Requirements for the content of the theoretical chapter of an academic work
Academic work of any kind has its own requirements, the most extensive - to the thesis. There is a theoretical and practical part. You can learn more about the practical part on essaypay.com, you can also ask for help from professors or teachers who know their stuff and will help you. And we will talk about the theoretical in this article. The main thing is that in the end the theoretical part is a solid scientific basis for empirical research. Or at least gave the appearance of it.
In any case, your supervisor, reviewer, as well as any member of the state commission who decides to get acquainted with your thesis research, should find in the theoretical part:
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Disclosure of the concept under study, the essence and content of the object of study, and from different points of view and scientific positions.
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Clear scientific terminology and/or chronology. You may need to develop your own terminological and/or chronological approach. For example, after analyzing several dozen definitions, choose the most suitable one (justify your choice) or formulate your own. Or develop your own chronological division of the phenomenon into stages, develop a periodization.
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Analysis of the constituent parts, links and elements of the phenomenon under study. This can be the study of types and forms, stages and periods, ways of manifestations and mechanisms of functioning, forms of implementation, etc. Often, to reveal the essence of a concept, a classification method is used, when using which it is necessary to adhere to the principles of singleness of the criterion, proportionality, exclusivity, continuity.
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Signs of comprehension of scientific theories, concepts related to the issues considered in the thesis. The graduate needs to get acquainted with the achievements of the predecessors who worked with the problem, to study the history of its study. In the theoretical part of the diploma, one should demonstrate familiarity with various approaches to the study of the problem, analyze the works of domestic and foreign authors.
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Independent conclusions, practical developments. The author of the diploma needs to prove that he is a mature specialist who is able to generate his own ideas!
The logic of writing and disclosure of the topic
It would seem that, adhering to a clear structure, without deviating from the chosen principle of writing and having an array of necessary materials, a student can quite coherently write a theoretical part. In practice, this may not be enough: the content does not satisfy the supervisor, the logic of the disclosure of the topic suffers. What is the ambush?
Often a graduate student is hindered by enthusiasm for a problem and a departure from the topic. The student wants to touch on additional issues, but as a result, heaps up unnecessary things or even goes to another steppe.
It is very important to keep the theme of the work, the main idea, in front of your eyes. You need to check yourself all the time: am I following a common theme? Do I deviate from the goal, do I deviate from the plan? Focus your eyes on the problem, otherwise it will turn out that your work is about everything and nothing.
This problem is typical for erudite, excellent students. Enthusiastic students need to force themselves to narrow the focus of research and keep the flight of inspiration within limits. If you're already writing about Quidditch brooms, then why are you bothering to describe brooms and vacuum cleaners?
On the other hand, some questions may remain unsolved. This problem is typical for studious, accustomed to working for a blunder, "to get off." However, even for excellent students who deviate from the topic, the necessary questions can migrate to the periphery. As a result, let's say, studying the mentioned brooms, the student writes about mops, brushes, polishing machines, but does not say a word about aerodynamics.
Redundancy is another problem common to many graduate students. Don't get carried away with compiling, don't pile up facts for the sake of facts. Keep in mind as your main task the independent creation of a theoretical concept. This means that the collected materials should be used for illustration, analysis, comparison.
It is extremely important to remember when writing a theoretical chapter that it is the basis for practical research. The logic of the thesis is such that theory leads you to practice. Both parts of the thesis should be interconnected. When you are working on theory, from time to time ask yourself the question: does what I am writing now work for the practical part? Having received an affirmative answer from yourself, continue in the same spirit.
Lead the discussion!
The topic of the thesis, as a rule, is little studied and debatable. Abstracts are written on a well-developed topic, and in a graduation thesis, you should not compile, but independently compare sources. There is no need to abuse quotes, one or two pages are enough, or even less (and these quotes should not be excessively voluminous). Links should be significantly more than direct quotes. One should not simply state the achievements of other researchers, one should conduct a critical analysis of monographs and periodicals in order to develop one's own position on the research topic.
To create a favorable impression with the teacher, the reviewer and everyone who decides to read your theoretical part, isolate the debatable questions and go through them with all the power of the intellect.
This does not mean, of course, that for each issue under consideration within the framework of the problem under study, it is necessary to reinvent the wheel. You may well take the point of view of some scientist - naturally, explaining why you share this position. If you go on the rampage in every paragraph and reject all authorities, this is unlikely to look adequate. It is best to present different views on the main theoretical provisions and compare the positions of scientific schools and individual researchers, and then explain with reason why you adhere to one or another point of view.
But if you are firmly confident in yourself and your arguments, you can present your own, new look at one or another aspect of the problem under study. It is best to demonstrate independence of thinking on little-studied issues - where the monsters of science have not yet had time to trample. Or on issues on which the position of the authorities is clearly outdated.
Remember that you need to conduct a discussion with intelligence and diplomatic tact. It must be understood that it is very difficult to argue with a recognized authority. Although no one forbids! Maybe you really created a new concept that will revolutionize science.
Tips for discussion:
1. Actively discuss without touching on conceptual issues. Do not rush to subvert established theories, contribute to science on particular issues.
2. It will be extremely useful to listen to the opinion of your supervisor on debatable issues.
3. Be sure to find out if the debatable issues on which you intend to ride the skating rink of your mind are within the sphere of interest of any of the teachers of the department. It is highly discouraged to overthrow the authorities who will be present at the defense.
4. If your supervisor has a scientific, ideological opponent or just a sworn friend in the department, try to bypass questions from his area of interest in a wide arc. If your scientific instructor insists on the battle of minds, prepare valerian for protection.
It's time to draw conclusions
As a result of studying the scientific literature on the theoretical issues of your academic work, as well as its deep understanding, you should form conclusions on the issues studied:
Intermediate, concluding paragraphs / paragraphs. They highlight the main theoretical provisions that you have considered in this paragraph, as well as (if you claim to be highly appreciated) the results of the discussion of debatable issues and personal thoughts, ideas, observations.
Complex, completing the theoretical chapter. General conclusions on the theoretical part are made up of intermediate ones, but they should not be repeated word for word. Teach that if you just add up the intermediate conclusions, it is unlikely that your diploma will pull higher than a three. When making generalizing conclusions on the theory, you must move away from particulars and make an understanding of the issues raised in the complex. Ideally, you should form your own theoretical concept, which will become the basis for practical developments.
If you have a practical part, then it is recommended to complete the conclusions on the theory with a summary conclusion about the insufficient study of the topic, which implies the need for an empirical study. Thus, the conclusions on the theoretical part become a bridge to practice (sometimes they even stand out as a separate structural element of the theoretical chapter).