How do you write a thesis?

The writing of the thesis can be done simultaneously with the research and data collection. In itself, it starts with the project or preliminary draft of the thesis, where the research problem is stated, defining the main questions that shape it, and the objectives (in a standardized way, a general objective and three specific ones can be determined). In almost all cases, it is necessary to formulate a hypothesis -linked to the problem and the objectives-, where in some way a tentative answer or solution can be given or the phenomenon studied can be explained. Once these three fundamental items have been established, the project should also include, even if only in general terms, the theoretical framework on which the research is based and the methodology to be used. Likewise, three or four antecedents of studies and research that have been carried out on the chosen problem should be recorded. The methodological choice can be qualitative or quantitative, or mixed, and the type and design of the study, the data collection instruments, type and criteria for sample selection and the analysis strategy should be specified. Finally, it is recommended to describe or structure the chapters of the thesis. If the project is approved, the real process of writing the thesis begins. If the thesis involves fieldwork, beyond the exhaustive bibliographic search and tracing -both on the Internet and in libraries- the fieldwork must be undertaken, the data obtained must be classified and compared with the hypothesis and the theoretical framework. As the thesis is being written, the bibliography and the Annexes section that may be included in the work (where, for example, the data collection instruments may be included) should also be composed. It is also advisable to keep a field diary, where the main tasks related to the progress and development of the thesis are recorded. This integral approach requires that the writing, after describing the project in the introduction of the thesis, continues with the theoretical framework, which basically consists of stating the main theories and concepts related to the topic under investigation, presented by referents of the science or discipline in question, preferably as current as possible. Only after analyzing the data and presenting the results and findings recorded, the conclusions are drawn up and written.

Apart from its originality, what is the essential quality that a thesis must have?

Of course, as stated in the question, the first condition of a research paper is that it postulates an original hypothesis and is at some point "innovative". Originality cannot be forced; a problem must be approached from a perspective that has not yet been used. Therefore, we do not recommend at all the search and use of research material and theses circulating on the Internet, since they detract from the originality of the work. On the other hand, there are several qualities that a thesis must meet, among which we highlight the rigorousness in the application of the methodology ("not inventing fictitious fieldwork results"), being sufficiently documented with graphic material and statistics, having cohesion between the parts and, as for the writing, using a purely informative or referential language, with a strong predominance of facts and data over emotional or sentimental expression.

In which cases is appropriate a quantitative research and in which cases a qualitative approach?

Although both research methods can be combined, complemented and used in different areas of knowledge, the use of one or the other will depend on the research problem and the objectives pursued. In principle, qualitative research is the most appropriate for all disciplines within the Social Sciences, while quantitative research is more commonly used in the field of Marketing and Business Administration. In any case, we understand that another factor to consider is the scope and limitations of the research, in addition to the researcher's profile, who may have more skills or preference for a particular technique, such as the survey -in the case of quantitative studies- or the in-depth interview -if a qualitative study is being considered-.

Which are the attributes of a good hypothesis?

Like the thesis as a whole, it must be original. The variables must be easily distinguishable and feasible to operationalize, both conceptually and empirically. When proposing hypotheses, it is an entertaining exercise to allude to events that occur in reality -in the political, sports, cultural, etc.-, and to conjecture about what will happen in each case in the medium term, arguing and justifying the hypothesis. Another fundamental condition of the hypothesis is that it should be a guide for the researcher, orienting him/her during data collection and the writing of the final report. The following are some examples of hypotheses taken from theses in different disciplines:

Hypothesis 1: In the Penitentiary Unit 31 of Ezeiza, the inmates generate, either in language or through other cultural forms, strategies of resistance that configure social and communicative practices among them and their relations with authority.
Hypothesis 2: The acquisition of arms by the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela does not constitute a threat to the balance of the region, and does not exceed the framework of mutual confidence-building measures established between South American countries. All this, sustaining a strategic model of defense antagonistic to the interests of the United States in the region.
Hypothesis 3: The training of human resources in transnational companies in the pharmaceutical sector is carried out without adequate planning that takes into account the characteristics of local markets, the management level being guided by the sole objective of complying with pre-established labor standards.

How is a survey designed? What aspects of the problem should be taken into account when defining the questions?

The first thing to consider in the design of a survey is the characteristics of the population under study and the variables derived from the hypothesis. The questions will revolve around these two factors. Likewise, when the research problem is posed, it should also be expressed in a series of questions, which in fact constitute the core of what is to be investigated. These questions should also be considered in the design of the survey. On the other hand, depending on the object of study, the questions can be open-ended or closed-ended, be on a Lickert scale, or pose various response alternatives. From our perspective, the richness and originality of survey research depends to a large extent on the implementation of an adequate design, and on the type of analysis and interpretation of the data.

What criteria do you follow to organize and develop a Theoretical Framework, how does it differ from the State of the Art, Literature Review, or Background?

In order to organize and develop a theoretical framework, the first thing we do is an exhaustive bibliographic and documentary search -by various means- until we define a set of basic concepts and theories associated with the topic under investigation. The theoretical framework should be thought of as the foundation of the hypothesis that has been formulated. In general, it is related to the program studied during the year. The literature review refers to the specific articles, studies and books used in the research within a predefined structure, with definitions of other authors about the problem under study.
The State of the Art or State of the Question allude to the same concept, related to everything that is known or has been researched on the chosen topic, refer to a current panorama of knowledge, and can be considered as a starting point for the researcher. In the sections titled in this way, in addition to data and statistics, reference can be made to the Contextual Framework, which is usually relevant in the scientific field, especially in an era in which technological advances and discoveries follow one after another in an uninterrupted manner. Finally, the Background includes specifically the research that has been carried out on the problem addressed.

What aspects of the research should be taken into account when drawing conclusions?

Mainly, in addition to the findings detected in the analysis of the data and/or during the fieldwork, a fundamental aspect to be taken into account is to evaluate the extent to which the research objectives -both the general objective and the specific objectives- have been met. On the other hand, in the concluding part of the research, the hypothesis must be contrasted with the data obtained, and its fulfillment or refutation must be corroborated, always depending on the behavior of the variables observed. Finally, in all research it is important to establish guidelines or alternative solutions to the problem investigated, as well as recommendations and suggestions for future research.

If you want to write a thesis don’t do this:

Do not rush into writing without a previous plan, without having coherently defined the research problem and objectives, as well as the methodology and the theoretical framework. The thesis project is a unique opportunity to train the synthetic and focused writing of the research object, and, fundamentally, to set it out in a way that justifies carrying out the research.

You have all your papers loose, how do you start the writing process:

A good option is to order the papers, based on a criterion or classification of relevance, which serve for the writing of the thesis. In fact, in today's times, it is a priority to have all the documents properly filed in a computer, and to make the corresponding consultations on the Internet, which has many academic sites of proven quality.

You have the idea but you can´t put it in words:

It is always important to have patience, and not to be afraid of the blank page. It is essential to have time to express the idea. In general, one should not put so many expectations on the originality or innovative character of the idea, but on the feasibility of what is being investigated, and how it should be done. The writing begins to flow when you have formulated the research questions, and how you will try to answer them.

Costs to obtain help with the writing of a thesis:

In order to establish the approximate costs, it is necessary to specify basic aspects such as the topic of the thesis, the level of the thesis (whether it is an undergraduate, dissertation, graduate, doctorate, etc.), whether a project must be submitted first, what are the guidelines for the presentation of the work (type and size of letter, spacing, method of bibliographic citations, etc.).

List of the topics on which Sobretesis has written theses:

It is not our business to sell "ready-made" theses, like sausages, but our product is original and valuable, it makes the difference because it is both academic and handcrafted, and it is made and developed with the approval of the student's tutor. We offer a quality service, rather than a finished product.

Why are graduate theses rejected?

Statistics indicate that currently, most of the theses are rejected because they do not meet the standards and requirements set forth in the regulations or rules of presentation designed by each faculty of each university. At the same time, there is the practice of cut & paste, or even the use of AI programs, employed by students to complete the thesis, doing it in a careless way, without the corresponding citations or references, and without paraphrasing or reworking the sources used.

Why the writing of a thesis must be considered as important as the methodological part of it?

The writing should be framed in an academic tone and style, subject to the presentation guidelines and the chosen citation systems in which they should be made. In any case, each area of knowledge may adopt its own peculiar tone or style, which may even resemble or draw from the most cited or renowned authors in the subject, which in some cases may be those of the same teacher and/or tutor. In any case, they are two aspects that contemplate different stages or actions that contribute to the final production of the thesis. The methodology, in any research work, is crucial, since an accurate design allows arriving at more reliable and feasible conclusions to be verified in the reality of the problem in question, whether in the order of the exact sciences or in the broad sphere of the social sciences.

How does a thesis advisor help in setting up a university thesis or dissertation?

To be an authentic learning and discovery experience, the process of writinis must be driven by an advisor that adopts the role of guide, supervising and correcting what the student is effectively constructing and elaborating for the thesis, from the selection of the topic to the elaboration of the conclusions and the executive summary of the work, with its respective keywords. The area or aspect in which the student may require more advice is precisely the methodology to be used, its type and design, the tools and instruments for data collection, the techniques and procedures to apply them, the definition of the object of study, population, sample, and if necessary, statistical treatment and data analysis. These are issues that present their complexity, such as the operationalization of the variables of the hypothesis, but that give scientific support and solidity to the work, minimizing the possibilities of rejection or disapproval. Likewise, the consultant must be very precise when establishing, as mentioned above, the research problem, the objectives and the hypothesis (in case one is proposed, since there are exploratory or descriptive researches that may omit the presentation of a hypothesis or of the theoretical and methodological assumptions from which they start).