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A dissertation is a long-form piece of academic writing based on original research conducted by you. It is usually submitted as the final step in order to finish a PhD program.
Your dissertation is probably the longest piece of writing you’ve ever completed. It requires solid research, writing, and analysis skills, and it can be intimidating to know where to begin.
Your department likely has guidelines related to how your dissertation should be structured. When in doubt, consult with your supervisor.
You can also download our full dissertation template in the format of your choice below. The template includes a ready-made table of contents with notes on what to include in each chapter, easily adaptable to your department’s requirements.
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Dissertation committee and prospectus process, how to write and structure a dissertation, acknowledgements or preface, list of figures and tables, list of abbreviations, introduction, literature review, methodology, reference list, proofreading and editing, defending your dissertation, free checklist and lecture slides.
When you’ve finished your coursework, as well as any comprehensive exams or other requirements, you advance to “ABD” (All But Dissertation) status. This means you’ve completed everything except your dissertation.
Prior to starting to write, you must form your committee and write your prospectus or proposal . Your committee comprises your adviser and a few other faculty members. They can be from your own department, or, if your work is more interdisciplinary, from other departments. Your committee will guide you through the dissertation process, and ultimately decide whether you pass your dissertation defense and receive your PhD.
Your prospectus is a formal document presented to your committee, usually orally in a defense, outlining your research aims and objectives and showing why your topic is relevant . After passing your prospectus defense, you’re ready to start your research and writing.
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The structure of your dissertation depends on a variety of factors, such as your discipline, topic, and approach. Dissertations in the humanities are often structured more like a long essay , building an overall argument to support a central thesis , with chapters organized around different themes or case studies.
However, hard science and social science dissertations typically include a review of existing works, a methodology section, an analysis of your original research, and a presentation of your results , presented in different chapters.
We’ve compiled a list of dissertation examples to help you get started.
The very first page of your document contains your dissertation title, your name, department, institution, degree program, and submission date. Sometimes it also includes your student number, your supervisor’s name, and the university’s logo.
Read more about title pages
The acknowledgements section is usually optional and gives space for you to thank everyone who helped you in writing your dissertation. This might include your supervisors, participants in your research, and friends or family who supported you. In some cases, your acknowledgements are part of a preface.
Read more about acknowledgements Read more about prefaces
The abstract is a short summary of your dissertation, usually about 150 to 300 words long. Though this may seem very short, it’s one of the most important parts of your dissertation, because it introduces your work to your audience.
Your abstract should:
Read more about abstracts
The table of contents lists all of your chapters, along with corresponding subheadings and page numbers. This gives your reader an overview of your structure and helps them easily navigate your document.
Remember to include all main parts of your dissertation in your table of contents, even the appendices. It’s easy to generate a table automatically in Word if you used heading styles. Generally speaking, you only include level 2 and level 3 headings, not every subheading you included in your finished work.
Read more about tables of contents
While not usually mandatory, it’s nice to include a list of figures and tables to help guide your reader if you have used a lot of these in your dissertation. It’s easy to generate one of these in Word using the Insert Caption feature.
Read more about lists of figures and tables
Similarly, if you have used a lot of abbreviations (especially industry-specific ones) in your dissertation, you can include them in an alphabetized list of abbreviations so that the reader can easily look up their meanings.
Read more about lists of abbreviations
In addition to the list of abbreviations, if you find yourself using a lot of highly specialized terms that you worry will not be familiar to your reader, consider including a glossary. Here, alphabetize the terms and include a brief description or definition.
Read more about glossaries
The introduction serves to set up your dissertation’s topic, purpose, and relevance. It tells the reader what to expect in the rest of your dissertation. The introduction should:
Everything in the introduction should be clear, engaging, and relevant. By the end, the reader should understand the what, why, and how of your research.
Read more about introductions
A formative part of your research is your literature review . This helps you gain a thorough understanding of the academic work that already exists on your topic.
Literature reviews encompass:
A literature review is not merely a summary of existing sources. Your literature review should have a coherent structure and argument that leads to a clear justification for your own research. It may aim to:
Read more about literature reviews
Your literature review can often form the basis for your theoretical framework. Here, you define and analyze the key theories, concepts, and models that frame your research.
Read more about theoretical frameworks
Your methodology chapter describes how you conducted your research, allowing your reader to critically assess its credibility. Your methodology section should accurately report what you did, as well as convince your reader that this was the best way to answer your research question.
A methodology section should generally include:
Read more about methodology sections
Your results section should highlight what your methodology discovered. You can structure this section around sub-questions, hypotheses , or themes, but avoid including any subjective or speculative interpretation here.
Your results section should:
Additional data (including raw numbers, full questionnaires, or interview transcripts) can be included as an appendix. You can include tables and figures, but only if they help the reader better understand your results. Read more about results sections
Your discussion section is your opportunity to explore the meaning and implications of your results in relation to your research question. Here, interpret your results in detail, discussing whether they met your expectations and how well they fit with the framework that you built in earlier chapters. Refer back to relevant source material to show how your results fit within existing research in your field.
Some guiding questions include:
If any of the results were unexpected, offer explanations for why this might be. It’s a good idea to consider alternative interpretations of your data.
Read more about discussion sections
Your dissertation’s conclusion should concisely answer your main research question, leaving your reader with a clear understanding of your central argument and emphasizing what your research has contributed to the field.
In some disciplines, the conclusion is just a short section preceding the discussion section, but in other contexts, it is the final chapter of your work. Here, you wrap up your dissertation with a final reflection on what you found, with recommendations for future research and concluding remarks.
It’s important to leave the reader with a clear impression of why your research matters. What have you added to what was already known? Why is your research necessary for the future of your field?
Read more about conclusions
It is crucial to include a reference list or list of works cited with the full details of all the sources that you used, in order to avoid plagiarism. Be sure to choose one citation style and follow it consistently throughout your dissertation. Each style has strict and specific formatting requirements.
Common styles include MLA , Chicago , and APA , but which style you use is often set by your department or your field.
Create APA citations Create MLA citations
Your dissertation should contain only essential information that directly contributes to answering your research question. Documents such as interview transcripts or survey questions can be added as appendices, rather than adding them to the main body.
Read more about appendices
Making sure that all of your sections are in the right place is only the first step to a well-written dissertation. Don’t forget to leave plenty of time for editing and proofreading, as grammar mistakes and sloppy spelling errors can really negatively impact your work.
Dissertations can take up to five years to write, so you will definitely want to make sure that everything is perfect before submitting. You may want to consider using a professional dissertation editing service , AI proofreader or grammar checker to make sure your final project is perfect prior to submitting.
After your written dissertation is approved, your committee will schedule a defense. Similarly to defending your prospectus, dissertation defenses are oral presentations of your work. You’ll present your dissertation, and your committee will ask you questions. Many departments allow family members, friends, and other people who are interested to join as well.
After your defense, your committee will meet, and then inform you whether you have passed. Keep in mind that defenses are usually just a formality; most committees will have resolved any serious issues with your work with you far prior to your defense, giving you ample time to fix any problems.
As you write your dissertation, you can use this simple checklist to make sure you’ve included all the essentials.
My title page includes all information required by my university.
I have included acknowledgements thanking those who helped me.
My abstract provides a concise summary of the dissertation, giving the reader a clear idea of my key results or arguments.
I have created a table of contents to help the reader navigate my dissertation. It includes all chapter titles, but excludes the title page, acknowledgements, and abstract.
My introduction leads into my topic in an engaging way and shows the relevance of my research.
My introduction clearly defines the focus of my research, stating my research questions and research objectives .
My introduction includes an overview of the dissertation’s structure (reading guide).
I have conducted a literature review in which I (1) critically engage with sources, evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of existing research, (2) discuss patterns, themes, and debates in the literature, and (3) address a gap or show how my research contributes to existing research.
I have clearly outlined the theoretical framework of my research, explaining the theories and models that support my approach.
I have thoroughly described my methodology , explaining how I collected data and analyzed data.
I have concisely and objectively reported all relevant results .
I have (1) evaluated and interpreted the meaning of the results and (2) acknowledged any important limitations of the results in my discussion .
I have clearly stated the answer to my main research question in the conclusion .
I have clearly explained the implications of my conclusion, emphasizing what new insight my research has contributed.
I have provided relevant recommendations for further research or practice.
If relevant, I have included appendices with supplemental information.
I have included an in-text citation every time I use words, ideas, or information from a source.
I have listed every source in a reference list at the end of my dissertation.
I have consistently followed the rules of my chosen citation style .
I have followed all formatting guidelines provided by my university.
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“Dissertation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dissertation. Accessed 16 Aug. 2024.
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What is a dissertation, getting started, staying on track.
A thesis is a long-term project that you work on over the course of a semester or a year. Theses have a very wide variety of styles and content, so we encourage you to look at prior examples and work closely with faculty to develop yours.
Before you begin, make sure that you are familiar with the dissertation genre—what it is for and what it looks like.
Generally speaking, a dissertation’s purpose is to prove that you have the expertise necessary to fulfill your doctoral-degree requirements by showing depth of knowledge and independent thinking.
The form of a dissertation may vary by discipline. Be sure to follow the specific guidelines of your department.
Finding a topic for your thesis or dissertation should start with a research question that excites or at least interests you. A rigorous, engaging, and original project will require continuous curiosity about your topic, about your own thoughts on the topic, and about what other scholars have said on your topic. Avoid getting boxed in by thinking you know what you want to say from the beginning; let your research and your writing evolve as you explore and fine-tune your focus through constant questioning and exploration.
Get a sense of the broader picture before you narrow your focus and attempt to frame an argument. Read, skim, and otherwise familiarize yourself with what other scholars have done in areas related to your proposed topic. Briefly explore topics tangentially related to yours to broaden your perspective and increase your chance of finding a unique angle to pursue.
Critical Reading
Critical reading is the opposite of passive reading. Instead of merely reading for information to absorb, critical reading also involves careful, sustained thinking about what you are reading. This process may include analyzing the author’s motives and assumptions, asking what might be left out of the discussion, considering what you agree with or disagree with in the author’s statements and why you agree or disagree, and exploring connections or contradictions between scholarly arguments. Here is a resource to help hone your critical-reading skills:
http://writing.umn.edu/sws/assets/pdf/quicktips/criticalread.pdf
Conversation
Your thesis or dissertation will incorporate some ideas from other scholars whose work you researched. By reading critically and following your curiosity, you will develop your own ideas and claims, and these contributions are the core of your project. You will also acknowledge the work of scholars who came before you, and you must accurately and fairly attribute this work and define your place within the larger discussion. Make sure that you know how to quote, summarize, paraphrase , integrate , and cite secondary sources to avoid plagiarism and to show the depth and breadth of your knowledge.
A thesis is a long-term, large project that involves both research and writing; it is easy to lose focus, motivation, and momentum. Here are suggestions for achieving the result you want in the time you have.
The dissertation is probably the largest project you have undertaken, and a lot of the work is self-directed. The project can feel daunting or even overwhelming unless you break it down into manageable pieces and create a timeline for completing each smaller task. Be realistic but also challenge yourself, and be forgiving of yourself if you miss a self-imposed deadline here and there.
Your program will also have specific deadlines for different requirements, including establishing a committee, submitting a prospectus, completing the dissertation, defending the dissertation, and submitting your work. Consult your department’s website for these dates and incorporate them into the timeline for your work.
Accountability
Sometimes self-imposed deadlines do not feel urgent unless there is accountability to someone beyond yourself. To increase your motivation to complete tasks on schedule, set dates with your committee chair to submit pre-determined pieces of a chapter. You can also arrange with a fellow doctoral student to check on each other’s progress. Research and writing can be lonely, so it is also nice to share that journey with someone and support each other through the process.
Common Pitfalls
The most common challenges for students writing a dissertation are writer’s block, information-overload, and the compulsion to keep researching forever.
There are many strategies for avoiding writer’s block, such as freewriting, outlining, taking a walk, starting in the middle, and creating an ideal work environment for your particular learning style. Pay attention to what helps you and try different things until you find what works.
Efficient researching techniques are essential to avoiding information-overload. Here are a couple of resources about strategies for finding sources and quickly obtaining essential information from them.
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/subject_specific_writing/writing_in_literature/writing_in_literature_detailed_discussion/reading_criticism.html
https://students.dartmouth.edu/academic-skills/learning-resources/learning-strategies/reading-techniques
Finally, remember that there is always more to learn and your dissertation cannot incorporate everything. Follow your curiosity but also set limits on the scope of your work. It helps to create a folder entitled “future projects” for topics and sources that interest you but that do not fit neatly into the dissertation. Also remember that future scholars will build off of your work, so leave something for them to do.
Browsing through theses and dissertations of the past can help to get a sense of your options and gain inspiration but be careful to use current guidelines and refer to your committee instead of relying on these examples for form or formatting.
DASH Digital Access to Scholarship at Harvard.
HOLLIS Harvard Library’s catalog provides access to ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global .
MIT Architecture has a list of their graduates’ dissertations and theses.
Rhode Island School of Design has a list of their graduates’ dissertations and theses.
University of South Florida has a list of their graduates’ dissertations and theses.
Harvard GSD has a list of projects, including theses and professors’ research.
Harvard University Digital Accessibility Policy
Writing Guides
A dissertation is a lengthy, formal document that presents the research and findings of an individual as part of the requirements for a doctoral degree or, in some cases, a master’s degree. It involves conducting original research on a specific topic, making a significant contribution to the existing body of knowledge. The process typically starts with a thorough literature review to understand the current state of knowledge in the chosen area and identify gaps that the dissertation will address. This is followed by the development of a research methodology, where the methods used to conduct the research are detailed. The core of the dissertation includes the presentation of research findings, followed by a discussion section where these findings are analyzed and interpreted in the context of existing knowledge.
Table of Contents
The format of a dissertation can vary depending on the field of study and the specific guidelines of the academic institution. However, a typical dissertation structure includes the following sections:
This includes the title of the dissertation, the author’s name, the degree for which the dissertation is submitted, the name of the institution, and the date of submission.
A brief summary of the research, including the research question, methodology, key findings, and conclusions. It usually ranges from 150 to 300 words.
An optional section where the author can thank those who contributed to the completion of the dissertation, such as advisors, family, and friends.
A list of all the chapters and major sections, including page numbers.
If applicable, this section lists all the figures and tables included in the dissertation, along with their page numbers.
An overview of the research topic, the research question, the significance of the study, and an outline of the dissertation structure.
A comprehensive review of existing research relevant to the topic, identifying gaps that the dissertation aims to fill.
A detailed description of the research design, data collection methods, and data analysis techniques used in the study.
Presentation of the research findings, often including tables, graphs, and statistical analyses.
Interpretation of the findings, discussing their implications, how they fit with existing research, and any limitations of the study.
A summary of the research, key findings, implications, and suggestions for future research.
A list of all the sources cited in the dissertation, formatted according to a specific citation style (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago).
Supplementary material that is relevant to the dissertation but not included in the main text, such as raw data, questionnaires, or additional analyses.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on writing dissertation paper:
Interest and Relevance: Select a topic you are passionate about and that is relevant to your field of study. Scope and Feasibility: Ensure the topic is manageable within the given time frame and resources. Research Gap: Identify a gap in the existing research that your dissertation will address.
Comprehensive Search: Review existing literature related to your topic. Theoretical Framework: Identify key theories and models relevant to your research. Critical Analysis: Critically analyze previous studies to identify strengths, weaknesses, and gaps.
Introduction: Introduce your research question and objectives. Literature Review: Summarize the key literature and highlight the research gap. Methodology: Describe the research methods you will use. Timeline: Provide a timeline for your research. References: List the sources you have cited.
Research Methods: Choose appropriate methods for data collection (qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods). Data Collection: Collect data using surveys, interviews, experiments, or archival research. Ethical Considerations: Ensure ethical standards are maintained in data collection.
Data Cleaning: Prepare your data for analysis by cleaning and organizing it. Statistical Analysis: Use statistical software to analyze quantitative data. Thematic Analysis: Identify themes and patterns in qualitative data. Interpretation: Interpret the results in the context of your research questions.
Introduction: Introduce your topic, research questions, and objectives. Literature Review: Provide a detailed review of the existing literature. Methodology: Explain the research design, methods, and procedures. Results: Present the findings of your research. Discussion: Interpret the results, discuss their implications, and compare them with previous studies. Conclusion: Summarize the key findings, discuss their significance, and suggest future research directions. References: List all sources cited in your dissertation. Appendices: Include any additional material, such as raw data or detailed calculations.
Content Review: Ensure your dissertation addresses the research questions and meets academic standards. Clarity and Coherence: Check for clarity, coherence, and logical flow of arguments. Grammar and Style: Correct grammatical errors and ensure consistency in style and formatting. Feedback: Seek feedback from your supervisor and peers and make necessary revisions.
Submission: Submit the final draft of your dissertation according to your institution’s guidelines. Preparation for Defense: Prepare a presentation summarizing your research and findings. Defense: Present your dissertation and answer questions from the committee.
Below are some dissertation topics across various fields.
Sociology: The impact of social media on adolescent mental health. Urbanization and its effects on community structures in developing countries. The role of gender norms in workplace inequality. Psychology: Cognitive-behavioral therapy effectiveness in treating PTSD. The relationship between childhood trauma and adult relationship patterns. Neuroplasticity and its implications for rehabilitation after brain injury. Political Science: The rise of populism in Western democracies. Electoral reforms and their impact on voter turnout. The role of international organizations in conflict resolution.
Literature: Postcolonial readings of contemporary African literature. The evolution of dystopian themes in 21st-century novels. Gender and identity in Shakespearean plays. History: The socio-economic impacts of the Industrial Revolution in Europe. The influence of the Cold War on Latin American politics. Women’s roles in resistance movements during World War II. Philosophy: The relevance of existentialism in modern society. Ethical implications of artificial intelligence. The concept of justice in Rawls vs. Nozick.
Biology: The role of microbiomes in human health. Climate change impacts on biodiversity. Genetic engineering and its ethical considerations. Chemistry: Development of sustainable chemical processes. Advances in medicinal chemistry for cancer treatment. Nanotechnology applications in material science. Physics: Quantum computing and its future applications. Dark matter and dark energy in cosmology. The physics of renewable energy sources.
Computer Science: Machine learning applications in healthcare. Cybersecurity challenges in the era of the Internet of Things. Blockchain technology and its potential beyond cryptocurrencies. Civil Engineering: Sustainable urban infrastructure development. Innovations in earthquake-resistant building designs. The impact of climate change on coastal engineering. Electrical Engineering: Advances in renewable energy technologies. The development of smart grid systems. Applications of IoT in industrial automation.
Business Administration: The impact of corporate social responsibility on brand image. Strategies for managing remote teams in multinational companies. The role of innovation in start-up success. Economics: Economic impacts of universal basic income. The role of behavioral economics in policy making. Global trade dynamics in a post-pandemic world. Finance: The effects of fintech on traditional banking. Risk management in cryptocurrency investments. Financial implications of climate change for businesses.
The terms “dissertation” and “thesis” are often used interchangeably, but they can have different meanings depending on the country and academic institution. Here’s a general distinction:
In the United States:
Thesis: Usually refers to a research project or paper that is completed as part of a master’s degree program. It involves original research, but on a smaller scale compared to a dissertation. A thesis demonstrates the student’s understanding of a specific topic within their field of study.
Dissertation: Typically refers to a more extensive research project required for a doctoral (Ph.D.) degree. A dissertation involves original research that contributes new knowledge or theories to the field. It is usually more comprehensive and in-depth than a thesis.
In Europe and other parts of the world:
Thesis: Often used to describe the research project or paper completed at the end of a doctoral program (Ph.D.). It is similar to what is called a dissertation in the United States.
Dissertation: Sometimes used to refer to the research project or paper required for a master’s degree, similar to what is called a thesis in the United States.
Research: Both involve significant research and writing. The scope and depth may vary, but the fundamental process of conducting research, analyzing data, and presenting findings is common to both.
Originality: Both require original work, but the level of originality and contribution to the field is typically higher for a dissertation.
Structure: Both usually follow a structured format, including an introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusion.
Scope: Dissertations are generally longer and more detailed than thesis. Degree Level: Thesis are often for master’s programs, while dissertations are for doctoral programs. Purpose: A thesis demonstrates mastery of a specific topic, while a dissertation contributes new knowledge to the field. Understanding these distinctions can help clarify what is expected for each type of research project depending on the academic context.
growing or expanding very quickly |
A dissertation preface is an integral part of the dissertation writing process for both graduate and doctoral students. Even though the preface is found at the beginning of the dissertation, it is essentially a task that authors engage in at the very end of their dissertation work.
A dissertation preface is a section that precedes the main body of your dissertation. Unlike other sections of the dissertation, which are strictly academic and formal, the preface offers a more personal touch as it provides context and insight into your research journey. In this section, the author outlines the background and criticality of the work they have done, acknowledges contributions, and reflects on the experiences and challenges they faced during the research process.
The dissertation preface serves various purposes, including:
Here are the essential components that should be covered in a dissertation preface:
While both the preface and the acknowledgements sections are personal, they are two very distinct sections that serve different purposes and are placed differently within a dissertation. Usually, dissertations contain either a preface or an acknowledgement section. As detailed above, the preface provides context, shares personal experiences while writing and the circumstances that motivated the conduct of the study. Institutions and critical individuals are also acknowledged for their contributions. The acknowledgements section is focused entirely on expressing gratitude to all persons and institutions that contributed significantly to the research and dissertation writing process.
Preface example
Understanding the existential issue of climate change and its impact on our environment, specifically on fragile coral reef ecosystems, has been a persistent goal for me since high school. The work before you is the result of this passion and my desire to discover ways to mitigate the damages caused by quickly changing climate conditions. Over the years, I have followed and put in many years of research and hard work to find ways to preserve these “rainforests of the sea.” Engaging with subject experts and advocates of environmental sustainability across academic circles and also the industry gave me the necessary wherewithal to start thinking of this research work.
As I went along this challenging journey, I learned many things that have enriched this study. From navigating the complexities of data collection to balancing academic commitments, each step taught me valuable lessons in perseverance and critical thinking. This would not have been possible without the encouragement and support of many people.
I am deeply grateful to my mentor and supervisor, Professor Janine Forsythe, for her guidance and support throughout this project. Her expertise and encouragement were invaluable in my research. A special thanks to my faculty for their support and for providing me with an enriching research environment. It would be remiss of me not to mention and thank the National Endowment Fund for providing me with the necessary grant, without which this work would not have been completed. Lastly, I am grateful to my family and friends for putting up with my long working hours and often distracted self. I hope my work will inspire others to take up further research and study in this field.
Peter Morris
Washington DC, 11 June 2022
In writing the dissertation preface, always remember to keep it brief, engaging, and impactful. Providing a personalized account of your motivations and study approach helps the intended audience to relate to your work. While you can write in the first person, ensure that you do not stray from an academic tone.
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By day, her research interests include “dance, gender politics, and the dynamics between theoretical and practical methodologies.” But on the world’s stage in Paris, wearing green track pants and a green polo shirt instead of the street-style outfits of her much younger fellow breakers, she competed against the 21-year-old Logan Edra of the United States, known as Logistx.
During the round robin, as Raygun and Logistx faced off, Raygun laid on her side, reached for her toes, spun around, and threw in a kangaroo hop — a nod to her homeland. She performed a move that looked something like swimming and another that could best be described as duckwalking. The high-speed back and head spins that other breakers would demonstrate were mostly absent.
The crowd cheered Raygun politely. The judges weren’t as kind. All nine voted for Logistx in both rounds of the competition; Logistx won, 18-0.
Online, Raygun’s performance quickly became a sensation, not necessarily in a flattering way.
“The more I watch the videos of Raygun, the Aussie breaker, the more I get annoyed,” one viewer posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. “There’s 27.7 million Australians in the world and that’s who they send to the Olympics for this inaugural event??? C’mon now!”
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DISSERTATION definition: 1. a long piece of writing on a particular subject, especially one that is done in order to receive…. Learn more.
Revised on 5 May 2022. A dissertation is a large research project undertaken at the end of a degree. It involves in-depth consideration of a problem or question chosen by the student. It is usually the largest (and final) piece of written work produced during a degree. The length and structure of a dissertation vary widely depending on the ...
dissertation (on something) a long piece of writing on a particular subject, especially one written for a university degree. He wrote his Master's dissertation on rats. Students can either do a dissertation or take part in a practical project.
What is a dissertation? A dissertation is usually a long-term project to produce a long-form piece of writing; think of it a little like an extended, structured assignment. In some subjects (typically the sciences), it might be called a project instead. Work on an undergraduate dissertation is often spread out over the final year.
A dissertation is a subject you chose for yourself. The first usage of the word in the English language in 1651 also gives a useful starting definition: "an extended written treatment of a subject". Another useful clue is found in the Latin origin of the word - dissertation comes from a Latin word 'dissertare' = 'to debate'.
We've talked before about how British English and American English are different, and the definitions of dissertation versus thesis are just another example. In short, the meanings are reversed: In British English, the term dissertation is used for bachelor's and master's programs, whereas thesis is used for doctorates. Keep in mind that ...
dissertation definition: a very long piece of writing done as part of a course of study: . Learn more.
The structure of a dissertation depends on your field, but it is usually divided into at least four or five chapters (including an introduction and conclusion chapter). The most common dissertation structure in the sciences and social sciences includes: An introduction to your topic. A literature review that surveys relevant sources.
2 meanings: 1. a written thesis, often based on original research, usually required for a higher degree 2. a formal discourse.... Click for more definitions.
The words ' dissertation ' and 'thesis' both refer to a large written research project undertaken to complete a degree, but they are used differently depending on the country: In the UK, you write a dissertation at the end of a bachelor's or master's degree, and you write a thesis to complete a PhD.
A dissertation is a long-form piece of academic writing based on original research conducted by you. It is usually submitted as the final step in order to finish a PhD program. Your dissertation is probably the longest piece of writing you've ever completed. It requires solid research, writing, and analysis skills, and it can be intimidating ...
DISSERTATION meaning: 1. a long piece of writing on a particular subject, especially one that is done in order to receive…. Learn more.
The thesis or dissertation is a text that is produced for assessment purposes, and the immediate audience is the examiner, or examiners. The chapter reviews the genre descriptions that have been made of some components of theses and dissertations: introductions, literature reviews, discussion sections, and conclusions. ...
How to use dissertation in a sentence. an extended usually written treatment of a subject; specifically : one submitted for a doctorate… See the full definition
A thesis is a long-term, large project that involves both research and writing; it is easy to lose focus, motivation, and momentum. Here are suggestions for achieving the result you want in the time you have. The dissertation is probably the largest project you have undertaken, and a lot of the work is self-directed.
DISSERTATION definition: a very long piece of writing done as part of a course of study: . Learn more.
A dissertation is a lengthy, formal document that presents the research and findings of an individual as part of the requirements for a doctoral degree or, in some cases, a master's degree. It involves conducting original research on a specific topic, making a significant contribution to the existing body of knowledge. The.
The British Library service known as EThOS is effectively a shop window on the amazing doctoral research undertaken in UK universities. With half a million thesis titles listed, you can uncover unique research on every topic imaginable and often download the full thesis file to use immediately for your own research. This webinar will offer a guided walk through the features and content of ...
dissertation. 1 ENTRIES FOUND: dissertation (noun) dissertation /ˌdɪsɚ ˈ teɪʃən/ noun. plural dissertations. Britannica Dictionary definition of DISSERTATION. [count] : a long piece of writing about a particular subject that is done to earn an advanced degree at a university. He wrote his dissertation on an obscure 16th-century poet.
dissertation in American English. (ˌdɪsərˈteiʃən) noun. 1. a written essay, treatise, or thesis, esp. one written by a candidate for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. 2. any formal discourse in speech or writing.
Every year the British Council partners with UK universities to find ELT master's dissertations with potential for impact on policy and practice. The scheme, where universities submit one dissertation from their ELT master's programmes and then judge them along with a panel of British Council experts, is designed to recognise and celebrate the brightest minds in ELT at master's level.
A dissertation preface is a section that precedes the main body of your dissertation. Unlike other sections of the dissertation, which are strictly academic and formal, the preface offers a more personal touch as it provides context and insight into your research journey.
Kamala Harris will not support an arms embargo on Israel, her national security adviser says, a day after the presidential candidate was heckled by pro-Palestinian protesters at a rally in Detroit.
Japan is a country used to earthquakes. It sits on the Ring of Fire and, as a result, experiences about 1,500 earthquakes a year. The vast majority do little damage, but there are some - like the ...
According to Matthew Feldman, a specialist on right-wing extremism, the group represented a new stage in far-right British politics, because unlike the National Front or the British National Party ...
DISSERTATION meaning: a very long piece of writing done as part of a course of study: . Learn more.
An aerial view of the site where the Voepass airline plane crashed in Vinhedo. A VoePass passenger plane carrying 62 people has crashed in the state of São Paulo in Brazil, with everyone aboard ...
THESIS definition: 1. a long piece of writing on a particular subject, especially one that is done for a higher…. Learn more.
Breaking made its debut as an Olympic sport Friday, and among the competitors was Dr. Rachael Gunn, also known as B-girl Raygun, a 36-year-old professor from Sydney, Australia, who stood out in ...