Writing up

Help your researcher in the writing up stage by setting up regular meetings to discuss progress and review the work they have written up so far.

Encourage your researcher to:

• read and review other theses to get ideas on style and structure
• make a plan of all the sections and chapters in their thesis
• check regulations for finishing dates
• set clear goals for each day/week
• establish a routine and take regular short breaks
• ask colleagues and friends to review drafts and help proof read

Here are some questions that might be useful when reviewing drafts:

• Does the content match the title?
• Are important points emphasised enough?
• Is the content within each section appropriate?
• Is there a logical sequence?
• Are information sources acknowledged?
• Do the conclusions relate to the objectives?
• Is the meaning of each sentence clear - or open to interpretation?