6. Abstract: A one page, single-spaced
summary of your thesis question, the method(s) used to address the question,
your results, and your conclusion(s). You should examine several examples
of abstracts from leading, peer-reviewed journals in y our area of specialization
to determine the expected level of detail, style and point of view.
Your abstract is very important. A digital copy will be posted on international
bulletin boards and included in the CES webpage. Your abstract should
enable readers from diverse backgrounds to decide whether they would
like to obtain a digital copy of your thesis in order to read further.
7. Body of the thesis: Includes Introduction,
Background, Methods, Results, and Conclusion.
- Introduction-should include a general overview of
your thesis topic, including a general description of the organizational
structure of your thesis.
- Background section(s)-should include a review of
the literature in your area of study, and/or the history of the environmental
problem under investigation. (In publication format, these sections
are often combined).
- Methods section-If your thesis topic involves collecting
original natural or social science data, this section must completely
describe and reference your sampling design, and data gathering and
analytical methods. If your thesis relies upon secondar y sources
of data, this section should describe the origin and background of
the data sufficient to enable a reader in your area of specialization
to gauge the reliability of the information.
- Results-This is the key analytical portion of your
thesis. This section(s) should typically include summaries of your
data, and your analysis and interpretation of results within the context
of your overall thesis question.
- Conclusion-This section should summarize your major
observations and present your conclusions, including your recommendations
for further study and/or solutions to your identified problem(s) where
appropriate.
8. Bibliography: Alphabetized list of all published
information referred to or relied upon in the body of the thesis. Should
include relevant identifying information about interviews conducted
as part of your research, i.e., name, affiliation, date o f the interview
etc.
9. References and Footnotes: Research skills
are a particularly important aspect of the thesis writing process. However,
the Center does not stipulate a particular format for references or
footnotes. You are strongly encouraged to adopt the format typi cally
used in the published literature in your primary area of study. Note,
however, that your advisor may pay special attention to your use of
references and footnotes to make sure that: a) ideas, information
and quotations cited in your thesis are prope rly attributed, and b)
a reader would be able to easily relocate the cited information.
