In academic life, everyone should have the basic knowledge of generating a dissertation! We know that students pursuing their higher degree have to work closely with their faculty advisor to complete and defend the dissertation. However, the format and content of a dissertation vary widely depending on the academic discipline. It serves as a comprehensive assessment of knowledge and skills acquired throughout an academic program. Sometimes the process may seem challenging, but at the same time, it provides a rewarding experience that not only allows you to explore the topic in-depth but also make a significant contribution to your field of study. So, we have come up with a step-by-step guide to provide you with the foundational primer to help you write a dissertation without getting overwhelmed!
How to Write a Dissertation Paper – Learn in 14 Steps
Let’s discuss the 14 steps to write a perfect dissertation paper:
A dissertation displays a subject’s mastery. However, how is a dissertation written? Here are 14 steps that can help you finish your dissertation successfully.
1. Choose a topic
Choosing the right topic is the first foundation of a successful dissertation. It is very important to choose a topic that is relevant to your field of study and your interest. Because it will guarantee you that you have a strong interest in your subject and have the information needed to carry out the insightful study. A carefully considered topic will encourage you to formulate thought-provoking queries and novel hypotheses. Once you have decided on the topic! Ask your supervisor for advice; they can assist you in honing your selection, locating pertinent sources, and creating a study strategy for the same.
You may be interested in reading How To Select A Topic For Your Dissertation Paper in 6 Steps
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2. Conduct a preliminary research
Once you’ve decided on your topic, do some preliminary research until you have a good overview of its current state. As you review sources, make a note of any substantial findings or prevalent theories. And just not down any questions that you have so that you can find those answers later. Also, start thinking about how you will structure your dissertation because this comes in handy when submitting a research grant proposal.
3. Submit a research grant proposal
It is expected to submit a research grant proposal before you begin! Here, you are expected to discuss your intentions for your dissertation, including how you are planning to address a research cap and what is your methodology that you are going to use. And based on the merits the supervisor can accept or reject your proposal.
4. Conduct in-depth research
Once your preliminary research is finished and your proposal is accepted it’s time to begin with one of the most important steps which is conducting in-depth research. The goal here is to learn as much as you can about your topic, ideally accounting for all available knowledge researchers have amassed up to this point. You’ll want to define the precise parameters of your research gap so you know exactly what to test or analyze yourself. You’ll also want to review primary sources (reference materials directly related to an event; e.g., eye-witness accounts or raw data from experiments) and secondary sources (reference materials from secondhand sources books interpreting historical events, analyses of raw data, etc.).
5. Develop a strong thesis statements
A well-defined thesis statement is like a roadmap for your dissertation. It should concisely state your main argument or research question and provide a clear direction for your paper. Your thesis statement will guide your entire writing process, so take the time to fully understand it before you begin to write. When writing a thesis statement: keep in mind to be specific and focus to avoid broad or vague statements, remember that your thesis needs to be arguable, and make sure that it is realistic. Once you have a draft of your thesis statement, share it with your supervisor so that they can provide you with feedback and help you refine your statement.
6. Look for dissertation examples
Writing a dissertation can feel overwhelming sometimes. A dissertation is essentially like writing a book. Looking at examples of dissertations can help you set realistic expectations and understand what your discipline wants in a successful dissertation. Most graduate students have written seminar papers or a master’s thesis. You can ask your advisor if the department has any recent dissertation examples. Or you can also use a resource like ProQuest Dissertations to find examples.
7. Work on your dissertation body chapters
By this time you can sit down to write your dissertation that you have already accomplished by choosing a topic. You’ve defended your proposal, and have also conducted research. So, it’s time to organize your work into chapters and the format of your dissertation depends on your field of study. It is likely expected that your department will provide dissertation guidelines to structure your work but in many disciplines, the dissertation includes chapters on the literature review, methodology, and results. In other principles, each chapter functions like an article that is equivalent to your overall argument. Try to start with the chapter you feel most confident in writing. Describe your research progress and analyze the results.
8. Create your first draft
Completing a dissertation could take days, months, or even years. So, try to put a lot of thought into your outline and write the first draft. It’s just a matter of following along the process and going through the outline for the ideas. The body of your paper should be simple enough to present the data or analysis point by point. Your research and findings should be able to speak for themselves!
9. Meet with your advisor
When your first draft is finished, ask your adviser to take a look at it! Because they’ll be able to spot any problem areas or point you in a new direction if required. Your advisor is there to help you throughout the entire process of writing in dissertation so don’t be afraid to ask. Feel free to talk with them about any questions you have, and regularly check with them while you’re writing your first draft to avoid plagiarism.
10. Work on your introduction and conclusion
It is found that a lot of students have trouble writing an introduction and conclusion for their dissertation. The research paper introduction chapter can be more challenging because it involves thinking broadly and abstractly, as opposed to simply listing details over there. Likewise, the research paper’s conclusion also requires a more general treatment of the topic and can be harder to write. So, we advise you to make an outline for the same and meet your advisor for further improvements.
11. Edit your final draft
After compiling all your feedback, write a final draft incorporating all the changes and improvements. While some parts might remain untouched, others may have to be completely rewritten. This is also a good opportunity to cut any areas that don’t directly relate to your main topic. At the same time, you may need to add entirely new sections for issues that weren’t addressed in the first draft.
12. Proofread and edit
It is a very important step before the last submission of your dissertation. We recommend going through your dissertation a few times, and at least once with a focus on finding grammar mistakes or misspellings. Because it is important to correct any mistakes to finish up your edits before submitting it. Feel free to run your paper through our online spell-checker to highlight any spelling mistakes.
13. Seek feedback and finalize
In addition to feedback from your advisor, also try to seek feedback from your seniors or ideally, anyone who is experienced in your field and offers a professional opinion. However, anyone knowledgeable in a dissertation can provide you with useful insight on how to improve. The more feedback you get before the final draft is considered as way better to finalize with.
14. Defend your dissertation
Congratulations on making it to the dissertation defense! But it can be a nerve-racking experience, not only because it involves public speaking but also because it influences whether you receive the degree. In certain programs, you’re required to give an oral presentation to a panel of experts on your dissertation topic. This is called a dissertation defense, as the panel will ask challenging questions to make sure your research and findings are reliable. Try your best to stay calm and remind yourself that almost everyone with an advanced degree has gone through it, and if all goes well, you won’t have to do it again! Walk into your defense with confidence. You’re now an expert in your topic. Answer questions concisely and address any weaknesses in your study. Once you pass the defense, you’ll earn your doctorate.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dissertation Writing –
1. What is a dissertation?
A dissertation is probably the longest piece of academic writing based on original research conducted by oneself. It requires solid research, writing, and analysis skills. It is usually submitted as the final step to finish a PhD program.
2. How long is a dissertation?
The length of a dissertation depends on its field of study, country, and college. However, some graduates have given a rough estimate so that you can have an idea of what to expect:
- Bachelor’s: 10,000–15,000 words (35–50 pages)
- Master’s: 18,000–22,000 words (65–80 pages)
- Doctorate: 80,000-100,000 words (200-300 pages)
However, keep in mind that these figures are only estimates and that actual lengths are more flexible. For example, dissertations for science, technology, engineering, and math fields tend to be shorter than non-STEM dissertations.
3. What’s the difference between a dissertation vs. a thesis?
Theses and dissertations show various degrees of academic proficiency. In graduate school in the United States, doctorate students write dissertations, whereas master’s students usually write theses. The British system has the terms backward. A dissertation is more extensive, more in-depth, and grounded in more study than a thesis in the United States. The dissertation is the final research assignment that doctorate candidates write for their degree. Shorter theses may be required of master’s and undergraduate students as part of their degrees.
4. What is the purpose of a dissertation?
There are two main purposes of a dissertation. The first one is to prove a student’s adequate knowledge, skill, and understanding. So, that they earn their degree and advance into more challenging fields. And the second one is to contribute new and original research in an academic area with a “research gap”.
5. What are the critical elements of a dissertation?
The core chapters of a dissertation are the introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusion. In addition, there are also supplementary sections, such as the appendices, bibliography, glossary, and abstract.
Lastly, if you’re a student who is pursuing an undergraduate, master’s, or Ph.D.; this step-by-step guide will surely help you understand the process of writing a dissertation till the very end! And writing a dissertation might seem challenging but we have tried our best to break it down into manageable small steps. We hope it helps you in your journey, good luck!
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