What is a Dissertation?

A master’s dissertation is one of the original pieces of scholarship written with the faculty advisor’s advisement. Its structure and formality are similar to a doctoral dissertation. However, it is more narrowly focused and can generally be shorter. It should typically be longer than an article or paper but can be publishable as a single article. It can be around 40-80 pages on average, depending on the specifications of the institutions (excluding bibliography, appendix, and more). 

Some essential elements required or expected in a dissertation are specified below:

• Finding a topic
  One of the first elements of writing a good dissertation is finding a compatible topic. One can formulate a good research question must be developed based on existing literature and gaps in past research.
• Advisor and Committee
  Generally, there are faculty members who serve as advisors and help a student through their journey of master’s dissertation completion. This faculty advisor can be one’s primary point of contact throughout the process. However, there are other members of the committee one needs to be aware of when close to completion.
• Dissertation Proposal
  Many institutions require one to explain or examine what is intended to collect and analyze data. Writing the proposal can help one identify the direction for their dissertation.
• Order of presentation
  Different institutions may have their own structure or way of presenting the master’s dissertation.

However, the structure may generally include the following chapters written below:

1. Title Page
   This contains the title, name, department, degree program, submission date, and more.
2. Acknowledgment
   It includes information about research participants, supervisors, and other people one may want to mention, like peers and family, and more.
3. Abstract
   Summary of the dissertation, around 150-300 words, stating the main aim, methodology, summary, conclusions, and so on.
4. Content
   List all chapters and subheadings, along with their page numbers.
5. Introduction
   Establish what the research topic is about by providing necessary background information to contextualize the work, narrow down the focus and specify the scope of research, discuss the existing research problems, state objects, and research questions, and provide a complete overview of the dissertation structure.
6. Review of Literature
   Collect data sources like books, journals, and more, and evaluate and draw connections, specific gaps, and conflicts in the research. Take a new theoretical approach, propose a solution, advance theory, build on existing knowledge, and more.
7. Research Methodology
   Should reflect the type of research conducted, methods to collect data, where and when research took place, ways to analyze data, tools or materials used, and so on.
8. Result
   Reporting results supporting objectives or research questions. It can include graphs, charts, and tables.
9. Discussion
   Interpretation of results about the research objectives. One can make recommendations for future researchers here.
10. Conclusion
    Write a clear and concise conclusion answering the main research question and reflecting on the paper; it can include a recommendation for practice or research.
11. Reference list
    Must include details of all sources citing the reference list. Each style has a specific requirement for formatting sources in the reference list. Some common types include MLA style^[1], APA style^[2] of referencing, and more.
12. Appendices
    Contain essential data contributing to answering research questions like interview transcripts, survey questions, tables with figures, and more.

Below is a dissertation breakdown idea for students to follow

Writing a dissertation can be a comprehensive and multifaceted process that can be stressful for individuals. With the right skills, one can comfortably finish their dissertation, some of which include

• Planning and Organization
  Planning for one’s dissertation includes compiling many research papers, developing a timeline, and producing highly detailed outlines that combine everything researched. At this stage, they can target primary sources more than secondary ones; they must choose topics validating their thesis. This process can be pretty laborious, so one must organize the quality of their work efforts; one of the ways to do so can be through devising timelines that can chart out the entire course of the project. A detailed outline can put together all fragmented pieces of information that have been retrieved during research. It aids in the final process of writing.
• Good writing skills
  One must have good writing skills to succinctly and put their points in the research paper succinctly and clearly. Just researching a point well isn’t enough; for a dissertation, how the topic is delivered in a written presentation and how the data is concluded in the document will prove the quality of one’s research.
• Logical reasoning
  Writing a dissertation is a logical and rational process. Through your journey of writing the document, you develop the ability to conclude based on your ability to make conclusions. One can assist in mapping out the methodology behind the research, making logical assumptions about information collected, and developing hypotheses and educated conjectures based on research conducted.
• Creativity
  This skill enables one to find overarching connections among data that has been compiled. It allows one to present their subject theories or matter in a manner that is genuine to one’s research and has not been conceived by others. The novelty and originality of the research will distinguish one’s dissertation from others in the field.
• Diligence and punctuality
  Those pursuing their dissertation must remain punctual through all stages of their doctorate. They will need to ensure their dissertations meet the deadlines, as failure to meet the dates can affect one’s grade drastically. Being diligent will help one maintain their pace and not fall short of the expectations one must fulfill as a doctoral candidate. It will also help one overcome the obstacles associated with conducting research, going through sources, integrating everything worked through in a coherent paper, and more.

When preparing for one’s doctoral candidacy, one needs to know a basic framework for preparing for a dissertation. Typically, a dissertation has five chapters, including an introduction, a comprehensive literature review supporting the research, a discussion of research design, data collection, and analysis, details of research steps, data analyses, and results, and a final evaluation and interpretation of results. It can feel difficult to navigate through the progress one is making through their doctoral program. Below are steps designed to help one make concrete progress on their dissertation in smaller, manageable chunks. Some of these steps include

1. Step 1: Project Ideation- This includes understanding the theories and practices that could be central to understanding their field of study.
2. Step 2: Project Development- In this step, one should narrow their choice of topics and build a detailed project format. One also develops a detailed research plan that outlines the theoretical basis for their research, the questions one hopes to answer, the research methodology, and the data analysis one can use.
3. Step 3: Project Implementation- This step includes submitting one’s study for approval from the Institutional Review Board and reviewing one’s project to ensure it meets the standards and policies prescribed for ethical research.
4. Step 4: Project Conclusion- In this step, one completes all the data collection and analysis of results. 
5. Step 5: University Approvals- In this step, one completes their dissertation and submits their project for formal editing and approval from their faculty. 

One needs to follow the formal requirements of their program when enrolled in a master’s program. It may require one to hold their oral defense enough to complete and submit their thesis. Here is a checklist for the components of one’s dissertation

1. Title page
2. Copyright page (with a disclaimer)
3. Abstract
4. Acknowledgment, dedication, or preface (generally optional)
5. Table of contents along with page number
6. Introduction giving a good idea to the reader about what your study is about
7. Literature review (exploring research, finding themes, highlighting gaps, and possible research areas)
8. Methodology describing all methods and practices taken throughout the research
9. Analysis and discussion (can include implications)
10. Conclusion reiterating significant aspects of research
11. List of tables, figures, illustrations, title, and page number
12. List of abbreviations (if applicable to research)
13. List of symbols (if applicable to research)
14. Chapters that include an introduction and main body, with heading and subheadings, are maintained appropriately
15. Appendices
16. Endnotes (if applicable)
17. References (sometimes listed as bibliography)