1. Thesis Quickstart Glen Koué Research Librarian Dudley Knox Library (831) 656-7736 gkoue@nps.edu

2. Thesis Process • A thesis is a process as well as a product • There are steps to the process • Know your required steps • Plan those steps out in advance • Create a schedule for the steps • Do not underestimate the time each step will take • Time management is key • Take charge of the process

3. Thesis Steps • Select an advisor • Literature review (ongoing) • Select a topic • Write your thesis proposal • Develop a research methodology • Research your topic • Write a portion of your thesis • Submit for review • Repeat • Submit thesis for Dept Chair review • Submit thesis for Thesis Processor review

4. Advisor • Start interviewing potential advisors early • Choose the right advisor for you • A good working relationship is critical • Communicate regularly • Be clear on expectations: • What does your advisor expect of you • What you can expect from your advisor • Establish a regular meeting schedule

5. Literature Review • Ongoing throughout thesis process • Begin in your classes • Identify sources of Information • Synthesize and evaluate existing research • Identify agreements/disagreements in literature • Identify gaps in the research • Place your research in a larger context

6. Topic • The topic should be • of interest to you • researchable • Achievable in the time frame • Ways to select a topic • Your Classes • Literature review • Your advisor • Department’s and Professors’ lists of thesis topics • Departmental thesis opportunity presentations • NPS Theses “Topics for Further Research” sections

7. Proposal • A proposal is a thesis plan • What is your research question(s)? • What is the significance of answering it? • How are you going to answer it? • What is the scope of your research? • What are the milestones? • Easier to shape before it is official

8. Research • Research Assistance • Journal articles & books • Not just those at NPS • NPS Theses • Bibliographies as starting points • Need to be comprehensive • Keep thorough notes on: • research strategies • citation information • Aim your class work towards your thesis

9. Writing • Write as you research • Use a specific citation style consistently • Must use NPS Thesis format • Use the NPS Thesis Template • Expect to go through revisions • Research and writing guides • Editors

10. Review Process • Determine the review process with advisor • Advisor’s review is an iterative process • Take turn-around time into consideration • Institutional Review Board review • Sponsor review • Limited Distribution review • Department Chair review • Thesis Processor review

11. Thesis Processor • Electronic Thesis & Dissertation Process Website • Workshops • Process Required in last quarter (Go earlier) • Templates Optional (but essential) • Thesis Preparation Manual (Essential reading) • Thesis Template Guide for Word (Essential reading) • SharePoint Submission • Help

12. Getting Started With Your Thesis A web page of resources is linked from the Library’s Help page. The direct url is: http://www.nps.edu/Library/Help/Research%20Tools/Guides/ThesisQuickstart.html