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Three Article Dissertation

Three article dissertation for a ph.d. in mis.

(Much of that described below is taken with permission from the -->School of Social Work at the University of Texas --> 1 )

Dissertation Structure

Under the ‘three papers’ model, a PhD thesis consists of three separate papers of “publishable quality".  The papers may not merely represent minor tweaks of a work that would be more appropriately reported in just one or two papers. The papers should be of normal journal article length (say, between 5,000 and 10,000 words). The papers are each free standing (in the sense that each can be read and understood independently) but should form a cohesive body of work that supports a theme that is expressed clearly in the introduction of the dissertation (Chapter 1). In addition, Chapter 1 may contain essential background information. There may also be a general literature review, but this is not necessary. Therefore, the ‘three papers’ PhD thesis looks like this:

• a definition or statement of the problem,
• the importance of the problem, i.e., why it is worth researching, why it matters to the field of MIS, and its potential implications for business and society.
• the philosophical and theoretical foundation (s) supporting the problem/issue,
•  an overview of the important literature (overview, because each article will have its own unique literature review),
• the research questions,
• In the case of co-authorship on any individual chapter within the dissertation, the student must indicate the percentage of effort and a description of the role played by each author in the introductory chapter.
• First paper.
• Second paper.
• Third paper.
• Conclusion and implications and suggestions for further research, including: The conclusion will briefly summarize the dissertation’s major findings, limitations, discussion, and recommendations. The student will also present and discuss linkages (i.e., similarities and differences) between the separate manuscripts that are included in the dissertation, striving as much as possible to present the document as representative of a coherent body of work. The conclusion chapter ‘ties’ everything together and helps the reader see how the various manuscripts, taken together, make a contribution to the knowledge base regarding the problem. The conclusion chapter should present/discuss research imperatives, or knowledge gaps, not visible when each manuscript is considered individually and should articulate an agenda for future research on the issues addressed in the dissertation

The total number of chapters is thus usually five, and the total length approaches 150 type-written pages (a maximum of about 35,000 words). As with the conventional PhD thesis, appendices of unlimited length may be added, but these appendices are commonly appendices to each paper, rather than appendices to the thesis as a whole.

Quality of Papers

The three papers must be of "publishable" quality, which is defined as that which would be accepted for publication by a journal in at least Tier 2 of the Bauer journal list for the MIS area either extant at the time of the dissertation proposal defense or as amended by the time of the dissertation final defense. This quality will be judged by the dissertation committee. However, papers published or accepted for publication by at least a Tier 2 journal serves as prime facieevidence of publishability.

Published Papers

A maximum of one article published or accepted for publication prior to the proposal defense may be included. This article must represent work undertaken while the student is enrolled in the PhD program and be approved by the committee at the time of the student’s proposal defense. This article must be connected to the theme of the dissertation. If a previously published article is approved by the committee, the student will be responsible for securing necessary permissions from the copyright holder and other authors.

Student's Contribution

Students must be the primary contributor on all papers, as determined by the dissertation committee. As primary contributor, students are responsible for development and articulation of a concept or idea for research, development of a proposal to pursue this idea, development of a research design, conducting research and analysis, writing major portions of a manuscript, designing an intervention or assessment (if relevant), and interpreting results.

At least two of the papers should be based on data that are analyzed by the student. If the third article is conceptual in nature, or based on a synthesis of the literature, it must be connected to the theme of the dissertation without overlapping heavily with the contents of either article. Whether the extent of any overlap is excessive will be determined by the student’s dissertation committee. (A certain amount of overlap is acceptable. For example, portions of the literature review may need to be cited in the various papers because it delineates the entire historical background of the study’s focal topic. Redundancy can be carefully reduced by citing one’s own work. However, self-plagiarism - reusing one’s own previously written work or data in a ‘new’ written product without letting the reader know that this material has appeared elsewhere - is prohibited.)

Co-authors must be identified at the student’s proposal defense. The paper and the role of the co-authors must be presented and approved by all members of the dissertation committee. Any changes in co-authorship must be approved by the student’s committee.

Submission of Papers to Journals

Journals to which articles are being submitted must be approved by the dissertation committee. Serving as an “editorial board” for the student, the committee will help select journals that will challenge the student and offer a reasonable chance of publication success.  If a paper is rejected by a journal during the dissertation process, the student may submit to another journal approved by the dissertation committee. In the case of a revise and resubmit during the dissertation process, any changes to the paper must be approved by the dissertation committee. Co-authorship will not be changed for a revise and resubmit.

If the journal reviewers suggest modifications to any of the 3 submitted manuscripts prior to the dissertation defense, your plan for addressing those suggestions should be shared with your dissertation committee members and approved by all of them before you enact the changes. Changes can be made to any of the 3 manuscripts provided that the dissertation committee members are aware of and agree to the changes being made and their rationale. Students may opt to defer changes requested by a journal to which they have submitted an article until their dissertation has been successfully defended.

If a paper is rejected by a journal after the successful completion and defense of the dissertation, co-authorship decisions that were made during the dissertation process will no longer be in effect. Submission to a new journal will be at the sole discretion of the PhD graduate. Also after the successful dissertation defense, any new submission or resubmission, including changes in the authorship or article content, will be at the discretion of the PhD graduate.

Switch from Traditional to 3 Paper Format & Vice Versa

Students should decide as early as possible, in concert with their dissertation chair, whether to pursue the 3-disseration format. However, they may switch from one format to the other at any time provided that their dissertation committee approves the switch.

Dissertation Proposal

The dissertation proposal must include

• definition or statement of the problem,
• the importance of the problem, i.e., why it is worth researching, why it matters to the field of MIS.
• the theoretical foundation (s) supporting the problem/issue,
• the research questions.
• Copies of any completed articles, whether published or not.
• An outline of any articles in progress.
• A list of proposed journals.
• A timeline for completion of the work. The defense of the dissertation proposal is expected to parallel the proposal defense for a traditional dissertation. The three article dissertation alters the format, but not the content, expected in the dissertation research.

(Approved by MIS Faculty August 26, 2016)

1 Permission given by Allan Cole, Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, School of Social Work, The University of Texas, August 3, 2016.

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• Dissertation
• Three Article Dissertation

Three Article Dissertation Format

For EPPL PhD students

Format and Requirements

Although the format of the three-article dissertation is different, the expectations for a final and approved dissertation remain the same. Additionally, the format should align with the most current APA guidelines. The following outline provides a guide for developing the three-article dissertation:

Format for a Three-Article Dissertation

Front Matter, as in a traditional dissertation format, to include:

• Copyright page (if applicable)
• Dedication (optional)
• Acknowledgements (Optional)
• Abstract (synthesizing three articles and work as a whole)
• Table of Contents
• List of Tables (if applicable) 
• List of Figures (if applicable)
• Introduction to overarching topic
• Theoretical framework and its application to the topic
• Executive summary of the three studies
• Statement of the problem
• Definition of terms
• Subsections of article (Introduction, Review of Literature, Method, Findings, Conclusion)
• Reference List
• Appendices (if applicable)
•  Chapter/Article 3, to include:
• Summary of key findings
• Discussion/Implications – Integration of key findings from the three articles
• Implications for future research to include informing one’s own future research agenda and recommendations for others
•  References for chapters 1 and 5

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Three Article Dissertation

• A three-article dissertation will consist of an introduction, a methodology chapter, three published/publishable articles, and a conclusion chapter.
• The introduction chapter should be substantially more detailed than one that is typically expected in a traditional dissertation and should demonstrate that the three articles each makes a distinct contribution and collectively form a coherent body of work. It should include, at the minimum, a definition and illustration of the problem, a justification of the problem’s importance, a description of the theoretical framework(s) to be used to address the problem, an overview of the key literature (overview only, as each article will have its own literature review), and a discussion of the original contribution of the dissertation.
• A rigorous methodology chapter similar to one expected in a traditional dissertation should be included.
• The three articles should be arranged in a logical order. One article may be a conceptual paper or a critical literature review, but at least two articles should be empirical.
• A substantial conclusion chapter should be included. In addition to summarizing and discussing the dissertation’s major findings, limitations, and implications, this chapter should also present and discuss linkages between the three articles and help the reader see how they collectively make a useful contribution to the knowledge base regarding the problem.

Committee approval

• Students should articulate in writing the rationale for the decision to adopt the three-article dissertation format to the whole committee before the dissertation proposal defense meeting, and the committee will approve or decline this decision at the proposal defense meeting. Committee approval is required to change the dissertation format once an agreed decision is made.
• The student must be the sole author of at least one of the three articles and must be the first and corresponding author of the other two.

Publication requirement

• No articles published prior to enrollment should be included.
• Only peer-reviewed, full-length journal articles can be used. The three articles should not be invited and should not form part of a special issue.
• The committee should advise students about appropriate journals. At least one article should be published in or accepted by a top-tier journal in the field; the other two articles should be judged to be of publishable quality by the committee and should be at least under external review with (not merely submitted to) highly regarded journals by defense time.

Copyright issues

• Prior to submitting an article to a journal for review, students should confirm that the journal will allow them to use the article in the dissertation. Students must secure copyright permission to include their published work in the dissertation.
• Some redundancy is to be expected, but self-plagiarism is not permitted.

Dissertation Structure & Layout 101: How to structure your dissertation, thesis or research project.

By: Derek Jansen (MBA) Reviewed By: David Phair (PhD) | July 2019

So, you’ve got a decent understanding of what a dissertation is , you’ve chosen your topic and hopefully you’ve received approval for your research proposal . Awesome! Now its time to start the actual dissertation or thesis writing journey.

To craft a high-quality document, the very first thing you need to understand is dissertation structure . In this post, we’ll walk you through the generic dissertation structure and layout, step by step. We’ll start with the big picture, and then zoom into each chapter to briefly discuss the core contents. If you’re just starting out on your research journey, you should start with this post, which covers the big-picture process of how to write a dissertation or thesis .

*The Caveat *

In this post, we’ll be discussing a traditional dissertation/thesis structure and layout, which is generally used for social science research across universities, whether in the US, UK, Europe or Australia. However, some universities may have small variations on this structure (extra chapters, merged chapters, slightly different ordering, etc).

So, always check with your university if they have a prescribed structure or layout that they expect you to work with. If not, it’s safe to assume the structure we’ll discuss here is suitable. And even if they do have a prescribed structure, you’ll still get value from this post as we’ll explain the core contents of each section.  

Overview: S tructuring a dissertation or thesis

• Acknowledgements page
• Abstract (or executive summary)
• Table of contents , list of figures and tables
• Chapter 1: Introduction
• Chapter 2: Literature review
• Chapter 3: Methodology
• Chapter 4: Results
• Chapter 5: Discussion
• Chapter 6: Conclusion
• Reference list

As I mentioned, some universities will have slight variations on this structure. For example, they want an additional “personal reflection chapter”, or they might prefer the results and discussion chapter to be merged into one. Regardless, the overarching flow will always be the same, as this flow reflects the research process , which we discussed here – i.e.:

• The introduction chapter presents the core research question and aims .
• The literature review chapter assesses what the current research says about this question.
• The methodology, results and discussion chapters go about undertaking new research about this question.
• The conclusion chapter (attempts to) answer the core research question .

In other words, the dissertation structure and layout reflect the research process of asking a well-defined question(s), investigating, and then answering the question – see below.

To restate that – the structure and layout of a dissertation reflect the flow of the overall research process . This is essential to understand, as each chapter will make a lot more sense if you “get” this concept. If you’re not familiar with the research process, read this post before going further.

Right. Now that we’ve covered the big picture, let’s dive a little deeper into the details of each section and chapter. Oh and by the way, you can also grab our free dissertation/thesis template here to help speed things up.

The title page of your dissertation is the very first impression the marker will get of your work, so it pays to invest some time thinking about your title. But what makes for a good title? A strong title needs to be 3 things:

• Succinct (not overly lengthy or verbose)
• Specific (not vague or ambiguous)
• Representative of the research you’re undertaking (clearly linked to your research questions)

Typically, a good title includes mention of the following:

• The broader area of the research (i.e. the overarching topic)
• The specific focus of your research (i.e. your specific context)
• Indication of research design (e.g. quantitative , qualitative , or  mixed methods ).

For example:

A quantitative investigation [research design] into the antecedents of organisational trust [broader area] in the UK retail forex trading market [specific context/area of focus].

Again, some universities may have specific requirements regarding the format and structure of the title, so it’s worth double-checking expectations with your institution (if there’s no mention in the brief or study material).

Acknowledgements

This page provides you with an opportunity to say thank you to those who helped you along your research journey. Generally, it’s optional (and won’t count towards your marks), but it is academic best practice to include this.

So, who do you say thanks to? Well, there’s no prescribed requirements, but it’s common to mention the following people:

• Your dissertation supervisor or committee.
• Any professors, lecturers or academics that helped you understand the topic or methodologies.
• Any tutors, mentors or advisors.
• Your family and friends, especially spouse (for adult learners studying part-time).

There’s no need for lengthy rambling. Just state who you’re thankful to and for what (e.g. thank you to my supervisor, John Doe, for his endless patience and attentiveness) – be sincere. In terms of length, you should keep this to a page or less.

Abstract or executive summary

The dissertation abstract (or executive summary for some degrees) serves to provide the first-time reader (and marker or moderator) with a big-picture view of your research project. It should give them an understanding of the key insights and findings from the research, without them needing to read the rest of the report – in other words, it should be able to stand alone .

For it to stand alone, your abstract should cover the following key points (at a minimum):

• Your research questions and aims – what key question(s) did your research aim to answer?
• Your methodology – how did you go about investigating the topic and finding answers to your research question(s)?
• Your findings – following your own research, what did do you discover?
• Your conclusions – based on your findings, what conclusions did you draw? What answers did you find to your research question(s)?

So, in much the same way the dissertation structure mimics the research process, your abstract or executive summary should reflect the research process, from the initial stage of asking the original question to the final stage of answering that question.

In practical terms, it’s a good idea to write this section up last , once all your core chapters are complete. Otherwise, you’ll end up writing and rewriting this section multiple times (just wasting time). For a step by step guide on how to write a strong executive summary, check out this post .

Need a helping hand?

Table of contents

This section is straightforward. You’ll typically present your table of contents (TOC) first, followed by the two lists – figures and tables. I recommend that you use Microsoft Word’s automatic table of contents generator to generate your TOC. If you’re not familiar with this functionality, the video below explains it simply:

If you find that your table of contents is overly lengthy, consider removing one level of depth. Oftentimes, this can be done without detracting from the usefulness of the TOC.

Right, now that the “admin” sections are out of the way, its time to move on to your core chapters. These chapters are the heart of your dissertation and are where you’ll earn the marks. The first chapter is the introduction chapter – as you would expect, this is the time to introduce your research…

It’s important to understand that even though you’ve provided an overview of your research in your abstract, your introduction needs to be written as if the reader has not read that (remember, the abstract is essentially a standalone document). So, your introduction chapter needs to start from the very beginning, and should address the following questions:

• What will you be investigating (in plain-language, big picture-level)?
• Why is that worth investigating? How is it important to academia or business? How is it sufficiently original?
• What are your research aims and research question(s)? Note that the research questions can sometimes be presented at the end of the literature review (next chapter).
• What is the scope of your study? In other words, what will and won’t you cover ?
• How will you approach your research? In other words, what methodology will you adopt?
• How will you structure your dissertation? What are the core chapters and what will you do in each of them?

These are just the bare basic requirements for your intro chapter. Some universities will want additional bells and whistles in the intro chapter, so be sure to carefully read your brief or consult your research supervisor.

If done right, your introduction chapter will set a clear direction for the rest of your dissertation. Specifically, it will make it clear to the reader (and marker) exactly what you’ll be investigating, why that’s important, and how you’ll be going about the investigation. Conversely, if your introduction chapter leaves a first-time reader wondering what exactly you’ll be researching, you’ve still got some work to do.

Now that you’ve set a clear direction with your introduction chapter, the next step is the literature review . In this section, you will analyse the existing research (typically academic journal articles and high-quality industry publications), with a view to understanding the following questions:

• What does the literature currently say about the topic you’re investigating?
• Is the literature lacking or well established? Is it divided or in disagreement?
• How does your research fit into the bigger picture?
• How does your research contribute something original?
• How does the methodology of previous studies help you develop your own?

Depending on the nature of your study, you may also present a conceptual framework towards the end of your literature review, which you will then test in your actual research.

Again, some universities will want you to focus on some of these areas more than others, some will have additional or fewer requirements, and so on. Therefore, as always, its important to review your brief and/or discuss with your supervisor, so that you know exactly what’s expected of your literature review chapter.

Now that you’ve investigated the current state of knowledge in your literature review chapter and are familiar with the existing key theories, models and frameworks, its time to design your own research. Enter the methodology chapter – the most “science-ey” of the chapters…

In this chapter, you need to address two critical questions:

• Exactly HOW will you carry out your research (i.e. what is your intended research design)?
• Exactly WHY have you chosen to do things this way (i.e. how do you justify your design)?

Remember, the dissertation part of your degree is first and foremost about developing and demonstrating research skills . Therefore, the markers want to see that you know which methods to use, can clearly articulate why you’ve chosen then, and know how to deploy them effectively.

Importantly, this chapter requires detail – don’t hold back on the specifics. State exactly what you’ll be doing, with who, when, for how long, etc. Moreover, for every design choice you make, make sure you justify it.

In practice, you will likely end up coming back to this chapter once you’ve undertaken all your data collection and analysis, and revise it based on changes you made during the analysis phase. This is perfectly fine. Its natural for you to add an additional analysis technique, scrap an old one, etc based on where your data lead you. Of course, I’m talking about small changes here – not a fundamental switch from qualitative to quantitative, which will likely send your supervisor in a spin!

You’ve now collected your data and undertaken your analysis, whether qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods. In this chapter, you’ll present the raw results of your analysis . For example, in the case of a quant study, you’ll present the demographic data, descriptive statistics, inferential statistics , etc.

Typically, Chapter 4 is simply a presentation and description of the data, not a discussion of the meaning of the data. In other words, it’s descriptive, rather than analytical – the meaning is discussed in Chapter 5. However, some universities will want you to combine chapters 4 and 5, so that you both present and interpret the meaning of the data at the same time. Check with your institution what their preference is.

Now that you’ve presented the data analysis results, its time to interpret and analyse them. In other words, its time to discuss what they mean, especially in relation to your research question(s).

What you discuss here will depend largely on your chosen methodology. For example, if you’ve gone the quantitative route, you might discuss the relationships between variables . If you’ve gone the qualitative route, you might discuss key themes and the meanings thereof. It all depends on what your research design choices were.

Most importantly, you need to discuss your results in relation to your research questions and aims, as well as the existing literature. What do the results tell you about your research questions? Are they aligned with the existing research or at odds? If so, why might this be? Dig deep into your findings and explain what the findings suggest, in plain English.

The final chapter – you’ve made it! Now that you’ve discussed your interpretation of the results, its time to bring it back to the beginning with the conclusion chapter . In other words, its time to (attempt to) answer your original research question s (from way back in chapter 1). Clearly state what your conclusions are in terms of your research questions. This might feel a bit repetitive, as you would have touched on this in the previous chapter, but its important to bring the discussion full circle and explicitly state your answer(s) to the research question(s).

Next, you’ll typically discuss the implications of your findings . In other words, you’ve answered your research questions – but what does this mean for the real world (or even for academia)? What should now be done differently, given the new insight you’ve generated?

Lastly, you should discuss the limitations of your research, as well as what this means for future research in the area. No study is perfect, especially not a Masters-level. Discuss the shortcomings of your research. Perhaps your methodology was limited, perhaps your sample size was small or not representative, etc, etc. Don’t be afraid to critique your work – the markers want to see that you can identify the limitations of your work. This is a strength, not a weakness. Be brutal!

This marks the end of your core chapters – woohoo! From here on out, it’s pretty smooth sailing.

The reference list is straightforward. It should contain a list of all resources cited in your dissertation, in the required format, e.g. APA , Harvard, etc.

It’s essential that you use reference management software for your dissertation. Do NOT try handle your referencing manually – its far too error prone. On a reference list of multiple pages, you’re going to make mistake. To this end, I suggest considering either Mendeley or Zotero. Both are free and provide a very straightforward interface to ensure that your referencing is 100% on point. I’ve included a simple how-to video for the Mendeley software (my personal favourite) below:

Some universities may ask you to include a bibliography, as opposed to a reference list. These two things are not the same . A bibliography is similar to a reference list, except that it also includes resources which informed your thinking but were not directly cited in your dissertation. So, double-check your brief and make sure you use the right one.

The very last piece of the puzzle is the appendix or set of appendices. This is where you’ll include any supporting data and evidence. Importantly, supporting is the keyword here.

Your appendices should provide additional “nice to know”, depth-adding information, which is not critical to the core analysis. Appendices should not be used as a way to cut down word count (see this post which covers how to reduce word count ). In other words, don’t place content that is critical to the core analysis here, just to save word count. You will not earn marks on any content in the appendices, so don’t try to play the system!

Time to recap…

And there you have it – the traditional dissertation structure and layout, from A-Z. To recap, the core structure for a dissertation or thesis is (typically) as follows:

• Acknowledgments page

Most importantly, the core chapters should reflect the research process (asking, investigating and answering your research question). Moreover, the research question(s) should form the golden thread throughout your dissertation structure. Everything should revolve around the research questions, and as you’ve seen, they should form both the start point (i.e. introduction chapter) and the endpoint (i.e. conclusion chapter).

I hope this post has provided you with clarity about the traditional dissertation/thesis structure and layout. If you have any questions or comments, please leave a comment below, or feel free to get in touch with us. Also, be sure to check out the rest of the  Grad Coach Blog .

Psst... there’s more!

This post was based on one of our popular Research Bootcamps . If you're working on a research project, you'll definitely want to check this out ...

36 Comments

many thanks i found it very useful

Glad to hear that, Arun. Good luck writing your dissertation.

Such clear practical logical advice. I very much needed to read this to keep me focused in stead of fretting.. Perfect now ready to start my research!

what about scientific fields like computer or engineering thesis what is the difference in the structure? thank you very much

Thanks so much this helped me a lot!

Very helpful and accessible. What I like most is how practical the advice is along with helpful tools/ links.

Thanks Ade!

Thank you so much sir.. It was really helpful..

You’re welcome!

Hi! How many words maximum should contain the abstract?

Thank you so much 😊 Find this at the right moment

You’re most welcome. Good luck with your dissertation.

best ever benefit i got on right time thank you

Many times Clarity and vision of destination of dissertation is what makes the difference between good ,average and great researchers the same way a great automobile driver is fast with clarity of address and Clear weather conditions .

I guess Great researcher = great ideas + knowledge + great and fast data collection and modeling + great writing + high clarity on all these

You have given immense clarity from start to end.

Morning. Where will I write the definitions of what I’m referring to in my report?

Thank you so much Derek, I was almost lost! Thanks a tonnnn! Have a great day!

Thanks ! so concise and valuable

This was very helpful. Clear and concise. I know exactly what to do now.

Thank you for allowing me to go through briefly. I hope to find time to continue.

Really useful to me. Thanks a thousand times

Very interesting! It will definitely set me and many more for success. highly recommended.

Thank you soo much sir, for the opportunity to express my skills

Usefull, thanks a lot. Really clear

Very nice and easy to understand. Thank you .

That was incredibly useful. Thanks Grad Coach Crew!

My stress level just dropped at least 15 points after watching this. Just starting my thesis for my grad program and I feel a lot more capable now! Thanks for such a clear and helpful video, Emma and the GradCoach team!

Do we need to mention the number of words the dissertation contains in the main document?

It depends on your university’s requirements, so it would be best to check with them 🙂

Such a helpful post to help me get started with structuring my masters dissertation, thank you!

Great video; I appreciate that helpful information

It is so necessary or avital course

This blog is very informative for my research. Thank you

Doctoral students are required to fill out the National Research Council’s Survey of Earned Doctorates

wow this is an amazing gain in my life

This is so good

How can i arrange my specific objectives in my dissertation?

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European / international joint ph.d. in social representation and communication, the ‘three papers’ format of phd thesis.

1. Introduction

This short guide introduces the idea of a PhD thesis consisting of ‘three papers’ as an alternative format for writing-up the results of three years’ PhD research. It compares and contrasts the conventional PhD thesis with the ‘three papers’ model, highlighting the main differences between them. It then suggests a rough timetable for producing a ‘three papers’ thesis in three years. Finally, it provides answers to some frequently asked questions.

2. The conventional PhD thesis

The conventional PhD thesis has (typically) the following elements:

For further information on the conventional thesis please consult the dedicated section (paragraphs 3.1 and 3.2)

3. The ‘three papers’ model

Under the ‘three papers’ model, a PhD thesis consists of three separate, publishable, papers. The papers should be of normal journal article length (say, between 5,000 and 10,000 words), depending on the editorial norms of the journal chosen jointly with the project leader (who is also the main supervisor). The three papers are each free standing (in the sense that each can be read and understood independently) but should be on related themes. The three papers are normally preceded in the thesis by a short introduction to the overall topic, which may contain essential background information. There may also be a general literature review.

Therefore, the ‘three papers’ PhD thesis looks like this:

• Cover page: All in English, setting out the name of the institution, the title of the thesis, the year of enrolment, the first name(s) and family name of the national tutor and the two foreign supervisors, the name of the candidate and the academic year in which it is to be presented. The model to be used is available at: http://www2.europhd.net/modalities-delivery-final-thesis-and-short-article
• Acknowledgment to any sponsor(s) of the research contained in the paper, along with grant number(s) and eventual disclaimer
• I.P.R. Agreement
• Outline: Containing the content of the thesis in chapters and paragraphs with the corresponding page numbers. The thesis must be divided into chapters and paragraphs (and if necessary into sub-paragraphs), all of which must be enumerated in the following sequential fashion: 1, 1.1, 1.1.1, 1.1.2; 1.2, 1.2.1, 1,2.2; 2,2.1, etc.
• Abstract: Containing a brief description (Max. 2 pages) of the objectives and the results of the research and acknowledgements that may be due.
• Keywords: four to five keywords should be listed below the abstract
• Introduction and background to the general topic area.
• First paper.
• Second paper.
• Third paper.
• Conclusion and implications for policy and/or further research
• Bibliography: Containing a complete list of works consulted and referred to in the text as set out in point 2.6 of the following page: http://www2.europhd.net/typologies-and-conventional-book-format-thesis
• Appendices (where relevant): Containing detailed information of the various aspects of the empirical research and how it was compiled (e.g. a copy of the instructions and explanations relating to the research participants, the materials and/or the methodology of the experiment, the questionnaire or weighting method employed, tables with raw data, transcriptions of audio material and or video recordings etc.)

The total number of chapters is thus usually five, and the total length approaches 150 pages of A4 (a maximum of about 35,000 words). As with the conventional PhD thesis, appendices of unlimited length may be added, but these appendices are commonly appendices to each paper, rather than appendices to the thesis as a whole.

Regardless on the format chosen - conventional or three-paper model - a short version of the thesis should be submitted by the same deadline indicated for the full thesis.

The short version of the thesis in Article Format is aimed at presenting the concise summary of the whole thesis and must be understandable without references to the extended version of the thesis (both conventional or three-paper model) 

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• Dissertation & Thesis Outline | Example & Free Templates

Dissertation & Thesis Outline | Example & Free Templates

Published on June 7, 2022 by Tegan George . Revised on November 21, 2023.

A thesis or dissertation outline is one of the most critical early steps in your writing process . It helps you to lay out and organize your ideas and can provide you with a roadmap for deciding the specifics of your dissertation topic and showcasing its relevance to your field.

Generally, an outline contains information on the different sections included in your thesis or dissertation , such as:

• Your anticipated title
• Your abstract
• Your chapters (sometimes subdivided into further topics like literature review, research methods, avenues for future research, etc.)

In the final product, you can also provide a chapter outline for your readers. This is a short paragraph at the end of your introduction to inform readers about the organizational structure of your thesis or dissertation. This chapter outline is also known as a reading guide or summary outline.

Table of contents

How to outline your thesis or dissertation, dissertation and thesis outline templates, chapter outline example, sample sentences for your chapter outline, sample verbs for variation in your chapter outline, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about thesis and dissertation outlines.

While there are some inter-institutional differences, many outlines proceed in a fairly similar fashion.

• Working Title
• “Elevator pitch” of your work (often written last).
• Introduce your area of study, sharing details about your research question, problem statement , and hypotheses . Situate your research within an existing paradigm or conceptual or theoretical framework .
• Subdivide as you see fit into main topics and sub-topics.
• Describe your research methods (e.g., your scope , population , and data collection ).
• Present your research findings and share about your data analysis methods.
• Answer the research question in a concise way.
• Interpret your findings, discuss potential limitations of your own research and speculate about future implications or related opportunities.

For a more detailed overview of chapters and other elements, be sure to check out our article on the structure of a dissertation or download our template .

To help you get started, we’ve created a full thesis or dissertation template in Word or Google Docs format. It’s easy adapt it to your own requirements.

 Download Word template    Download Google Docs template

It can be easy to fall into a pattern of overusing the same words or sentence constructions, which can make your work monotonous and repetitive for your readers. Consider utilizing some of the alternative constructions presented below.

Example 1: Passive construction

The passive voice is a common choice for outlines and overviews because the context makes it clear who is carrying out the action (e.g., you are conducting the research ). However, overuse of the passive voice can make your text vague and imprecise.

Example 2: IS-AV construction

You can also present your information using the “IS-AV” (inanimate subject with an active verb ) construction.

A chapter is an inanimate object, so it is not capable of taking an action itself (e.g., presenting or discussing). However, the meaning of the sentence is still easily understandable, so the IS-AV construction can be a good way to add variety to your text.

Example 3: The “I” construction

Another option is to use the “I” construction, which is often recommended by style manuals (e.g., APA Style and Chicago style ). However, depending on your field of study, this construction is not always considered professional or academic. Ask your supervisor if you’re not sure.

Example 4: Mix-and-match

To truly make the most of these options, consider mixing and matching the passive voice , IS-AV construction , and “I” construction .This can help the flow of your argument and improve the readability of your text.

As you draft the chapter outline, you may also find yourself frequently repeating the same words, such as “discuss,” “present,” “prove,” or “show.” Consider branching out to add richness and nuance to your writing. Here are some examples of synonyms you can use.

If you want to know more about AI for academic writing, AI tools, or research bias, make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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When you mention different chapters within your text, it’s considered best to use Roman numerals for most citation styles. However, the most important thing here is to remain consistent whenever using numbers in your dissertation .

The title page of your thesis or dissertation goes first, before all other content or lists that you may choose to include.

A thesis or dissertation outline is one of the most critical first steps in your writing process. It helps you to lay out and organize your ideas and can provide you with a roadmap for deciding what kind of research you’d like to undertake.

• Your chapters (sometimes subdivided into further topics like literature review , research methods , avenues for future research, etc.)

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George, T. (2023, November 21). Dissertation & Thesis Outline | Example & Free Templates. Scribbr. Retrieved July 30, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/dissertation/dissertation-thesis-outline/

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In addition to the traditional five-chapter dissertation, the University Graduate School allows for dissertations comprised of articles suitable for publication. Students pursuing careers in which publishing articles is important may benefit from this dissertation format. The multi-article format is not easier than the standard format, and a student’s decision about which format to pursue should be made in collaboration with their committee.

The University Graduate School Bulletin says:

Although work published by the student may be incorporated into the dissertation, a collection of unrelated published papers, alone, is not acceptable. There must be a logical connection between all components of the dissertation, and these must be integrated in a rational and coherent fashion. It is the responsibility of the student’s research committee to determine the kind and amount of published materials which may be included in a dissertation.

In response to student and faculty requests for additional guidance about article-based dissertations, the School of Education’s Graduate Studies Committee has developed the following suggested guidelines 1 .

Contents of an article-based dissertation:

• Front Matter (e.g., title page, abstract, etc.) See UGS guidelines for more specifics that apply to all dissertations.
• Introduction or Chapter 1, which explains the importance and coherence of the collection  of articles, including conceptual and/or theoretical links across the articles. This may be brief to avoid redundancy with later chapters.
• Middle chapters, which consist of articles suitable for publication.
• Concluding chapter, which discusses findings and implications of the collection of articles,  making clear the coherence of the work. Again, this may be brief.
• References and appendices may be included within each article and/or compiled at the  end of the dissertation.

While article-based dissertations often include three empirical articles or a literature review followed by two empirical articles for Ph.D. degrees, the committee decides on the acceptable number and format in light of norms in the student’s field, degree program (Ph.D. or Ed.D.), and the student’s goals. For example, article-based dissertation configurations might include:

• 1 literature review article (similar to Review of Educational Research articles) 1-2 empirical, philosophical or methodological articles
• 1 literature review article 1 empirical, philosophical, or methodological article 1 practitioner article
• 1 or 2 empirical, philosophical, or methodological articles 1 or 2 practitioner articles
• Three empirical, philosophical, or methodological articles
• Other formats committee members agree is acceptable.

General Notes:

• The student should obtain committee approval of dissertation structure at the proposal stage. The proposal should include a synthesis of literature to set the stage for the work being proposed, an outline of each proposed article, and details of the proposed methods for each scholarly article.
• In accordance with UGS requirements, the dissertation must form a coherent body of  work, with the introduction and concluding chapters making this coherence clear.
• The student must be the first author on all articles and must clearly contribute the  majority of the original conceptual and intellectual work for each article. Contributions of any co-authors must be delineated in the dissertation proposal and the dissertation.
• Articles must be of publishable quality, but publication is not required for  dissertation approval. The student should seek committee advice on publication outlets, which might include scholarly journals, practitioner journals, edited books, or other venues. Final responsibility for selecting and submitting to outlets lies with the student.
• Although the literature and methods described in multiple chapters may be  similar, students should carefully avoid self-plagiarism so that problems will not occur at the publication stage.
• The student is responsible for managing copyright permissions with chosen outlets.

1 The creation of these guidelines began with discussions of documents from the University of Texas at Austin and The University of Tennessee at Knoxville . Students looking for more extensive guidance may find those documents useful.

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Dissertation examples

Listed below are some of the best examples of research projects and dissertations from undergraduate and taught postgraduate students at the University of Leeds We have not been able to gather examples from all schools. The module requirements for research projects may have changed since these examples were written. Refer to your module guidelines to make sure that you address all of the current assessment criteria. Some of the examples below are only available to access on campus.

• Undergraduate examples
• Taught Masters examples

Examples of three-paper theses.

Hi all, I was wondering if anyone can point me in the right direction. I am following the three-paper thesis format, however, I have not been able to find examples at my university library. I will need to write an introduction, literature review and conclusion chapter to bring it all together. I would like to skim through a few example beforehand but I am not sure where to look. Any help is greatly appreciated!

The cynic in me says if there are zero 3 paper theses in your university library, is that an acceptable structure. I would look at your rules to make sure you can do it as it is weird to see no one else do it. Also, I don't know if this relevant but my main theses examples are the ones I cite. I found a couple of recent theses on topics very similar to mine and have used them for inspiration.

Thank you for your reply, rewt. Yes, they are an acceptable structure but are very rarely used in my department (had a discussion with my supervisors about this during my first year and they gave me the go ahead so I am in the clear!). My university library has some uploaded as online versions (none of which are the three-paper structure) and others stored in the library, however, because of covid I am unable to access the university library. So I was hoping there was an online repository somewhere else on the web. I will continue to scower the net! That's interesting actually because I have been told to avoid citing theses and focus on peer-reviewed journal articles, but I guess it depends on your discipline/supervisor etc.

What country are you in? Three paper thesis are very common in European countries outside of the UK so if you know of any related research groups you could try googling them. My supervisor has dozens in their office because they have been the external examiner on so many outside of the UK, and all follow the three-paper format. You could ask your supervisor if they know of other groups doing anything similar to yours. https://ethos.bl.uk/ has a repository of theses but it might be hard to find what you want.

Thank you, Saskia. I am in the UK so they are not very common here. That link is very helpful I'll check it out to see if I can find any on there. I wanted to try and find some on my own before asking my supervisor but will eventually email them if I am still stuck!

Quote From trevalda: That's interesting actually because I have been told to avoid citing theses and focus on peer-reviewed journal articles, but I guess it depends on your discipline/supervisor etc. I mostly reference their published papers but theses usually includes extra little bits that can be really useful. If you are lucky to find a few PhD students who did work on a similar subject to you, you can can get an extra bit of insight that published papers don't normally include.

That's a really good point! I'll keep that in mind when I'm going through them Rewt :D.

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Complex Sentence Thesis

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Crafting a compelling and intricate thesis statement can elevate the sophistication of your writing. Complex sentence thesis statements offer a profound way to convey nuanced ideas by combining multiple clauses and concepts. This guide delves into the art of constructing complex sentence thesis statements, providing insightful examples that showcase the depth and breadth of your argument. Alongside expert tips, you’ll learn to wield the complexity of language to captivate your readers and present intricate ideas effectively.

What is a Complex Sentence Thesis Statement? – Definition

A complex sentence thesis statement is a sophisticated and advanced way of presenting your main argument in an essay or research paper. It involves crafting a thesis statement using a complex sentence structure that includes multiple clauses and ideas. This type of thesis statement goes beyond the simple single-clause structure, allowing you to express intricate relationships between various aspects of your topic. Complex sentence thesis statements are particularly effective for conveying complex or multifaceted arguments.

What is an example of a Complex Sentence thesis statement?

Example: “While advancements in technology have revolutionized communication and connectivity, the ethical implications surrounding data privacy and the potential for algorithmic bias underscore the need for comprehensive regulatory frameworks and critical discourse.”

In this complex sentence thesis statement:

• The main argument is presented: “Advancements in technology have revolutionized communication and connectivity.”
• “the ethical implications surrounding data privacy and the potential for algorithmic bias”
• “underscore the need for comprehensive regulatory frameworks and critical discourse.”

This example showcases how a complex sentence thesis statement can encapsulate multiple facets of a topic in a single, intricate sentence structure.

100 Complex Sentence Thesis Statement Examples

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• Despite cultural differences, globalization has led to the convergence of consumer preferences and the dissemination of shared values in the realm of fashion.
• As climate change intensifies, the urgent need for sustainable agricultural practices becomes evident, prompting the exploration of innovative farming techniques and resource management.
• While social media fosters global connectivity and community engagement, its addictive nature and potential for misinformation necessitate heightened digital literacy and responsible usage.
• The intersection of artificial intelligence and healthcare offers promising solutions for personalized treatment and early disease detection, yet the ethical implications of data privacy and algorithmic decision-making require careful consideration.
• In a rapidly changing job market, the integration of technological education in schools becomes paramount, preparing students for the digital era and addressing the demand for specialized skills.
• The intricate interplay between socioeconomic factors, access to quality healthcare, and overall well-being underscores the imperative for comprehensive healthcare reforms that address systemic disparities.
• By analyzing historical narratives through diverse cultural lenses, a deeper understanding of the complex dynamics of past events emerges, fostering empathy and cultural reconciliation.
• The juxtaposition of economic growth and environmental preservation prompts the exploration of circular economies, which prioritize resource efficiency and waste reduction to ensure sustainable development.
• In the realm of international relations, the balance between state sovereignty and global cooperation becomes increasingly intricate, as nations navigate shared challenges while preserving their distinct identities.
• As urbanization continues to reshape cityscapes, the intricate planning and design of sustainable infrastructure are crucial for accommodating growing populations and minimizing environmental impact.
• The integration of inclusive education practices in schools not only benefits students with disabilities but also cultivates a culture of diversity and acceptance, enhancing the educational experience for all.
• The entwined relationship between mental health and physical well-being necessitates comprehensive healthcare models that address both aspects to ensure holistic patient care.
• In literature, the exploration of complex characters with conflicting motivations and desires adds depth to narratives, prompting readers to reflect on the intricacies of human nature.
• Amidst debates on immigration policies, the intricate balance between national security concerns and the humanitarian obligation to provide refuge highlights the complexities of migration issues.
• The dynamic evolution of language over time is influenced by cultural interactions, technological advancements, and social trends, showcasing the intricate nature of linguistic development.
• The intricate web of cause and effect in historical events highlights the interconnectedness of global developments, demonstrating the need for a comprehensive perspective on past occurrences.
• The convergence of biotechnology and ethics prompts ethical debates about genetic modification, as the potential benefits of disease prevention are weighed against concerns about playing with nature.
• In the context of urban development, the delicate balance between economic growth and the preservation of cultural heritage underscores the importance of sustainable urban planning.
• The intricate web of economic interdependence between nations necessitates strategic diplomacy and cooperation, as global economies navigate shared challenges and opportunities.
• The exploration of AI-driven creative processes in art and music raises questions about the relationship between human creativity and technological innovation, revealing the complex dynamics between human and machine.
• The intersection of cultural norms and gender identity in literature prompts a nuanced exploration of how societal constructs influence character development and narrative themes.
• The intricate dance between supply chain efficiency and environmental responsibility in corporate practices highlights the need for sustainable business strategies that prioritize both profitability and planet preservation.
• Amid debates on criminal justice reform, the balance between punitive measures and rehabilitation efforts becomes pivotal, as society grapples with the complexities of addressing crime.
• The juxtaposition of economic inequality and educational access underscores the role of education as a potential equalizer, necessitating equitable policies that provide quality learning opportunities for all.
• The intertwined nature of human rights and cultural relativism prompts philosophical inquiries into the universality of rights and the ethical challenges posed by diverse cultural contexts.
• The intricate negotiations between artistic expression and censorship in the digital age reflect the broader tension between free speech and responsible content dissemination on online platforms.
• The multifaceted relationship between economic development and environmental preservation requires holistic approaches that balance growth with conservation to ensure a sustainable future.
• As artificial intelligence penetrates various industries, the complexity of its impact on employment opportunities necessitates proactive measures to reskill the workforce and ensure a smooth transition.
• In the realm of international diplomacy, the intricate choreography of negotiations between conflicting nations demands skilled diplomats who can navigate complexities and promote peaceful resolutions.
• The exploration of historical figures through an intersectional lens uncovers the complexities of their identities and the diverse social forces that shaped their contributions to society.
• The intricate balance between individual autonomy and societal safety prompts ethical debates about surveillance technologies, as governments seek to protect citizens while respecting civil liberties.
• The dynamic interplay between mental health stigma and cultural attitudes underscores the importance of destigmatizing mental health issues and fostering open conversations in diverse communities.
• The convergence of cultural heritage preservation and technological advancements highlights the role of virtual reality in providing immersive experiences that bridge the gap between past and present.
• Amidst discussions on environmental conservation, the intricate relationship between indigenous knowledge and sustainable land management offers valuable insights for holistic ecosystem protection.
• The intricate negotiations between trade agreements and national interests exemplify the challenges of balancing economic benefits with the preservation of domestic industries.
• The intersection of globalization and traditional practices prompts the examination of how local cultures adapt to external influences while striving to maintain their unique identities.
• In the context of urbanization, the balance between aesthetic city planning and functional infrastructure design is essential for creating livable urban spaces that cater to both human needs and artistic aspirations.
• The intertwining of historical context and literary analysis reveals the complex layers of meaning within texts, showcasing the profound influence of societal dynamics on creative expression.
• The intricate dynamics of family relationships in literature mirror the complexities of real-life connections, enabling readers to delve into themes of love, conflict, and personal growth.
• Amid debates on immigration policies, the juxtaposition of economic contributions and cultural diversity underscores the multifaceted benefits that immigrants bring to their host countries
• The intricate interactions between socioeconomic status and educational achievement highlight the need for equitable educational opportunities that address systemic inequalities.
• The convergence of medical ethics and technological advancements prompts discussions on the ethical implications of genetic engineering and its potential to alter the course of human evolution.
• In literature, the exploration of unreliable narrators and conflicting perspectives adds layers of complexity to storytelling, challenging readers to decipher hidden truths and motives.
• The intricate web of political alliances and power struggles in history underscores the importance of diplomacy and negotiation in preventing conflicts and fostering international cooperation.
• The intersection of cultural appropriation and artistic expression prompts critical analysis of how borrowing from marginalized cultures perpetuates inequality while stifling authentic representation.
• Amid debates on artificial intelligence, the complex relationship between human agency and machine autonomy raises ethical questions about the boundaries of technological advancement.
• The delicate balance between economic growth and indigenous land rights prompts inquiries into sustainable resource management that respect both economic development and cultural heritage.
• The intricate connections between economic policies and income distribution underscore the importance of crafting inclusive economic strategies that benefit diverse socioeconomic groups.
• In the context of globalization, the interaction between cultural homogenization and cultural diversity prompts discussions on the preservation of unique cultural identities in a globalized world.
• The exploration of moral dilemmas and ethical choices in literature invites readers to grapple with complex scenarios that mirror real-life challenges and moral gray areas.
• The intricate link between urban planning and public health prompts considerations of how well-designed cities can promote physical activity, reduce pollution, and enhance overall well-being.
• Amid the digital age, the intricate balance between privacy rights and national security concerns fuels debates about the boundaries of surveillance and individual liberties.
• The convergence of historical events and personal narratives in literature showcases the interconnectedness of individual experiences with broader sociopolitical contexts.
• The intricate relationship between economic incentives and environmental conservation highlights the potential of sustainable business models to drive positive ecological change.
• In international relations, the delicate dance of negotiation and compromise shapes the outcome of diplomatic efforts, reflecting the complexities of maintaining peaceful relations between nations.
• The intersection of cultural norms and gender roles prompts analyses of how literature reflects and challenges societal expectations, influencing perceptions of identity and equality.
• Amid discussions on immigration policies, the nuanced connection between refugees and the global refugee crisis underscores the importance of compassionate responses and international cooperation.
• The dynamic interplay between artistic creativity and mental health provides a lens to examine how artistic expression can serve as both catharsis and a means of coping with psychological struggles.
• The intertwining of economic inequality and healthcare access emphasizes the need for comprehensive healthcare reforms that address the health disparities faced by marginalized communities.
• In literature, the exploration of unreliable memory and subjective narration deepens readers’ engagement by challenging conventional notions of truth and narrative reliability.
• The intricate connections between cultural heritage and tourism prompt inquiries into how responsible travel practices can preserve historical sites and foster cross-cultural understanding.
• The convergence of artificial intelligence and the legal system raises questions about the ethical implications of using algorithms for judicial decision-making and the potential for biased outcomes.
• Amid debates on climate change, the complex relationship between individual actions and global environmental impact calls for a collective approach to sustainable practices and policy changes.
• The intersection of technological advancements and educational methodologies prompts discussions on how digital tools can enhance learning outcomes while addressing the challenges of screen time.
• The intertwining of economic growth and income inequality underscores the importance of inclusive economic policies that ensure equitable distribution of resources and opportunities.
• In the realm of urban development, the balance between architectural innovation and historical preservation creates a dynamic tension that shapes the visual landscape of cities.
• The intricate link between media representation and societal attitudes prompts critical analyses of how media narratives influence public perceptions of social issues and identities.
• The convergence of cultural appropriation and intellectual property rights raises questions about the ethics of borrowing from marginalized cultures while respecting their cultural autonomy.
• Amid debates on healthcare policies, the complex relationship between individual choice and public health concerns highlights the importance of balancing personal freedoms with collective well-being.
• The intersection of technology and privacy raises questions about the ethical implications of surveillance technologies, prompting discussions on how to protect civil liberties in a digital age.
• The intertwining of historical context and scientific advancements showcases how discoveries are influenced by societal developments and cultural paradigms.
• In the context of globalization, the balance between economic integration and national identity prompts discussions on how nations can maintain their cultural distinctiveness while participating in a globalized world.
• The dynamic interplay between environmental conservation and economic growth prompts inquiries into how sustainable business practices can drive positive ecological change without compromising profitability.
• The intricate relationship between media consumption and body image prompts analyses of how media portrayals influence perceptions of beauty, self-esteem, and societal norms.
• Amid discussions on technological innovation, the nuanced connection between automation and job displacement necessitates explorations of reskilling and workforce adaptation.
• The convergence of cultural heritage and urban revitalization prompts considerations of how historical preservation can contribute to the economic and cultural vibrancy of cities.
• In literature, the exploration of moral ambiguity and ethical dilemmas invites readers to engage with complex characters and situations that challenge traditional notions of right and wrong.
• The intersection of artificial intelligence and creative expression raises questions about the authenticity of AI-generated art and the role of human creativity in an increasingly automated world.
• The intertwining of cultural identity and language preservation prompts discussions on how linguistic diversity contributes to the richness of human expression and understanding.
• Amid debates on immigration policies, the complex relationship between economic contributions and cultural integration highlights the diverse ways immigrants enrich their host societies
• The intricate connections between historical memory and national identity prompt inquiries into how collective narratives shape a society’s perception of its past and present.
• The convergence of technology and mental health care raises questions about the potential benefits and challenges of using digital interventions to address psychological well-being.
• Amid discussions on social justice, the dynamic interplay between systemic racism and criminal justice disparities underscores the importance of addressing inequalities within the legal system.
• The intersection of cultural norms and environmental conservation prompts analyses of how indigenous ecological knowledge can inform sustainable resource management practices.
• The intertwining of economic growth and cultural preservation prompts considerations of how tourism can promote cultural heritage without commodifying traditions.
• In the context of globalization, the balance between economic interdependence and national sovereignty prompts discussions on how countries can collaborate while safeguarding their interests.
• The complex relationship between economic policies and income distribution underscores the importance of inclusive economic strategies that benefit diverse socioeconomic groups.
• Amid debates on climate change, the intricate connections between deforestation and carbon emissions highlight the importance of protecting forests for global climate stability.
• The intersection of technology and education prompts inquiries into how virtual learning environments can enhance engagement and accessibility while addressing potential screen time concerns.
• The dynamic interplay between artistic expression and cultural identity prompts analyses of how artists navigate their heritage while pushing boundaries in a globalized world.
• The convergence of ethics and scientific progress raises questions about the boundaries of genetic engineering and its potential to reshape the future of human biology.
• Amid discussions on urban planning, the intricate balance between economic development and public space design prompts considerations of how cities can prioritize livability for all residents.
• The intersection of gender norms and media representation prompts analyses of how media perpetuate stereotypes while providing opportunities for empowered and diverse narratives.
• The intertwining of environmental conservation and economic sustainability prompts inquiries into how ecotourism can provide economic benefits while protecting fragile ecosystems.
• In literature, the exploration of psychological depth and character motivations adds layers of complexity to narratives, inviting readers to delve into the complexities of the human psyche.
• The convergence of technological advancements and healthcare access raises questions about how telemedicine can bridge gaps in medical care while ensuring patient privacy and quality.
• Amid debates on social equity, the dynamic interplay between urban planning and affordable housing prompts discussions on how cities can prioritize inclusivity and prevent gentrification.
• The intricate relationship between historical context and political ideologies showcases how the interpretation of historical events is influenced by contemporary beliefs and agendas.
• The intersection of cultural norms and technological adoption prompts inquiries into how societies navigate the impacts of digitalization on language, communication, and social interaction.
• The complex interplay between individual rights and public safety raises questions about the balance between privacy concerns and surveillance measures in an era of advanced technology.

These examples of complex sentence thesis statements showcase the diversity and depth of arguments that can be crafted using intricate sentence structures. They allow for the exploration of multifaceted ideas and encourage thoughtful analysis and discussion.

Complex Sentence Thesis Statement Examples for Essay

Navigate the realm of intricate ideas with our curated collection of complex sentence thesis statement examples for essays. Discover how to craft sophisticated arguments that captivate readers while effectively conveying multifaceted perspectives on a wide range of topics.

• Despite cultural barriers, the universal appeal of music transcends borders, connecting people from diverse backgrounds and fostering cross-cultural understanding through its emotive language.
• The intricate interplay between nature and nurture shapes individual personality development, as genetics and environment interact to mold the complexities of human behavior.
• The convergence of digital technology and traditional art forms prompts discussions on the transformative potential of mixed media, revealing the intricate relationship between innovation and tradition.
• Amid debates on social media’s influence, the complex interconnection between online identity and real-life self-perception raises questions about the impacts of curated digital personas on mental well-being.
• The dynamic dance between socioeconomic disparities and educational opportunities underscores the urgency of equitable educational policies that address systemic barriers and empower marginalized communities.
• The convergence of medical ethics and genetic advancements prompts inquiries into the potential benefits and ethical dilemmas posed by gene editing technology in the realm of human health.
• The intricate relationships between historical narratives and collective memory influence societal perspectives on past events, shaping cultural identity and informing current societal beliefs.
• Amid discussions on AI-driven decision-making, the complex balance between automation and human intuition raises ethical questions about the appropriate roles of algorithms and human judgment.
• The intersection of architectural innovation and sustainability prompts analyses of how green design principles can harmonize with urban aesthetics to create ecologically conscious cityscapes.
• The convergence of economic globalization and environmental degradation prompts inquiries into how international policies can harmonize economic growth with responsible resource management to ensure a sustainable future.

Complex Sentence Thesis Statement Examples for Research Paper

Elevate your research papers with our diverse array of complex sentence thesis statement for research papers examples. Uncover the art of presenting intricate concepts, and learn how to structure your arguments using advanced sentence structures to enhance the depth and complexity of your academic work.

• The intricate interplay between social media usage and self-esteem in adolescents prompts an exploration of how online platforms contribute to body image concerns and shape self-perception.
• Amid debates on renewable energy adoption, the complex relationship between government policies and private sector investments raises questions about how regulatory frameworks influence sustainable energy transitions.
• The dynamic convergence of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity necessitates comprehensive research into the intricate vulnerabilities and safeguards required to protect against AI-driven cyber threats.
• The intersection of historical trauma and mental health outcomes prompts in-depth research into the enduring effects of historical events on the psychological well-being of affected populations.
• Amid discussions on urban planning, the complex balance between walkability and transportation infrastructure prompts research into how cities can create pedestrian-friendly environments while addressing transportation needs.
• The intertwined nature of corporate social responsibility and profit motives prompts research into how businesses can integrate ethical practices into their operations while maintaining financial viability.
• The convergence of cultural heritage preservation and technological innovation calls for research into how virtual reality technologies can recreate historical sites, offering immersive experiences to a global audience.
• In the realm of climate change adaptation, the intricate relationship between community engagement and resilience-building prompts research into how local participation contributes to effective climate strategies.
• The dynamic interplay between cultural identity and language preservation requires research into how indigenous languages can be revitalized and maintained in a rapidly changing world.
• Amid discussions on healthcare disparities, the complex relationship between race, ethnicity, and healthcare outcomes prompts research into how systemic biases influence medical access and treatment quality.

What is the Complex Sentence Thesis Formula?

The Complex Sentence Thesis Formula is a structured approach to crafting thesis statements that incorporate intricate ideas within a single sentence. It involves constructing a thesis statement using a complex sentence structure, which includes one main clause (the claim) and one or more subordinate clauses (the reasons or supporting points). This formula allows you to present a layered argument that showcases the depth of your analysis.

What is the structure of a complex thesis statement?

A complex thesis statement typically follows a structure that comprises a main clause and one or more subordinate clauses. The main clause presents the main argument or claim, while the subordinate clauses provide additional context, reasons, evidence, or supporting points that elaborate on the claim. The structure can be represented as follows:

Main Clause (Claim) + Subordinate Clause(s) (Reasons or Supporting Points)

How long is a complex thesis statement?

The length of a complex thesis statement can vary, but it is generally a single sentence that effectively conveys the main argument and supporting points. The complexity of the argument often necessitates a longer sentence to accommodate multiple clauses. However, it’s essential to strike a balance between complexity and clarity, ensuring that the statement remains concise and understandable.  You should also take a look at our  Tentative thesis statement .

How to Write a Complex Sentence Thesis Statement? – Step by Step Guide

Crafting a complex sentence thesis statement requires careful consideration and thoughtful structuring. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you create a sophisticated and effective complex thesis statement:

• Choose a Specific Topic: Select a focused and manageable topic that allows for in-depth analysis and exploration.
• Identify Main Argument: Determine the primary claim or main argument you want to make in your thesis statement.
• Outline Supporting Points: Identify two or more reasons, evidence, or supporting points that bolster your main argument.
• Structure the Sentence: Begin with the main clause, which contains your claim. Add one or more subordinate clauses that provide context or support for the main argument.
• Maintain Clarity: While the sentence may be complex, ensure that it remains clear and understandable. Avoid convoluted sentence structures that may confuse the reader.
• Revise and Refine: Review your complex sentence thesis statement for coherence and logical flow. Make sure each clause contributes to the overall argument.
• Check for Balance: Ensure that the main clause and subordinate clauses are balanced in terms of importance and depth of analysis.

Tips for Writing a Complex Sentence Thesis Statement

• Start with the Main Claim: Begin your complex sentence with the main argument or claim you intend to make.
• Use Subordinate Clauses Strategically: Subordinate clauses should provide relevant context, reasons, evidence, or examples that enhance the complexity of your argument.
• Be Concise: While complex, the thesis statement should be concise and focused on conveying your main argument and supporting points.
• Avoid Ambiguity: Ensure that each clause in the sentence contributes to the overall clarity of the argument. Avoid vague or ambiguous language.
• Maintain Parallel Structure: If you include multiple subordinate clauses, strive for parallel structure to enhance readability and coherence.
• Consider Sentence Length: While longer sentences are acceptable, avoid excessive length that may hinder readability.
• Revise and Proofread: After writing your complex sentence thesis statement, revise and proofread to eliminate errors and refine the wording.
• Seek Feedback: Share your complex thesis statement with peers or instructors to gain insights into its effectiveness and clarity.
• Practice Writing Complex Sentences: Developing the skill of constructing complex sentences takes practice. Experiment with different sentence structures to find what works best for your argument.
• Capture Complexity: Use your complex thesis statement to capture the multifaceted nature of your topic, showcasing your ability to analyze intricate ideas.

Creating a complex sentence thesis statement requires precision, careful thought, and a strong grasp of the topic. By following this guide and incorporating these tips, you can craft a thesis statement that effectively conveys layered arguments and demonstrates your mastery of complex writing structures.

Text prompt

• Instructive
• Professional

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