a clear, simple one-sentence statement of your central idea or observation which is to be investigated for validity in your thesis. Formulation of a hypothesis is not simply what you think or is it an educated guess. It is a testable statement that you can support with existing knowledge, critical significance, and a proposed solution. The hypothesis drives the entirety of your thesis and how you design the scientific method in testing it. Furthermore, preliminary data may or may not support the hypothesis and may offer a justification for refinement. Whatever the case, the evidence-based process of refinement must be discussed in the thesis.
Specific aims.
This is where you breakdown your hypothesis-driven thinking into a few specific reasonable objectives of your experiments and assessment of significance. Less is more here.
Background and significance.
This section consists of a lengthy thorough review of published data and citations. The goal here is to demonstrate your familiarity and knowledge of the pertinent literature and existing points of view related to your hypothesis. The expressed purpose is to justify the importance of your thesis and to describe a path of innovation that challenges and seeks a shift of current research or practice paradigms.
Experimental design.
Outline and detail specific experiments, methodologies, instrumentation, algorithms, and data analysis protocols. The analysis of data is the most important component of the experimental design and must present all possible interpretations of the data. The design is fluid, dependent on identified variables, endpoints, etc. This is where you also demonstrate your vision for new experiments that may refine further data analysis protocols and in the broader sense refine and advance new applications.
Results.
This is the showcase of all the data in the thesis. It presents observable measures, metrics of change, +/- SD/SEM, statistical significance, p values, posthoc tests, etc that are characteristics of the data. Essentially, results are described quantitatively and qualitatively with clear legends.
Discussion.
This is all about academic writing. It is evidence-based by the thesis endpoints and relevant current research background in order of importance to your central hypothesis. The primary focus is the unbiased discussion of your study outcomes. On principle, you are sharing your knowledge. Introduce each section with emphasis on a particular endpoint. Discuss each question that was asked and answered in the thesis. Discuss your interpretation of the data results and lay down how the data supports your central hypothesis. Each section of the discussion should end with how the findings lead you to new ideas, future study, new application of theoretical concepts, and new approaches or methodologies.
Conclusion.
Present a focused message in reinforcing the endpoints of the thesis. Simplicity, clarity, and effectiveness are the principal hallmarks of the conclusion with relevance and overall impact in providing new information and knowledge.
Acknowledgements.
Identify and sufficiently thank colleagues, mentors, peers, etc for helpful communication, cooperation, collaboration, and feedback on your work.
References.
The complete listing of the bibliography is critical. Each citation reference must include the names of all authors, article and journal title or book title, volume number, page numbers, and year of publication. Also add citations of appropriate personal communications that offered you their expertise on your work.
I hope this is helpful…
-jq
