how to start with a dissertation

The Complete Guide to Writing a Dissertation

A dissertation is a lengthy research paper written as a requirement to earn an academic degree. Typically, students must write a dissertation toward the end of their program to prove their knowledge and contribute new research to their field. Whether a student earns the degree depends on the quality of their paper and how it is presented.

Dissertations are one of the most difficult research papers to write, involving much of a student’s time, focus, and energy. While they follow the basics of a research paper , dissertations have areas that regular research papers don’t. Below, we provide a foundational primer to help you write a dissertation without getting overwhelmed.

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Table of contents

What is a dissertation, how long is a dissertation, dissertation structure and requirements, how to write a dissertation step-by-step, how to write a dissertation faqs.

Think of a dissertation as the “final exam” for earning certain academic degrees. Although different schools in different countries have their own procedures, in general students submit a dissertation with the help of an adviser, and the dissertation is then reviewed by experts in the field to see if it qualifies for the degree. Often, the student must also give an oral presentation on their topic, known as a dissertation defense .

The term dissertation itself is often used interchangeably with thesis paper . It gets confusing because different countries use these terms in different ways. For example, in the United States, dissertation is used when completing a doctorate, while thesis is used for bachelor’s or master’s degrees. In the UK and Ireland, those are reversed, with dissertation relating to undergraduate degrees.

Dissertations can be either empirical or nonempirical , depending on the field of study. Empirical dissertations (or quantitative dissertations) are common for the sciences; they require students to collect original data, with the methods of research also reviewed. Nonempirical dissertations (or qualitative dissertations) instead rely on existing data, although students are expected to provide original and inventive analyses.

Although dissertations are technically research papers, writing them is far more involved and technical than other school papers. To write a dissertation, you use a more complex format, with sections for literature reviews, appendices , and methodology, among others.

There is no universal answer to “how long is a dissertation?” The page length or word count varies depending on the degree, field of study, school, and country.

But here are some rough estimates to give you an idea of what to expect:

• Bachelor’s: 10,000–15,000 words (35–50 pages)
• Master’s: 18,000–22,000 words (65–80 pages)
• Doctorate: 80,000–100,000 words (200–300 pages)

As you can see, a doctoral dissertation is a serious investment—you’re essentially writing a book. Keep in mind, however, that these figures are only estimates, and that actual lengths are more flexible. For example, dissertations for science, technology, engineering, and math fields tend to be shorter than non-STEM dissertations.

The focus of your dissertation title page is— surprise! —your title. The title of your dissertation should succinctly explain the topic you’re discussing and directly relate to your research question or thesis statement. Anyone who reads the title should understand what you’re writing about.

As for formatting the title page, that depends on the school and style. Often, you’ll include the name of the university and your program, as well as the date. Check with your adviser for specific details.

Acknowledgment

This optional section gives you the chance to thank anyone who helped you write your dissertation, in the same vein as a dedication page or acceptance speech. If you choose to include this, try to keep it formal and as brief as possible.

The abstract is a short summary of the dissertation that comes at the beginning of the paper. It outlines all the major points your paper discusses and often mentions the methodology briefly. Abstracts should be only one paragraph, about 300 to 500 words.

The term abstract is often used interchangeably with executive summary . While common usage suggests they’re the same, they’re technically different: An executive summary discusses the findings or conclusion of the research, whereas an abstract does not.

The table of contents lists all titles for chapters, headings, and subheadings, as well as their corresponding page numbers. Moreover, the table of contents also includes the supplementary sections—such as the bibliography , appendices, and optional sections like a glossary, list of abbreviations, or a list of figures and tables.

List of figures and tables

Data-heavy dissertations may include multiple visual aids, such as figures or tables. If your dissertation uses a lot of these visuals, you can include a full list of them with their page numbers at the beginning of the paper. Think of this like a table of contents for images and charts.

List of abbreviations

Similarly, if your dissertation includes a lot of abbreviations , you should include an alphabetized key at the beginning of the paper that explains what each stands for. This is especially important if your dissertation relies on abbreviations specific to a certain field that readers outside the field may not recognize.

A glossary defines the complicated words used in your paper, kind of like a mini-dictionary. Like the list of abbreviations, the glossary comes in handy if you use a lot of jargon that won’t be understood by readers outside your field.

Introduction

The first of the “core chapters” and the de facto beginning of your paper, your introduction sets up your research topic and provides the necessary background context to understand it. Here, you plainly state your thesis statement or research question and give a glimpse of how your paper discusses it.

The introduction is typically structured with each chapter getting its own brief summary. It should hint at your methodology and outline your approach (without going into too much detail), as well as explain the current state of the topic’s research so the reader knows where your dissertation fits in.

How long should a dissertation introduction be? The unofficial rule is 10 percent of the entire paper , so if your dissertation is 20,000 words, your introduction should be about 2,000 words. Keep in mind this is a rough estimate, as your introduction could vary.

Literature review

During your research, you will have collected and examined the top primary and secondary sources relevant to your topic. As the name suggests, literature reviews are where you evaluate and comment on these sources, not only summarizing their findings but also pointing out flaws and drawing connections between them.

One of the key concepts in a literature review is the research gap , which refers to specific areas of a topic that have not yet been sufficiently researched. These “blind spots” make the best topics for dissertations, and your goal should be filling them in with new data or analysis. The literature review should fully explain the research gap and how your dissertation rectifies it.

Another important aspect of the literature review is defining your theoretical framework , the preexisting theories on which your own research relies. In other words, the theoretical framework is everything your reader needs to know about your topic that has already been proved or established.

Methodology

The methodology chapter describes how you conducted your research, so the reader can verify its credibility. Typically, you go into detail about how you collected your data, administered tests, and analyzed the data, as well as why you chose the methods you did. You also name any tools or equipment used in your research and state concrete information, such as where and when you conducted tests.

You can also mention any obstacles or setbacks here. If your topic has some biases, mention how your methods avoided those biases.

The nucleus of your dissertation, the results chapter thoroughly explores your findings. This is where you present your data or original analysis, along with any visual aids, such as graphs or charts.

For empirical dissertations, structure the results section by individual data findings, analyzed in depth one by one. For nonempirical dissertations, structure this section by themes, patterns, or trends you’ve noticed in your research.

Don’t forget to relate your findings back to the central research question or thesis statement.

The discussion chapter contextualizes the findings laid out in the previous chapter. What does the data mean for this topic? Did it fit into the theoretical framework? How does it change the way we think? These are the kinds of themes the discussion chapter expounds on.

Feel free to talk about any surprises or unexpected results you had. Transparency is encouraged as a way to establish credibility, so this is a good place to share your personal opinions on how the research went.

As with all research paper conclusions , dissertation conclusions tie everything together. This chapter, the last of the core chapters, should reevaluate your thesis statement or clearly answer your research question. Remember not to present any new data or evidence in the conclusion, but rather review and reiterate the findings you presented earlier.

Bibliography

The bibliography lists the full citations of all the sources used, along with their publishing information. In APA style, the bibliography is called a reference page , while in MLA it’s called a works cited page .

Bibliographies have a specific format, depending on the style you use. Be sure to check our citation guides for APA , MLA , and Chicago styles so you know which rules to follow.

The appendices are different sections of nonessential materials that are still relevant to the topic. While the essential materials should go in the body of the paper, supplemental materials—such as maps, interview transcripts, or tangential explanations—should come at the end of this section. Each piece of content is known as an appendix , the singular form of appendices .

1 Choose the best topic

Choosing a topic is of the utmost importance in dissertations, especially for doctorates. You need to ensure not only that your research matters but also that you have enough substance to fill the page requirement.

When choosing a topic, try to frame your ideas in the format of a thesis statement or research question. A thesis statement is a single sentence that encompasses the central point you’re trying to make, while a research question simply poses a question that your research aims to answer.

As we mentioned above in relation to literature reviews, look for a research gap in areas you’re interested in. Which aspects of these topics have not been thoroughly researched or require more data? These make the best dissertation topics.

2 Conduct preliminary research

Once you’ve decided your topic, do some preliminary research until you have a good overview of its current state. You won’t need to fully answer your research question just yet, but after this step you should at least know where to look.

As you review sources , make a note of any substantial findings or prevalent theories in your topic. Jot down any questions you have so you can find the answers later. Also, start thinking about how you will structure your dissertation; this comes in handy when submitting a research proposal.

3 Submit a research proposal

For advanced dissertations, such as those for doctoral programs, you may need to submit a research proposal before you begin. Here, you discuss your intentions for your dissertation, including how you plan to address a research gap and what methodology you’ll use. The proposal is then accepted or rejected by your supervisor, based on its merits.

4 Conduct principal research

Once your preliminary research is finished and your proposal accepted, it’s time to begin one of the most important steps in how to write a dissertation: principal research.

The goal here is to learn as much as you can about your topic, ideally accounting for all available knowledge researchers have amassed up to this point. You’ll want to define the precise parameters of your research gap so you know exactly what to test or analyze yourself.

You’ll also want to review primary sources (reference materials directly related to an event—e.g., eye-witness accounts or raw data from experiments) and secondary sources (reference materials from secondhand sources—books interpreting historical events, analyses of raw data, etc.).

5 Outline your dissertation

A research paper outline helps you structure your dissertation before you write it. The outline is not an official part of dissertations, but it is extremely helpful for organization. You can rearrange topics, points, and evidence before those parts are written.

Your dissertation outline should cover what you intend to talk about in the core chapters (introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusion). If you intend to use direct quotes or passages, make a note of where to find them in your outline so you don’t have to go searching again.

6 Write the first draft

It could take days, months, or even years to write a dissertation, so hunker down for the long haul. If you put a lot of thought into your outline, writing the first draft is just a matter of following along and fleshing out the ideas.

The body of your paper should be simple enough; simply present the data or analysis as best you can, point by point. Your research and findings will speak for themselves.

A lot of students have trouble with writing an introduction . The introduction chapter can be more challenging because it involves thinking broadly and abstractly, as opposed to simply listing details. Likewise, the research paper conclusion also requires a more general treatment of the topic and can be harder to write.

7 Consult your adviser

Your adviser is there to help you throughout the entire process of writing a dissertation. Feel free to ask them any questions you have, and regularly check in with them while you write the first draft.

When your first draft is finished, ask your adviser to take a look at it. They’ll be able to spot any problem areas or point you in a new direction. Don’t be afraid to ask—that’s what they’re there for.

8 Gather feedback

In addition to feedback from your adviser, see if anyone else can review your work. Ideally, you could have someone experienced in your field offer a professional opinion, but anyone knowledgeable in dissertations can provide you with useful insight in how to improve yours. The more feedback you get before the final draft, the better.

9 Write the final draft

After compiling all your feedback, write a final draft incorporating all the changes and improvements. While some parts might remain untouched, others may have to be completely rewritten. This is also a good opportunity to cut any areas that don’t directly relate to your main topic. At the same time, you may need to add entirely new sections for issues that weren’t addressed in the first draft.

10 Edit and proofread

The last step before submitting your dissertation is to correct any mistakes and finish up your edits. We recommend going through your dissertation a few times, and at least once with a focus on finding grammar mistakes or misspellings. Feel free to run your paper through our online spell-checker to highlight any spelling mistakes.

11 Defend your dissertation

In certain programs, you’re required to give an oral presentation to a panel of experts on your dissertation topic. This is called a dissertation defense , as the panel will ask challenging questions to make sure your research and findings are reliable.

A dissertation defense can be a nerve-racking experience, not only because it involves public speaking but also because it influences whether you receive the degree. Try your best to stay calm and remind yourself that almost everyone with an advanced degree has gone through it—and if all goes well, you won’t have to do it again!

Dissertation examples

Dissertations are vastly different, with varying styles depending on the subject, method of research, school, country, and type of degree. Looking at dissertation examples is often useful, but make sure to choose a dissertation example that’s most similar to the one you’re writing.

We recommend searching the NDLTD for a dissertation close to yours. This database allows you to search over 6 million online dissertations by keyword and filter results by language, year, or tag.

A dissertation is a lengthy research paper written as a requirement to earn an academic degree. Typically, students must write a dissertation toward the end of their program to both prove their knowledge and contribute new research to their field. The term dissertation is sometimes used interchangeably with thesis paper .

What is the purpose of a dissertation?

There are two main purposes of a dissertation. First, it proves a student has the adequate knowledge, skill, and understanding to earn their degree and advance into more challenging fields. Second, it contributes new and original research in an academic area with a “research gap.”

What are the critical elements of a dissertation?

The core chapters of a dissertation are the introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusion. In addition, there are also supplementary sections, such as the appendices, bibliography, glossary, and abstract.

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How To Write A Dissertation Or Thesis

8 Straightforward Steps + Examples

By: Derek Jansen (MBA) Expert Reviewed By: Dr Eunice Rautenbach | June 2020

How To Write A Dissertation: 8 Steps

• Clearly understand what a dissertation (or thesis) is
• Find a unique and valuable research topic
• Craft a convincing research proposal
• Write up a strong introduction chapter
• Review the existing literature and compile a literature review
• Design a rigorous research strategy and undertake your own research
• Present the findings of your research
• Draw a conclusion and discuss the implications

Step 1: Understand exactly what a dissertation is

This probably sounds like a no-brainer, but all too often, students come to us for help with their research and the underlying issue is that they don’t fully understand what a dissertation (or thesis) actually is.

So, what is a dissertation?

At its simplest, a dissertation or thesis is a formal piece of research , reflecting the standard research process . But what is the standard research process, you ask? The research process involves 4 key steps:

• Ask a very specific, well-articulated question (s) (your research topic)
• See what other researchers have said about it (if they’ve already answered it)
• If they haven’t answered it adequately, undertake your own data collection and analysis in a scientifically rigorous fashion
• Answer your original question(s), based on your analysis findings

In short, the research process is simply about asking and answering questions in a systematic fashion . This probably sounds pretty obvious, but people often think they’ve done “research”, when in fact what they have done is:

• Started with a vague, poorly articulated question
• Not taken the time to see what research has already been done regarding the question
• Collected data and opinions that support their gut and undertaken a flimsy analysis
• Drawn a shaky conclusion, based on that analysis

If you want to see the perfect example of this in action, look out for the next Facebook post where someone claims they’ve done “research”… All too often, people consider reading a few blog posts to constitute research. Its no surprise then that what they end up with is an opinion piece, not research. Okay, okay – I’ll climb off my soapbox now.

The key takeaway here is that a dissertation (or thesis) is a formal piece of research, reflecting the research process. It’s not an opinion piece , nor a place to push your agenda or try to convince someone of your position. Writing a good dissertation involves asking a question and taking a systematic, rigorous approach to answering it.

If you understand this and are comfortable leaving your opinions or preconceived ideas at the door, you’re already off to a good start!

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Step 2: Find a unique, valuable research topic

As we saw, the first step of the research process is to ask a specific, well-articulated question. In other words, you need to find a research topic that asks a specific question or set of questions (these are called research questions ). Sounds easy enough, right? All you’ve got to do is identify a question or two and you’ve got a winning research topic. Well, not quite…

A good dissertation or thesis topic has a few important attributes. Specifically, a solid research topic should be:

Let’s take a closer look at these:

Attribute #1: Clear

Your research topic needs to be crystal clear about what you’re planning to research, what you want to know, and within what context. There shouldn’t be any ambiguity or vagueness about what you’ll research.

Here’s an example of a clearly articulated research topic:

An analysis of consumer-based factors influencing organisational trust in British low-cost online equity brokerage firms.

As you can see in the example, its crystal clear what will be analysed (factors impacting organisational trust), amongst who (consumers) and in what context (British low-cost equity brokerage firms, based online).

Need a helping hand?

Attribute #2:   Unique

Your research should be asking a question(s) that hasn’t been asked before, or that hasn’t been asked in a specific context (for example, in a specific country or industry).

For example, sticking organisational trust topic above, it’s quite likely that organisational trust factors in the UK have been investigated before, but the context (online low-cost equity brokerages) could make this research unique. Therefore, the context makes this research original.

One caveat when using context as the basis for originality – you need to have a good reason to suspect that your findings in this context might be different from the existing research – otherwise, there’s no reason to warrant researching it.

Attribute #3: Important

Simply asking a unique or original question is not enough – the question needs to create value. In other words, successfully answering your research questions should provide some value to the field of research or the industry. You can’t research something just to satisfy your curiosity. It needs to make some form of contribution either to research or industry.

For example, researching the factors influencing consumer trust would create value by enabling businesses to tailor their operations and marketing to leverage factors that promote trust. In other words, it would have a clear benefit to industry.

So, how do you go about finding a unique and valuable research topic? We explain that in detail in this video post – How To Find A Research Topic . Yeah, we’ve got you covered 😊

Step 3: Write a convincing research proposal

Once you’ve pinned down a high-quality research topic, the next step is to convince your university to let you research it. No matter how awesome you think your topic is, it still needs to get the rubber stamp before you can move forward with your research. The research proposal is the tool you’ll use for this job.

So, what’s in a research proposal?

The main “job” of a research proposal is to convince your university, advisor or committee that your research topic is worthy of approval. But convince them of what? Well, this varies from university to university, but generally, they want to see that:

• You have a clearly articulated, unique and important topic (this might sound familiar…)
• You’ve done some initial reading of the existing literature relevant to your topic (i.e. a literature review)
• You have a provisional plan in terms of how you will collect data and analyse it (i.e. a methodology)

At the proposal stage, it’s (generally) not expected that you’ve extensively reviewed the existing literature , but you will need to show that you’ve done enough reading to identify a clear gap for original (unique) research. Similarly, they generally don’t expect that you have a rock-solid research methodology mapped out, but you should have an idea of whether you’ll be undertaking qualitative or quantitative analysis , and how you’ll collect your data (we’ll discuss this in more detail later).

Long story short – don’t stress about having every detail of your research meticulously thought out at the proposal stage – this will develop as you progress through your research. However, you do need to show that you’ve “done your homework” and that your research is worthy of approval .

So, how do you go about crafting a high-quality, convincing proposal? We cover that in detail in this video post – How To Write A Top-Class Research Proposal . We’ve also got a video walkthrough of two proposal examples here .

Step 4: Craft a strong introduction chapter

Once your proposal’s been approved, its time to get writing your actual dissertation or thesis! The good news is that if you put the time into crafting a high-quality proposal, you’ve already got a head start on your first three chapters – introduction, literature review and methodology – as you can use your proposal as the basis for these.

Handy sidenote – our free dissertation & thesis template is a great way to speed up your dissertation writing journey.

What’s the introduction chapter all about?

The purpose of the introduction chapter is to set the scene for your research (dare I say, to introduce it…) so that the reader understands what you’ll be researching and why it’s important. In other words, it covers the same ground as the research proposal in that it justifies your research topic.

What goes into the introduction chapter?

This can vary slightly between universities and degrees, but generally, the introduction chapter will include the following:

• A brief background to the study, explaining the overall area of research
• A problem statement , explaining what the problem is with the current state of research (in other words, where the knowledge gap exists)
• Your research questions – in other words, the specific questions your study will seek to answer (based on the knowledge gap)
• The significance of your study – in other words, why it’s important and how its findings will be useful in the world

As you can see, this all about explaining the “what” and the “why” of your research (as opposed to the “how”). So, your introduction chapter is basically the salesman of your study, “selling” your research to the first-time reader and (hopefully) getting them interested to read more.

Step 5: Undertake an in-depth literature review

As I mentioned earlier, you’ll need to do some initial review of the literature in Steps 2 and 3 to find your research gap and craft a convincing research proposal – but that’s just scratching the surface. Once you reach the literature review stage of your dissertation or thesis, you need to dig a lot deeper into the existing research and write up a comprehensive literature review chapter.

What’s the literature review all about?

There are two main stages in the literature review process:

Literature Review Step 1: Reading up

The first stage is for you to deep dive into the existing literature (journal articles, textbook chapters, industry reports, etc) to gain an in-depth understanding of the current state of research regarding your topic. While you don’t need to read every single article, you do need to ensure that you cover all literature that is related to your core research questions, and create a comprehensive catalogue of that literature , which you’ll use in the next step.

Reading and digesting all the relevant literature is a time consuming and intellectually demanding process. Many students underestimate just how much work goes into this step, so make sure that you allocate a good amount of time for this when planning out your research. Thankfully, there are ways to fast track the process – be sure to check out this article covering how to read journal articles quickly .

Literature Review Step 2: Writing up

Once you’ve worked through the literature and digested it all, you’ll need to write up your literature review chapter. Many students make the mistake of thinking that the literature review chapter is simply a summary of what other researchers have said. While this is partly true, a literature review is much more than just a summary. To pull off a good literature review chapter, you’ll need to achieve at least 3 things:

• You need to synthesise the existing research , not just summarise it. In other words, you need to show how different pieces of theory fit together, what’s agreed on by researchers, what’s not.
• You need to highlight a research gap that your research is going to fill. In other words, you’ve got to outline the problem so that your research topic can provide a solution.
• You need to use the existing research to inform your methodology and approach to your own research design. For example, you might use questions or Likert scales from previous studies in your your own survey design .

As you can see, a good literature review is more than just a summary of the published research. It’s the foundation on which your own research is built, so it deserves a lot of love and attention. Take the time to craft a comprehensive literature review with a suitable structure .

But, how do I actually write the literature review chapter, you ask? We cover that in detail in this video post .

Step 6: Carry out your own research

Once you’ve completed your literature review and have a sound understanding of the existing research, its time to develop your own research (finally!). You’ll design this research specifically so that you can find the answers to your unique research question.

There are two steps here – designing your research strategy and executing on it:

1 – Design your research strategy

The first step is to design your research strategy and craft a methodology chapter . I won’t get into the technicalities of the methodology chapter here, but in simple terms, this chapter is about explaining the “how” of your research. If you recall, the introduction and literature review chapters discussed the “what” and the “why”, so it makes sense that the next point to cover is the “how” –that’s what the methodology chapter is all about.

In this section, you’ll need to make firm decisions about your research design. This includes things like:

• Your research philosophy (e.g. positivism or interpretivism )
• Your overall methodology (e.g. qualitative , quantitative or mixed methods)
• Your data collection strategy (e.g. interviews , focus groups, surveys)
• Your data analysis strategy (e.g. content analysis , correlation analysis, regression)

If these words have got your head spinning, don’t worry! We’ll explain these in plain language in other posts. It’s not essential that you understand the intricacies of research design (yet!). The key takeaway here is that you’ll need to make decisions about how you’ll design your own research, and you’ll need to describe (and justify) your decisions in your methodology chapter.

2 – Execute: Collect and analyse your data

Once you’ve worked out your research design, you’ll put it into action and start collecting your data. This might mean undertaking interviews, hosting an online survey or any other data collection method. Data collection can take quite a bit of time (especially if you host in-person interviews), so be sure to factor sufficient time into your project plan for this. Oftentimes, things don’t go 100% to plan (for example, you don’t get as many survey responses as you hoped for), so bake a little extra time into your budget here.

Once you’ve collected your data, you’ll need to do some data preparation before you can sink your teeth into the analysis. For example:

• If you carry out interviews or focus groups, you’ll need to transcribe your audio data to text (i.e. a Word document).
• If you collect quantitative survey data, you’ll need to clean up your data and get it into the right format for whichever analysis software you use (for example, SPSS, R or STATA).

Once you’ve completed your data prep, you’ll undertake your analysis, using the techniques that you described in your methodology. Depending on what you find in your analysis, you might also do some additional forms of analysis that you hadn’t planned for. For example, you might see something in the data that raises new questions or that requires clarification with further analysis.

The type(s) of analysis that you’ll use depend entirely on the nature of your research and your research questions. For example:

• If your research if exploratory in nature, you’ll often use qualitative analysis techniques .
• If your research is confirmatory in nature, you’ll often use quantitative analysis techniques
• If your research involves a mix of both, you might use a mixed methods approach

Again, if these words have got your head spinning, don’t worry! We’ll explain these concepts and techniques in other posts. The key takeaway is simply that there’s no “one size fits all” for research design and methodology – it all depends on your topic, your research questions and your data. So, don’t be surprised if your study colleagues take a completely different approach to yours.

Step 7: Present your findings

Once you’ve completed your analysis, it’s time to present your findings (finally!). In a dissertation or thesis, you’ll typically present your findings in two chapters – the results chapter and the discussion chapter .

What’s the difference between the results chapter and the discussion chapter?

While these two chapters are similar, the results chapter generally just presents the processed data neatly and clearly without interpretation, while the discussion chapter explains the story the data are telling  – in other words, it provides your interpretation of the results.

For example, if you were researching the factors that influence consumer trust, you might have used a quantitative approach to identify the relationship between potential factors (e.g. perceived integrity and competence of the organisation) and consumer trust. In this case:

• Your results chapter would just present the results of the statistical tests. For example, correlation results or differences between groups. In other words, the processed numbers.
• Your discussion chapter would explain what the numbers mean in relation to your research question(s). For example, Factor 1 has a weak relationship with consumer trust, while Factor 2 has a strong relationship.

Depending on the university and degree, these two chapters (results and discussion) are sometimes merged into one , so be sure to check with your institution what their preference is. Regardless of the chapter structure, this section is about presenting the findings of your research in a clear, easy to understand fashion.

Importantly, your discussion here needs to link back to your research questions (which you outlined in the introduction or literature review chapter). In other words, it needs to answer the key questions you asked (or at least attempt to answer them).

For example, if we look at the sample research topic:

In this case, the discussion section would clearly outline which factors seem to have a noteworthy influence on organisational trust. By doing so, they are answering the overarching question and fulfilling the purpose of the research .

Step 8: The Final Step Draw a conclusion and discuss the implications

Last but not least, you’ll need to wrap up your research with the conclusion chapter . In this chapter, you’ll bring your research full circle by highlighting the key findings of your study and explaining what the implications of these findings are.

What exactly are key findings? The key findings are those findings which directly relate to your original research questions and overall research objectives (which you discussed in your introduction chapter). The implications, on the other hand, explain what your findings mean for industry, or for research in your area.

Sticking with the consumer trust topic example, the conclusion might look something like this:

Key findings

This study set out to identify which factors influence consumer-based trust in British low-cost online equity brokerage firms. The results suggest that the following factors have a large impact on consumer trust:

While the following factors have a very limited impact on consumer trust:

Notably, within the 25-30 age groups, Factors E had a noticeably larger impact, which may be explained by…

Implications

The findings having noteworthy implications for British low-cost online equity brokers. Specifically:

The large impact of Factors X and Y implies that brokers need to consider….

The limited impact of Factor E implies that brokers need to…

As you can see, the conclusion chapter is basically explaining the “what” (what your study found) and the “so what?” (what the findings mean for the industry or research). This brings the study full circle and closes off the document.

Let’s recap – how to write a dissertation or thesis

You’re still with me? Impressive! I know that this post was a long one, but hopefully you’ve learnt a thing or two about how to write a dissertation or thesis, and are now better equipped to start your own research.

To recap, the 8 steps to writing a quality dissertation (or thesis) are as follows:

• Understand what a dissertation (or thesis) is – a research project that follows the research process.
• Find a unique (original) and important research topic
• Craft a convincing dissertation or thesis research proposal
• Write a clear, compelling introduction chapter
• Undertake a thorough review of the existing research and write up a literature review
• Undertake your own research
• Present and interpret your findings

Once you’ve wrapped up the core chapters, all that’s typically left is the abstract , reference list and appendices. As always, be sure to check with your university if they have any additional requirements in terms of structure or content.

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21 Comments

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Great to hear that – thanks for the feedback. Good luck writing your dissertation/thesis.

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Very rich presentation. Thank you

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Thanks for the feedback and suggestions 🙂

Hello, your write ups is quite educative. However, l have challenges in going about my research questions which is below; *Building the enablers of organisational growth through effective governance and purposeful leadership.*

Very educating.

Just listening to the name of the dissertation makes the student nervous. As writing a top-quality dissertation is a difficult task as it is a lengthy topic, requires a lot of research and understanding and is usually around 10,000 to 15000 words. Sometimes due to studies, unbalanced workload or lack of research and writing skill students look for dissertation submission from professional writers.

Thank you 💕😊 very much. I was confused but your comprehensive explanation has cleared my doubts of ever presenting a good thesis. Thank you.

thank you so much, that was so useful

Hi. Where is the excel spread sheet ark?

could you please help me look at your thesis paper to enable me to do the portion that has to do with the specification

my topic is “the impact of domestic revenue mobilization.

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• How to Start a Dissertation: a Guide for Students to Write a Good Work

Main Rules and Basic Principles to Start a Good Dissertation

Creating a dissertation is a quite complex process that requires a lot of time to find good literature sources, read tons of information about the chosen topic, get fresh ideas about your future research, think about questions you are going to review in your study. All students who graduate the university, are required to create this important and huge document that can be published after creating.

Our article will provide you with useful tips. You will know how to start your dissertation properly and how to make a clear plan for your future writing. We'll teach you how to search good sources. We will give you some good techniques for making this part interesting, and show you tips on starting a paper properly.

In the introduction of your dissertation, you have to show to readers the problem of your research and state question of your study. You need to have solid writing experience. It's important to start your document from an interesting point to get audience interest during reading your introduction. The dissertation is a very serious document that requires a lot of time, research, analysis, abilities to structure, evaluate and understand information, and good writing ability. In our guide, we will give you useful tips. You'll learn how to start dissertation and make a good and interesting document.

The successful document will:

• have a clear and bright title ;
• be planned and researched properly;
• prove a certain student has high level of knowledge;
• include such elements as critical evaluation, discussion, and analysis;
• contain properly cited sources;
• be outlined and structured properly according to academic rules;
• shows the teacher that student is able to use knowledge to create well-structured document.

10 Things you Should Keep in Mind Before Starting your Dissertation

If you are a student who is heading into the final year in fall, then you are thinking hard about the big project to fulfill. It is an undergraduate dissertation. Whether your proposal is submitted by the committee already or no, you understand that you have a hard issue to fulfill and spend many days and even weeks.

We have completed a list of important things you should follow:

• Start right after your proposal is accepted. It means you have to start even before the summer. There are always people that like to wait until the last minute, but most of them didn't get good grades.
• Meet your supervisor, try to respect their comments, feedback, and critique; remember these people are on your side to support you!
• If you feel that your current supervisor is not right, you can request to change. It is not a problem if you have legitimate reasons.
• Be prepared to fulfill a big job; you may be scared at some point, or you may feel you can do nothing - it is normal! All students have such messed feelings when developing their projects, and there are no doubts that you need to solve a lot of problems in the very beginning of your project. Getting degree is worth of trying!
• Have some rest: it's important to make your paper, but you need good rest to refresh your mind, so set your gaps to focus on pleasant things and enjoy your life!
• Don't forget about using technology. Creating your paper is not so difficult when you can find all the needed data online without going to the library and reading tons of books. You can type your document easily instead of rewriting and editing paper draft for million times. Don't forget to create a backup copy of the file!
• You'll think and talk about your assignment constantly. While you are going out with a group of friends, you'll discuss such things as finding great writing methodology, planning a preliminary draft for all chapters, choosing material for references and bibliography, and setting specific terms to finish everything within a deadline.
• Your family members won't be so interested in your project. They might discuss something with you, but in general, they quickly choose other topics to talk, but take it as a benefit to distract from your writing and clear your mind!
• When you put the final word, it's time to print out all pages. It's not a secret that it will cost you a lot. If you want good advice how to save money, you must avoid checking your document at the last moment. Set some time beforehand to check each and every page and section to correct mistakes. It is easier than proofreading a whole document within a day!
• When you hand your document in, you will understand that you have finished a huge task, now it's time to sleep, rest, and get a thought about next stage of your life related to your future career.

10 Tips You Need to Follow when Starting Your Dissertation

We know that it may seem hard to start when you have no idea how to do it, but here is a plan you should try to follow. You need to find a right approach. We suggest dividing all work into easy parts you can complete step by step. These are simple stages that will be helpful in making successful content.

• Define the area of your researching: brainstorm your ideas, write down each and every thought that comes into your head. It's an important step. On early stage of development your work, you need to understand what topic you have chosen and what problem you will highlight.
• Read and learn studies (similar dissertations) that already exist on the particular subject.
• Identify the key points of your future paper.
• Keep in mind that your work must answer a question you put in the beginning.
• Don't forget to make notes: do reference list and include there all books and website you use for writing.
• Define the method of research you will use in your future paper.
• Think what relevant arguments can support your thesis statement.
• Conduct the research and develop your schedule for creating parts of your future paper; dividing a big assignment into several smaller tasks will help you to make the process of writing more manageable and easier.
• It will be helpful for you to form a clear outline of each and every chapter before you start.
• Remember that it doesn't mean you must think about the task 24/7! Learn how to turn off your mind and just to have good rest; it is useful to do because you will start working with new energy after a break. Your nervous system will be thankful!

How to Create an Introduction to a Dissertation?

You should make this part after the entire document is finished, and without any doubt, you can make a rough copy of this part. During the writing process of paper, you may need to update and correct the introduction according to your work goals.

Remember the goals of the chapter! The introduction must explain the main aim of your work and prove to the audience why your research is so important. You should include thesis statement of your paper here. It's important to provide readers with a brief background where you need to put a short review of the literature to show readers what information is already known about the topic.

The first paragraph of your paper is a “door” for people into thesis of your project. It must be clear and well-understandable even for a person that is not an expert in the particular field. We suggest reading successful masters dissertation introduction example to create your paragraph. The good idea is to read the finished introduction to your friend or relative and see if everything is understandable for them.

Here are some useful tips for making an introduction.

• it's good to bring an opening sentence that will grab the attention of your audience and make them read the whole work with interest;
• don't make this part large, but outline your work direction and argument;
• never put in introduction something that you're not going to deliver later in your work;
• make clear sentences and use an appropriate language and tone of your writing. It is quite important for the custom introduction of a dissertation.

Tips to Make a Proper Dissertation Introduction Structure

This part of your work explains to readers clearly what you're going to investigate and research.

Let's figure out the main goal of this part:

• Introducing to readers the subject of your document and describing a goal of your research.
• Grabbing audience's attention to involve people read your work.
• Convincing readers of the practical and scientific relevance of your paper.

So, how long should be an introduction - we recommend writing for about 5 - 7% of the entire paper length. We suggest searching for a good sample dissertation introduction chapter to understand what you must include in this paragraph.

Let's define how a dissertation introduction outline should look like:

• An indication of your problem. Explain why you are making certain research and why it's so important. Try to choose an interesting topic; this will encourage people to read a whole work.
• Describe a subject of your dissertation — define it directly and clear;
• Explain to readers practical use of your paper;
• Give a brief explanation of some important scientific works connected to your dissertation subject;
• Describe the main problem you are going to highlight in your work;
• Provide readers with a short list of your research methods.

For more effective writing, you can use this simple checklist for the introduction.

• You have limited your work's subject;
• You've proved the scientific importance of your paper;
• You've explained practical importance of work to readers;
• You've mentioned some articles connected to your paper's subject;
• The purpose and the problem statement are completed;
• You wrote a short description of the research design;
• You've written a brief overview of the document;
• Your dissertation introduction length is 5 - 7% of the entire document length.

Creating a Bright Dissertation: Qualified Help Online

Not all people have excellent writing abilities to creative writing. Are you still not sure how to make a bright introduction? If you don't have enough time to make this huge and significant work, then a good decision is to order your paper from a reliable and professional writing service.

Here are 5 reasons why you should choose writing company:

• You don't have enough time for writing this paper;
• You feel your writing skills are weak to make such important work;
• You must create it urgently within a short term;
• You are lazy to make this paper (yes, sometimes it happens!);
• You want your work to be perfect but you unsure if you will be able to create such work on your own.

Are you required to make bright and successful dissertation? A reliable writing service can do this job for you, so your main task here is to find a trustworthy company to assist. You won't need to spend sleepless nights struggling with your writing because service will create a perfect dissertation for you!

We hope our detailed guide helped you in creating this very important paper. We know sometimes not everything in your life goes smooth, but many students pass through this hard process, and you will do it too! Are you feel struggling with making your paper? Keep in mind it will be finished anyway, so work hard but don't forget about good rest. Believe in yourself and create successful dissertation with our help!

How to Write a Dissertation: Step-by-Step Guide

• Doctoral students write and defend dissertations to earn their degrees.
• Most dissertations range from 100-300 pages, depending on the field.
• Taking a step-by-step approach can help students write their dissertations.

Whether you’re considering a doctoral program or you recently passed your comprehensive exams, you’ve probably wondered how to write a dissertation. Researching, writing, and defending a dissertation represents a major step in earning a doctorate.

But what is a dissertation exactly? A dissertation is an original work of scholarship that contributes to the field. Doctoral candidates often spend 1-3 years working on their dissertations. And many dissertations top 200 or more pages.

Starting the process on the right foot can help you complete a successful dissertation. Breaking down the process into steps may also make it easier to finish your dissertation.

How to Write a Dissertation in 12 Steps

A dissertation demonstrates mastery in a subject. But how do you write a dissertation? Here are 12 steps to successfully complete a dissertation.

Choose a Topic

It sounds like an easy step, but choosing a topic will play an enormous role in the success of your dissertation. In some fields, your dissertation advisor will recommend a topic. In other fields, you’ll develop a topic on your own.

Read recent work in your field to identify areas for additional scholarship. Look for holes in the literature or questions that remain unanswered.

After coming up with a few areas for research or questions, carefully consider what’s feasible with your resources. Talk to your faculty advisor about your ideas and incorporate their feedback.

Conduct Preliminary Research

Before starting a dissertation, you’ll need to conduct research. Depending on your field, that might mean visiting archives, reviewing scholarly literature , or running lab tests.

Use your preliminary research to hone your question and topic. Take lots of notes, particularly on areas where you can expand your research.

Read Secondary Literature

A dissertation demonstrates your mastery of the field. That means you’ll need to read a large amount of scholarship on your topic. Dissertations typically include a literature review section or chapter.

Create a list of books, articles, and other scholarly works early in the process, and continue to add to your list. Refer to the works cited to identify key literature. And take detailed notes to make the writing process easier.

Write a Research Proposal

In most doctoral programs, you’ll need to write and defend a research proposal before starting your dissertation.

The length and format of your proposal depend on your field. In many fields, the proposal will run 10-20 pages and include a detailed discussion of the research topic, methodology, and secondary literature.

Your faculty advisor will provide valuable feedback on turning your proposal into a dissertation.

Research, Research, Research

Doctoral dissertations make an original contribution to the field, and your research will be the basis of that contribution.

The form your research takes will depend on your academic discipline. In computer science, you might analyze a complex dataset to understand machine learning. In English, you might read the unpublished papers of a poet or author. In psychology, you might design a study to test stress responses. And in education, you might create surveys to measure student experiences.

Work closely with your faculty advisor as you conduct research. Your advisor can often point you toward useful resources or recommend areas for further exploration.

Look for Dissertation Examples

Writing a dissertation can feel overwhelming. Most graduate students have written seminar papers or a master’s thesis. But a dissertation is essentially like writing a book.

Looking at examples of dissertations can help you set realistic expectations and understand what your discipline wants in a successful dissertation. Ask your advisor if the department has recent dissertation examples. Or use a resource like ProQuest Dissertations to find examples.

Doctoral candidates read a lot of monographs and articles, but they often do not read dissertations. Reading polished scholarly work, particularly critical scholarship in your field, can give you an unrealistic standard for writing a dissertation.

Write Your Body Chapters

By the time you sit down to write your dissertation, you’ve already accomplished a great deal. You’ve chosen a topic, defended your proposal, and conducted research. Now it’s time to organize your work into chapters.

As with research, the format of your dissertation depends on your field. Your department will likely provide dissertation guidelines to structure your work. In many disciplines, dissertations include chapters on the literature review, methodology, and results. In other disciplines, each chapter functions like an article that builds to your overall argument.

Start with the chapter you feel most confident in writing. Expand on the literature review in your proposal to provide an overview of the field. Describe your research process and analyze the results.

Meet With Your Advisor

Throughout the dissertation process, you should meet regularly with your advisor. As you write chapters, send them to your advisor for feedback. Your advisor can help identify issues and suggest ways to strengthen your dissertation.

Staying in close communication with your advisor will also boost your confidence for your dissertation defense. Consider sharing material with other members of your committee as well.

Write Your Introduction and Conclusion

It seems counterintuitive, but it’s a good idea to write your introduction and conclusion last . Your introduction should describe the scope of your project and your intervention in the field.

Many doctoral candidates find it useful to return to their dissertation proposal to write the introduction. If your project evolved significantly, you will need to reframe the introduction. Make sure you provide background information to set the scene for your dissertation. And preview your methodology, research aims, and results.

The conclusion is often the shortest section. In your conclusion, sum up what you’ve demonstrated, and explain how your dissertation contributes to the field.

Edit Your Draft

You’ve completed a draft of your dissertation. Now, it’s time to edit that draft.

For some doctoral candidates, the editing process can feel more challenging than researching or writing the dissertation. Most dissertations run a minimum of 100-200 pages , with some hitting 300 pages or more.

When editing your dissertation, break it down chapter by chapter. Go beyond grammar and spelling to make sure you communicate clearly and efficiently. Identify repetitive areas and shore up weaknesses in your argument.

Incorporate Feedback

Writing a dissertation can feel very isolating. You’re focused on one topic for months or years, and you’re often working alone. But feedback will strengthen your dissertation.

You will receive feedback as you write your dissertation, both from your advisor and other committee members. In many departments, doctoral candidates also participate in peer review groups to provide feedback.

Outside readers will note confusing sections and recommend changes. Make sure you incorporate the feedback throughout the writing and editing process.

Defend Your Dissertation

Congratulations — you made it to the dissertation defense! Typically, your advisor will not let you schedule the defense unless they believe you will pass. So consider the defense a culmination of your dissertation process rather than a high-stakes examination.

The format of your defense depends on the department. In some fields, you’ll present your research. In other fields, the defense will consist of an in-depth discussion with your committee.

Walk into your defense with confidence. You’re now an expert in your topic. Answer questions concisely and address any weaknesses in your study. Once you pass the defense, you’ll earn your doctorate.

Writing a dissertation isn’t easy — only around 55,000 students earned a Ph.D. in 2020, according to the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics. However, it is possible to successfully complete a dissertation by breaking down the process into smaller steps.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dissertations

What is a dissertation.

A dissertation is a substantial research project that contributes to your field of study. Graduate students write a dissertation to earn their doctorate.

The format and content of a dissertation vary widely depending on the academic discipline. Doctoral candidates work closely with their faculty advisor to complete and defend the dissertation, a process that typically takes 1-3 years.

How long is a dissertation?

The length of a dissertation varies by field. Harvard’s graduate school says most dissertations fall between 100-300 pages .

Doctoral candidate Marcus Beck analyzed the length of University of Minnesota dissertations by discipline and found that history produces the longest dissertations, with an average of nearly 300 pages, while mathematics produces the shortest dissertations at just under 100 pages.

What’s the difference between a dissertation vs. a thesis?

Dissertations and theses demonstrate academic mastery at different levels. In U.S. graduate education, master’s students typically write theses, while doctoral students write dissertations. The terms are reversed in the British system.

In the U.S., a dissertation is longer, more in-depth, and based on more research than a thesis. Doctoral candidates write a dissertation as the culminating research project of their degree. Undergraduates and master’s students may write shorter theses as part of their programs.

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Writing a Powerful Dissertation Introduction

Understanding the Purpose of the Dissertation Introduction    

5 Key Elements of a Dissertation Introduction    

5 Writing Tips for a Compelling Introduction    

Conclusion     

Additional Resources     

The introduction of your dissertation is critical; it sets the tone for the entire paper, engages the reader, and presents the research problem, objectives, and significance of the study. A well-crafted introduction can make your dissertation more compelling and accessible to your audience.

This article provides a comprehensive guide to writing a powerful dissertation introduction, covering key elements such as the background of the study, the research problem, objectives, significance, and an outline of the dissertation structure.

Understanding the Purpose of the Dissertation Introduction

The introduction serves multiple purposes in a dissertation. Firstly, it provides the necessary background information that contextualizes your research. Secondly, it clearly states the research problem or question your dissertation addresses. Thirdly, it outlines the objectives of your study and its significance, explaining why the research is important and what contributions it aims to make. Finally, it offers a brief overview of the dissertation’s structure, guiding the reader through the subsequent chapters.

5 Key Elements of a Dissertation Introduction

1. background of the study, providing context.

The background section should set the stage for your research by providing relevant context. This includes a brief overview of existing literature, highlighting key findings, debates, and gaps that your research aims to address. It is crucial to demonstrate that you have a solid understanding of the field and the specific area you are investigating.

Establishing Relevance

Explain why your research topic is important and relevant. This could be based on practical considerations (e.g., solving a real-world problem) or theoretical contributions (e.g., filling a gap in the literature). Establishing relevance helps to justify your study and engage the reader.

Engaging the Reader

Start with an engaging hook—a striking fact, a provocative question, or a brief anecdote related to your research topic. This can capture the reader’s interest and make them eager to learn more about your study.

2. Research Problem or Question

Stating the research problem.

Clearly articulate the research problem or question your dissertation addresses. This should be a specific issue that your research aims to explore, understand, or solve. A well-defined research problem provides a focused direction for your study and helps the reader understand the scope of your research.

Justifying the Research Problem

Explain why this research problem is worth investigating. Discuss the practical or theoretical implications of addressing this problem and how your research can contribute to the field. This justification should be rooted in the literature review and demonstrate a clear gap that your study intends to fill.

3. Research Objectives

Defining clear objectives.

List the specific objectives of your research. These are the steps you will take to address the research problem . Objectives should be clear, concise, and achievable within the scope of your dissertation. They guide the research process and provide a framework for evaluating your findings.

Aligning Objectives with the Research Problem

Ensure that your research objectives align with the research problem. Each objective should contribute to solving the problem or answering the research question. This alignment ensures coherence and focus throughout your dissertation.

4. Significance of the Study

Explaining the contributions.

Discuss the significance of your research. Explain how your study will contribute to the existing body of knowledge, either by filling a gap, challenging existing theories, or providing new insights. Highlight any practical implications, such as policy recommendations, technological advancements, or social benefits.

Addressing Potential Impact

Consider the broader impact of your research. How might your findings influence future research, practice, or policy in your field? Addressing potential impact demonstrates the relevance and importance of your study beyond the immediate academic context.

5. Overview of the Dissertation Structure

Providing a roadmap.

Give the reader a brief overview of the structure of your dissertation . Outline the main chapters and their content, explaining how each chapter contributes to addressing the research problem and achieving the research objectives. This roadmap helps the reader navigate your dissertation and understand the flow of your argument.

Ensuring Coherence

Ensure that the structure you outline is logical and coherent. Each chapter should build on the previous one, creating a clear and compelling narrative. A well-structured dissertation is easier to read and more persuasive.

5 Writing Tips for a Compelling Introduction

1. be concise and focused.

While it is important to provide sufficient background information, avoid including unnecessary details. Be concise and focus on the key points that are directly relevant to your research problem and objectives. This will make your introduction more engaging and easier to follow.

2. Use Clear and Precise Language

Use clear and precise language to articulate your research problem, objectives, and significance. Avoid jargon and overly complex sentences. Your goal is to communicate your ideas effectively to a broad academic audience, including those who may not be experts in your specific field.

3. Establish a Logical Flow

Ensure that your introduction flows logically from one section to the next. Each paragraph should build on the previous one, creating a cohesive narrative. Use transition sentences to guide the reader through your introduction and highlight the connections between different sections.

4. Revise and Refine

Writing a strong introduction often requires multiple drafts. Revise and refine your introduction to ensure clarity, coherence, and conciseness. Seek feedback from your advisor or peers and be open to making changes based on their suggestions.

5. Keep the Reader in Mind

Always keep the reader in mind when writing your introduction. Consider what they need to know to understand your research and why it is important. Aim to engage and inform your reader, making them interested in your study and eager to read the rest of your dissertation.

Proper citation is indispensable for maintaining the integrity and credibility of your dissertation. By adhering to best practices such as choosing the right citation style, ensuring accurate referencing , and effectively quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing sources, you contribute to a transparent and honest academic conversation.

Utilizing citation management tools like EndNote, Zotero, or Mendeley can streamline the process and ensure consistency throughout your work. Developing good research habits, understanding fair use principles, and employing plagiarism detection software further enhance the quality of your research.

Regularly reviewing and updating your citations, seeking guidance and feedback, and avoiding common pitfalls like over-reliance on a single source or inadequate paraphrasing are crucial steps in the citation process. By following these guidelines, you not only avoid the ethical and academic pitfalls associated with plagiarism but also strengthen your arguments and support your research with credible evidence.

Ultimately, these practices help you produce a well-documented and academically rigorous dissertation that contributes meaningfully to your field of study. Maintaining these standards ensures that your work is respected and valued within the academic community, paving the way for future research and professional opportunities.

Additional Resources

For further guidance on citing sources and avoiding plagiarism in your dissertation, consider exploring the following resources:

Books and Guides:

"Cite Them Right: The Essential Referencing Guide" by Richard Pears and Graham Shields. This comprehensive guide is an invaluable resource for mastering various citation styles. "Cite Them Right" covers all major citation styles, including APA, MLA, Chicago, and Harvard, providing clear examples and detailed instructions for citing a wide range of sources. It is particularly useful for students who need to ensure accuracy and consistency in their referencing.

EndNote is a comprehensive reference management software that allows you to organize your research materials, generate citations, and create bibliographies. It is particularly useful for managing large numbers of references and ensuring consistent citation formatting.

Mendeley is a reference manager and academic social network that helps you organize your research, collaborate with others online, and discover the latest research. It supports various citation styles and integrates with word processors, making it easier to insert citations and generate bibliographies.

Grammarly is a writing assistant tool that helps detect and correct grammar, punctuation, and style issues. It also includes a plagiarism detection feature, which can help you ensure that your work is original and properly cited.

University Library Referencing Guide

Many universities provide their own referencing guides tailored to their preferred citation styles. Check if your university library offers a referencing guide. These guides often include examples specific to your institution's requirements and can be an excellent resource for ensuring your citations meet academic standards.

By utilizing these resources, you can deepen your understanding of hypothesis writing and testing, enhance your research skills, and ensure that your dissertation is supported by robust and credible data analysis.

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How to Write an Effective Dissertation Title

Citing sources in your dissertation: 14 best practices for avoiding plagiarism.

Writing a Perfect Dissertation or Thesis: Step-by-Step Guide

Table of contents

• 1 What is a Dissertation?
• 2 How long should a dissertation be?
• 3 Choosing a Dissertation Topic
• 4 Planning and Research
• 5 The Dissertation Proposal
• 6 Organizing Your Ideas With Proper Outline
• 7 Create a Clear and Coherent Argument throughout the Dissertation
• 8.1 Title Page
• 8.2 Acknowledgment
• 8.3 Abstract
• 8.4 Introduction
• 8.5 Literature Review
• 8.6 Methodology
• 8.7 Results
• 8.8 Discussion
• 8.9 Conclusion
• 8.10 Bibliography
• 8.11 Glossary, List of Abbreviations, Figures, and Tables
• 8.12 Appendices
• 9 Citations and Referencing in a Dissertation Process
• 10 Strategies for Overcoming Writer’s Block and Managing Stress With Your Research Question
• 11 Look for Dissertation Examples
• 12 You’re Now Ready for Top Dissertation Writing!
• 13.1 How many references should a dissertation have?
• 13.2 How many chapters should a dissertation have?

Writing a dissertation is something every student needs to undertake. This is the culmination of one’s academic program. It requires a careful understanding of how to write a dissertation properly. There’s a lot of brainstorming on your dissertation or thesis, including your final grade and potential future career prospects.

Even though the structure of your dissertation writing depends on your field and level of study, the basic theoretical framework remains similar. The following guide will cover all the key concepts of a Master’s or PhD work. At the end, you’ll learn:

• How do you choose your topic, and what are the preliminary steps for planning and brainstorming?
• Strategies to organize your ideas and coherently expose them in your structure.
• What are your paper’s main elements, research aims, and points of composing and editing?
• Tips on overcoming difficulties such as getting stuck or being under pressure.

Let’s review everything you must know about writing a dissertation. If thinking about this process makes you nauseous, it will change when you’re done reading!

What is a Dissertation?

A dissertation is a comprehensive paper based on your research question or topic. This document showcases your knowledge and understanding of your academic field. It requires graduate students to assess a research subject critically.

Many students get confused about thesis versus dissertation. They get lost trying to figure out the difference. Most of the time, they refer to the same thing. In the UK, a thesis is required to get a PhD, while a dissertation is written when completing a Bachelor’s or Master’s program. In the US, the opposite holds a true statement. Students write Master’s thesis and Ph.D. dissertations. That’s the primary difference to note between these research projects.

How long should a dissertation be?

A dissertation’s length varies based on the subject and academic institution. Typically, a Master’s dissertation ranges from 10,000 to 50,000 words. A Ph.D. dissertation can be 50,000 to 100,000 words or more. However, the emphasis should always be on the quality of content. A student must meet the research objectives rather than word count alone.

Choosing a Dissertation Topic

There are many  ideas for a dissertation , and finding one that stands out could be challenging. The same is true for what you are passionate about. The first step to any research paper is to develop a question or set of questions you wish to answer. The research question must be specific and clear, just as the writing process. It should also be something significant that the readers can directly relate to and understand.

It is important in a dissertation to make sense to your audience and captivate them. Unlike typical essay writing , academic work based on personal research should also be about your interests. Always try to come up with research questions that intrigue you. That way, learning how to write a dissertation will be easier and more enjoyable.

Tip: Here, we have collected the best dissertation topics in Architecture. These dissertations and relevant topics reflect the latest trends, challenges, and innovations in the architectural realm, inspiring students to conduct impactful research.

Planning and Research

Once you’ve decided on a topic, it’s time to start researching. The research process is divided into two main steps. Preliminary research and principal research. The former is a basic understanding of your dissertation research question. It helps you narrow down sub-topics and find relevant literature and sources for detailed research. This is often a tedious process so it may be broken down into:

• Research journal articles and academic papers carefully. Note all important points you come across.
• Create a rough draft of your thesis, adding everything relevant. This will help gather all the data regarding your dissertation research proposal.

These two initial steps are crucial for any academic writing. Having information in this manner will help you write your dissertation outline more effectively later on.

Once you conduct preliminary research, it’ll be time to move on to a more in-depth study. This involves carefully analyzing all your sources. You must discover everything possible regarding your research subject.

After recognizing every research gap in the dissertation subject, you’ll want to review both primary and secondary sources. The former relates to materials that relate directly to an event. The latter involves secondhand accounts, such as books and analyses.

The Dissertation Proposal

For both Master’s and Doctoral programs, your research project requires a proposal to be submitted before you actually start working. This fairly comprehensive formal document goes over the research matters you wish to work on. Your proposal should explain the reason for selecting your research questions. It must involve your study aims and how you plan to conduct your research. All this must be something that your faculty members approve of. Therefore, it’s good to spend some time and get it done correctly.

After you have the draft, it must be submitted to the committee members for review. They’ll check how you write a dissertation and give pointers wherever applicable. It may improve your research design. This part of the dissertation process sometimes takes a few weeks but is well worth it. This way, you’ll know if there’s a research question gap or source material you need to rethink.

Organizing Your Ideas With Proper Outline

An outline isn’t a part of your dissertation defense, but it’s an important tool to assist in your own work. It involves structuring your research from the get-go and helps organize everything you’ve collected thus far.

You can rearrange different topics and evidence before actually writing about anything. There are many ways to do so. Structuring an outline is arguably among the best solutions. This is where you get to figure out your chapter titles and the overall flow of your text.

Your outline should include everything from the location of any quotes or interview transcripts to the methodology and results of your research. All this is great not only for making your writing job easier. Likewise, it is also for drawing connections between points you may not think about otherwise.

Tip:   Look for Dissertation Outline Examples in Our Guide !

TIP: Writing and Editing in Academic Writing

Once you’ve created an outline and structured your research, it’s time to start writing. Know the required word count for sections beforehand. It makes determining how much you should write under each heading easier.

Create a Clear and Coherent Argument throughout the Dissertation

A dissertation is unlike public speaking, where you can go on certain tangents and return to your point. This is a piece of text that’s very long and quite arduous to read for many. Whenever you’re working on research, it’s vital to maintain your tone of voice as well as your argument. This is the part where most students struggle and why they ask for  coursework writing help to complete their graduate education task.

It’s the writer’s job to present their research coherently. There shouldn’t be parts that are contradictory to your primary topic. One tip is to keep questioning existing research. This leads to a compelling text and adds more weight to your own dissertation topics.

Step-by-Step Dissertation Structure

The title page is where you explain your research topic in a few words. This should be related to your work and give the readers an idea of what they will read. The formatting of this page depends on your faculty and professors. It’s usually in APA, MLA, or Chicago style. In most cases, you’ll have to write your title, your name, your supervisor’s name, the name of your program, and your university’s name.

Acknowledgment

You may include This optional page if you wish to thank someone who has helped with your work. This includes teachers and supervisors, people who gave their time to answer your questions, etc. Keep this one as concise and formal as possible.

This part of the dissertation summarizes your paper or research proposal. It is where you concisely state all your key points. It outlines all the major points of your research, giving people a deeper insight into your work. This is where you must hook readers.

Give them enough information about your research topic to make them want to read more. Regarding requirements, a

dissertation abstract is usually only one paragraph long, ranging from 250 to 500 words. Anything longer, and it becomes a whole chapter of its own.

Some students get confused about abstracts and executive summaries. While the two may seem very similar, they’re not quite the same. Unlike an abstract, which is a brief overview, an executive summary is more detailed. It offers insights into the research’s significance, methodology, results, and implications.

Introduction

The first proper section of your dissertation is the introduction chapter. This goes into further detail of your paper than the abstract. As you conduct research, giving readers some

background information on your topic helps them understand it better. When writing a research paper introduction, you must

state your thesis statement and briefly highlight how your paper will discuss it.

A typical way of crafting this section is to summarize each chapter of your dissertation structure. You should also review your writing process and tell the readers about your research methodology. Talking about existing research on the topic is important to help define where your work fits in. It also inspires future research for potential readers.

When embarking on a dissertation, one of the pivotal decisions is including a hypothesis. Whether or not a dissertation should include a hypothesis depends on the type of research being conducted. In quantitative studies, common in fields like psychology and natural sciences, hypotheses—testable predictions based on theory or prior research—are standard. Conversely, qualitative research, typical in anthropology or certain sociology sectors, might prioritize research questions or objectives over specific hypotheses. The study might feature hypotheses and research questions for mixed-methods research, which blends both approaches. Always consult departmental guidelines or your supervisor when determining the structure of your dissertation.

Literature Review

Analyzing existing literature on your topic is perhaps the most important part of your work. The literature review is a discussion chapter that requires going over your primary and secondary sources. Based on an academic discipline, it is evaluating the relevant information you’ve gathered from them.

You may also point out flaws and gaps in this information to strengthen your lit review for the dissertation . The research gap you find is crucial for a literature review. This pertains to portions of a topic that haven’t been explored properly yet. Your primary concern should be filling these gaps with your own research proposal .

Methodology

When researching how to write a dissertation, students often worry about the methodology section. The methodology chapter describes how you’ve collected and analyzed information. It includes any computer programs and tools. You must provide a detailed thesis statement. It is where you critically evaluate existing knowledge based on key theories and formatting guidelines provided.

The methodology chapter describes a detailed account of the research approach. This is where you offer insights into how data was collected and analyzed. It starts with a clear description of the chosen research design. Be it qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods, and the underlying rationale for that choice. An in-depth explanation of the data collection methods follows this. It may involve work through surveys, interviews, observations, or other means, as well as the criteria used for selecting the sample. If you study computer science, think about what valuable contribution you can make with examples.

The chapter also covers the procedures used for data analysis, emphasizing measures taken to ensure validity and reliability. Ethical considerations play a pivotal role in a successful dissertation, encompassing issues like participant consent and data protection. Lastly, addressing any limitations or challenges encountered during the research process is crucial. By meticulously outlining these elements, the methodology chapter legitimizes the study and ensures its replicability. It offers other researchers a roadmap to understand and potentially emulate the process.

Explaining this is crucial, as it gives your work credibility. It also ensures its replicability, offering other researchers a roadmap to understand and potentially emulate the process. That is why approaching any doctoral dissertation writing service you take help from has a special impact on this part.

If the introduction chapter is the start of your text, the results chapter is the culmination. It is like a thesis statement. This is where you present all your data and original research analysis. What you write here must be something you can stand by in your dissertation defense.

The way you present your findings is important too. You should include individual findings and carefully analyze them if you’re working on an empirical dissertation. In the case of a non-empirical dissertation, you may structure your results based on themes and trends.

Be sure to proofread your text for spelling mistakes and grammatical errors. Seek feedback at various stages. Getting feedback from a professor is always a good idea before formulating the final results and coming up with the main argument.

The discussion section of your dissertation discusses the results you’ve achieved. You may ask how the data fits into the larger research theme. By offering valuable feedback, you may talk about how it changes how a problem is perceived. Remember to include what it means overall for the topic.

Write this section as transparently as possible for the final submission. Talk about any surprises you found along the way and any concerns regarding the findings. Seek feedback and allocate enough writing time. Critical thinking is a major part of academic writing! Therefore, inviting your readers to discuss your work openly is encouraged.

The conclusion must tie all your text together and bring it to a close. Just as the introduction is important, so are the concluding remarks. It should not talk about any new research or findings. Keep up with a method that can reiterate the core concepts of your dissertation. It must also reevaluate the statement or question you’ve worked on.

The conclusion of any paper is the last thing people usually read. This should separate your work from other dissertations and leave a lasting impression on your readers. Be sure to talk about the final results here briefly. Stress why your dissertation was conducted and its importance to the subject.

Bibliography

The bibliography of a dissertation lists all relevant citations of sources you’ve analyzed in your research process. This is the part that even an avid  essay writer usually shies away from, but it’s not that difficult. Simply follow your university’s format and write down every website, paper, book, etc. that you’ve studied.

Glossary, List of Abbreviations, Figures, and Tables

To make your dissertation more understandable, providing visual elements and supporting information is crucial. The glossary refers to a list of all technical terms that should be defined for readers. Many departments have terminologies that the general public isn’t familiar with, so defending them is important. A list of abbreviations similarly describes common terms. Both these may be placed at the start of your paper.

You’ll inevitably use figures and tables when you write a dissertation. Figures may include images, graphs, and charts. All these must be listed at the beginning of your document as this is a requirement of all comprehensive exams. Label them along with their page numbers to make it easier to find them.

Appendices should be placed at the end of your dissertation text and include any helpful materials that may further enhance your study. These are non-essential pieces of information that are still connected to the topic. Examples include maps, transcripts of interviews, etc.

Citations and Referencing in a Dissertation Process

No matter what you write, you must give credit when using other people’s thoughts or research. If you don’t do that, your work will be accused of plagiarism. This is why avoiding plagiarism and receiving feedback on works cited is essential. This is a solid way of ruining your dissertation and losing your grades. To avoid this, you may take notes of your sources on paper to create a record of your references. A reference list is crucial to provide evidence regarding your claims.

How you cite a resource depends on which format you’ve been asked to follow. In certain cases, a double space must be used. If you are in doubt, use a relevant step-by-step guide on formatting. The most common ones include the APA, MLA, and Chicago styles. Each has its own unique rules. Still, they essentially require you to mention the name of the source material (book, article, paper), the writer/s, and where it is published. You must provide the date of publishing and the date you last accessed it as an online source.

This does become a tiring process, especially when you have to write a very long dissertation paper. Luckily, many tools and various citations generator exist to do this for you. You may simply add a link to your source, and such services will give you a properly formatted citation to include in your paper.

Strategies for Overcoming Writer’s Block and Managing Stress With Your Research Question

Coming up with a good topic, conducting a literature review, and crafting a great dissertation often depends on how well you manage stress. If you are working toward a master’s degree, some additional background information must be added. It is true for dissertations that go deeper than an overall argument. Knowing that this task may shape your entire career definitely causes anxiety, so it’s vital to practice self-care and ask for help when needed.

You can easily ask a professional to learn how to write a dissertation for me and guide them through the process. If you’re finding it difficult to focus on your dissertation and affecting other classes, it may help to ask someone else to write some of it for you. This would give you peace of mind to focus on other aspects of your final exam, leading to a better overall result.

Look for Dissertation Examples

To help yourself write a dissertation, check out other dissertation examples before starting. This is an effective way to learn how things like literature review work and how an interesting dissertation proposal plan is made. They’ll also show you how to cite resources and correctly label images. Make this an integral part of your process, and you’ll find it much easier to craft your dissertation.

You’re Now Ready for Top Dissertation Writing!

With all the tips in this comprehensive guide, you now know how to write an outstanding dissertation. Just hearing the word ‘dissertation’ often causes anxiety among students, but it’s not that difficult once you know how to go about it.

Start with choosing a topic that you find intriguing. Next, gather your data in a structured manner and conduct a thorough literature review. Once ready, analyze everything carefully and formulate your results. That’s essentially all you must do for a good dissertation project. Be sure to follow the requirements regarding citations and formatting, and a high grade is all but guaranteed!

How many references should a dissertation have?

How many chapters should a dissertation have, readers also enjoyed.

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How to Start Your Dissertation? Getting it Right First Time

Published by Carmen Troy at September 1st, 2021 , Revised On October 10, 2023

If you are unsure about how to start your dissertation and getting it right the first time then you have come to the right place.

All students must possess organisational and time management skills to write their dissertation projects to a high academic standard. Due to the heavy academic workload and personal obligations, many students get behind their work schedules. This results in poor quality of work and high-stress levels. It is vitally important to develop a detailed work plan to properly manage your time and complete each  part of your dissertation  by the deadline you set.

Dissertation Topic Planning

Before doing anything else, you should  choose a dissertation topic  that interests you. Your dissertation project will give you the opportunity to explore and research your chosen topic in depth. Generally, students make use of previous research studies and literature to find a topic that is interesting and manageable. When working on your  dissertation paper , it is imperative that you let your imagination and ideas flow freely. There is no denying the fact that a dissertation is hard work, but at the same time, it gives you the opportunity to achieve a unique academic milestone that could make a substantial difference to your professional career as well.

Choosing an intriguing yet rewarding topic is easier said than done. There are many important factors that need to be considered when deciding on the topic you wish to write about. You may search for an interesting and current research topic in our dissertation topic ideas library . If you are lucky enough, an  idea for a dissertation may pop into your mind without having to do a lot of research. However, generally, students have to spend a considerable amount of time and follow a systematic approach in their search for a suitable dissertation topic  or question.

Get Free Dissertation Writing Topic & Outline Service

It could be that you have too many ideas or too few, and therefore it is suggested to invest time and effort in background reading and thinking before reaching a decision about the topic.

Some Tips and Advice to Help You Start Your Dissertation

• If you have been assigned a  dissertation supervisor , talk to them at an early stage about the topic ideas floating in your mind. If possible, set up a meeting with them to discuss your ideas. In some academic institutions,  undergraduate students are actively discouraged from approaching members of the faculty. So check the procedures of your university before making such a move.
• Search  online libraries and   academic scholarly databases  to find useful articles and journals. You may need to do some desk based research to become familiar with the authentic search sources available on the internet.
• Draw upon your experience as a student, a patient, a member of a team, an employee, and so on.
• Read newspapers and magazines to find current issues in your area of study and develop your research topic from your reading and knowledge.

Contact a reliable online dissertation topic planning help service to get research topic ideas, dissertation plan, and perhaps help with your entire dissertation project .

Choosing the Best Dissertation Topic

Inspiration may come from different places when you are searching for a suitable topic of research. However, it is essential to  select a research problem that can be addressed in a timely and appropriate academic manner. Below are some questions that you should ask yourself before deciding on your  dissertation project :

• Keeping the time and resources available in consideration, would I be able to research the topic I have selected?
• Have I found existing literature within which I could locate my work?
• Would I be able to perform comparative and critical analysis with my chosen topic?
• Will my research topic keep me interested over the period of six to eight months?
• What  type of research I will have to base my dissertation on –  primary or secondary  – qualitative or quantitative?

Also Read:  Dissertation Help From UK’s Best Dissertation Writing Service

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Is Your Dissertation Topic too Broad?

You should avoid too broad a topic particularly if you have to work with time and resource constraints. Being overambitious will land you only in trouble. Thus, it is recommended that you address a small yet manageable question rather than completely failing to find the answer to a complex and confusing research question. The following approach of thinking can help you to narrow the focus of research.

• What type of data collection methods I will be able to deal with keeping the various project constraints in mind?
• Is there a particular data collection method that would help me to stay focused?
• How does the topic relate to my academic and professional ambitions?
• Is there enough literature  available on the topic?

If you are unable to start your dissertation due to your professional or work related commitments then you could get help from our expert dissertation writers. No matter how urgent or complex your requirements might be, we have subject specialists for every field of study.

Record Useful Information and Ideas

• You may find it helpful to record your ideas and useful/relevant information in a research notebook. Objectives of making a research notebook could vary from recording your initial ideas and observations to important points from literature and problems you faced during the research process .
• Make sure that you are keeping an accurate record of the referencing details of all reading material that you read as part of your preliminary desk based research.
• Become familiar with the referencing style that you are required to use for your  dissertation paper . This requirement is usually specified in the formatting guidelines and assessment criteria of your dissertation module.
• If possible, list all the reference resources in alphabetical order as a word file.
• You can also manage your references using any authentic software.

Also Read:  How PHD Thesis is Different to Graduate Level Dissertation

Read, Read and Read!!!

In order to score a high academic grade in your dissertation module, you will be required to do lots of reading. Explore the literature available on your chosen topic. Useful reading material generally includes but is not limited to the most  commonly employed research methods and methodologies , articles and journals published in online academic databases, research studies on a similar topic, and relevant textbooks and case studies.

As a rule of thumb, use at least 4 to 5 reference resources for every 1000 words you write for your dissertation paper. This means that a 10,000 long  dissertation project  will incorporate a minimum of 40 to 50 references.

Being Organised Helps

The process of research and  writing for a dissertation paper  is an evolving one. It will be useful to you if you can continuously take notes of ideas, useful online resources and observations during the preliminary research and data gathering process. Humanly, it may not be possible to remember all sources of information you came across.  Being organized and systematic in your planning and actions  can go a long towards turning your dissertation writing experience into a pleasant one.

Recording important information such as academic sources you found relevant/useful, references to follow up at a later stage, notes on journals and articles you read, and methods of collecting data can be helpful for you in accomplishing your personal development goals.

When is the Right Time to Start Your Dissertation or Thesis?

If you are undergraduate students  enrolled on a three or four-year degree, then you will be assigned the dissertation project during your second/third year. Graduate students, on the other hand, should check their course guidelines to know exactly when they will be required to submit their  dissertation project . As an educated guess, you should give yourself at least 6 full months to produce a dissertation paper to a high-quality standard.

Time Management and Planning Skills

Students should list down all critical stages of their dissertation project which is usually completed over a long period of time. The key is to break down your dissertation into small and manageable chunks and develop a plan to conclude a deadline for each section. This strategy will go a long way towards helping you to get your project done in a timely manner. It is pivotal that you develop a detailed plan of action or dissertation outline at an early stage and get your supervisor’s approval for it. If your project incorporates primary research, then you will need to develop an even more detailed schedule of activities, so you can identify the factors that could hinder your progress.

You will need to allocate a sufficient amount of time for the following activities:

• Finding the best dissertation topic
• Desk based research at an initial stage to find relevant academic sources
• Devising the aim and key objectives of your research
• Writing the introduction chapter
• Reviewing the literature available on your topic
• Develop  methodology framework and selecting the most appropriate methods
• Collection of primary data using questionnaires, surveys, and interviews
• Transcribing data
• Analysis of data using qualitative/quantitative analysis
• Writing the  discussion and  conclusion  sections
• In-text referencing and listing all reference resources used for your study
• Developing the  appendices section
• Proofreading and editing your work

If you now know how to start your dissertation then you might be interested in; How to Write First Class Dissertation Proposal.

Useful Reading Material

• Moore, N. (2000). How to do research. The complete guide to designing and managing research projects . 3rd ed., London, Facet Publishing, chapters 1&2 – objectives and planning
• Rowntree, D. (1998). Learn how to study . 4th ed., London, Warner place, chapter 9 – writing notes
• Seale, C. (2006). Researching society and culture . London, Sage, chapter 7 – planning
• Thomas, G. (2009). How to do Your Research Project . Sage, Los Angeles.
• Walliman, N. (2011). Your Research Project . Sage Publications, London.
• Winkler, A. & McCuin-Metherill, J. (2011). Writing the Research Paper . Thomson Wadsworth, Boston.

If you are still unsure about how to start your dissertation and choose a research topic that would make the process easier for you then you might want to take a look at our dissertation topic and outline service which is designed to help you jump start your dissertation project. Or learn more about our dissertation services if you wish to obtain help with the whole dissertation paper or individual chapters.

Frequenlty Asked Questions

How to start writing a dissertation.

To start writing a dissertation, begin with a clear research question, outline your chapters, gather relevant sources, and establish a writing schedule for consistent progress. Don’t forget to seek guidance from your advisor throughout the process.

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