0:00:06 - Professor Martin Smith: Introduction: Professor Martin Smith of the Department of Politics at the University of Sheffield, introduces himself to Jerry Wellington. 0:00:27 - An examiner's first impressions of a thesis. 0:01:38 - Features of a bad thesis: Martin Smith talks about what he considers to be common features of bad theses. 0:02:47 - Criteria for good empirical research: Professor Martin Smith discusses the features of empirical research he looks for when considering a thesis. 0:05:09 - Qualities of good writing in the thesis: Professor Martin Smith discusses what he looks for in the written thesis and emphasises clarity and good organisation 0:07:34 - What do we mean by a thesis being at doctoral level?: Professor Martin Smith talks about what "doctorateness" means and the different ways a thesis could be an original contribution to knowledge.