How much do you have to compromise your Master's Thesis?

Question

I have to write this 50-100 page paper by May and it has been causing so much stress! I have no immediate plans to go on to a PhD but could at some point. How much should I panic? Anyone else finish an MA by cutting corners?

Answer 1

I don't understand your question at all. The whole point of a master's thesis is that you understand the subject at hand and are able to write a distinct, unique critique on your chosen field. You're supposed to be a Master at the subject for God's sake - what the hell are you talking about cutting corners?

I have no idea what you need to do for an MA. I wrote an 80 page thesis for my MS (140 with appendices) and worked my tail off, 80-100 hour weeks for 6 months trying to get data, do the literature review, prepare and reduce the data and write up the results. By the end I could talk PhDs and professors into the ground on my subject. I went toe-to-toe with my advisers and industry experts and convinced them I was correct. My stuff was a tiny little spec in the academic world, and maybe 5 people in the world gave a damn about my topic, but I owned it. There was no "cutting corners". The whole point of a thesis is to turn over every single rock out there, not cut corners.

You should talk with your advisers, the dean, ensure you have a good topic and bury yourself in your research. You should turn off your Internet and really concentrate. If you "cut corners "I truly hope your advisers see through your shortcomings and deny your degree. You certainly wouldn't deserve it.

Answer 2

Talk and schmooze with your professor/evaluation team about this paper. Look at other papers that have been completed at your college--try to specifically look at papers that have been evaluated by whomever will be evaluating yours. There are ways to cut corners on papers, but you need to be smart about it. Look at the paper's formatting and see if graphs or charts were also included--that would take up space. They are preparing you to be able to write a book. Think of it as in terms of "chapters." You are becoming a "master" about a particular subject. Organize an outline--if you do that, it might even seem that the paper is writing itself. Also, you don't have to have a conclusion immediately; your conclusion may come to you as your are writing your paper or at the end. You are engaging in a study. You are expanding on your findings, using a large amount of resources. One page at a time. You can do it.

Answer 3

Sorry, no cutting corners. However, it is easier than you think. Initially the thought of writing a book to graduate is scary, but the end comes quit quickly and then it is over. Then, you have this book that you cannot believe that you wrote. You then think, "What was I worried about?" It is stressful. Welcome to the club.

Answer 4

I'm writing mine as we speak. I plan on cutting many corners (it's due in a few weeks and I have to write a journal article as well), but then, they know I'm going on to do a Ph.D, so they can grill me then. If you're stopping here, they will probably put a lot more pressure on you. Good luck!