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Writing A Dissertation: A Step-By-Step Guide To Structure

This document provides a step-by-step guide to structuring a dissertation. It discusses the typical sections included in a dissertation such as the front matter, main text, and end matter. The front matter includes things like a title page, acknowledgements, abstract, and table of contents. The main text usually consists of an introduction, literature review, theoretical framework, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusion. The end matter typically contains a reference list or bibliography and any appendices. The document provides guidance on what to include in each section.

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Adoree Ramos
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50 views32 pages

Writing A Dissertation: A Step-By-Step Guide To Structure

This document provides a step-by-step guide to structuring a dissertation. It discusses the typical sections included in a dissertation such as the front matter, main text, and end matter. The front matter includes things like a title page, acknowledgements, abstract, and table of contents. The main text usually consists of an introduction, literature review, theoretical framework, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusion. The end matter typically contains a reference list or bibliography and any appendices. The document provides guidance on what to include in each section.

Uploaded by

Adoree Ramos
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Writing a dissertation

A step-by-step guide to structure


What is a dissertation?
A dissertation is...

● A long piece of academic writing


● Based on original research
● Usually submitted at the end of a degree
● Tests your capacity for independent research
● Sometimes called a thesis
What sections does a
dissertation contain?
Front matter
Check your guidelines!

● The sections included vary


● They may change based on your field…
● ...and the nature of your specific research
● Check any guidelines you are given
● Ask your supervisor if you’re unsure
Title page

✓ Dissertation title
✓ Your name
✓ Type of document
✓ Department and institution
✓ Degree program
✓ Date of submission
Acknowledgements

● Less formal, more personal


● No longer than a page
● Thank people who helped you complete your dissertation
● E.g. supervisors, friends and family, pets!
Abstract

✓ State the main topic and aims of your research


✓ Describe the methods you used
✓ Summarize the main results
✓ State your conclusions
X Not an introduction but a summary
Table of contents

● Lists all sections that come after it


● Can be auto-generated in Word
● Clear, consistent headings
Lists of figures and tables

● Include if your dissertation has a lot of tables and figures


● Tables and figures listed and numbered separately
● Make sure all tables and figures are included
● List in the order they appear in the text
List of abbreviations

● Include if you use a lot of abbreviations


● Define abbreviations here and in the main text
● List alphabetically
● Very well-known abbreviations not included
Glossary

● Include if you use a lot of specialist terms


● List terms alphabetically
● Include a brief definition of each term
● Consult with your supervisor to determine what terms you
should define
The main text
Introduction

✓ Establish your research topic


✓ Provide background information
✓ Define the scope of your research
✓ Show your work’s relevance
✓ State your research questions and objectives
✓ Give an overview of your structure
Literature review

✓ Search for sources


✓ Select the most relevant
✓ Critically evaluate sources
✓ Make connections between them
✓ Draw conclusions based on your review
✓ Show how your own research builds on what you found
Theoretical framework

● Often builds upon/includes the literature review


● Define and analyze key theories, concepts & models
● Show how they inform your own approach
Methodology

✓ Overall approach (e.g. qualitative, quantitative, experimental,


ethnographic)
✓ Data collection methods (e.g. surveys, interviews, archives)
✓ Details: where, when, who?
✓ Tools and materials (e.g. programs, lab equipment)
✓ Data analysis methods (e.g. statistical analysis)
✓ Obstacles faced during research
Results

✓ Report your results concisely and objectively


✓ Include results relevant to your research questions
✓ May include data visualizations (e.g. graphs, tables)
X Don’t give subjective interpretations
Discussion
● Interpret your results
● Did they meet your expectations?
● Did they fit the established framework?
● What factors might have influenced any unexpected results?
● Consider alternative interpretations
● Acknowledge limitations
Conclusion

✓ Answer your main research question


✓ Make suggestions for future research
✓ Show what you have contributed
✓ Emphasize the importance of your research
X Don’t introduce any new data, interpretations, or arguments
End matter
Reference list or
bibliography
● Lists all sources cited in your
dissertation
● Includes full and accurate details
of each source
● Format varies depending on style
guide (e.g. APA, MLA)
● Citation generators can help
Appendices

● Present additional data or documents not included in your


main text
● E.g. interview transcripts, survey questions, tables of data
● If you have multiple appendices, they are numbered
(Appendix 1, Appendix 2…)
Recommended
resources
Free Scribbr resources
● Knowledge Base (300+ articles)
● Citation Generator
● YouTube Channel
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