Key points at a glance
- Define a bounded corpus and inclusion rules.
- Record origin, purpose, version and missing material.
- Analyse the documents in a way that answers the question.
Define documents as data
Example: Compare how three universities describe accessibility in programme regulations. The regulations are data; methods literature frames the analysis. Set document type, institutions and date range instead of promising to cover “everything relevant online.”
Record provenance and selection
Keep the source location, retrieval date, version and issuing body. Ask who created each document and for whom. Archived and current policies may differ. Explain exclusions as well as inclusions.
Use a systematic analytic scheme
Derive categories from the question or develop them transparently from the corpus. Separate passages from your interpretation. A comparison can show differences in wording or rules; it cannot by itself prove how people follow those rules.
Respect rights and limitations
Public access does not automatically permit full republication. Seek permission for internal material and clarify quotation and confidentiality terms. Available documents may not represent every affected person’s view.
Final submission context
Formal details can feel like a separate writing task, but they matter just as much for a printed submission. Anything missing, misplaced or inconsistently formatted in the document will also appear in the bound copy.
Use this guide together with your cover page, table of contents, page numbers, source notes and appendices. Prepare the final PDF for printing and binding only after the complete file has been checked.
Practical check before PDF export
- Do headings, chapter structure and page numbers match?
- Are sources, figures and tables included completely?
- Are required elements such as declarations, appendices or the cover page included where required?
- Did you open and check the final PDF after exporting it?
Checklist
- Corpus and period defined.
- Provenance and version recorded.
- Analysis steps traceable.
- Access and reuse rights checked.
Common mistakes
- Calling a literature summary document analysis.
- Using a policy without its version date.
- Equating written policy with lived practice.
Prepare the finished thesis for submission
Once the content and university requirements are checked, review your PDF and the available printing and binding options.
Review printing optionsRelated content
Explore related guidance on thesis structure, sources, formatting and final submission.
Frequently asked questions
Do I also need interviews?
Not if documents answer the question; interviews may help study implementation.
Can I use internal records?
Only with appropriate access and confidentiality arrangements.
How many documents are enough?
Choose based on the question, corpus definition and depth of analysis.