The dissertation is a critical step in your academic journey. It’s the culminating piece of work that often makes or breaks a student’s postgraduate career. But what does it all mean? Here we are going to discuss what a dissertation is, its purpose and structure, as well as how you can make sure you create an excellent one!
Table of Contents
- 1. A Definition of Dissertation
- 2. What is a Dissertation?
- 3. The Different Types of Dissertations Explained
- 4. Guidelines for Writing a Successful Dissertation
- 5. Choosing the Right Research Topic and Approach
- 6. Completing the Project from Start to Finish
- 7. Realizing Your Dream with a Winning Dissertation
- Q&A
1. A Definition of Dissertation
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A dissertation is a type of academic paper submitted by students in order to demonstrate their knowledge and research skills. It acts as an important milestone for many students, representing the completion of their studies at undergraduate or master’s level. The Oxford English Dictionary’s definition describes it as “A extended written treatment of a subject; specifically: one submitted by a candidate for a degree”.
There are different types of dissertations that vary according to educational institution regulations, such as those done for undergraduate degrees which typically require shorter length works than ones completed at master’s level. Both styles though still need good planning and organization and include elements such as:
- Researching relevant literature on your chosen topic.
- Developing arguments around specific questions related to your field.
- Writing up findings from data analysis.
Aside from focusing on understanding specialized topics within the scope of study, dissertations also aim to teach other fundamental skills including discipline-specific writing techniques, researching original sources and materials effectively ,critical thinking when evaluating theories or evidence and communicating complex information in concise ways .
2. What is a Dissertation?
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A dissertation is a type of formal, written document that focuses on a certain area of study. It is usually submitted by students as part of their requirements for graduating from an institution with a degree or other professional qualification. It typically involves:
- The identification and formulation of the research question(s) explored in the paper;
- The gathering, analysis and interpretation, which includes formulating conclusions based upon the evidence gathered throughout the document;
- A description and/or evaluationof existing knowledge related to your topic;
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In addition, it generally requires originality in its presentation. The term itself suggests that creating a dissertation will require extensive use of outside sources (e.g., books, articles). Students may also employ prior findings such as interviews or surveys conducted by others to provide accurate conceptual frameworks for understanding these results within their own studies. Moreover, dissertations often involve methodological frameworks that are different from those used in undergraduate coursework – such as quantitative methods rather than qualitative approaches – along with increasingly rigorous statistical analyses techniques at higher levels.
3. The Different Types of Dissertations Explained
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Definition: A dissertation is a lengthy piece of writing that uses research to bring together different points, ideas and arguments for the purpose of answering an overarching question or providing an encompassing answer to a specific problem.
When considering dissertations there are three main types of dissertations typically used by students. They include traditional based dissertations, document-based dissertations and project-based/arts practice based disserationt. Each type has its own particular characteristics which can be summarized as follows:
- Traditional Based Dissertation: Traditional based dissertation usually follow along the same lines as most other academic papers where there will be introductory chapters such as literature reviews, methodology sections followed by conclusion.
- Document-Based Dissertation: Document base dissertation consist mainly of reflective documents combined with publicly available evidence (i.e newspaper articles). These tend to focus on primary sources rather than books or journals.
- Project Based/Art Practice Disseration : Project based and artistic practices originated from art history studies but today it is more commonly seen in many other disciplines including design work. The structure generally includes components such as portfolio sections detailing practical processes undertaken throughout your project . It may also need supporting texts explaining why this was chosen over another approach.
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4. Guidelines for Writing a Successful Dissertation
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A dissertation is an academic paper written to demonstrate knowledge, skills, and abilities of the student in their chosen field. It typically consists of several parts such as introduction, literature review, methodology, data analysis and interpretation of results. Properly formulated research question or problem statement should be addressed throughout the text by providing evidence based answers. The following guidelines can help you successfully prepare your dissertation:
- Clearly define your area of focus : Before beginning work on your dissertation it is important to establish well-defined boundaries around the subject matter you would like to address.
- Develop sound research methods: Carefully consider which methodologies are best suited for answering your proposed research questions.
Finally considerable effort should be placed towards proofreading edited version multiple times before submission date allowing one pick up any typos or grammatical errors present within document which might otherwise weaken overall quality presented piece
5. Choosing the Right Research Topic and Approach
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A research topic and approach should be selected with care. It will serve as the foundation for your entire dissertation. Accordingly, it is important that you carefully consider various elements before selecting a research topic and the methodology to be employed in completing it. When deciding upon a suitable approach, one should ensure that:
- The problem they are researching has relevance.
- There is sufficient evidence available related to their chosen subject area.
- Their chosen method of investigation meets academic standards of quality.
The definition of “dissertation” provided by Oxford Dictionaries states that “a dissertation is an extended piece of writing based on comprehensive reading and research, written by an applicant in support of their application for a degree or professional qualification”[1]. Therefore, when selecting both a research topic and its associated methodology certain key considerations need to be taken into account such as whether there exists evidence already published which can inform your work. Furthermore, if necessary specialised equipment or techniques may require additional funding or negotiating access from another institution or university department thus extending the timeline necessary for completion.[2], 3]. In addition consideration must also given to the ethical implications regarding any data collected during your investigations.[4].
References [1]: https://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/dissertation
References [2]: Deakin University (2015) Ethics Approval Processes … Retrieved from http://www.deakin.edu………//ethicsapprovals
References [3]: Open Access Button – A Search Engine & Database Of Openly Available Resources Retrieved From Http://OpenaccessbuttonCom.. . Accessed Jan 2015.
Reference[4]: United States Department Of Education Publication No Grads 793F090012 01C May 2009 Resources For Researchers To Conduct Legally And Ethically Responsible Research Involving Human Subjects ,Retrieved From WwwEdGov./Pubs……2009QeraGuidelinesHtml… Accessed January 2014…..
6. Completing the Project from Start to Finish
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The final stage in completing any project is the completion of the entire process from start to finish. This involves a large variety of tasks that must be accomplished, such as:
- Project Planning and Design: Establishing objectives, timelines, budgets, resources, stakeholders etc.
- Implementation: Executing defined processes which may include data collection and analysis.
It is also important to provide closure for the project by confirming that all deliverables have been met according to expectations. Project success will depend on how well a plan has been understood and then followed through to achieve desired outcomes. A dissertation can help define this clarity with its formal structure which includes an introduction along with relevant background information; detailed research methodology; findings or conclusions based on research conducted; discussion of implications derived from results obtained during data gathering activities; acknowledgment or appreciation related to assistance provided while carrying out work etc.
At this point it would be beneficial if the researcher was able to consult experts who could lend insights into further understanding of issues experienced throughout the course of developing their dissertation topic. These consultations combined with thoughtful reflection should see successful completion as per a specific timeline established at outset
7. Realizing Your Dream with a Winning Dissertation
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Dissertation: A dissertation is a formal and long piece of discourse that, in most cases, constitutes a student’s research paper towards the completion of their degree. It often consists of an introduction as well as several chapters related to their argument or line of inquiry.
Even though dissertations can be daunting for many students, they offer an opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge on a chosen subject and thus succeed in academic pursuits. A winning dissertation depends on several key elements such as:
- Choosing a topic relevant to your field
- Researching thoroughly
- Having sound structure and flow with clear subsections.
. Additionally, professors will also focus on spelling, grammar and punctuation errors; hence proofreading should occur regularly during preparation process. For example it would be beneficial if you make use technology tools such us spell-checkers or get feedback when available from other peers or faculty members who are knowledgeable about the project topic area..
Furthermore , presenting yourself succinctly but authoritatively is also important element for successful writing . That includes creating some kind dynamic linking between different sections within the text so readers are able keep track easily what has come before rather than simply reading list events occurring after each introductory section without any interconnection among them . To do this effectively utilizes forms transition phrases throughout main body paragraphs which help move reader from one idea next efficiently manner until conclusion reached at end paper .
Q&A
Q: What is a dissertation?
A: A dissertation is an extended piece of written work that provides a thorough investigation into a specific topic or field of study. It usually involves primary research, such as data collection and analysis, to answer the questions posed by the thesis statement. The dissertation serves to demonstrate knowledge, understanding and original thinking in the chosen subject area.
Q: How long should my dissertation be?
A: Generally speaking, dissertations are expected to range between 10-15000 words but this can vary depending on your course requirements. Your supervisor will be able to provide more information about length guidelines for your particular programme of study.
Q:Who reads my dissertation?
A: Once you have completed your project it should firstly be read by your supervisor before being submitted for assessment either internally or externally (depending on where you studied). From there it may go through further review processes with other experts in the field before being graded according to academic criteria at university level.
Completing a dissertation successfully is an accomplishment that can open many doors. The knowledge and understanding gained through writing the dissertation serves as valuable experience for future endeavours in your chosen field of study. While it may seem daunting at first, by familiarising yourself with the components and structure of dissertations, you will be well on your way to crafting an informative piece that demonstrates your expertise in the area!