for all those doing a theoretical review, where have you put it?

I *think* I need to do one, and was going to put it in my methods chapter - is this totally wrong?

Hi Sneaks, please don't think I'm stupid, but what exactly do you mean by theoretical review? Just a review of the theory underlying your work?

I knew someone would ask me this lol, not really sure....

I basically have an intro, which is "there is a problem, here are some stats to prove there is a problem"

Lit review which is "here's what peple have initially suggested - but its all rubbish"

and methods - which, because I'm using a certain group of participants, I think I need to discuss the various ways (e.g. social identity theory) this can be done and has been done throughout the literature - what stances these methods take (e.g. positivist) and eventually what I'm doing (I have no idea yet - I'm hoping I'll work this out as I write it!)

Hi Sneaks- I have done a theoretical review (basically a review of the concepts/models/theories underlying work in my subject area and outlining the theoretical framework I have chosen to base my research on and the reasons why) and am planning to include it as a separate chapter in my thesis. I wrote it as a paper which has just been accepted for publication (I pity anyone who ever has to read it- it's hideously dull)and it's about 8000 words excluding references, so basically it justifies having a chapter to itself really. I suppose theory has a huge part to play in my subject area, as it has led to many disagreements amongst researchers and has imposed limits on existing empirical work, so it was always going to be a big part of my project. If it's really important and there's enough content, I'd give it a chapter of it's own...but if it's little more than a short justification for the theory underlying your own work then maybe stick it in the method section, although to be honest I'm not sure how well something like that would fit into a method section, I've never really thought about doing it like that! Best, KB

Sneaks, am I right in thinking that you thesis is comprised of 3 separate studies? If, that's the case, I'd plonk it in the methods section. However, if I'm wrong you're describing the whole of you thesis, I'd have it as a separate chapter that fits between your lit review and methods section. I've managed to get my theoretical framework written (2,000 words). I can send you a copy if you want to look at an example?

Sneaks, am I right in thinking that you thesis is comprised of 3 separate studies? If, that's the case, I'd plonk it in the methods section. However, if I'm wrong you're describing the whole of you thesis, I'd have it as a separate chapter that fits between your lit review and methods section. I've managed to get my theoretical framework written (2,000 words). I can send you a copy if you want to look at an example?

Yep three different studies, but I'm hoping they come from the same perspective (well I'm going to argue they do in any case), in terms of how I'm treating the participant group.

I doubt I'll get away with it as a separate chapter - my sup doesn't want me to do it BUT because she has no idea about this participant group, she doesn't realise that its a huge issue and I think I could be ripped apart in the viva for not having a section, or at least an idea, of where I'm coming from as opposed to other approaches.

Yes please Wal, if that's ok? Don't suppose you have a copy of endnote x4 too? :$

Aw thanks Wal, I downloaded a trial of x4 earlier and then in my own bumbly way tried to download a dodgy copy off a file share site, but now I don't really know what I'm doing, it wn't copy and paste over. I'll get hubby to see if he can sort it when he's back tonight, and if not I might have to ask you to put it online for me :$ but don't do it yet! I may have sorted it myself (Although I doubt it!)

Otherwise - can you transfer endnote stuff to a free one? like mendely or something and it still keep all your existing word files with refs etc. in? or am I asking the impossible?