How to write a dissertation in 2023

Table of Contents

Dissertation

Knowledge is a boundless and limitless aspect of human life that has existed since the creation of man and will be with us infinitely. It is part of our existence and we have used it from time immemorial to improve our standards of living and quality of life. We cannot exhaust knowledge. Life is dynamic and since knowledge is many a times based on the understanding of diverse situations, it is inevitable for us to be studious in relevant subjects. You may have taken a course of study in a particular subject of interest and you expect to be proficient in it. The university can award you a degree in it considering the high qualifications you have attained in the subject, but the highest is a Doctorate. For one to be awarded a Doctorate or Doctor of Philosophy (Latin- Philosophiae Doctor), you must write a dissertation or a PhD thesis in a subject of interest. By definition, a dissertation is a specific formal exposition on a given subject based on research. It is submitted as a thesis (plural – theses). The doctor and publicly defends the thesis and if the defense is convincing to the examiners, the university will award the terminal degree which is referred to as Doctor of Philosophy or PhD. The dissertator advances from being a student to becoming an academic researcher.

Where to start in writing a dissertation

A dissertation is an academic research paper that is initiated by a tutor and, you, as an academician in the subject, should formulate a thesis statement yourself from an area that you have great interest and then institute your own research project on it. This is the beginning of the PhD thesis and ultimately the dissertation. It originates from your mastery of the subject and independent research done on your original ideas. The Master’s thesis on the other hand is mainly based on works or researches that have been previously done by other students in the same field. The academic research paper done as a requirement for master’s degree is mainly referred to as a thesis while the one for doctorate is called a dissertation. However, in case you had an original Master’s thesis when doing your Master’s Degree, you can as well use it for PhD thesis proposal after receiving approval from the University since all of them are your original and independent ideas. Your dissertation will be advancement on the knowledge you established previously.

How to choose a dissertation topic

Essentially, a dissertation expresses a personal opinion backed by scholarly research methods. Therefore, choosing its topic will depend on your vast and clear knowledge of the subject in which you can argue your points strongly and deeply. Your personal interest in the topic and your passion in the subject is paramount. This can also be enhanced by reading related books and write ups as much as possible. Also reading Dissertation examples will make you think critically on the kind of dissertation you wish to present and how relevant it would be to the society, scientific world and practical day to day life. In choosing the topic, you should also consider the type of research to be carried out whether scientific or otherwise. The topic should be plausible and relevant in the broader field of study that you are undertaking. Since the paper is lengthy and expositional, the topic chosen should have enough and solid information that meets required academic standards. It should narrow down to the main point of the thesis statement, leading to the desired conclusion as well as meeting the requirements of the faculty. It should not be vague but clear and to the point.

Dissertation topic examples

Topics for dissertation have no limit. However, each University will give its own requirements and guidelines in each faculty. A few examples of the topics are given below.

Interpersonalizing Cultural differences by Tora Hudson
The Labyrinth of the Metropole by Amalia Dache
Recognizing high achievement in context by Caroline Barber
Navigating College opportunity by Andrew Belusco, and many more other topics.

Whatever the case, the topic must narrow down to your main idea, be unique and appealing to the reader. Such Dissertation examples that have won awards are worth reading to build your capacity in scholarly writing.

How to structure/ format a dissertation

Each University may make its own requirements as far as the structure or format of the paper is concerned. However, a dissertation has five chapters appearing as follows: –

Introduction or overview
Literature review
Methodology (research design and methods)
Research results/ analysis of data/ research findings
Conclusion/ discussion/ implications/ summary

Front matter or sections before the body of the dissertation may include;

Acknowledgement
Abstract
Table of contents
List of figures and tables
List of abbreviations
Glossary

After the last chapter, References and Appendices can be written. It is important to seek the approval of the university’s dissertation committee on the format and the structure of the paper.

Do’s and Don’ts in dissertation writing

These may include and are not limited to what we shall mention here.

The do’s including: –

Making detailed research that will stand analytical testing
Show clearly your methodology and its appropriateness
Make professional consultations at every stage of the paper seeking expert and scholarly input.
Proofread your work thoroughly to make the dissertation error free
Make your project relevant to the contemporary issues in the society

The don’ts include: –

Being vague and repetitive in content
Use figures unnecessarily
Use complex terms and grammatical expressions
Use multiple writing styles of referencing and citations

How to make a dissertation exemplary

The topic you have selected for the thesis should be relevant and catchy. Your hypothesis and proposal must be strong addressing matters of scientific and social importance. Writing should be concise, scholarly, well organized and articulate a logical flow of your ideas that you are presenting. Proof read your work and make it free of errors. Have your work approved by the dissertation committee of the university. With all these as your baseline and with reference to Dissertation examples that have been rewarded, your dissertation will surely be exemplary.

Struggles and how to overcome them when writing a dissertation

Challenges in writing a dissertation can derail the process if not checked. Some of the common challenges include: –

Difficulties in arriving at a topic that expresses your ideas offering something different from the rest
Lack good knowledge of the subject the topic is addressing
Lacking relevant references that meet current standards of writing
Lack of time, money and human resources that will support the research project to its fruitful conclusion

To overcome the challenges, the following can be helpful;

Reading everything within your reach that is related to the paper
Engage others in methodology to benefit from their research experiences
Be honest in every aspect of the project
Initiate a pilot project, if possible, to find challenges and resolve them before implementing the whole project
Overcome anxiety by keeping your passions high.

Dissertation presentation

Once your work is completed, making a presentation to a selected audience is crucial. The presentation should give the results and findings of your research in detail with emphasis on its relevance. The methodologies used should be highlighted including participants and case study resources. Conclusion of the research should be presented giving room for possible future research works.

During the presentation, protocols and courtesy should be observed. Know your audience, greet them and introduce yourself. Captivate their attention through sharing quotes, stories, statistical information and similar techniques. After the presentation, express your gratitude and thank the audience. The presentation can be effectively done on power point.

Seek Help

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