1. Word limit and structure in a journal-style thesis
1.1 Word limit
The departmental word limit for the equivalent monograph thesis should be viewed as advisory rather than compulsory, given the differing nature of a journal-style thesis. If, however, a journal-style thesis word count is likely to be significantly over or under that set by your school, department or centre then you should notify your Graduate Chair.
1.2 Structure
Although a journal-style thesis must be a coherent and continuous work, there is considerable flexibility in how it can be structured, in order to accommodate differences in approaches to research, and its publication within, and between, disciplines.
Typically, a journal-style thesis may have the following structure, but you must check if your school, department or centre have set out any specific requirements or guidance on this issue.
| Element | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Abstract | n/a |
| Introduction | A concise introduction to research aims, key research questions, and how they are addressed in the chapters/papers which comprise the thesis. |
| Substantive research chapters | Each chapter is likely to be a separate paper or disciplinary equivalent (‘paper chapters’) with a statement of authorship. Supplementary and/or additional material may be included before or after the paper. Some chapters may be ‘traditional chapters’, ie not in a format suitable for publication. |
| Conclusion | A summary of the main findings of the research, which contextualises and integrates the substantive research chapters and provides a critical discussion of the research’s implications, including how it advances the field and areas for future work. |
| References |
References and/or bibliography. This could, but does not need to, include references included with ‘paper chapters’. |
In some theses, it may be appropriate to include the following:
| Element | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Literature review chapter | A critical analysis of the relevant literature and its applicability to the research questions investigated. A separate literature review chapter is not needed if the literature review is combined with the introductory chapter or if each substantive chapter includes a sufficient element of literature review (either as an integral part of the paper or as additional material presented before or after the paper itself). See 2. Papers for more information. |
| Methodology chapter | A separate methodology chapter is only needed if the substantive chapters do not include sufficient details of the materials and methods and this would be a more efficient approach than including the information as supplementary or additional material with each chapter. |
Alternatively, a single integrative chapter (alongside the substantive research chapters) may be appropriate. If a single integrative chapter is used, it will combine elements of what might otherwise be included in an introductory and a conclusion chapter (see above).
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