Dissertations
Writing a dissertation is very demanding. It requires extensive planning and research. From selecting a topic to handing in the completed paper, the entire process can be quite intimidating. However, writing the paper can be quite fulfilling since it allows a student to pick a topic they are interested in and work on their initiative.
Whether you are writing your undergraduate, Masters, or Ph.D. dissertation, this article on dissertation theses should give you all the key pointers you need to stay on track and write a successful document.
What is a Dissertation?
A dissertation is an original piece of academic document that students are expected to present as part of their undergraduate, masters, or Ph.D. programs. The quality of research and complexity of a dissertation can vary by program, university, or country. When it comes to creating dissertation theses, the focus is usually on the process more than the actual findings.
Writing a dissertation comes at an essential stage in a student's educational journey. Completing a high-quality dissertation paper is one of the most rewarding achievements a student can have. The length and timeframe for completion vary depending on the field and level of study.
Writing a Dissertation
Writing a dissertation is a test of a student's capacity for independent research. The student is given autonomy in coming up with ideas, conducting research, and writing the text. Successfully creating a dissertation paper imparts a range of useful skills in a student's future career. They include time management, planning, working independently, research, generating original ideas, and writing skills
Students are typically required to work with a supervisor from their department during the planning and writing process. The supervisor provides advice and feedback throughout the process.
Structuring your dissertation
Dissertation theses are generally divided into chapters and sections. There are many approaches to structuring a dissertation. Universities and colleges typically provide specific guidance about their preferred approach. The dissertation structure also depends on discipline and topic. For example, dissertation theses in arts and humanities have a more flexible structure since they don't involve data collection.
The typical structure of a dissertation includes:
- Title: The dissertation topic and other key information about the document are included on the title or cover page.
- Abstract: This is a summary of the document. It details your paper's aims and outcomes to give the reader a glimpse of what to expect.
- Table of contents: This is a clear and well-formatted list of the major sections of your dissertation.
- Introduction: An explanation of the topic and overview of the scope of your research.
- Literature review: An evaluation of current knowledge from previous research on your topic.
- Methodology: An explanation of your data collection and analysis
- Results: A report of the main findings of your research.
- Discussion: An interpretation of the meaning, relevance, and importance of your results.
- Conclusion: A summary of your research findings that answers your main research question, shows your contribution to knowledge in your field, and makes recommendations for future research on the topic
- Appendix: A source of additional information in the dissertation.
Conducting Research
The research stage determines, to a huge extent, the overall development of a dissertation project. Your research has to be systematic and effective. Your approach will depend on your field of study. If you are studying a subject in sciences or social sciences, you will conduct empirical research. For arts and humanities students, non-empirical research is required.
Empirical research involves collecting and analyzing original data. The goal is to produce robust and reproducible scientific knowledge. Examples of empirical research methods include observations, experiments, interviews, and surveys. When conducting empirical research, you should consider the variables you are investigating, the sampling method, and your measurements' validity and reliability.
Non-empirical research does not involve working with original data. It presents original analysis, argumentation, and critique of existing research. This type of research obtains data from primary sources that contain first-hand evidence and secondary sources that describe, evaluate, or interpret information from primary sources.
Choosing a Dissertation Topic
It is important to have an engaging and meaningful dissertation topic. Choosing dissertation theses topics is the first step that directs your research and writing. You should consider the following when making your selection:
- The requirements of your institution and department
- Your areas of knowledge and interest
- Your topic's social, scientific, or practical relevance
- The availability of data and resources
- Your dissertation's length and timeframe for completion
Writing a dissertation proposal
The proposal is a short paper that describes your research intentions for the dissertation. It explains what your dissertation is about, why it is worthwhile, and how you will conduct your research. A dissertation proposal convinces members of the dissertation evaluation committee of your commitment to creating a valuable, complex, and interesting document.
A typical dissertation proposal generally features:
- Dissertation title
- An introduction
- A literature review
- An outline of the area of your research
- Proposed methodology
- Discussion of possible implications of your paper
- Bibliography
Composing the actual project
This is the stage that you present the final product of your efforts. If you have done everything right up to this point, composing the project is the easiest part of dissertation writing.
To make the actual writing easy and painless, you should:
- Make a detailed outline.
- Make a timeline
- Write the first draft.
Conclusion
A dissertation is the most substantial piece of writing in a degree program. It is much longer and more demanding than other essays students have to complete during their education. Writing dissertation theses involves in-depth consideration of a research question or problem, extensive research, and plenty of writing.
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