A dissertation is a document submitted in support of candidature for an academic degree or professional qualification presenting the author’s research and findings. In some contexts, the word thesis or a cognate is used for part of a bachelor’s or master’s course, while dissertation is normally applied to a doctorate. The dissertation or thesis aims to produce an original piece of research work on a clearly defined topic. Usually, a dissertation is the most substantial piece of independent work in the undergraduate program, while a thesis is usually associated with master’s degrees, although these terms can be interchangeable and may vary between countries and universities. A dissertation or thesis is likely to be the longest and most difficult piece of work a student has ever completed. It can, however, also be a very rewarding piece of work since, unlike essays and other assignments, the student can pick a topic of special interest and work on their initiative.
You may have asked this question to yourself: What is a dissertation? What does it mean? The word dissertation comes from the Latin word ‘dissertate which means ‘debate’. What does the word ‘debate’ imply? A discussion involving different points of view or sets of ideas. A dissertation will therefore not only examine a subject but will review different points of view about that subject.
Here’s another definition of a dissertation that underlines some of its more important characteristics: “a substantial paper that is typically based on original research and that gives evidence of the candidate’s mastery of both her subject and scholarly method.”
A dissertation will show that the writer knows her subject, the key facts, and different points of view in it – but it also advances a point of view resulting from original research. Remember that ‘original’ does not mean ‘something that’s never been done before but rather ‘something that you do for yourself.
The type of dissertation you end up writing depends on the topic you’re researching. The following table gives a few examples of different ways of approaching a topic just to get you thinking:
Dissertations can primarily be grouped into three types:
The above-mentioned dissertations are typically towards the completion of a Ph.D. We will discuss them in detail below:
Writing a dissertation is a multifaceted process that can be taxing on an individual. But with the right skill set, it can be done. Below we discuss the skills required to write a dissertation:
Diligence and punctuality are obvious skills that you must adopt when embarking upon your dissertation. Most dissertations are due on a specific date. And failure to turn in the assignment on that date will drastically affect your grade. Diligence will propel you forward on your journey to completing your dissertation. It will enable you to overcome all of the obstacles associated with conducting research, plowing through sources, mending everything together into a single coherent paper, etc.
In this section, we discuss the preparations required for writing a dissertation. Generally, a dissertation will have five chapters:
As you progress through your program, each of the steps described below is designed to help you make concrete progress on your dissertation in smaller, manageable chunks.
Maybe you’re aiming somewhere in between? Then you need to find about 20 hours per week to work on your dissertation. Between lab time, teaching, department meetings, and job applications–20 hours can be hard to find.
Even before you write your dissertation proposal, you’ll want to know where you can find literature that’s relevant to your topic. A literature review is an essential part of a dissertation, providing the necessary context for your unique study and how it informs/contradicts/expands the larger body of knowledge in your field.
In general, “literature” refers to scholarly articles, books, dissertations, conference proceedings, and academic texts. When looking for these texts, the following databases can help.
Your specific Ph.D. program can greatly influence your ability to complete your dissertation. That’s because different universities provide different levels of support for students. When choosing where to earn your doctoral degree, you should look for universities that offer the following resources:
Completing a dissertation is often about having access to the right resources and choosing the right approach.
You can get ahead of the curve with education and career updates. Our newsletter explores the latest articles, top-ranked online master’s degree programs, scholarships, and career salaries and outlooks.
Note: By entering your email address and clicking “Sign Me Up,” you agree to be contacted by OnlineMastersColleges.com for educational products or services. You can unsubscribe anytime.