Thesis Writing Tips

1. How do I format the bibliography and citations in body of the paper?

All written assignments (style, spelling, usage, references and footnotes) must conform to requirements set forth in the Chicago Manual of Style, fifteenth edition (University of Chicago Press 2003). The Journal of Planning Education and Research (JPER) requires the Chicago Manual of Style. JPER is one of the most respected and authoritative journals in the field of urban and regional planning.

To see a section of the JPER’s guide to authors submitting manuscripts, and other specific examples of how to properly format your bibliography, click here

The Chicago Manual of Style Web site is at:http://www.press.uchicago.edu/Misc/Chicago/cmosfaq/tools.html

• 2. Can you show me some examples of written work students did in past years?

For exemplary student work from last year, click here

3. How can I frame my study? What is a good way to organize it conceptually?

Examples of narrative devices (conceptual lenses) you could use to frame your studyhttp://seniorsequence.net/?page_id=279

•Integration (knowledge management, transdisciplinarity, epistemic cultures, PSS/ DSS)•Science communication (research translation, science-society linkages)•Globalism (grand challenges, transborder comparative frames of reference)•Diversity and Justice (challenges of multiculturalism, demographic shifts)•Governance (planning theory re civic engagement, power and democracy)•Networks and flows (network theory, public policy networks, new forms of social activism)•Social Change (planning strategies re advocacy, social movements, activist networks)•Innovation (source of, process, collaborative models)•Sustainability (the three E’s economics, equity, environment)•Imagination (role of story/narrative in planning, framing)

Guide to Critical Thinking and Action for Urban and Regional Studies (click here for pdf )Four Traditions of Planning Theory (click here for pdf)Research Design and Methods Worksheet (click here for pdf)Evidence Worksheet (click here for word doc)Conceptual Map for Sustainable City-Region Development (click here for pdf)The 3 Es of Sustainable Development (click here for pdf )

1. _______________ 2. _______________

3._______________

Object of Study

Story

What is your object of study? By “object” I do not necessarily mean a physical object. The object can be a network, policy, institutional arrangement, flow of resources, event, place, etc. You need to be able to say what your object is in less than five or ten words (e.g. non-profit housing organization, regional planning agency, Center City Development Corporation, Leed Criteria, Regional Comprehensive Plan, the flow of used tires, community benefits agreement, social movement, downtown)

What is your story? That is, what is the narrative at the heart of your investigation? Is your story mainly about empowerment, defensible space, new institutionalism, equity in planning, greening of architecture, governance, sustainability , coalition building, science communication, regional development, gentrification, environmental planning, or what?

What are your main points in the story you are telling? That is, what are you highlighting as the most important findings, lessons learned, and/or take-home points. What do you want the reader to come away with most of all? You can have just two points, or four or five. Three is a nice manageable number

THEORY An examined conceptualization of some objectAndrew Sayer (1992)

4. Are there guides I can use as worksheets to help me get clarity (for research and writing purposes)?

Below are some of the handouts we’ve shared in the Senior Sequence:

• Guide to Critical Thinking and Action for Urban and Regional Studies (click here for pdf )

• Four Traditions of Planning Theory (click here for pdf) • Research Design and Methods Worksheet (

click here for pdf) • Evidence Worksheet (click here for word doc) • Conceptual Map for Sustainable City-Region

Development (click here for pdf) • The 3 Es of Sustainable Development (click here for pdf)

5. Can I make reference to myself in the paper (can I use I)?

Use I only sparingly, if at all. It is legitimate to use I when you need to say something about your specific role or credibility. For instance, something like this would be ok.

As a research intern at the Center on Policy Initiatives, I was a participant observer during many of the meetings I analyze in this thesis.

You don’t need to say I conducted interviews with so and so. Instead, weave the interview data into your report. Here is an example of SRP text using interview data:

Sample SRP textSeveral officials mentioned the political climate of SD influences the city’s ability to meet

a certain target. Jane Smith, CEO … stated “It has been really hard for us to try to get legislation through because the city council doesn’t like to impose mandates. Instead, they like to go for voluntary compliance” (interview by author, 2.3.08).

Don’t say I think in the paper. That is assumed. Rather than say I think, try saying : The evidence suggests that….

Think of your ideas as the embodiment of collective knowledge (from your readings and conversation with others).

SRP Check List

FORMATTING YOUR BIBLIOGRAPHY http://seniorsequence.net/?page_id=39All written assignments (style, spelling, usage, references and footnotes) must conform to requirements set forth in the Chicago Manual of Style, fifteenth edition (University of Chicago Press 2003). This is what the Journal of Planning Education and Research (JPER) requires. JPER is one of the most respected and authoratative journals in the field of urban and regional planning.

Conceptual framework and literature review

• Did I successfully place my SRP in a conceptual framework?

• Does my SRP spell out a clear research question, argument, or problem? Does it provide specifics/background/evidence on why it important?

• Do I clearly outline my specific objectives, including how my research provides insight into the general topic or problem?

• Do I clearly spell out how my research is related to other previous and ongoing research? Did I tell you if anyone else is doing what I did? Is my literature review organized around a clearly articulated theme or argument?

Research design and methods

• Did I clearly explain my data collection strategy and methodology?

• Did I explain my research design and my logic for choosing particular methods (why, for instance, I chose to do interviews, content analysis, and/or archival research)?

• Your research design is your "action plan for getting from here to there, where here may be defined as the initial set of questions to be answered, and there is some set of conclusions (answers) about these questions" (Yin 1994: 19). Do I convince the reader that my approach is rigorous and based in social science methods‐‐be they qualitative or quantitative?

Concluding section: Outcome/ Findings)

• Do you get a clear picture of my findings? Do I convince you that they are significant?

• Have I reiterated the main points of my study, and suggested why I think it matters (linking back into the key literature)?

• Do I spell out the implications of my research, and identify what questions remain unanswered?