Methods Used to Prove a Thesis Involving Time

Stating the Thesis

• A thesis that involves time usually attempts to demonstrate change or stasis over a given period. For example, a thesis involving time might state, "A city that implements eco-friendly public transit will save more money over the course of five years than a city that does not implement these measures." A researcher can attempt to prove this thesis within a specific time frame.

Defining Outcomes

• A thesis involving time should define clear results that you hope to prove. For example, a thesis that states, "A plant that is exposed to music will grow better over the course of one year than one that is not exposed to music" would need to define clear criteria to judge "better" growth, such as stem height or leaf length. Without demonstrable, quantifiable factors that can be measured over time, you can't prove or disprove a thesis.

Benchmarks

• A thesis should also define defined periods within its overall timeframe to check the progress of the subject. For example, if a thesis attempts to prove that a teaching style improves grades over the course of a school year, the researcher might give students a test during each marking period or once a month to measure progress within the overarching period. This method is valuable because it provides more detailed information about the progress of the subject.

Historical Data

• Another type of thesis involving time doesn't involve an ongoing period but looks at a historical moment and examines a development within that time. This is a common method for humanities research, because a historical perspective can help researchers see trends and movements. For example, a thesis might compare the development of the English novel to the development of the railroad in the 1800s, examining both literary and technological development within a clearly defined period to prove correlation.