Useful Tips and Thesis Statement Examples for Research Papers
Research is a purposeful and organized process of mental work directly aimed at the production of new knowledge. In the course of the research, it is possible to allocate the following basic stages:
- Preparatory. At this stage, the topic of research is selected and approved. The student defines the purpose, tasks, subject, and object of research. A work plan is drawn up and approved, literature is selected and studied, and the research itself is carried out;
- Work on the content of research work. This stage involves writing and designing of work;
- Final. At the final stage, the student writes an introduction and conclusions, draws up a list of references and appendices. Preparation for the defense and defense of research work takes place.
So, it follows from the above that writing a research paper is the result of successful research work. But creating a quality document is not as easy as it might seem initially. The student’s work on paper is connected with:
- In-depth study of the theory;
- Consolidation of previously acquired knowledge into a certain system and updating them in the process of practical solution of the problem;
- Formation and development of skills of independent research and experimentation.
Preparation of research work increases the scientific erudition of the student and expands cognitive interests. In addition, it deepens the theoretical training of future specialists.
What is a Thesis Statement?
All research papers have thesis statements. It is one or two small sentences that express the main idea of the work. The text of the paper itself defends the thesis.
A thesis is a form of thought that gives a new explanation of phenomena. It is based on the knowledge that has already been accumulated. But it reveals previously unnoticed patterns (for example, the idea of universal development in dialectics). The birth of the thesis is the mechanism of cognition. The new thesis changes the perception of the scientist not as a result of a strict rationale for existing knowledge. It is also not a simple generalization. It is a qualitative leap of thought beyond sensory data with a strictly justified meaning. The development of science takes place in such a way that theses always appear. And there are always those who have no explanation from the standpoint of existing theories.
A thesis can not only exist before the creation of the theory as a prerequisite and basis for its construction. It can also reduce the number of theories to a separate branch of knowledge. The thesis is organically linked to principle and law. In theory, the thesis acts as the original idea, uniting the concept and measure of knowledge into a holistic system. It contains a fundamental law on which the theory is based. Whereas in other terms, only certain aspects of this pattern are reflected.
It should also be noted that the thesis emerges as a result of a long, intense search. New theses can arise under the influence of paradoxical situations. There usually is a small, unexpected result that contradicts the generally accepted position of science. The thesis reflects the object of study. It also contains an awareness of the purpose, perspectives of knowledge, and practical transformation of reality. Theses are born from practice, observations of the world around us, and the needs of life. They are based on real facts, events, and specific tasks that life puts forward.
An assumption, conjecture, or hypothesis is the development of a thesis. But in research, the hypothesis most often allows the thesis to develop. In this connection, it seems appropriate to indicate that hypothesis is a reasonable assumption to explain the facts, phenomena, processes, and trends in their development. It involves theoretical or experimental confirmation or refutation.
Why Is a Thesis Statement Important in Research Work?
The thesis is a short summary of the basic provisions of scientific work. It involves the prior acquaintance of the reader with the results of scientific research. The thesis summarizes the basic principles of the paper. It allows a writer and a reader to remember the text of the whole work at any time.
Basic Steps in Creating a Thesis Statement
The work on writing a thesis statement includes several steps:
- Step 1 – Selecting key information that gives an idea of your work. It may include the basic data or results of the research, the specifics of its conduct, etc.;
- Step 2 – Selecting the format. There is no set format for a thesis. The hypothesis you are trying to bring will help you in choosing the format;
- Step 3 – Getting feedback. When you write a research thesis, share it with your classmates, as well as family and friends, who are not dealing with this topic. Pay attention to whether they understand its meaning. Correcting mistakes at this stage will give your thesis a better chance of being successful;
- Step 4 – Presentation of the thesis. After completing the editing process, complete the thesis in the text of your paper.
Guidelines for Constructing a Thesis Statement
When creating your thesis, try to adhere to two basic rules:
- The main requirement for a thesis statement is that it should be as clear as possible. At the same time, ambiguity should not be allowed. For example, the following thesis statement is ambiguous: “Laws must be followed”. Here it is not at all clear which laws the author implies. We can talk about both the laws of social life and the laws of nature. In addition, it may be related to legal laws. With this in mind, it is very important to adhere to the rule of clarity and accuracy when creating a thesis. It is highly recommended to avoid ambiguity. Remember that the wrong word can completely distort the meaning of the sentence. So, consider each phrase in detail;
- The thesis statement must remain unchanged. That is, the same position must be proven. If this rule is not followed, you will not be able to prove your point of view and find good arguments. Therefore, try to remember the original formulation of a thesis and adhere to it in the process of writing the paper.
Main Mistakes in the Construction of a Thesis
When writing a thesis statement, mistakes are often made. Let’s consider the main ones.
Loss of a Thesis
Complete loss of the thesis. Starting to write a work, we can get distracted and forget about which thesis statement is the basis of the work. Against this background, the second thesis often arises. To prevent this from happening, you need constant self-control. You need not lose the main idea and line of reasoning. Thus, you should provide the main provisions in their relationship. In the event of an involuntary consideration of related opinion, go back to your original position and support own opinion with strong arguments.
Complete Substitution of a Thesis
The second mistake is a complete substitution of the thesis. Having put forward a certain position, something else begins to be proved, close or similar in meaning. That is, the main idea is replaced by another. Substitution of the thesis is the result of carelessness in the reasoning. That is when we do not preliminarily formulate clearly our main idea but clarify it throughout the study.
Partial Substitution of a Thesis
The third mistake is a partial substitution of the thesis. It occurs when we try to modify our own thesis. At the same time, we narrow or soften our initial too general, exaggerated, or overly harsh statement. In some cases, under the influence of counterarguments, we tend to soften our very harsh assessment. In other cases, the opposite picture is observed.
Which Type of Thesis Statement Should I Choose: Persuasive or Informative?
Scientists distinguish two basic types of thesis statements: persuasive and informative. The choice of type depends entirely on the purpose of writing the paper. If your goal is to convince the reader of the credibility and veracity of the position expressed, then choose a persuasive one. If your goal is to inform the reader, you should give preference to an informative thesis.
How to Start a Thesis Statement?
As stated above, a thesis statement takes up little space in your research paper. Therefore, it is inappropriate to describe your research or detail your thoughts there. The main thing is to be short and clear. You need to start the thesis in such a way that it immediately attracts the reader’s attention. It is recommended to express the text’s main idea, use opposite statements, find reasons that confirm your position, etc.
Be creative, and you will create a good start for your thesis statement. The main thing is to remember the main idea of a research and the purpose of writing a paper.
Useful Formula for Building a Strong Thesis Statement
Before you create a thesis statement for your paper, consider a formula that will certainly help you with this:
Although counter-argument (opposite to your opinion), subject + opinion. This is because of cause 1, cause 2, cause 3.
Here is a thesis example that corresponds to the specified formula:
Although the brand is not a material property of the product, it is important for the manufacturer because it attracts the attention of buyers who seek to limit themselves from products made by ‘dirty’ technologies.
Examples of Good Theses for Your Paper
Below you will find examples of memorable thesis statements that will surely help you in creating your unique one.
College Education
Here are examples of theses for research work exploring college education problems:
Considering that science and creativity are beginning to play a leading role in economic development, firms seek to recruit young people capable of non-standard creative thinking.
The manifestations of academic dishonesty may be due to the peculiarities of national legislation in the field of education and science. However, there is no correlation between students’ social status in the stratification structure of society and propensity to academic dishonesty.
Although 2020 has changed the way of life of many people, higher education in Austria is still relevant. Most importantly, residents of the CIS countries can still get it.
Healthcare and Medicine
Below are examples of thesis statements on the topic of health and medicine:
Despite the profound changes taking place, healthcare delivery models have changed little over the past fifty years. Rising costs and inefficient structures mean that health systems will not be able to meet the goals of universal health coverage and broader sustainable development goals without radical transformation.
Despite significant advances in medical diagnosis and treatment, health systems are still predominantly systems of patient care. They are not associated with more global factors that influence health.
Ensuring the accessibility of essential medicines has been a major concern for several decades. But today, the focus is also on stimulating the necessary innovation, health issues that have not yet received adequate attention.
Social Issues
If your work is based on the study of social problems, then you should consider the theses below:
Even though outside the 21st century, the problem of poverty and hunger remains relevant worldwide today.
Rational economic and management mechanisms are necessary for the successful functioning of social entrepreneurship. There is a pragmatics of the need to outline appropriate strategies for the development of social enterprises to fulfill their social mission.
Today, issues of human development are considered through the prism of involving people in key areas: social, cultural, and economic. The greater the proportion of people excluded from these areas, the greater the threats to sustainable development.
Conclusion
So writing a good thesis statement is not an easy task. But everyone will be able to cope with the assignment in the case of observing thesis statement structure, the basic rules of writing, etc. It is also important to avoid common mistakes in writing.
