Journal-article-format theses
Current as of March 22 2006.
The MQ rules state that a thesis "must form a distinct contribution to the knowledge of the subject and afford evidence of coherence and of originality shown either by the discovery of new facts or by the exercise of independent critical power". The thesis as a whole should be focussed on a single project or set of related questions or propositions - that is, it must present an integrated body of work.
The structure of journal-article-format theses is as follows.
- Title Page giving the title of the thesis in full, the names and degrees of the candidate, the name of the organization, institute or laboratory in which the research was carried out (if applicable), the name of the Department of the University associated with the work and the date when submitted for the degree;
- DECLARATION. a statement signed by the candidate to the effect that the work has not been submitted for a higher degree to any other university or institution. The candidate shall also indicate in the thesis the sources of information used and the extent to which the work of others has been utilised;
- an acknowledgements page (optional).
- a table of contents;
- a summary of approximately 200 words for an MPhil degree or 300 words for a PhD;
The body of the thesis then follows, with pages numbered consecutively.
The first section of the body of the thesis should be an Introduction. This should be a comprehensive, critical and coherent overview of the relevant literature. It should identify the distinct contribution the thesis is to make to the literature, setting the frame and sequence for each of the papers to follow. It need not be long: 20-30 pages.
After this Introduction chapter, there are a number of chapters each written in the format of a self-contained journal article. This need not have been submitted to any journal.
The final chapter is a Conclusions chapter, which provides an integrative conclusion, drawing together all the work described in the journal-article-format parts of the thesis and relating this back to the issues raised in the Introduction.
The maximum allowable length is 75,000 words: you are recommended to aim for a length between 50,000 and 75,000 words (PhD); 20,000-40,000 words (MPhil).
For further details see http://www.ro.mq.edu.au/HDRU/forms_thesis/ThesisPreparation2005.pdf