Thesis Writing Tips Choosing And Working With A Research Supervisor

Preparing a thesis is a requirement for Undergraduate and Graduate students who are a part of a degree program. While the process may be very crucial for their academic performance, it is at times harrowing as well as interesting for the scholars to work upon. Writing a thesis just requires some basic steps and you also need an experienced person who can guide you in the right way. This write up discusses all the essential steps for writing a thesis in the best way.

Choosing the right topic

At the beginning, this is one of the most important parts and you must choose something which is very relevant and close to the subject of the studies. Here it is important to note that having two or three topics beforehand is a good practice so that there is flexibility at the time of researching and writing. The process should be ideally started by undergraduates in the third year of their programs to have ample time for making any changes, if required. This way you can change the topic if proper research material is not available or if you find the topic to be uninteresting.

For graduate students, such inter-related topics should be drafted early on as later they will be choosing from diverse branches of study. This way a focused approach is developed towards studies and a student also has the time to explore any other topics that may be of personal interest, requiring more exploration.

Formalization of the topics in the early stages helps immensely as you can enroll confidently in the writing course and reach the thesis mentor with a clear frame of mind.

Searching for the thesis mentor
Finding the right person for assistance and supervision is very important and you must keep the following tips in mind for the same :

Searching for someone who holds significant experience in that area of study is a good decision as you can avail the guidance in the right direction. It will be better if the research supervisor has published a thesis on similar lines.
To start the search, you can firstly ask the faculty members or browse the publication list of various departments.
You can also ask other students who have already worked with a mentor during their programs to give you a suggestion. This is beneficial as sometimes you can even get to know about their working style.
Determine the approach of the prospective research supervisor to ensure compatibility. Some mentors adopt a nurturing approach whereas others provide initial guidance and prefer the students to be more proactive towards learning.

It is important that your style of working should match with that of the mentor to avoid any conflicts.
The process of collaboration

You should set up a feasible work schedule and adhere to it. Be active towards contributing to the project and let your goals be known from the first stage itself. Meeting regularly may not be possible so you can remain in touch with your mentor through e-mails.

Following the above mentioned steps makes the process of writing a thesis more streamlined and easy not just for the student but also the supervisor. This ensures that you can enjoy the experience while learning important information that will play a significant role in your academics even for the long run.