How much contextual background does a PhD thesis need?

I have a full draft completed, currently standing at 89,000~ words :$. I provide the context and history of the policy I am critiquing in my introduction, together with the specific aspects of the policy my research focuses on. I state my positionality and then off I go in the rest of the thesis with my critique! My supv liked my introduction [amazingly] but wants me to add an a further contextual chapter. He says I pretty much go straight to the consumption of the policy rather than provide a full outline of how it came into being. However, I think that I do do this in my introduction - which he liked. Given that my thesis is already pretty long, I don't think this further context info will make or break my thesis, and really will just make it longer. I think there is more than enough for a reader - not familiar with my region - to be able to grasp what it is that I am critiquing.

What does anybody think?

======= Date Modified 11 Jun 2011 22:22:09 =======
Doodles

It's the same idea, ie you need to insert section breaks. The system then allows you to insert Roman numerals (or whatever) in one section and then after the break a different numerical style. Have a look at the youtube link I posted in a reply below. It's not for Vista though but surely the basic premise must be the same??

Edit: sorry am on different pc so didn't have the link to hand but here it is :-) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIfacBJZba0

One time I'll manage to post a comment without having to go back and edit it :$

for many (most??) of us it is probably only through reading that we do sort ourselves and our thoughts out. For many, that's part of the challenge of the PhD. Ultimately with your thesis you have to show what YOU deem important to YOUR topic. You are not expected to read everything but you are expected to be able to sift through the vast amounts of material and become master of YOUR topic.

As Pjlu says, focussing on the seminal authors and texts is more often than not a good start. A complementary approach might be to skim read at the beginning. Try not to read too deeply but rather get a feel for what is out there and try to see where you will position yourself. Then and it is a gradual process, you will start to understand where your focus is and almost unconsciously be drawn to what is relevant to you.

A bit waffley maybe but my basic point is not to get too hung up at the beginning about feeling that you have to know exactly what you're doing :-)

Really interesting and impressive resumé Beajay :-)

And Dr. Sozaboy, congrats to you as well(up)

======= Date Modified 10 Jun 2011 18:40:48 =======

I'm in social sciences and I number, have done since I started my write up. My supervisor thought it pretty funny when I gave him the first draft that it was numbered and formatted correctly! I find it easier even when I edit a chapter. Once it's finished 'again' I go back and re-jig the section numbers. I'm hoping that it will make things easier in the long run.

Yay, congratulations Dr Pineapple, a pass with bells on (up); am delighted for you and will take inspiration from your determination

sorry should have said that within each section break you need to format the page setup, landscape or portrait! but you'd probably worked that out;-)

======= Date Modified 10 Jun 2011 09:19:21 =======
Makes perfect sense! Corinne had similar problem recently, more in relation to inserting different styles of page numbers but its essentially the same problem. You need to insert section breaks. Have a look at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIfacBJZba0 - youtube videa on inserting section breaks. Note you can't see breaks in print view but you can in normal view. If you are using Vista things might be a little different but the principle should be the same. I have done what you describe in word docs before and 'eventually' I got it to look the way I wanted!

Hi SarahLouise

Not a silly post at all. To me you sound like you are steaming ahead and I think your supervisor's advice to move on is good for a number of reasons. While your lit review draft may well need work you most likely will find it easier to re-work after you have done your analysis. What's the difference looking at your results now as opposed to September? Your thesis does sound like its moving fast but why is that a bad thing? I would go with your supervisors; they obviously feel you are up to the task of tackling your results. I think you will have the guts of a full draft mid 3rd year and can spend the rest of the year revising, reworking, editing etc.

I am part of a Graduate Education Programme which meant that I had lots of modules and their associated assignments to wade through before being able to write up. However, I now have a full draft completed and am now re-working it and WILL (!!) submit in September of this year so like you, within three years :-)

Hi Slowmo

That wait for draft feedback is pretty tortuous, I know. My supv and I had our 'big talk' today. He gave me feedback on my first full draft which to be fair to him he had not seen all of before. I have to merge two chapters, write a further short additional contextual chapter, and numerous other edits. I was terrified that he was going to advise submitting later than summer but we have agreed that it should be fully ready by September so I'm happy with that. He knows what he's doing and it's only me getting antsy wanting to submit earlier than I should. the thoughts of facing back in to it tomorrow doesn't exactly fill me with happiness though! Some of the edits are easy, some less so but all of them I can see will make it stronger. All his comments were prefaced with the notion that he is trying to make it go through examination (and viva) as easily as possible. Working on 'til September I can take, and do!! He was actually chair of a viva this morning so as I say he def knows what he is talking about.

Hope your feedback comes through soon Slowmo but I feel your draft was closer to final submission quality than mine so here's hoping you get good news soon :-)

good luck Pineapple (and Sozaboy) - thinking of you Friday and willing lots of postive vibes your way :-)

Thanks 404 - I took your advice, contacted HR and they actually got back to me straight away apologising for their error but confirming that I wasn't short-listed:-(. It was for a job at my own university so I'm not really surprised but pretty gutted really.

Thanks again - you have a second interview coming up soon, yes?? Good luck with that (up)

How mean :-(

Just got an email re: job I had applied for. Subject line was 'Invite to interview'. It starts off with thank you for your application, we were very pleased to receive / appreciate the effort you took BUT regret to inform you...

What an inappropriate subject line :-(