Dissertation - Classical Structure

Conducting and writing a dissertation can be a challenging, frustrating, exhausting, and exhilarating experience for even the most knowledgeable and prepared student. First of all, you are going to have to do research that will support your particular thesis. The research must be original and substantial, and your dissertation must prove that it is so. To put it another way, a dissertation will highlight all original contributions. Nowadays, the students have a right to choose the topic for their dissertation and everyone tries to choose the one which seems more or less interesting to him or her. So logically it doesn’t seem to be a hard task but it sure is. Following is the standard structure of a dissertation. Plan your writing by considering the following structure and distribute your time and effort as needed. Atlernately you have an option of buying dissertation. Anything that goes with a proper plan usually comes with good result. nnn• Title pagenn• Acknowledgementsnn• Contents page: chapters, appendices, tables, figures, illustrationsnn• AbstractnSummary and outline of main findingsnn• IntroductionnOutline scope of study and what background material will be discussed.nDefine abstract concepts in the contextnExplain complex or technical wordsnDescribe how study conducted – data collection methods used.nOutline and explain order of material.nState major findings.nSummarise conclusion.nn• Literature SurveynPut your own work into context.nMove from general background/standard theoretical works to more precise, recent work relevant to your topic.nCover range of positions – not just those you agree with.nShow how existing theories/research findings illuminate your work.nn• MethodologynExplain approach taken and why particular dissertation methods and techniques were used.nDescribe procedures, size of samples, methods of selection, choice of variables and controls, any tests of measurement, etc.nMention deficiencies in methods.nn• ResultsnPresent the findings clearly.nUse tables, charts, diagrams etc., if appropriate.nHighlight significant aspects of findings in text.nAvoid interpretation/conclusionsnn• DiscussionnInterpret findings.nConstruct a logical, consistent argument based on findings.nn• ConclusionnSummarize main points and state any conclusions which can be drawn.nIndicate how firm the conclusion isnMake any recommendationsnn• Referencesnn• Bibliography - background reading but not citednn• Appendices - e.g. blank questionnaire, transcript of interview, extended case studies, letter of invitation.n