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Dissertation Structure 1

This document outlines the typical structure of a dissertation, including: 1) An abstract that summarizes the purpose, methods, and conclusions in 300-500 words 2) An introduction that provides an overview of the topic and outlines the key areas and objectives 3) A literature review that analyzes and synthesizes other works and identifies the main research questions 4) A research methodology section that discusses the research design and strategies used 5) A findings and discussion chapter that presents the results and links them back to the literature 6) A conclusions and recommendations section that evaluates the research and offers suggestions for further work 7) A bibliography listing all sources cited 8) Optional appendices with additional materials like questionnaires.

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57 views

Dissertation Structure 1

This document outlines the typical structure of a dissertation, including: 1) An abstract that summarizes the purpose, methods, and conclusions in 300-500 words 2) An introduction that provides an overview of the topic and outlines the key areas and objectives 3) A literature review that analyzes and synthesizes other works and identifies the main research questions 4) A research methodology section that discusses the research design and strategies used 5) A findings and discussion chapter that presents the results and links them back to the literature 6) A conclusions and recommendations section that evaluates the research and offers suggestions for further work 7) A bibliography listing all sources cited 8) Optional appendices with additional materials like questionnaires.

Uploaded by

bhanukanwarpal
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Dissertation Structure

1. Abstract or Executive Summary


 
The length of the Abstract should be no more than 300-500 words, but not included in the
formal word count.
 
The purpose of this very short section is to tell the reader something about the contents.
About 1/3 of the Abstract should explain what you intended to do (parameters). The other
2/3rds should tell the reader what you did, including recommendations.
 
The Abstract may duplicate some material included in the Introduction and/or Conclusion
 
2. Introduction
 
The length of the Introduction should be about 10% of the whole dissertation.
 
The Introduction gives you the opportunity to provide your reader with an overview of the
dissertation. Firstly, introduce the topic; secondly, outline the key areas to be covered;
and identify your primary aims and objectives.
 
The background section should be short and securely focused on the topic, real statistical
data can be included.
 
Larger themes, as well as specific topics, should be identified
 
3. Literature Review
 
The length of the Literature review should be about 20% of whole dissertation.
 
This chapter gives you an opportunity to show the reader that you have learned to analyse
and to synthesise the views of others in relation to your own research programme.
 
The Literature Review is NOT a Book Review. Contents of books and articles are only useful
if particular points have some direct relevance to your dissertation. In Literature Review you
should compare and contrast ideas, theories and/or views relevant to your proposed
research topic. Keep in mind that at least 10 references should be discussed and 3-4
different models or theories or views should be mentioned.
 
At the end of this chapter, identify the principal research questions to be addressed in the
dissertation. These will form the basis of your dissertation in the subsequent chapter on
Research Methodology.
 
4. Research Methodology
 
The Research Methodology chapter in length should be about 20% of whole dissertation.
 
This chapter gives you an opportunity to discuss the research programme that you have
designed for your dissertation.
 
Begin by reviewing briefly some common methods advocated for structuring research
programmes.
 
Then look again at the research questions formulated at the end of the Literature Review.
Select the kind of programme best suited for addressing those particular research
questions, and discus the reasons prompting your decision.
 
Discuss the research strategies adopted, the collection procedures selected and the
difficulties and/or problems encountered.
5. Findings and Discussion
 
You might divide this chapter for two like:
 Analysis of Findings
 Discussion
 
This is the largest and probably the most important part in assessing your research by
examiners. The length of this section should be about 30% of the whole dissertation.
 
The Findings and Discussion chapter gives you an opportunity to discuss your research
findings.
Your findings may be derived from the analyses of statistical data, interviews,
questionnaires or any viable combination of instruments used for research collection and the
measurement of data.
Link important points of this chapter back to principle ideas in the Literature Review with
the evidence obtained in your own research.
 
End this chapter with a brief summary of you findings. This, in turn, should set the scene for
the concluding chapter.
 
6. Conclusions and Recommendations
 
Again you can divide this chapter on two smaller parts:
 Conclusions
 Recommendations or Recommendations fro the future studies
 
This chapter in lengths should be about 15% of the whole dissertation.
 
The Conclusions and Recommendations chapter gives you the opportunity to evaluate the
effectiveness of your research programme and to offer recommendations, if desired.
 
Conclusions can be rather short, because the bulk of the analysis and synthesis of material
will probably have taken place in the chapter of Findings and Discussion.
 
In your Conclusions be sure that all of the questions raised in the Literature Review have
been addressed. Weigh the final results of your research against the original aims and
objectives of the dissertation. Anomalies, for example, can be important and interesting.
 
Add recommendations if you desired. Ideas for further research and/or some strategies
advocated for better management of the issue or the enterprise are particularly useful.
 
7. Bibliography
 
Not included in the word count
 
This part of the dissertation gives you the opportunity to show the reader what research
sources were used in your dissertation.
 
All books articles, sources of statistical data and web sites used in the dissertation must be
listed in the bibliography. Additional sources consulted should be also be placed in the
bibliography
 
Entries in the Bibliography should be placed in alphabetical order. Web sites, however,
should be grouped together separately at the end of the Bibliography.
 
8. Appendices
 
Not included in the word count
 
This part oft the dissertation gives you an opportunity to add interesting research material
to your dissertation.
 
Interview summaries and sample questionnaires, for example, should appear in the
Appendices

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