How to Write a Good Dissertation
Writing a dissertation may seem like an overwhelming task to many. One gets nightmares when one thinks of writing a few hundred pages of work which will have to be submitted to distinguished scholars for their approval. Also, it involves a lot of research, both online and offline. Hence, fear needs to be overcome and perseverance should be practised when it comes to writing a dissertation.
A good dissertation should:
- have a clear purpose and objective, based on a well thought out thesis
- be widely researched and planned in detail
- exhibit the student’s grasp of relevant concepts
- include an analysis of the topic, critical evaluation and also discussion, besides the description
- contain correct referencing
- be structured
- be expressed in a suitable academic way
Check the requirements
Before beginning, any important writing for your dissertation, do check the necessary requirements regarding:
- the minimum and maximum word limit
- whether the word limit includes references, the abstract and the appendices
- the marking scheme
Structure
Check with your appointed supervisor about the required structure as there are variations in structure in different disciplines. The commonly used structure is given below:
- Title Page
- Abstract
- Acknowledgements
- Content page (s)
- Introduction
- Literature review or Materials and methods
- Sources and methods or Results
- Discussion or Findings
- Conclusions
- References
- Appendices
Every section has its own importance:
Title Page
Be specific about the research that you have done. According to your discipline, check the necessary format of the title page.
Abstract
Though it might be a short section, but it must be written well because it is an important element of your work. It is, in essence, a summary of the entire research and should be able to represent the procedure of the research and its results and implications. Your abstract will be assessed by the examiners both as a part of the thesis as well as an independent document.
It may be best to write it last, after being sure about what one is summarising.
Acknowledgements
You can read acknowledgements in other dissertations in your field to get a fair idea about this section. You may mention people who have been very supportive or helpful.
Content page
It will show the structure of the thesis.
Introduction
It has two main functions:
- to expand the material in the abstract
- to give a brief idea about the content in the rest of the dissertation
Literature Review
This chapter describes the present state of research in your discipline. It shows your awareness about your work in your field.
Results
Depending on the style of reporting suitable for your field, you may have to take decisions about the order of results or whether you begin with an overview or move on directly to the details of the results.
Discussion
You can state the implications of your study for research, theory and practice.
Conclusion
State the main pints which have emerged and what are their implications for your field.
References
They need to written according to the required referencing style.
Summary
Devote enough time to your work. Present your thoughts in a structured manner. Leave time to proofread thoroughly.
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