1. No category

Dr. Moazzam Ali
30th Jan. 2011
How to Write a Thesis?
An Introduction for Students of Print and Media Technology
member
b
of
Institut für PrintPrint und Medientechnik der TU Chemnitz
[Institute for Print and Media Technology at Chemnitz University of Technology]
Director: Prof. Dr. Arved C. Hübler • Reichenhainer Str. 70 • 09126 Chemnitz • Germany
http://www.tu-chemnitz.de/pm • pmhuebler@mb.tu-chemnitz.de • Phone: +49-371-531-23610 • Fax: -23619
Purpose of a thesis
• Complete your degree and get marks
• Utilize the knowledge that you have learnt
• Demonstrate your academic skills and talents
• Develop critical thinking skills
• Share the information
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Source: pmTUC
Author: Dr. Moazzam Ali
Institute for Print & Media Technology of Chemnitz University of Technology Ⓒ 2011
Basic principles of writing a thesis
• Existing problem and solution for it
• 3C: Clear, correct and comprehensive
• Distinguise from others works
• References
• Follow the format
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Source: pmTUC
Author: Dr. Moazzam Ali
Institute for Print & Media Technology of Chemnitz University of Technology Ⓒ 2011
Typical structure of a thesis
• Title and front page
• Abstract
• Abbreviations and symbols
• Table of contents
• Introduction
Optional:
•
•
•
•
Acknowledgements
List of figures/tables
Declaration of honor
CD-ROM
• Fundamentals
• Methods and materials
• Results
R
lt and
d discussion
di
i
• Summary and/or conclusion
• Recommendation
• References
• Appendix
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Source: pmTUC
Author: Dr. Moazzam Ali
Abstract
Summary + Conclusion
Figures/Tables/Captions
Institute for Print & Media Technology of Chemnitz University of Technology Ⓒ 2011
Title and front page
• Not too short and not too long
• Should not be boring
• Clear
• Super
S
compactt version
i off your thesis
th i
• Follow the university format for the front page
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Source: pmTUC
Author: Dr. Moazzam Ali
Institute for Print & Media Technology of Chemnitz University of Technology Ⓒ 2011
How to prepare a good title?
• Write only at the end
• Key words
E
Examples:
l
• Printed sensors
• Printed LEDs
• Study of heterogeneous interfacial properties of ink-jet-printed silver
p
electrode and organic
g
semiconductor for better
nanoparticulate
field-effect transistors.
• Influence of electrode-semiconductor interface on the performance of
j p
field-effect transistors.
ink-jet-printed
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Source: pmTUC
Author: Dr. Moazzam Ali
Institute for Print & Media Technology of Chemnitz University of Technology Ⓒ 2011
Abstract
• 200-400 words
• Compact version of your thesis
• Whyy did yyou do it?
• What did you do?
• How did you do it?
• What did you learn?
• Why does it matter?
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Source: pmTUC
Author: Dr. Moazzam Ali
Institute for Print & Media Technology of Chemnitz University of Technology Ⓒ 2011
Abstract : An example
Objectives
R
Results
lt
Conclusions
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Source: pmTUC
Author: Dr. Moazzam Ali
The technological attraction in organic solar cells is their
compatibility to printing processes. However, up to today, the major
b d off the
body
th research
h work
k was done
d
b spin
by
i coating.
ti
T
Transferring
f i
the spin-coating process, currently used for the fabrication of bulk
heterojunction solar cell, to a printing process holds morphological
challenges
h ll
th t have
that
h
nott been
b
observed
b
d or reported
t d up to
t today.
t d
We highlight these challenges and we show that inkjet printing of
organic bulk-heterojunction solar cells requires completely novel
approaches
h and
d skill-sets
kill t compared
d to
t the
th currentt state
t t off the
th art.
t
By adjusting the chemical properties of the poly(3-hexylthiophene)
polymer donor and by using our recently developed inkjet solvent
mixture, we have gained a power conversion efficiency of 3.5% for
inkjet printed solar cells. Our finding can pave the way for large
scale production of inexpensive solar cells.
Institute for Print & Media Technology of Chemnitz University of Technology Ⓒ 2011
Introduction
• Write only after Results and discussion
• Purpose: Attract the readers and make them read rest of the thesis
• MUST be attractive
• Include references
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Source: pmTUC
Author: Dr. Moazzam Ali
Institute for Print & Media Technology of Chemnitz University of Technology Ⓒ 2011
How to write a good Introduction
1) Introduce your topic briefly
Solar cells
Printed solar cells
2) Tell about your purposes
Inexpensive solar cells
Solar farming
3) Identify the key areas of your work
S l certain
Solve
t i problems
bl
Don‘t forget to refer previous works.
4) Present the research methods/material you are going to use
Printing methods/material
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Source: pmTUC
Author: Dr. Moazzam Ali
Institute for Print & Media Technology of Chemnitz University of Technology Ⓒ 2011
Fundamentals
• How does it works?
• Equations
• Materials related fundamentals: Viscocity, surface tension etc.
• Methods related fundamentals
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Source: pmTUC
Author: Dr. Moazzam Ali
Institute for Print & Media Technology of Chemnitz University of Technology Ⓒ 2011
Methods and materials
• Information to allow the reader to
believe of yyour results.
• Information needed by
y another
researcher to replicate your
experiment.
• Description of your materials,
procedure,
d
th
theory, calculations,
l l ti
technique, equipment, and
calibration
ca
b at o plots.
p ots
New instrument/method/materials, then not in Methods and materials
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Source: pmTUC
Author: Dr. Moazzam Ali
Institute for Print & Media Technology of Chemnitz University of Technology Ⓒ 2011
Results and discussions

• Figures and tables
p
• Captions
• Error bars
Fig. 12. Measured viscosity of an ink sample versus reciprocal
temperature (dots) in semi-logarithmic scale and linear fit (line)
in this scale.
• Mention positive results as well as negative.
• Break up your results into logical segments by using subheadings
• What
Wh t are the
th likely
lik l causes (mechanisms)?
(
h i
)?
• Very important: Discuss your results
• Agreement/disagreement with previous work?
• Significance of the present results: why should we care?
• Interpret results in terms of background laid out in the introduction
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Source: pmTUC
Author: Dr. Moazzam Ali
Institute for Print & Media Technology of Chemnitz University of Technology Ⓒ 2011
Results and discussions
• Tell a story based on figures and tabels
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Source: pmTUC
Author: Dr. Moazzam Ali
Institute for Print & Media Technology of Chemnitz University of Technology Ⓒ 2011
Results and discussions
Results must be presented in an
appropriate order
Based on the date of
your experiments.
B t mostt off the
But
th time
ti
it
does not make a
good
d story.
t
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Source: pmTUC
Author: Dr. Moazzam Ali
Based on a story.
story
Institute for Print & Media Technology of Chemnitz University of Technology Ⓒ 2011
Results and discussions
Order in experiments
Date-1: Spin coated device by chemical A and B
Chemical A works.
Order in thesis
Date-2: Printed device by chemical A.
It does not work.
Date 3: Spin coated device by chemical C and D
Date-3:
Chemical C and D work.
Spin coated device by chemical A, B, C and D
Chemical C and D works.
Printed device by chemical C and D.
Chemical C works
Date-2: Printed device by chemical C and D.
Chemical C works
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Source: pmTUC
Author: Dr. Moazzam Ali
Institute for Print & Media Technology of Chemnitz University of Technology Ⓒ 2011
Results and discussions
Quantity Vs Quality
of your results
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Source: pmTUC
Author: Dr. Moazzam Ali
Institute for Print & Media Technology of Chemnitz University of Technology Ⓒ 2011
Summary and/or conclusion
Summary:
• Wraps up and restates
• Easy to write
Conclusion:
• Difficult to write
• Refer back to problem posed and describe the conclusions that you
reached from carrying out this investigation
E
Example
l (printed
( i t d solar
l cells):
ll )
y Succefullyy printed,
p
, Efficiencyy 5% etc.
Summary:
Conclusion: Mass production possible, inexpensive etc.
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Source: pmTUC
Author: Dr. Moazzam Ali
Institute for Print & Media Technology of Chemnitz University of Technology Ⓒ 2011
Recommendation
• Your works in not the END.
• Remedial action to solve the problems.
• Further research to fill the gaps in your
understanding.
• Directions for future investigations on
this or related topics.
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Source: pmTUC
Author: Dr. Moazzam Ali
Institute for Print & Media Technology of Chemnitz University of Technology Ⓒ 2011
References
• Follow the pattern
• Include titles
• Websites are not
good reference
Article
DIN 1505
AIP style
[10] Rinter, P.; C. Arver; F. Armer: Potato printed USB memory devices compatible with Apple notebooks. In: Agriculture
T d 87 (2010)
Today
(2010), Nr.
N 55, S
S. 22
22-27.
27
[10] P. Rinter et. al., “Potato printed USB memory devices compatible with Apple notebooks,” Agricult. Today, vol. 87,
pp. 22-27, May 2010.
10 P. Rinter et. al., Agricult. Today 87, 22 (2010).
Book
DIN 1505
IEEE style
AIP style
[11] Armer, Frank; Mary Armer: Breeding of potatoes for printing forms. Colorado Springs: Acre , 2005.
[11] F. Armer and M. Armer, Breeding of potatoes for printing forms. Colorado Springs, CO: Acre, 2005.
11 F. Armer and M. Armer, Breeding of potatoes for printing forms, 1st Ed. (Acre, Colorado Springs, CO, 2005).
Patent
DIN 1505
IEEE style
AIP style
[12] Schutzrecht WO 07/098765 A1: Laser cutting of potato printing forms (2007-12-27). C. Arver.
[12] C. Arver, “Laser cutting of potato printing forms,” World Patent WO 07/098765 A1, December 27, 2007.
12 C.
C Arver,
Arver World Patent No.
No WO 07/098765 A1 (27 December 2007).
2007)
IEEE style
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Source: pmTUC
Author: Dr. Moazzam Ali
Institute for Print & Media Technology of Chemnitz University of Technology Ⓒ 2011
Appendix
• Include extra/additional data in the appendix.
• Reference data/materials not easily available (theses are used as a
resource by the department and other students).
pages).
g )
• Tables ((where more than 1-2 p
• Calculations (where more than 1-2 pages).
• You may include a key article as appendix.
• If you consulted a large number of references but did not cite all of
g want to include a list of additional resource material,
them, yyou might
etc.
• List of equipment used for an experiment or details of complicated
procedures.
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Source: pmTUC
Author: Dr. Moazzam Ali
Institute for Print & Media Technology of Chemnitz University of Technology Ⓒ 2011
Minimize your efforts
• Just start writing.
• Start from the easiest part.
Methods and materials
Results and discussion
Introduction
Summary/Conclusion
Abstract
Title
Other stuffs
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Source: pmTUC
Author: Dr. Moazzam Ali
Institute for Print & Media Technology of Chemnitz University of Technology Ⓒ 2011
1st paragraph
2nd paragraph
Error
minimization
Efforrt / Enerrgy
Minimize your efforts
% completed
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Source: pmTUC
Author: Dr. Moazzam Ali
Institute for Print & Media Technology of Chemnitz University of Technology Ⓒ 2011
Key points to remember…
• Good abstract
• Good summary/conclusion
• Good figure/tables and captions
• Simple and clear sentences
• A story
• Attractive introduction
• Discussion of the results
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Source: pmTUC
Author: Dr. Moazzam Ali
Institute for Print & Media Technology of Chemnitz University of Technology Ⓒ 2011
Further readings
 “Richtlinien zur Sicherung guter wissenschaftlicher Praxis” of TU Chemnitz
(German): http://www.tu-chemnitz.de/forschung/grundsatz.php
 “Safeguarding
Safeguarding Good Scientific Practice
Practice”, memoir of German Research Society
(German/English): http://www.dfg.de/aktuelles_presse/reden_stellungnahmen/download/
empfehlung_wiss_praxis_0198.pdf
g wissenschaftlicher Arbeiten“ of the Faculty
y of Mechanical Engineering
g
g of TU
 “Hinweise zum Anfertigen
Chemnitz (German):
http://www.tu-chemnitz.de/mb/studium/HinweiseFuerWissenschaftlicheArbeiten.pdf
 “Wissenschaftliches Arbeiten”, guide to writing student’s theses
(German): http://www.wissenschaftliches-arbeiten.org/
 “Scientific Methods”, online book by R.D. Jarrard
(English): http://emotionalcompetency.com/sci/booktoc.html
 “How to write your Thesis”, essay of the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University
(English): http://www.ldeo.columbia.edu/~martins/sen_sem/thesis_org.html
 W. Wolfgang:
g g Wissenschaftliche Arbeiten schreiben. Redline 2005.
(German, University library code: AK 39580 win)
 A.W. Hunziker: Spaß am wissenschaftlichen Arbeiten. SKV 2002.
((German, Universityy libraryy code: AK 39580 hun))
 W.E. Russey, H.F. Ebel, C. Bliefert: How to write a successful science thesis. Wiley-VCH 2006.
(English, University library code: AK 39580 rus)
 D
D. Soles: The essentials of academic writing.
writing Houghton Mifflin 2005
2005.
(English, University library code: HD 226 sol)
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Source: pmTUC
Author: Dr. Moazzam Ali
Institute for Print & Media Technology of Chemnitz University of Technology Ⓒ 2011
Good luck for your theses
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Source: pmTUC
Author: Dr. Moazzam Ali
Institute for Print & Media Technology of Chemnitz University of Technology Ⓒ 2011