This article will help you learn how to write a dissertation based on academic standards and existing guidelines. We shall focus on the definition and main difference between dissertation writing and the thesis, evaluate the suitable length, focus on dissertation structure details, and examine the steps that must be taken. Regardless of what academic department you are coming from, this guide will provide you with all the necessary information to make challenging aspects less complex and more accessible!
Definition and academic purpose of dissertation writing
A dissertation is a type of academic research writing instantly identified by large-scale length. Based on original research and conducted on your own, it is one of the most complex aspects of research work. It is mostly approached as the final step a student must take to complete their Ph.D. program. When asking what is a dissertation in practice, one should mention that it depends on the field of science. Since it is based on a specific subject for a university degree, one should provide a discourse on a subject with proper, time-consuming academic research.
Dissertation purpose
Speaking of the main purposes of dissertation writing, one should start with a basic exploration of the subject and specifics of your scientific field. It means many things will remain the same, like dissertation structure and obligatory writing aspects, yet your tools and methods will change. One must focus on discussions with a supervisor and narrow things down to ensure nothing is missed! As you work on your purpose, quite a lot will depend on whether you wish to use a quantitative or qualitative dissertation methodology for your studies. Thus, the main purpose is to provide substantial research with a clear contribution to your research field. One of the complex parts here, however, is the presence of a literature review that one must add to the dissertation format and provide a piece of evidence.
The main differences in dissertation and thesis writing to consider
While there are many structural peculiarities, working with a thesis is mainly encountered when a student earns a Master's degree, while most dissertation writing cases refer to a doctoral degree. Moreover, going beyond the dissertation layout, there are many differences that one must be aware of. A dissertation usually asks for an oral defense, while working with a thesis does not place it as an obligatory requirement. Another aspect one must consider is the presence of a dissertation committee that will evaluate your work, ask questions, pose challenges, and state certain arguments you must defend. Here, your task is to justify your scientific methods, dissertation discussion part, and conclusions. Likewise, you must interpret your findings correctly, which is why analysis is essential!
Another difference you must consider between dissertation and thesis writing is the length! A master's thesis is always shorter when compared to a dissertation. Meanwhile, a thesis is usually between 40 and 80 pages, while an average research dissertation will be between 120 and 350 pages. However, there are not only differences but similarities as well. You must use analytical reasoning and implement critical thinking to show in-depth expertise about the subject.
Length and formatting dissertation aspects
Although the length of a dissertation will always depend on your subject and prior discussions with an academic advisor, most dissertations end up between 100 and 300 pages. Considering that dissertations are divided into relevant sections and chapters, you will see that all divisions and subdivisions start making sense. According to most universities in the United Kingdom, you should aim at 8,000-15,000 words.
Additionally, thinking over how long does it take to write a dissertation, you must consider sources and all the prior work to determine the time required. Usually, it takes about 12 to 19 months to complete a dissertation since the talk is about the final research a student has to deliver. Of course, one can do it faster if prior preparation has been considered!
When the talk is about a Master's dissertation, the volume will be between 12,000 and 50,000 words. Finally, a Ph.D. dissertation is similar to a book, between 70,000 and 100,000 words. Of course, the numbers will vary, so if you are getting stuck with some aspect and do not know how to match the required word count, approaching a dissertation proposal writing service can become a helpful academic solution to consider. When you need a good dissertation plan, look no further, as we can help you to get things delivered on time and keep your written research original and plagiarism-free!
The structure of the dissertation and requirements
The structure is one of the most important aspects to consider to complete a correct and accurate dissertation. Consequently, it will help narrow things down and provide just enough data to avoid confusion. It means that when you have a good plan, you shall see how long should a dissertation introduction be and what must be included there.
Let’s take time to learn about all the important formatting aspects and make a checklist that must be consulted as you compose your dissertation plan and structure all the relevant bits. Once again, you should know your topic and general thesis well to narrow things down and make a good synthesis of all the data available on the subject you chose to approach.
Dissertation formatting specifics
- Language and style.
Unless specified otherwise, you should use academic English in your dissertation writing. Importantly, foreign language must be previously discussed with an academic advisor. The style must be advanced with proper grammar and style in learning how to format a dissertation page layout.
- Page layout.
8½ x 11 inches layout must be used. The margins should be 1 inch for all sides, and the spacing must be doubled. Block quotations, footnotes, and bibliography writing have to be single-spaced and appear within each entry you have. Lastly, table of contents, tables, lists, figures, and graphics must be single-spaced.
- Fonts.
One must limit things to a 10-12 point size. The PDF version should also be included to ensure a correct display of all the fonts and characters. Usually, most dissertation guide examples mention Arial, Times New Roman, Verdana, Trebuchet MS, Tahoma, and Microsoft Sans Serif as the most popular and acceptable fonts.
- Acknowledgment and copyright.
Specific third-party content is also essential and must be credited to the original author with permissions gained and discussed. Additionally, you should consult the fair use principles to avoid copyright issues as you create your dissertation template in your discipline and use external content that is not your opinion.
9 crucial steps required to compose a flawless dissertation
Now that we know most aspects and definitions of dissertation writing, it is high time to proceed with the steps you must take to create a perfect dissertation. We shall also learn how many references should a dissertation have and what kind of sources must be included. Most importantly, you shall see what preparation work must be done to save precious time and avoid certain delays as you work on your dissertation proposal or determine what kind of samples can support your arguments and the methods.
Let’s start with the obligatory dissertation parts that must be included in a dissertation:
- Chapter 1: Introduction.
- Chapter 2: Review of the literature.
- Chapter 3: Methodology (design and methods).
- Chapter 4: Research results.
- Chapter 5: Summary and implications with conclusions.
You must also consider learning more about the dissertation title page example and work on your dissertation abstract with all the necessary keywords and the general summary. Since it must be ready for publishing and relevant libraries, you should take time and evaluate your choices twice. Additionally, consult your academic advisor regarding an available template where all the page layout rules have already been included.
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Step 1: Brainstorm your dissertation subject.
Knowing your dissertation topic well is one of the most crucial factors. Before you develop a proposal, think about what you know well and focus on what inspires you or what you can support with relevant data. Take your time to choose your subject well, as it will always pay off.
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Step 2: Discuss things with a faculty member.
This is where you discuss your scientific objectives and learn how to plan a dissertation, set the chapter deadlines, and create an outline. You can also encounter limitations and develop a suitable plan explaining why you have chosen a certain topic and how your research will address aspects not previously approached.
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Step 3: Work on your literature review.
The sources and resources you usually use represent a core element of your research because you must support your arguments and show what kind of work has been done. Thus, you must be aware of all the work done concerning your subject. A dissertation literature review must show your knowledge and explain how each entry connects to your main argument(s). Speaking of how many sources must be used in a dissertation, adding at least 8-10 important resources for 8,000 words is necessary. If you have around 15,000 words, you should add around 20 major resources to make your work credible.
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Step 4: Develop your dissertation proposal.
As you learn how to start a dissertation, you must think about your main idea or what you propose. It must sound credible and accessible to your target audience. Besides, it must be condensed and clear with the relevance and objectives you wish to follow. It is basically what the dissertation committee will learn and evaluate to see whether your offer is inspiring. You should also know this by heart, as your defense part will focus on that.
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Step 5: Dissertation introduction and research.
The most important is to provide information regarding the relevance of your work. You must inspire and motivate your target audience! Therefore, the dissertation introduction represents one of the most important aspects where you talk about the importance of your topic and outline your upcoming thesis. Regarding what to include in a dissertation introduction, you must speak of what is relevant and provide your focus and scope to show what will be studied. The relevance should discuss what other research has been done, what limitations have been encountered, and why your dissertation research differs.
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Step 6: Combine your data analysis.
This is where you must think about what methodology to choose. Accordingly, it is where you determine how to structure dissertation correctly and follow the same formula as you proceed with each justification and research sample data. Depending on whether you use qualitative or quantitative research methods, you should adjust your resources accordingly and provide more sample data to support your main thesis. Whereas avoid going beyond those bits you mentioned in your work's introduction.
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Step 7: Draft your first manuscript.
This is where you must focus on your structure and dissertation chapters by following the same logic and eliminating certain limitations. Plus, it is where you should focus on all the vital bits and combine how much should be included in each section. For example, an introduction for a dissertation should be up to 10% of your total word count. The same is true for the discussion part and the literature review, where you must take time to polish things.
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Step 8: Do editing and proofreading.
Do not ignore the proofreading and editing part; it helps eliminate odd bits and repetitions, check grammar, create a glossary, and adjust your abstract as you complete your dissertation. It also takes the most time in the long run, so make sure you have a good friend who can listen to your work and offer suggestions regarding readability or various technical bits.
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Step 9: Defend your main thesis.
Although it is mostly done orally, reading your work more than twice is still good for learning about all dissertation sections so you can easily reference them and defend your main arguments. Try to understand the type of the character of your dissertation committee and avoid seeing them as enemies. Also, don’t forget to practice your speech and take notes based on your dissertation. When you know your work well and consult additional sources that you have used, it will help you to avoid confusion and delays. When in doubt, always consult your academic advisor!
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