Writing a Thesis or Dissertation: Scientific and Empirical Research (MPLS, MedSci, SocSci)

A course for students writing or preparing to write a thesis, dissertation or publication in scientific and empirical disciplines, particularly MPLS, Medical Sciences and data-driven Social Sciences.

“This course was far better than expected. It gave me the tools to help me help myself in the future.” 
University of Oxford, MPLS DPhil student 

The course combines established research on academic writing with the analysis of authentic Oxford postgraduate theses and dissertations and, where relevant, disciplinary publications. Students examine how Introduction, Literature Review, Methods, Results, Discussion and Conclusion sections are structured and written in their field.

Rather than presenting a single model of scientific writing, the course uses University of Oxford AI resources to help students identify the specific conventions and genre variations that characterise postgraduate writing in their department, and apply these insights to the planning, drafting and revision of their own research writing. 

Course Timetable: Michaelmas Term 2026

Course overview

Each lesson focuses on a different section of long-form scientific and empirical writing, examining both established genre models and how these are adapted to different scientific disciplines. Using authentic Oxford theses and dissertations available through the Bodleian Libraries, as well as AI genre analysis tools, students investigate common structural, linguistic and stylistic patterns in successful postgraduate writing within their own departments, and apply these findings to their own work. Over the seven weeks, students receive practical guidance on the challenges of planning, organising, drafting and revising a thesis, dissertation or research publication.

The course builds upon the foundational focus of our Introduction to Academic Writing (IAW) course; however, completion of IAW is not a requirement for enrolment.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Identify the common structures, rhetorical moves and language conventions used across the principal sections of scientific theses, dissertations and research publications.
• Analyse authentic Oxford postgraduate writing to identify disciplinary conventions in structure, data presentation, use of literature or graphic elements, levels of explanation and interpretation, claim strength, signposting and recurring language patterns.
• Recognise and evaluate disciplinary variation in the organisation of Introductions, Literature Reviews, Methods, Results, Discussions, Conclusions and Abstracts.
• Use University of Oxford AI resources as genre analysis tools to investigate patterns and conventions in authentic postgraduate writing.
• Apply the findings of their genre analysis to the planning, drafting and revision of their own research writing. 

Enrolment information

For Learners with an Oxford University SSO (Single Sign-On) simply click on the enrol button next to the class that you wish to join. 

For Learners without an Oxford University SSO, or who are not members of the University, once enrolment opens, please email admin@lang.ox.ac.uk with the following details:

• Full name
• Email address and phone number
• The name of the course you wish to study
• The start date and time of the course
• Your connection to Oxford University, if any (to determine course fee)

We will then provisionally enrol you onto the course and send you a link to the Oxford University Online Store for payment. Once payment is received we will confirm your place on the course. Please note that we will be unable to assist you until enrolment has opened, so please do not send us your enrolment details in advance.