Writing a Dissertation: First Part

This article will outline the process of researching and writing a dissertation. We intend to help the Masters students but this could also be a good write-up for students who are required to write dissertations as part of their undergraduate degrees.

Before doing any planning or writing your dissertation, it is essential to know the answers of these key questions to help develop your dissertation.

-        -Who will be my dissertation supervisor?

-         -When is the deadline

      -How many words to use in writing the dissertation?

After answering these questions, we now go to first step of planning. The first step would be is choosing a topic. Now think about a topic that would best interest you and one you won’t get bored about.

Do not choose a topic that took researchers to find answers for years, choose a less complex and manageable topic. Your aim is to choose a brief research topic and a short time scale, rather than a PhD thesis or a life’s work.

Begin evaluating the modules of your course. Check if there are certain topics that you enjoy studying. When you find an interesting topic, put it down and note some possible questions about it. Construct as much titles that come into your mind until you have 2 topics that you think will work for you.

You have to gauge how much time you need to finish your dissertation and be realistic with it as students like you have other commitments to attend to. Ask these questions to yourself when you’re about to start the dissertation.

-          -Can I finish my project before the deadline?

-         - How will my finances be affected with dissertation? Will it be costly?

-          - Do I need to travel to the research site? Is this feasible?

-          - Can I easily get access to the research site?

Your dissertation supervisor is likely become a good source of support throughout the dissertation process. Your supervisor should be knowledgeable about your topic and can give you good advice so your process will be smooth.

At your initial meeting, bring with you your gathered questions as we have discussed above. Present them to your supervisor and don’t be afraid if these are very basic and not impressive as he/she will assess them. He/she will help reveal your interest.

Inquire if your questions are workable and can be improved. Also ask for some advise where to expand your research, what to read about your topic. Make sure to put it down so you remember everything.

Do not lose contact with your supervisor throughout the process, include them in the loop so they can supervise your progress. They are very helpful to students who show interests with their work and ask questions.

To reduce stress and issues in producing your dissertation, make use of organization. Organize everything since the start of your planning. Oversee how many chapters you need to write. Count the number of weeks between now and the deadline. Come up with a no. week you plan to spend on each chapter both researching and writing. Give enough time at the end for dissertation proofreading. It is a very crucial process, you have to understand why dissertation proofreading is important. 

This is just the initial part of writing a dissertation. Read the second part of the process here.