|
Now let us get to the details about the format to use to number
how to refer to them in the text, and the format for figure and
table captions.
Chapters and Sections in Chapters
Each chapter of the dissertation should be assigned a number. For
example, the first chapter,
Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION
or the literature review chapter,
Chapter 2. LITERATURE REVIEW
Chapter sections and subsections should also be assigned a numerical
index. For example, the first section of Chapter 1 could be:
1.1 Statement of the Problem
while a subsection of Section 4 in Chapter 4 could be:
4.2.1 Simulation results
Notice the use of different cases in the 3 heading categories.
The title of chapter is in upper case (capitalised); the heading
of a section has the first letter of key words in upper case; while
only the first letter of the first word in a subsection is capitalised.
These styles are used as visual cues to indicate the different levels
of headings. Avoid having more than 3 levels, e.g.
2.1.3.2, as they can make the text messy especially when
referring to them. If you need to categorise further, the contents
of a subsection, use a different font style. Bold and underlined
text is a popular format.
To refer to a particular chapter, use the formats given by the
following examples:
Chapter 2 provides a review of work in this area.
The reason for this modification, stated in Chapter
3, ....
Notice that the word "Chapter" is written in full with
a capital "C".
The following examples show how references are made to sections
or subsections:
The procedure outlined in Section 5.3 was employed
to ...
Section 3.2.2 discussed the implication of ...
Here, the word "Section" with a capital "S"
is used to refer to both sections and subsections; the latter being
obvious from the numerical index.
When you compile the table of contents, include all heading levels
and their titles. This is another reason not to have more than 3
heading levels - the contents list becomes overly complex.
Figures and Diagrams
All figures and diagarms must be captioned and given a numerical
index. Captions should appear below the figure or diagram, and should
be sufficiently descriptive without being too long. Simply state
what the illustration is showing and do any explaining in the main
text. Captions for figures and diagrams have the format:
Figure Chapter number.Figure number. Description.
The word "Figure" is used generically to cover all illustrations,
e.g. drawings, flow charts, sketches, etc. Spell out the word in
full. Note too, the positions of the full-stops. The numerical index
is composed of the chapter number, a
full-stop, followed by the figure number,
terminated with another full stop. Thus, the third illustration
appearing in Chapter 4 would have the caption:
Figure 4.3. Schematic of control system for the methanol-water
column.
You may use the abbreviated form, "Fig.", when referring
to illustrations if the reference appears in the middled of a sentence.
For example:
The control scheme, shown in Fig. 4.3, is quite common.
Otherwise, write the word "Figure" in full, e.g.
Figure 4.3 shows a common control scheme for a distillation
column.
Tables and Lists
All tables and lists, must be captioned and given a numerical index,
and the numbering style is identical to that used for figures
and diagrams. Lists would include snippets of computer code;
step-by-step instructions or procedures. The captions should be
placed below each table and list. So, for example, the second table
in Chapter 3 would have the caption:
Table 3.2. Performance measures obtained using the
proposed procedure.
Abbreviations should not be used when referring to tables and lists
- write out the word "Table" in full, with a capital "T".
Equations
"Equations" is used to mean mathematical as well as chemical
expressions. Each major equation should be assigned a numerical
index, with the following format: (Chapter
number.Equation number).
The following shows equation number 6 in Chapter 4.
A = 2B + C (4.6)
Use the following rules when referring to equations.
- When a sentence starts with the word "Equation", write
it out in full followed by the numerical index
- Otherwise use either the abbreviation "Eq." or "Eqn.",
making sure that you maintain consistency throughout the dissertation.
When referring to a collection of equations, use the corresponding
plural forms, i.e. "Eqs." or "Eqns."
For example:
Equation (5.1) shows the effect of ...
Substituting Eq.(3.3) into Eq.(3.7) yields ...
The process model, given by Eqs.(4.4) to (4.10), ...
When referring to equations in text contained within parentheses,
you need not enclose the equation's numerical index within parentheses.
For example:
The process model, (Eqs. 4.4 to 4.10), ...
is much neater than:
The process model, (Eqs.(4.4) to (4.10)), ...
In Summary ...
Again, you should check your institution's guidelines and regulations
concerning the presentation and layout styles for dissertations
and theses. Where numbering and caption styles are concerned, the
key thing to remember is to be consistent.
| Tips |
-
Some word-processors have a tool to keep track
of figure and table captions as well as equation
numbers. If present, the tool can also generate
lists which you can use in the sections following
the Table of Contents [see
Structure]. Learn to use this well
as it can save you a lot of time and effort.
- If the word-processor you are using does not
have this capability, you should maintain the lists
as you write.
|
|
|
