How to Structure a Dissertation
If you have come across this article, you are stuck with dissertations. Well, that’s no rocket science to figure but preparing a dissertation following the structure prescribed by the university and our Quality Dissertation Experts is no less than that!
Dissertations aren’t supposed to be nightmares.
If you follow the recommended guide to structure your dissertation, you will easily be able to also complete it in time.
Structure of Dissertation
Check your requirements!
Planning is crucial.
When you’re done with selecting the topic, you might quickly decide the word limit, abstract, references and citations. Deciding which chapters to be included and in which order can also help you in the long run.
The Structure
The entire dissertation is divided into sections which has its own functions and importance.
Let us briefly describe each section:
Title page-
A specific and descriptive subject on which your research is about.
Abstract-
This would be the summary of your research work. You must identify the intent of research, discussion (in brief) and its findings.
Acknowledgements-
Mention and appreciate the individuals who have particularly helped in your research work.
Contents page(s)-
This shows the structure of the dissertation including sections, sub-sections and figures/table list (when applicable).
Introduction-
This acts as a presentation of your dissertation topic – include brief outline of everything that is supposed to follow.
Literature review-
Here, you mention your methods and research based on the existing literary context. It should give a clear picture of your research and where it stands in the relevant field, identifying and describing the gaps, if any, and whether any further research is needed in that area.
UK expert coursework writers have suggested that you can determine which literature has proven to have contributed the most in the understanding of your topic.
Based on the qualification, neutrality, credibility and worth of the available literature in your field, you might include the following in your content:
- An overview of the topic chosen.
- Split the available works into categories and concepts supporting for or against your cause.
- Refer to the past works and ideas which were made in the same direction.
- Analyze the contributions of the works in the understanding of your subject (topic).
Sources and methods-
You must give a detailed, straight-forward description of the methods you followed to conduct the research – including all the particular equipment, materials or processes used.
It should be explained in a way that any future researcher would be able to reproduce your research.
Findings-
This is what you conclude from your research. The findings – whether of a scientific or social science field – must clearly answer the central question of your thesis while stating recommendations or suggestions, if any.
Discussion-
Placing your research in the wider context, here, you review your own work. Referring to your previous hypothesis, you may state what additions have your research made contextually. Keeping the limitations of your research in mind, you might state the validity and usefulness of your findings.
Conclusions-
Comparatively shorter than the discussion section, conclusions must highlight the points that have surfaced and what they mean in your field.
References-
It is the entire list of references (sources), correctly formatted.
Appendices-
Any information too large to be included in the main text or not central to the text- for example, complete questionnaires, copies of letters, maps etc. can be properly placed in the appendices.
It is the information which the reader would want to see but will take too much space in the dissertation when included.
While in theory it gives a clear picture of the structure of your dissertation, the reality is, each section takes up a lot of time, patience and hard work. If you happen to get stuck with Literature Review or any other section (or whole) of your dissertation, you can always seek expert guidance from our Quality assignment writing help team.