1. Topic & Questions Define exactly what you want the reader to learn. Break your topic down into a logical flow of main questions and detailed sub-questions.
2. Sourcing & Critical Analysis
Source Types: Use both Primary (original artifacts, interviews, raw data) and Secondary (academic books/articles analyzing a subject). Use reliable platforms like Google Scholar.
Be Critical: Never take sources at face value. A good thesis analyzes the context and compares the different biases or perspectives of the authors.
3. The 4 Stages of Research Explore, Plan, Execute, and Finalize.
4. Planning & Structuring
Build an Argument: Structure your thesis to make a specific point; do not just list events in chronological order.
Take Control: Dictate the structure yourself—don’t let your raw notes guide you. Group relevant notes by chapter, assign supporting literature to each section, and ruthlessly cut irrelevant material.
A thesis will usually contain most or all the following sections:
Title page
A clear title or research question
Abstract
A short overview of the reasons for and the aims of the research.
Acknowledgements (Optional)
You may wish to acknowledge any significant contributions to the research from others
Contents page(s)
Examples will be provided.
Introduction
Here you should provide context for the study, briefly outline the methods of the study and establish the overall and specific objectives. The reader should clearly understand what they will learn.
Literature review
Review all the literary materials and sources you plan to use in your research, establishing how they will provide a foundation to support the enquiry and enable the study to reach viable findings and fulfil the research objectives.
Methodology
This section should review approaches and methods applied to develop findings, including any not covered in Literature review. This might include literary comparison, case studies, surveys, interviews, experiments, exhibitions and events. It should explain how these methods will generate relevant findings or results.
Themed topic chapters
This will form the main part of the discussion and the number of topics /chapters will vary. Main chapter headings should be clearly labelled e.g., Chapter 1. Contexts in Animated Documentary.
Chapter subtitles should be labelled as e.g., 1.1 Enactment and Re-enactment of Documentary, 1.2 Interview and Animated Documentary
Results/or Findings (Optional)
This section will present findings and discuss the implications. Consider the practical value your findings will provide to practitioners, educators, and other academics in your field, any ways your work can challenge existing theories and assumptions in your field.
Conclusions
Conclude the study by evaluating and reviewing the implications of the study identifying any policies that could be impacted by your findings, problems your work can potentially help to fix, or how your work might contribute to current or future research. Identify any limitations and recommendations for future research.
Reference list
List all the sources cited in your thesis. Arrange your references alphabetically by author surname.
Bibliography
List books that you have consulted but not cited. Arrange your references alphabetically by author surname. You may also require a filmography
Image list
For academic referencing, visuals are categorised as either:
Illustrations (artwork, photos, screenshots, film stills, charts, graphs etc.) or,
Tables (numbers or text in columns and rows)
Appendices
Materials such as letters or relevant documents can be presented here.
From this week, I got the information about this unit and next task and process. In particular, Thesis Proposal Approaches, Thesis Proposal Structure. These are link for these topics.
Select a Topic: Choose a motivating topic with potential impact that meets your assignment’s learning outcomes.
Define your Target: Clearly identify your Audience (who will read it) and Purpose (what you want them to know).
Plan the Research: Read the brief, break your thesis into logically ordered main questions and sub-questions, and plan your investigation.
2 Structuring the Thesis
Establish a working title and use the following 5-part structure:
Introduction: State the main issue, the topic being investigated, and the report’s purpose.
Methodology: Explain your chosen research methods, why you selected them, and how you applied them.
Literature Review: Critically evaluate the existing sources and literature that inform your research.
Investigation: Present your main discussion, options, and findings based on evidence (use citations and sub-headings).
Conclusions: Provide final takeaways or recommendations for your audience based on your findings.
Key Guidelines for Thesis & FMP
Sources: Use and properly cite academically recognized sources (books, media, etc.).
Practical Project (FMP): Base your project on your career goals. Decide how to exhibit it and whether it connects directly to your written thesis.
Format: Choose an approach (experimental or commercial) and a medium (screen, installation, interactive, AR, games, etc.).
Research Value: Define your audience. Clearly state why your research is original, important, and how it advances existing knowledge.
Assessment Focus: You will be graded on deep research (Enquiry), skill synthesis (Knowledge), experimentation (Process), clear articulation (Communication), and professional quality (Realisation).
