Writing an Applied Linguistics Thesis or Dissertation.doc

WritinganAppliedLinguisticsThesisorDissertation-AGuidetoPresentingEmpiricalResearchJohnBitchener2010PalgraveMacmillan(Bitchener,2010:)(Bitchener,2010:10)Abstractmoveandsub-moveoptionsMove1 Introduction Sub-movesProvidecontext,backgroundoftheresearchIdentifythemotivationfortheresearchExplainthesignificance/centralityoftheresearchfocusIdentifyaresearchgaporcontinuationofresearchtraditionMove2 Purpose Sub-movesIdentifyaimsorintentions,questionsorhypothesesDevelopaimsorintentions,questionsorhypothesesMove3 Method Sub-movesIdentify/justifyoverallapproachandmethodsIdentifykeydesignaspectsIdentifydatasource(s)andparametersIdentifydataanalysisprocessesMove4 Product Sub-movesPresentmainfindings/resultsofkeyaims,questionsPresentmainfindings/resultsofsubsidiary/additionalaims,questionsMove5Conclusion Sub-movesSuggestsignificance/importanceoffindingsbeyondtheresearch,consideringcontributionstotheory,researchandpracticeSuggestapplications(forpractice)andimplications(forfurtherresearch)(Bitchener,2010:11)AKeyLinguisticFeatureofaThesisAbstractTensePresentcontinuousPurpose:TorevealongoingworkinthisfieldofenquiryPresentperfectPurpose:pletedPastsimplePurpose:pletedactioninthepresentstudyPresentsimpl