4 Parts of the Thesis

Structure of the thesis

Bachelor’s and master’s theses usually have the following three parts: the first part
introduces the topic, the body contains a description of the implementation of the
research, and the last part lists the information connected with the work. The following
is thus a typical thesis construction.
1. The first part contains

 the cover page,

 the description page,
 the description page in the requested foreign language, if applicable (see
Description Page),
 the table of contents,
 the list of figures, and
 the list of tables.
2. The body’s contents vary depending on the type of report (research or development
project). For research reports, the body contains
 the introduction of the topic,

 the theoretical basis,

 the implementation of the project,
 the research results, and
 the discussion.
For development project reports, the body contains
 the introduction and objectives,

 the background of the project,

 the theoretical basis,
 the practical implementation of the project, and
 the discussion.
3. The last part contains
  the list of references, and
 the appendices.

4.1.2 Description Page

The description page of a bachelor’s or master’s thesis is a form containing a
bibliographic description and an abstract of the work. Its purpose is to provide the
reader with basic information on the work in proper form. Text on the description page
is single spaced. The author(s) of project reports can obtain an electronic description
page template from the various schools of JAMK University of Applied Sciences as well
as from the Study Guide.
The Date on the description page refers to the submission date of the report (i.e. the
date the report is submitted for assessment, after which it is not changed anymore). The
Type of publication is Bachelor’s (or Master’s) thesis. The complete name of the Degree
programme, the name(s) of the Tutor/Supervisor/Advisor and assignor (Assigned by) are
written on separate lines.
The item Pages indicates the total number of pages contained in the report. If the
proportion of appendices to the overall report is large, the type and number of pages of
the appendices can be specified under the item Miscellaneous (e.g. ”Appendix:
Instruction file, 30 pages”). Here the appendix may also be defined as, e.g. a video DVD
or a computer programme on CD-ROM, and that it constitutes part of a larger research
project or a co-operative project of several degree programmes.
The description page of an English bachelor’s or master’s thesis is written only in
English; no Finnish translation is needed, except in the case of Finnish students
preparing a thesis for a degree programme in which the language of instruction is
English. Further instructions and resources for compiling the various parts of a
bachelor’s or master’s thesis into a single PDF document for publishing are available via
the Study Guide.

Abstract
The abstract should contain approximately 200 words, and give information on the
subject matter, objectives, methods and results of the work, as well as on possible
further applications of the results. The descriptive part should be clearly organised and
contain the following information: The goal of the work and the research task, stated in
a compact, yet sufficiently informative way. An eventual assignor is named at the very
beginning of the abstract. The implementation of the work is explained in broad terms,
stage by stage. The results are presented compactly, as facts. The conclusions and
applications are presented last. Prospects for later use and development can also be
mentioned here.
On the basis of the abstract, the reader decides whether the report is worthy of a closer
look. Because the abstract is short, the focus should be on the most interesting part, i.e.
the results. Only full sentences should be used in the abstract, as well as statements of
fact, the passive voice, and the past tense. (See Hirsjärvi et al. 2009, 253.) The abstract
should be an independent entity and contain no references to the work it presents (one
must not write, e.g. ”This bachelor’s or master’s thesis ….”

Keywords
The author describes the contents of the bachelor’s or master’s thesis with keywords
that make the work easy for readers to find. Keyword indices can be used to choose
keywords (see also Chapter 2). If a chosen keyword is included in a keyword index, the
word should be used in the same form that it appears in the index. Keyword indices
present both the recommended forms of the words and parallel and synonymous
expressions. For example, in a thesis about customer service, in addition to customer
service, one could specify such keywords as customer orientation and customer
relationship. Interview study, questionnaire study, action study, or other
terms to describe the research method(s), give the reader some insight into the thinking
behind the material.
Keyword indices do not usually include the latest field-specific terminology—
consequently, field-specific terms are used as keywords. Proper names of companies
and places, for example, can also be used as keywords. Students can avail themselves of
the JAMK Library’s services when choosing keywords and their form. The JAMK Library’s
webpages also provide links to keyword indices and databases. In addition to the
general Finnish Ontology Library Service ONKI, the links include field-specific
terminology lists, such as MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) Browser, used by students
of the School of Health and Social Studies.
BASIC SECTIONS OF ANY UNDERGRADUATE
DISSERTATION: TIPS FOR INEXPERIENCED WRITERS
A dissertation is an academic paper that has a precise structure. Before you start writing your
undergraduate project, you need to remember the basic structure of such a paper. The list below includes
the basic sections of an academic paper of this type. Still, before you get down to writing, you need to make
sure what your supervisor wants to see in your project, and which parts can be omitted. You’d better figure
it out before you waste time writing things that can be skipped without issue.

The basic sections of an undergraduate dissertation involve the following:

 Cover.
Because this part is often optional, you need to find out in advance whether you are supposed to
create a cover for your project or not.

 Title page.
This section is one of the most important ones. Because it’s very formal, it often causes problems
for the majority of students. Every part of your project, including the title page, should be composed
using the academic style of writing that has been chosen for your paper.

 Acknowledgements.
This section is required in case you have anyone to thank for assistance in the research done during
the process of writing.
 Abstract.
In this part of your project, you give your readers a rough idea of what they can find inside the paper
they are about to read. It’s an important section, so it’s very likely that you will need to write one for
your paper.

Contents page.
This is one of the indispensible pages that need to be present in any dissertation. The contents page
is a means of navigation, and makes your project reader-friendly.

 List of figures or illustrations.

This part references the number of illustrations or tables that are or are not attached to your paper.

 The body.
This is the main part that represents your research.

 Introduction.
This is the opening paragraph that helps you attract readers’ attention and keep them reading your
paper.

 Methodology.
This chapter explains your choice of research methods, so it’s one of the most important.

 Results or conclusions.
This part of your project shows the results you have achieved and the way you have reached your
own goals.

 Reference list/bibliography.
This is an awfully important part of your project that names all the reference sources that you have
used. Your accuracy in this chapter may save you from plagiarism charges.

 Appendices.
The presence or absence of this part depends on whether you have any additional materials in your
project.