In order to reach the widest audience possible - I am considering as part of my research project to write it at a level that would be at a Grade 8/9 Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level. This will be a significant challenge, however, it might make it easier to understand for key stakeholders or interested parties outside the world of academia?
Stakeholders and interested people do not pass you. The only purpose of the thesis-book is to convince the committee to grant you a degree for your thesis-theme. So your audience size is two or three. They are well -read experts in the field, and do not need to be pandered to. One day, after graduation, you can consider a derivative, popular publication.
I do not subscribe to the erroneous view of some other people that the thesis-book should be difficult to read to prove that you are an academic!
Having said all that, you are right that there is a great need to write your thesis-book as clearly as possible. This means, inter alia:
- Using short words rather than long words with the same meaning.
- Using short sentences rather than long-winded sentences.
- Avoiding passive voice.
- Avoiding multiple adverbs.
You can try feeding some of your text to the Hemingway Editor, which will make some suggestions, and show you the grade level.
Remember also other ways to make your thesis-book more digestible: use figures, tables and equations as appropriate. Add a glossary. Unconventionally, I even added an alphabetic index.
http://www.hemingwayapp.com/
Thanks Ian - appreciate the guidance and link to the hemingway app - I use this a lot when writing HSE Procedures - its a pretty handy toool, Cheers Simon
Have you looked in the Open Access Theses and Dissertations (https://oatd.org/). You might find some examples there
You might find some exemples (http://www.teses.usp.br/)
Silva, L. T., D. (2008). Construction and validation of an instrument to evaluate the occurrence of ethical problems in basic care (Doctoral dissertation, University of São Paulo).
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