# Thesis and dissertation structure and defense preparation

Decision workbook and teaching example · 2026-10-06

The completed case is fictional. Its values and decisions are not actual findings; complete your project using relevant permissions, methods and requirements.

- Project: ____________________
- Researcher and role: ____________________
- Date and version: ____________________
- Data seen before the decision: ____________________
- Aim and scope: ____________________

## Completed example

| Stage/decision | Example | Check or action |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Question | Is support use associated with participation? | Does it match the proposal? |
| Method | Observational model and measurement limits | Are new decisions dated? |
| Evidence | Reproducible table from a fixed version | Do text and table agree? |
| Discussion | Alternatives and generality bounds | Is interpretation within evidence? |
| Delivery | Text, code, appendices and defense notes | Are institutional requirements covered? |

## Complete your own record

| Topic | Actual decision and reason | Evidence link and status |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Question | __________ | __________ |
| Method | __________ | __________ |
| Evidence | __________ | __________ |
| Discussion | __________ | __________ |
| Delivery | __________ | __________ |

## Completion checks

- [ ] Keep a question-to-evidence matrix and institutional delivery checklist with the thesis.

## Changes and limitations

| Date | Change | Data known at decision time | Reason | Consequence for claim | Reviewer |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| __________ | __________ | __________ | __________ | __________ | __________ |

## Sources and further reading

- [University of Cambridge — Apollo](https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/)
- [EQUATOR Network — Reporting guidelines](https://www.equator-network.org/)
- [ICMJE — Roles of authors and contributors](https://www.icmje.org/recommendations/browse/roles-and-responsibilities/defining-the-role-of-authors-and-contributors.html)

Related guide: https://didgar-research-site1.vercel.app/en/guides/thesis-dissertation/