Coherence across chapters
Thesis and Dissertation Development
A thesis is one argument told across several chapters. Open each chapter by linking it to the research questions, and close it by stating what it established and what the next chapter will do.
Check the chain: every research question is answered in the findings, discussed in the discussion and reflected in the conclusion. Questions that disappear midway are a common examiner criticism.
Example
“Chapter 3 has described how the data were collected. Chapter 4 now presents the findings for each of the three research questions.”
Exercise
Ask the mentor to “check logical coherence” on your conclusion chapter.