dissertation definition larousse

• DISSERTATION , subst. fém.

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DISSERTATION, MÉMOIRE, THÈSE

1. Temps et lieux.

Début et fin . Dissertation : XVII e siècle-aujourd'hui (en1885, la dissertation prend une forme scolaire qui remplace le texte discursif rhétorique). Thèse de doctorat : XIX e siècle-aujourd'hui. Mémoire de maîtrise : 1966-aujourd'hui. Lieux . Dissertation : Europe. Mémoire et thèse : là où se donne un enseignement universitaire de niveau supérieur.

2. Auteurs et oeuvres.

Voir les répertoires de mémoires de maîtrise et de thèses de doctorat ainsi que les exemples de dissertations contenus dans les manuels.

3. Définition et fonction dans la société.

Texte académique soumis à sanction, qui doit attester la compétence linguistique, la culture, la maîtrise du sujet et la capacité d'inventer. Il doit être composé et argumenté. L'auteur doit montrer qu'il sait faire progresser sa pensée avec méthode et l'étayer d'exemples bien analysés.

La dissertation est la forme que prend un examen écrit comportant généralement une citation d'auteur à commenter. C'est un exercice contraint, soumis à des règles strictes. La première exigence de la rhétorique de la dissertation est une exigence d'ordre : le texte doit être divisé en parties. Le texte comprend obligatoirement une introduction, un développement se subdivisant traditionnellement en trois parties elles-mêmes divisées en paragraphes et une conclusion.

Mais à l'exigence du classement s'ajoute celle de la progression. Les parties doivent être disposées selon un ordre tel que le lecteur leur accorde une importance croissante. L'essentiel doit être réservé pour la fin (par opposition au plan lombric, où l'essentiel tient dans le premier paragraphe). L'introduction amène et pose un problème, précise sa nature et sa portée puis présente les grandes lignes du développement. La conclusion rassemble les résultats obtenus dans le développement. Elle se termine sur des perspectives, sur un élargissement.

La progression doit de plus être dialectique. L'on examine d'abord une face du problème, puis l'autre, pour finalement les résoudre. A ces trois étapes correpondent les trois parties du plan thèse / antithèse / synthèse, censé convenir à la plupart des sujets.

Une autre exigence concerne le contenu du texte. Tout dans la dissertation doit servir à la discussion. Il faut que tout soit argument, prouve ou réfute. Il faut que tout développement puisse être accroché au problème traité par un lien d'ordre démonstratif. Le développement autonome et la digression sont des fautes. L'idée et l'exemple doivent être orientés, c'est-à-dire adaptés à la démonstration. La structure du paragraphe rend compte de la texture. Le paragraphe comporte trois phases : une partie liante, qui rappelle ce qui précède, une partie qui apporte une contribution au développement et une partie qui ouvre sur le paragraphe suivant.

Le mémoire et la thèse sont régis par une règle négative : ils ne doivent pas être une longue dissertation. Mais les règles apprises par l'étudiant pour la dissertation restent valables pour le mémoire et la thèse de doctorat. Ce sont également des textes impersonnels dont les formes revêtent un maximum de "transparence" (contrairement au discours rhétorisé où l'auteur et le destinataire sont mis en scène). L'auteur et le(s) destinataire(s) sont absents du texte. On ne conseille ni la mise en scène du scripteur ni les références à l'allocutaire.

Le mémoire et la thèse sont des ouvrages scientifiques qui ont comme disposition le mouvement de la recherche ou l'enchaînement du savoir. On distingue un plan de la recherche et un plan de la rédaction. Dans ce dernier, l'ordre reste celui de la composition du texte selon les divisions canoniques : introduction, développement en parties, sous-parties, transitions et conclusion.

Comme celui de la dissertation, l'auteur du mémoire et de la thèse fait usage de la dialectique : il a le souci constant de l'avis contraire. Il sait que ses destinataires pourront critiquer la portée, l'interprétation et la valeur des preuves qu'il avance ou leur rapport avec les problèmes controversés. Il s'agit pour lui d'amener ses lecteurs à se décider en faveur de sa thèse en les conduisant avec ordre et méthode vers des arguments plausibles.

De la dissertation à la thèse, on a une progression vers le jugement tranché. La dissertation et le mémoire ne soutiennent pas de "thèse", ne démontrent pas une proposition. Contrairement à la thèse, dans laquelle on a pris le temps de rassembler toutes les données et d'examiner toutes les hypothèses, ce sont des exercices qui ne favorisent pas les choix tranchés. Dans la thèse, les nuances viennent des mesures exactes qui ont pu être faites sur l'objet de la recherche et non de règles générales de prudence, par exemple.

Le style, dans les trois genres, doit être sobre et éviter les effets esthétiques trop marqués. Le seul effet esthétique que l'on y favorise est la formule brillante, qu'elle prenne la forme de l'antithèse, de la métaphore, de l'oxymore, du chiasme ou même de la paronomase. Ces procédés ne doivent pas constituer un ornement surajouté mais un raccourci intellectuel.

4. Origines et postérité.

Origines . 1) À l'origine de la dissertation se trouve la disputatio médiévale. La dissertation en latine n'apparaît qu'au XVII e siècle. Elle remplace dans les universités l'ancienne disputatio , ou discussion orale des thèses. La dissertation littéraire française remplace le discours comme exercice scolaire depuis la réforme de 1885, qui supprime l'enseignement de la rhétorique. La dissertation philosophique est en usage dans les lycées depuis 1864. 2) Origine de la thèse de doctorat. Au XIX e siècle, la thèse comme ensemble de propositions que l'on soutient publiquement dans les universités.prend la forme d'un ouvrage écrit.

3) Origine du mémoire de maîtrise. La dissertation. Le mémoire fut d'abord un recueil de dissertations lues dans une société savante. Ex. : Mémoires de l'Académie des sciences (à partir de 1669), Mémoires de l'académie des inscriptions et belles lettres (à partir de 1717).

Postérité . Les trois genres sont encore vivants. La dissertation s'est répandue dans les enseignements voisins de l'enseignement littéraire. Vers 1955 en France, le genre de la dissertation s'impose dans l'enseignement. C'est l'exercice de base des khâgnes, des concours de l'E.N.S., du C.A.P.E.S., de l'agrégation, etc. Les universités américaines ne pratiquent plus la dissertation, qui est remplacée par les résumés de lecture, les notes critiques, les discussions et les essais littéraires.

5. Bibliographie.

BOURDIEU, Pierre et Jean-Claude Passeron, le Reproduction. Eléments pour une théorie du système d'enseignement , Paris, Minuit, 1970. CHASSANG, Arsène et Ch. Senninger, la Dissertation littéraire générale : structuration dialectique de l'essai littéraire , Hachette Université, 1972, c1955. GENETTE, Gérard, Rhétorique et enseignement , Figures II , Le Seuil, Points, 1969, p. 23-42. PLOT, Bernadette, Écrire une thèse ou un mémoire en sciences humaines , Slatkine, 1986. Grand Larousse du XIX e siècle , articles Mémoire et thèse . Grand Dictionnaire Larousse , article Dissertation . Grand Larousse universel , article Mémoire .

Copyright © 1998 C.A.F.É.

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dissertation

Definition of dissertation

Examples of dissertation in a sentence.

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dissertation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

1651, in the meaning defined above

Dictionary Entries Near dissertation

dissertative

Cite this Entry

“Dissertation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dissertation. Accessed 5 Sep. 2024.

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Dissertation: Definition, Format, Topics & How-To Guide

Writing Guides

What is Dissertation?

A dissertation is a lengthy, formal document that presents the research and findings of an individual as part of the requirements for a doctoral degree or, in some cases, a master’s degree. It involves conducting original research on a specific topic, making a significant contribution to the existing body of knowledge. The process typically starts with a thorough literature review to understand the current state of knowledge in the chosen area and identify gaps that the dissertation will address. This is followed by the development of a research methodology, where the methods used to conduct the research are detailed. The core of the dissertation includes the presentation of research findings, followed by a discussion section where these findings are analyzed and interpreted in the context of existing knowledge.

Table of Contents

Dissertation Format:

The format of a dissertation can vary depending on the field of study and the specific guidelines of the academic institution. However, a typical dissertation structure includes the following sections:

Title Page:

This includes the title of the dissertation, the author’s name, the degree for which the dissertation is submitted, the name of the institution, and the date of submission.

A brief summary of the research, including the research question, methodology, key findings, and conclusions. It usually ranges from 150 to 300 words.

Acknowledgements:

An optional section where the author can thank those who contributed to the completion of the dissertation, such as advisors, family, and friends.

Table of Contents:

A list of all the chapters and major sections, including page numbers.

List of Figures and Tables:

If applicable, this section lists all the figures and tables included in the dissertation, along with their page numbers.

Introduction:

An overview of the research topic, the research question, the significance of the study, and an outline of the dissertation structure.

Literature Review:

A comprehensive review of existing research relevant to the topic, identifying gaps that the dissertation aims to fill.

Methodology:

A detailed description of the research design, data collection methods, and data analysis techniques used in the study.

Presentation of the research findings, often including tables, graphs, and statistical analyses.

Discussion:

Interpretation of the findings, discussing their implications, how they fit with existing research, and any limitations of the study.

Conclusion:

A summary of the research, key findings, implications, and suggestions for future research.

References:

A list of all the sources cited in the dissertation, formatted according to a specific citation style (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago).

Appendices:

Supplementary material that is relevant to the dissertation but not included in the main text, such as raw data, questionnaires, or additional analyses.

How to Write Dissertation?

Here’s a step-by-step guide on writing dissertation paper:

1. Choose Your Topic

Interest and Relevance: Select a topic you are passionate about and that is relevant to your field of study. Scope and Feasibility: Ensure the topic is manageable within the given time frame and resources. Research Gap: Identify a gap in the existing research that your dissertation will address.

2. Literature Review

Comprehensive Search: Review existing literature related to your topic. Theoretical Framework: Identify key theories and models relevant to your research. Critical Analysis: Critically analyze previous studies to identify strengths, weaknesses, and gaps.

3. Research Proposal

Introduction: Introduce your research question and objectives. Literature Review: Summarize the key literature and highlight the research gap. Methodology: Describe the research methods you will use. Timeline: Provide a timeline for your research. References: List the sources you have cited.

4. Research Design and Methodology

Research Methods: Choose appropriate methods for data collection (qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods). Data Collection: Collect data using surveys, interviews, experiments, or archival research. Ethical Considerations: Ensure ethical standards are maintained in data collection.

5. Data Analysis

Data Cleaning: Prepare your data for analysis by cleaning and organizing it. Statistical Analysis: Use statistical software to analyze quantitative data. Thematic Analysis: Identify themes and patterns in qualitative data. Interpretation: Interpret the results in the context of your research questions.

6. Writing the Dissertation

Introduction: Introduce your topic, research questions, and objectives. Literature Review: Provide a detailed review of the existing literature. Methodology: Explain the research design, methods, and procedures. Results: Present the findings of your research. Discussion: Interpret the results, discuss their implications, and compare them with previous studies. Conclusion: Summarize the key findings, discuss their significance, and suggest future research directions. References: List all sources cited in your dissertation. Appendices: Include any additional material, such as raw data or detailed calculations.

7. Editing and Proofreading

Content Review: Ensure your dissertation addresses the research questions and meets academic standards. Clarity and Coherence: Check for clarity, coherence, and logical flow of arguments. Grammar and Style: Correct grammatical errors and ensure consistency in style and formatting. Feedback: Seek feedback from your supervisor and peers and make necessary revisions.

8. Submission and Defense

Submission: Submit the final draft of your dissertation according to your institution’s guidelines. Preparation for Defense: Prepare a presentation summarizing your research and findings. Defense: Present your dissertation and answer questions from the committee.

Dissertation Topics:

Below are some dissertation topics across various fields.

Social Sciences

Sociology: The impact of social media on adolescent mental health. Urbanization and its effects on community structures in developing countries. The role of gender norms in workplace inequality. Psychology: Cognitive-behavioral therapy effectiveness in treating PTSD. The relationship between childhood trauma and adult relationship patterns. Neuroplasticity and its implications for rehabilitation after brain injury. Political Science: The rise of populism in Western democracies. Electoral reforms and their impact on voter turnout. The role of international organizations in conflict resolution.

Literature: Postcolonial readings of contemporary African literature. The evolution of dystopian themes in 21st-century novels. Gender and identity in Shakespearean plays. History: The socio-economic impacts of the Industrial Revolution in Europe. The influence of the Cold War on Latin American politics. Women’s roles in resistance movements during World War II. Philosophy: The relevance of existentialism in modern society. Ethical implications of artificial intelligence. The concept of justice in Rawls vs. Nozick.

Natural Sciences

Biology: The role of microbiomes in human health. Climate change impacts on biodiversity. Genetic engineering and its ethical considerations. Chemistry: Development of sustainable chemical processes. Advances in medicinal chemistry for cancer treatment. Nanotechnology applications in material science. Physics: Quantum computing and its future applications. Dark matter and dark energy in cosmology. The physics of renewable energy sources.

Engineering and Technology

Computer Science: Machine learning applications in healthcare. Cybersecurity challenges in the era of the Internet of Things. Blockchain technology and its potential beyond cryptocurrencies. Civil Engineering: Sustainable urban infrastructure development. Innovations in earthquake-resistant building designs. The impact of climate change on coastal engineering. Electrical Engineering: Advances in renewable energy technologies. The development of smart grid systems. Applications of IoT in industrial automation.

Business and Economics

Business Administration: The impact of corporate social responsibility on brand image. Strategies for managing remote teams in multinational companies. The role of innovation in start-up success. Economics: Economic impacts of universal basic income. The role of behavioral economics in policy making. Global trade dynamics in a post-pandemic world. Finance: The effects of fintech on traditional banking. Risk management in cryptocurrency investments. Financial implications of climate change for businesses.

Dissertation vs Thesis:

The terms “dissertation” and “thesis” are often used interchangeably, but they can have different meanings depending on the country and academic institution. Here’s a general distinction:

In the United States:

Thesis: Usually refers to a research project or paper that is completed as part of a master’s degree program. It involves original research, but on a smaller scale compared to a dissertation. A thesis demonstrates the student’s understanding of a specific topic within their field of study.

Dissertation: Typically refers to a more extensive research project required for a doctoral (Ph.D.) degree. A dissertation involves original research that contributes new knowledge or theories to the field. It is usually more comprehensive and in-depth than a thesis.

In Europe and other parts of the world:

Thesis: Often used to describe the research project or paper completed at the end of a doctoral program (Ph.D.). It is similar to what is called a dissertation in the United States.

Dissertation: Sometimes used to refer to the research project or paper required for a master’s degree, similar to what is called a thesis in the United States.

Common Features of Thesis and Dissertation:

Research: Both involve significant research and writing. The scope and depth may vary, but the fundamental process of conducting research, analyzing data, and presenting findings is common to both.

Originality: Both require original work, but the level of originality and contribution to the field is typically higher for a dissertation.

Structure: Both usually follow a structured format, including an introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusion.

Key Differences Between Dissertation and Thesis:

Scope: Dissertations are generally longer and more detailed than thesis. Degree Level: Thesis are often for master’s programs, while dissertations are for doctoral programs. Purpose: A thesis demonstrates mastery of a specific topic, while a dissertation contributes new knowledge to the field. Understanding these distinctions can help clarify what is expected for each type of research project depending on the academic context.

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• Dissertation

How to Write a Dissertation | A Guide to Structure & Content

A dissertation or thesis is a long piece of academic writing based on original research, submitted as part of an undergraduate or postgraduate degree.

The structure of a dissertation depends on your field, but it is usually divided into at least four or five chapters (including an introduction and conclusion chapter).

The most common dissertation structure in the sciences and social sciences includes:

• An introduction to your topic
• A literature review that surveys relevant sources
• An explanation of your methodology
• An overview of the results of your research
• A discussion of the results and their implications
• A conclusion that shows what your research has contributed

Dissertations in the humanities are often structured more like a long essay , building an argument by analysing primary and secondary sources . Instead of the standard structure outlined here, you might organise your chapters around different themes or case studies.

Other important elements of the dissertation include the title page , abstract , and reference list . If in doubt about how your dissertation should be structured, always check your department’s guidelines and consult with your supervisor.

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Table of contents

Acknowledgements, table of contents, list of figures and tables, list of abbreviations, introduction, literature review / theoretical framework, methodology, reference list.

The very first page of your document contains your dissertation’s title, your name, department, institution, degree program, and submission date. Sometimes it also includes your student number, your supervisor’s name, and the university’s logo. Many programs have strict requirements for formatting the dissertation title page .

The title page is often used as cover when printing and binding your dissertation .

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The acknowledgements section is usually optional, and gives space for you to thank everyone who helped you in writing your dissertation. This might include your supervisors, participants in your research, and friends or family who supported you.

The abstract is a short summary of your dissertation, usually about 150-300 words long. You should write it at the very end, when you’ve completed the rest of the dissertation. In the abstract, make sure to:

• State the main topic and aims of your research
• Describe the methods you used
• Summarise the main results
• State your conclusions

Although the abstract is very short, it’s the first part (and sometimes the only part) of your dissertation that people will read, so it’s important that you get it right. If you’re struggling to write a strong abstract, read our guide on how to write an abstract .

In the table of contents, list all of your chapters and subheadings and their page numbers. The dissertation contents page gives the reader an overview of your structure and helps easily navigate the document.

All parts of your dissertation should be included in the table of contents, including the appendices. You can generate a table of contents automatically in Word.

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If you have used a lot of tables and figures in your dissertation, you should itemise them in a numbered list . You can automatically generate this list using the Insert Caption feature in Word.

If you have used a lot of abbreviations in your dissertation, you can include them in an alphabetised list of abbreviations so that the reader can easily look up their meanings.

If you have used a lot of highly specialised terms that will not be familiar to your reader, it might be a good idea to include a glossary . List the terms alphabetically and explain each term with a brief description or definition.

In the introduction, you set up your dissertation’s topic, purpose, and relevance, and tell the reader what to expect in the rest of the dissertation. The introduction should:

• Establish your research topic , giving necessary background information to contextualise your work
• Narrow down the focus and define the scope of the research
• Discuss the state of existing research on the topic, showing your work’s relevance to a broader problem or debate
• Clearly state your objectives and research questions , and indicate how you will answer them
• Give an overview of your dissertation’s structure

Everything in the introduction should be clear, engaging, and relevant to your research. By the end, the reader should understand the what , why and how of your research. Not sure how? Read our guide on how to write a dissertation introduction .

Before you start on your research, you should have conducted a literature review to gain a thorough understanding of the academic work that already exists on your topic. This means:

• Collecting sources (e.g. books and journal articles) and selecting the most relevant ones
• Critically evaluating and analysing each source
• Drawing connections between them (e.g. themes, patterns, conflicts, gaps) to make an overall point

In the dissertation literature review chapter or section, you shouldn’t just summarise existing studies, but develop a coherent structure and argument that leads to a clear basis or justification for your own research. For example, it might aim to show how your research:

• Addresses a gap in the literature
• Takes a new theoretical or methodological approach to the topic
• Proposes a solution to an unresolved problem
• Advances a theoretical debate
• Builds on and strengthens existing knowledge with new data

The literature review often becomes the basis for a theoretical framework , in which you define and analyse the key theories, concepts and models that frame your research. In this section you can answer descriptive research questions about the relationship between concepts or variables.

The methodology chapter or section describes how you conducted your research, allowing your reader to assess its validity. You should generally include:

• The overall approach and type of research (e.g. qualitative, quantitative, experimental, ethnographic)
• Your methods of collecting data (e.g. interviews, surveys, archives)
• Details of where, when, and with whom the research took place
• Your methods of analysing data (e.g. statistical analysis, discourse analysis)
• Tools and materials you used (e.g. computer programs, lab equipment)
• A discussion of any obstacles you faced in conducting the research and how you overcame them
• An evaluation or justification of your methods

Your aim in the methodology is to accurately report what you did, as well as convincing the reader that this was the best approach to answering your research questions or objectives.

Next, you report the results of your research . You can structure this section around sub-questions, hypotheses, or topics. Only report results that are relevant to your objectives and research questions. In some disciplines, the results section is strictly separated from the discussion, while in others the two are combined.

For example, for qualitative methods like in-depth interviews, the presentation of the data will often be woven together with discussion and analysis, while in quantitative and experimental research, the results should be presented separately before you discuss their meaning. If you’re unsure, consult with your supervisor and look at sample dissertations to find out the best structure for your research.

In the results section it can often be helpful to include tables, graphs and charts. Think carefully about how best to present your data, and don’t include tables or figures that just repeat what you have written  –  they should provide extra information or usefully visualise the results in a way that adds value to your text.

Full versions of your data (such as interview transcripts) can be included as an appendix .

The discussion  is where you explore the meaning and implications of your results in relation to your research questions. Here you should interpret the results in detail, discussing whether they met your expectations and how well they fit with the framework that you built in earlier chapters. If any of the results were unexpected, offer explanations for why this might be. It’s a good idea to consider alternative interpretations of your data and discuss any limitations that might have influenced the results.

The discussion should reference other scholarly work to show how your results fit with existing knowledge. You can also make recommendations for future research or practical action.

The dissertation conclusion should concisely answer the main research question, leaving the reader with a clear understanding of your central argument. Wrap up your dissertation with a final reflection on what you did and how you did it. The conclusion often also includes recommendations for research or practice.

In this section, it’s important to show how your findings contribute to knowledge in the field and why your research matters. What have you added to what was already known?

You must include full details of all sources that you have cited in a reference list (sometimes also called a works cited list or bibliography). It’s important to follow a consistent reference style . Each style has strict and specific requirements for how to format your sources in the reference list.

The most common styles used in UK universities are Harvard referencing and Vancouver referencing . Your department will often specify which referencing style you should use – for example, psychology students tend to use APA style , humanities students often use MHRA , and law students always use OSCOLA . M ake sure to check the requirements, and ask your supervisor if you’re unsure.

To save time creating the reference list and make sure your citations are correctly and consistently formatted, you can use our free APA Citation Generator .

Your dissertation itself should contain only essential information that directly contributes to answering your research question. Documents you have used that do not fit into the main body of your dissertation (such as interview transcripts, survey questions or tables with full figures) can be added as appendices .

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How to Write a Dissertation or Thesis Proposal

Published on September 21, 2022 by Tegan George . Revised on July 18, 2023.

When starting your thesis or dissertation process, one of the first requirements is a research proposal or a prospectus. It describes what or who you want to examine, delving into why, when, where, and how you will do so, stemming from your research question and a relevant topic .

The proposal or prospectus stage is crucial for the development of your research. It helps you choose a type of research to pursue, as well as whether to pursue qualitative or quantitative methods and what your research design will look like.

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Table of contents

What should your proposal contain, dissertation question examples, what should your proposal look like, dissertation prospectus examples, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about proposals.

Prior to jumping into the research for your thesis or dissertation, you first need to develop your research proposal and have it approved by your supervisor. It should outline all of the decisions you have taken about your project, from your dissertation topic to your hypotheses and research objectives .

Depending on your department’s requirements, there may be a defense component involved, where you present your research plan in prospectus format to your committee for their approval.

Your proposal should answer the following questions:

• Why is your research necessary?
• What is already known about your topic?
• Where and when will your research be conducted?
• Who should be studied?
• How can the research best be done?

Ultimately, your proposal should persuade your supervisor or committee that your proposed project is worth pursuing.

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Strong research kicks off with a solid research question , and dissertations are no exception to this.

Dissertation research questions should be:

• Focused on a single problem or issue
• Researchable using primary and/or secondary sources
• Feasible to answer within the timeframe and practical constraints
• Specific enough to answer thoroughly
• Complex enough to develop the answer over the space of a paper or thesis
• Relevant to your field of study and/or society more broadly
• What are the main factors enticing people under 30 in suburban areas to engage in the gig economy?
• Which techniques prove most effective for 1st-grade teachers at local elementary schools in engaging students with special needs?
• Which communication streams are the most effective for getting those aged 18-30 to the polls on Election Day?

An easy rule of thumb is that your proposal will usually resemble a (much) shorter version of your thesis or dissertation. While of course it won’t include the results section , discussion section , or conclusion , it serves as a “mini” version or roadmap for what you eventually seek to write.

Be sure to include:

• A succinct introduction to your topic and problem statement
• A brief literature review situating your topic within existing research
• A basic outline of the research methods you think will best answer your research question
• The perceived implications for future research
• A reference list in the citation style of your choice

The length of your proposal varies quite a bit depending on your discipline and type of work you’re conducting. While a thesis proposal is often only 3-7 pages long, a prospectus for your dissertation is usually much longer, with more detailed analysis. Dissertation proposals can be up to 25-30 pages in length.

Writing a proposal or prospectus can be a challenge, but we’ve compiled some examples for you to get your started.

• Example #1: “Geographic Representations of the Planet Mars, 1867-1907” by Maria Lane
• Example #2: “Individuals and the State in Late Bronze Age Greece: Messenian Perspectives on Mycenaean Society” by Dimitri Nakassis
• Example #3: “Manhood Up in the Air: A Study of Male Flight Attendants, Queerness, and Corporate Capitalism during the Cold War Era” by Phil Tiemeyer

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If you want to know more about AI for academic writing, AI tools, or research bias, make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

Research bias

• Survivorship bias
• Self-serving bias
• Availability heuristic
• Halo effect
• Hindsight bias
• Deep learning
• Generative AI
• Machine learning
• Reinforcement learning
• Supervised vs. unsupervised learning

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The research methods you use depend on the type of data you need to answer your research question .

• If you want to measure something or test a hypothesis , use quantitative methods . If you want to explore ideas, thoughts and meanings, use qualitative methods .
• If you want to analyze a large amount of readily-available data, use secondary data. If you want data specific to your purposes with control over how it is generated, collect primary data.
• If you want to establish cause-and-effect relationships between variables , use experimental methods. If you want to understand the characteristics of a research subject, use descriptive methods.

A thesis or dissertation outline is one of the most critical first steps in your writing process. It helps you to lay out and organize your ideas and can provide you with a roadmap for deciding what kind of research you’d like to undertake.

Generally, an outline contains information on the different sections included in your thesis or dissertation , such as:

• Your anticipated title
• Your abstract
• Your chapters (sometimes subdivided into further topics like literature review , research methods , avenues for future research, etc.)

A well-planned research design helps ensure that your methods match your research aims, that you collect high-quality data, and that you use the right kind of analysis to answer your questions, utilizing credible sources . This allows you to draw valid , trustworthy conclusions.

The priorities of a research design can vary depending on the field, but you usually have to specify:

• Your research questions and/or hypotheses
• Your overall approach (e.g., qualitative or quantitative )
• The type of design you’re using (e.g., a survey , experiment , or case study )
• Your sampling methods or criteria for selecting subjects
• Your data collection methods (e.g., questionnaires , observations)
• Your data collection procedures (e.g., operationalization , timing and data management)
• Your data analysis methods (e.g., statistical tests  or thematic analysis )

A dissertation prospectus or proposal describes what or who you plan to research for your dissertation. It delves into why, when, where, and how you will do your research, as well as helps you choose a type of research to pursue. You should also determine whether you plan to pursue qualitative or quantitative methods and what your research design will look like.

It should outline all of the decisions you have taken about your project, from your dissertation topic to your hypotheses and research objectives , ready to be approved by your supervisor or committee.

Note that some departments require a defense component, where you present your prospectus to your committee orally.

Formulating a main research question can be a difficult task. Overall, your question should contribute to solving the problem that you have defined in your problem statement .

However, it should also fulfill criteria in three main areas:

• Researchability
• Feasibility and specificity
• Relevance and originality

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Look up a word, learn it forever.

Dissertation.

Other forms: dissertations

A dissertation is a long piece of writing that uses research to bring to light an original idea. Don't go to grad school unless you're prepared to write, say, a 300-page dissertation on some topic.

In everyday speech, we sometimes accuse people of delivering dissertations when they overload us with dull information. If you're annoyed with a long memo from your office manager about keeping the kitchen clean, you could mutter to a coworker, “How’d you like that dissertation Felix posted about rinsing out our mugs?”

• noun a treatise advancing a new point of view resulting from research; usually a requirement for an advanced academic degree synonyms: thesis see more see less type of: tractate , treatise a formal exposition

Vocabulary lists containing dissertation

Find lists of SAT words organized by every letter of the alphabet here: A , B , C , D , E , F , G , H , I , J, K & L , M , N , O , P , Q , R , S , T , U , V , and W, X, Y & Z .

Set in Afghanistan during a time of political and social upheaval, this novel traces the decades-long friendship of two boys from different social classes.

A group of extraordinarily talented African-American women help NASA achieve some of its greatest successes, even as they face discrimination and oppression.

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Dissertation Structure & Layout 101: How to structure your dissertation, thesis or research project.

By: Derek Jansen (MBA) Reviewed By: David Phair (PhD) | July 2019

So, you’ve got a decent understanding of what a dissertation is , you’ve chosen your topic and hopefully you’ve received approval for your research proposal . Awesome! Now its time to start the actual dissertation or thesis writing journey.

To craft a high-quality document, the very first thing you need to understand is dissertation structure . In this post, we’ll walk you through the generic dissertation structure and layout, step by step. We’ll start with the big picture, and then zoom into each chapter to briefly discuss the core contents. If you’re just starting out on your research journey, you should start with this post, which covers the big-picture process of how to write a dissertation or thesis .

*The Caveat *

In this post, we’ll be discussing a traditional dissertation/thesis structure and layout, which is generally used for social science research across universities, whether in the US, UK, Europe or Australia. However, some universities may have small variations on this structure (extra chapters, merged chapters, slightly different ordering, etc).

So, always check with your university if they have a prescribed structure or layout that they expect you to work with. If not, it’s safe to assume the structure we’ll discuss here is suitable. And even if they do have a prescribed structure, you’ll still get value from this post as we’ll explain the core contents of each section.  

Overview: S tructuring a dissertation or thesis

• Acknowledgements page
• Abstract (or executive summary)
• Table of contents , list of figures and tables
• Chapter 1: Introduction
• Chapter 2: Literature review
• Chapter 3: Methodology
• Chapter 4: Results
• Chapter 5: Discussion
• Chapter 6: Conclusion
• Reference list

As I mentioned, some universities will have slight variations on this structure. For example, they want an additional “personal reflection chapter”, or they might prefer the results and discussion chapter to be merged into one. Regardless, the overarching flow will always be the same, as this flow reflects the research process , which we discussed here – i.e.:

• The introduction chapter presents the core research question and aims .
• The literature review chapter assesses what the current research says about this question.
• The methodology, results and discussion chapters go about undertaking new research about this question.
• The conclusion chapter (attempts to) answer the core research question .

In other words, the dissertation structure and layout reflect the research process of asking a well-defined question(s), investigating, and then answering the question – see below.

To restate that – the structure and layout of a dissertation reflect the flow of the overall research process . This is essential to understand, as each chapter will make a lot more sense if you “get” this concept. If you’re not familiar with the research process, read this post before going further.

Right. Now that we’ve covered the big picture, let’s dive a little deeper into the details of each section and chapter. Oh and by the way, you can also grab our free dissertation/thesis template here to help speed things up.

The title page of your dissertation is the very first impression the marker will get of your work, so it pays to invest some time thinking about your title. But what makes for a good title? A strong title needs to be 3 things:

• Succinct (not overly lengthy or verbose)
• Specific (not vague or ambiguous)
• Representative of the research you’re undertaking (clearly linked to your research questions)

Typically, a good title includes mention of the following:

• The broader area of the research (i.e. the overarching topic)
• The specific focus of your research (i.e. your specific context)
• Indication of research design (e.g. quantitative , qualitative , or  mixed methods ).

For example:

A quantitative investigation [research design] into the antecedents of organisational trust [broader area] in the UK retail forex trading market [specific context/area of focus].

Again, some universities may have specific requirements regarding the format and structure of the title, so it’s worth double-checking expectations with your institution (if there’s no mention in the brief or study material).

Acknowledgements

This page provides you with an opportunity to say thank you to those who helped you along your research journey. Generally, it’s optional (and won’t count towards your marks), but it is academic best practice to include this.

So, who do you say thanks to? Well, there’s no prescribed requirements, but it’s common to mention the following people:

• Your dissertation supervisor or committee.
• Any professors, lecturers or academics that helped you understand the topic or methodologies.
• Any tutors, mentors or advisors.
• Your family and friends, especially spouse (for adult learners studying part-time).

There’s no need for lengthy rambling. Just state who you’re thankful to and for what (e.g. thank you to my supervisor, John Doe, for his endless patience and attentiveness) – be sincere. In terms of length, you should keep this to a page or less.

Abstract or executive summary

The dissertation abstract (or executive summary for some degrees) serves to provide the first-time reader (and marker or moderator) with a big-picture view of your research project. It should give them an understanding of the key insights and findings from the research, without them needing to read the rest of the report – in other words, it should be able to stand alone .

For it to stand alone, your abstract should cover the following key points (at a minimum):

• Your research questions and aims – what key question(s) did your research aim to answer?
• Your methodology – how did you go about investigating the topic and finding answers to your research question(s)?
• Your findings – following your own research, what did do you discover?
• Your conclusions – based on your findings, what conclusions did you draw? What answers did you find to your research question(s)?

So, in much the same way the dissertation structure mimics the research process, your abstract or executive summary should reflect the research process, from the initial stage of asking the original question to the final stage of answering that question.

In practical terms, it’s a good idea to write this section up last , once all your core chapters are complete. Otherwise, you’ll end up writing and rewriting this section multiple times (just wasting time). For a step by step guide on how to write a strong executive summary, check out this post .

Need a helping hand?

Table of contents

This section is straightforward. You’ll typically present your table of contents (TOC) first, followed by the two lists – figures and tables. I recommend that you use Microsoft Word’s automatic table of contents generator to generate your TOC. If you’re not familiar with this functionality, the video below explains it simply:

If you find that your table of contents is overly lengthy, consider removing one level of depth. Oftentimes, this can be done without detracting from the usefulness of the TOC.

Right, now that the “admin” sections are out of the way, its time to move on to your core chapters. These chapters are the heart of your dissertation and are where you’ll earn the marks. The first chapter is the introduction chapter – as you would expect, this is the time to introduce your research…

It’s important to understand that even though you’ve provided an overview of your research in your abstract, your introduction needs to be written as if the reader has not read that (remember, the abstract is essentially a standalone document). So, your introduction chapter needs to start from the very beginning, and should address the following questions:

• What will you be investigating (in plain-language, big picture-level)?
• Why is that worth investigating? How is it important to academia or business? How is it sufficiently original?
• What are your research aims and research question(s)? Note that the research questions can sometimes be presented at the end of the literature review (next chapter).
• What is the scope of your study? In other words, what will and won’t you cover ?
• How will you approach your research? In other words, what methodology will you adopt?
• How will you structure your dissertation? What are the core chapters and what will you do in each of them?

These are just the bare basic requirements for your intro chapter. Some universities will want additional bells and whistles in the intro chapter, so be sure to carefully read your brief or consult your research supervisor.

If done right, your introduction chapter will set a clear direction for the rest of your dissertation. Specifically, it will make it clear to the reader (and marker) exactly what you’ll be investigating, why that’s important, and how you’ll be going about the investigation. Conversely, if your introduction chapter leaves a first-time reader wondering what exactly you’ll be researching, you’ve still got some work to do.

Now that you’ve set a clear direction with your introduction chapter, the next step is the literature review . In this section, you will analyse the existing research (typically academic journal articles and high-quality industry publications), with a view to understanding the following questions:

• What does the literature currently say about the topic you’re investigating?
• Is the literature lacking or well established? Is it divided or in disagreement?
• How does your research fit into the bigger picture?
• How does your research contribute something original?
• How does the methodology of previous studies help you develop your own?

Depending on the nature of your study, you may also present a conceptual framework towards the end of your literature review, which you will then test in your actual research.

Again, some universities will want you to focus on some of these areas more than others, some will have additional or fewer requirements, and so on. Therefore, as always, its important to review your brief and/or discuss with your supervisor, so that you know exactly what’s expected of your literature review chapter.

Now that you’ve investigated the current state of knowledge in your literature review chapter and are familiar with the existing key theories, models and frameworks, its time to design your own research. Enter the methodology chapter – the most “science-ey” of the chapters…

In this chapter, you need to address two critical questions:

• Exactly HOW will you carry out your research (i.e. what is your intended research design)?
• Exactly WHY have you chosen to do things this way (i.e. how do you justify your design)?

Remember, the dissertation part of your degree is first and foremost about developing and demonstrating research skills . Therefore, the markers want to see that you know which methods to use, can clearly articulate why you’ve chosen then, and know how to deploy them effectively.

Importantly, this chapter requires detail – don’t hold back on the specifics. State exactly what you’ll be doing, with who, when, for how long, etc. Moreover, for every design choice you make, make sure you justify it.

In practice, you will likely end up coming back to this chapter once you’ve undertaken all your data collection and analysis, and revise it based on changes you made during the analysis phase. This is perfectly fine. Its natural for you to add an additional analysis technique, scrap an old one, etc based on where your data lead you. Of course, I’m talking about small changes here – not a fundamental switch from qualitative to quantitative, which will likely send your supervisor in a spin!

You’ve now collected your data and undertaken your analysis, whether qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods. In this chapter, you’ll present the raw results of your analysis . For example, in the case of a quant study, you’ll present the demographic data, descriptive statistics, inferential statistics , etc.

Typically, Chapter 4 is simply a presentation and description of the data, not a discussion of the meaning of the data. In other words, it’s descriptive, rather than analytical – the meaning is discussed in Chapter 5. However, some universities will want you to combine chapters 4 and 5, so that you both present and interpret the meaning of the data at the same time. Check with your institution what their preference is.

Now that you’ve presented the data analysis results, its time to interpret and analyse them. In other words, its time to discuss what they mean, especially in relation to your research question(s).

What you discuss here will depend largely on your chosen methodology. For example, if you’ve gone the quantitative route, you might discuss the relationships between variables . If you’ve gone the qualitative route, you might discuss key themes and the meanings thereof. It all depends on what your research design choices were.

Most importantly, you need to discuss your results in relation to your research questions and aims, as well as the existing literature. What do the results tell you about your research questions? Are they aligned with the existing research or at odds? If so, why might this be? Dig deep into your findings and explain what the findings suggest, in plain English.

The final chapter – you’ve made it! Now that you’ve discussed your interpretation of the results, its time to bring it back to the beginning with the conclusion chapter . In other words, its time to (attempt to) answer your original research question s (from way back in chapter 1). Clearly state what your conclusions are in terms of your research questions. This might feel a bit repetitive, as you would have touched on this in the previous chapter, but its important to bring the discussion full circle and explicitly state your answer(s) to the research question(s).

Next, you’ll typically discuss the implications of your findings . In other words, you’ve answered your research questions – but what does this mean for the real world (or even for academia)? What should now be done differently, given the new insight you’ve generated?

Lastly, you should discuss the limitations of your research, as well as what this means for future research in the area. No study is perfect, especially not a Masters-level. Discuss the shortcomings of your research. Perhaps your methodology was limited, perhaps your sample size was small or not representative, etc, etc. Don’t be afraid to critique your work – the markers want to see that you can identify the limitations of your work. This is a strength, not a weakness. Be brutal!

This marks the end of your core chapters – woohoo! From here on out, it’s pretty smooth sailing.

The reference list is straightforward. It should contain a list of all resources cited in your dissertation, in the required format, e.g. APA , Harvard, etc.

It’s essential that you use reference management software for your dissertation. Do NOT try handle your referencing manually – its far too error prone. On a reference list of multiple pages, you’re going to make mistake. To this end, I suggest considering either Mendeley or Zotero. Both are free and provide a very straightforward interface to ensure that your referencing is 100% on point. I’ve included a simple how-to video for the Mendeley software (my personal favourite) below:

Some universities may ask you to include a bibliography, as opposed to a reference list. These two things are not the same . A bibliography is similar to a reference list, except that it also includes resources which informed your thinking but were not directly cited in your dissertation. So, double-check your brief and make sure you use the right one.

The very last piece of the puzzle is the appendix or set of appendices. This is where you’ll include any supporting data and evidence. Importantly, supporting is the keyword here.

Your appendices should provide additional “nice to know”, depth-adding information, which is not critical to the core analysis. Appendices should not be used as a way to cut down word count (see this post which covers how to reduce word count ). In other words, don’t place content that is critical to the core analysis here, just to save word count. You will not earn marks on any content in the appendices, so don’t try to play the system!

Time to recap…

And there you have it – the traditional dissertation structure and layout, from A-Z. To recap, the core structure for a dissertation or thesis is (typically) as follows:

• Acknowledgments page

Most importantly, the core chapters should reflect the research process (asking, investigating and answering your research question). Moreover, the research question(s) should form the golden thread throughout your dissertation structure. Everything should revolve around the research questions, and as you’ve seen, they should form both the start point (i.e. introduction chapter) and the endpoint (i.e. conclusion chapter).

I hope this post has provided you with clarity about the traditional dissertation/thesis structure and layout. If you have any questions or comments, please leave a comment below, or feel free to get in touch with us. Also, be sure to check out the rest of the  Grad Coach Blog .

Psst... there’s more!

This post was based on one of our popular Research Bootcamps . If you're working on a research project, you'll definitely want to check this out ...

36 Comments

many thanks i found it very useful

Glad to hear that, Arun. Good luck writing your dissertation.

Such clear practical logical advice. I very much needed to read this to keep me focused in stead of fretting.. Perfect now ready to start my research!

what about scientific fields like computer or engineering thesis what is the difference in the structure? thank you very much

Thanks so much this helped me a lot!

Very helpful and accessible. What I like most is how practical the advice is along with helpful tools/ links.

Thanks Ade!

Thank you so much sir.. It was really helpful..

You’re welcome!

Hi! How many words maximum should contain the abstract?

Thank you so much 😊 Find this at the right moment

You’re most welcome. Good luck with your dissertation.

best ever benefit i got on right time thank you

Many times Clarity and vision of destination of dissertation is what makes the difference between good ,average and great researchers the same way a great automobile driver is fast with clarity of address and Clear weather conditions .

I guess Great researcher = great ideas + knowledge + great and fast data collection and modeling + great writing + high clarity on all these

You have given immense clarity from start to end.

Morning. Where will I write the definitions of what I’m referring to in my report?

Thank you so much Derek, I was almost lost! Thanks a tonnnn! Have a great day!

Thanks ! so concise and valuable

This was very helpful. Clear and concise. I know exactly what to do now.

Thank you for allowing me to go through briefly. I hope to find time to continue.

Really useful to me. Thanks a thousand times

Very interesting! It will definitely set me and many more for success. highly recommended.

Thank you soo much sir, for the opportunity to express my skills

Usefull, thanks a lot. Really clear

Very nice and easy to understand. Thank you .

That was incredibly useful. Thanks Grad Coach Crew!

My stress level just dropped at least 15 points after watching this. Just starting my thesis for my grad program and I feel a lot more capable now! Thanks for such a clear and helpful video, Emma and the GradCoach team!

Do we need to mention the number of words the dissertation contains in the main document?

It depends on your university’s requirements, so it would be best to check with them 🙂

Such a helpful post to help me get started with structuring my masters dissertation, thank you!

Great video; I appreciate that helpful information

It is so necessary or avital course

This blog is very informative for my research. Thank you

Doctoral students are required to fill out the National Research Council’s Survey of Earned Doctorates

wow this is an amazing gain in my life

This is so good

How can i arrange my specific objectives in my dissertation?

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• Cambridge Dictionary +Plus

Meaning of dissertation in English

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• boilerplate
• composition
• corresponding author
• essay question
• peer review

dissertation | Intermediate English

Examples of dissertation, translations of dissertation.

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Word of the Day

to do something or go somewhere very slowly, taking more time than is necessary

Like a bull in a china shop: talking about people who are clumsy

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Definition of dissertation noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

• dissertation
• He wrote his Master's dissertation on rats.
• Students can either do a dissertation or take part in a practical project.
• hall of residence
• Candidates are required to present a dissertation of between 8 000 and 12 000 words.
• She is writing her dissertation on the history of the Knights Templar.
• dissertation on

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• dissertation

noun as in scholarly thesis

Strongest matches

Strong matches

• argumentation
• disputation
• disquisition

Example Sentences

Thirteen years ago, while working on her PHD dissertation in Madagascar’s Masoala Peninsula, Borgerson encountered a problem.

At Harvard, he received a PhD in government and wrote his dissertation under Henry Kissinger, who became a lifelong friend.

I planned to go back to physics after a couple of years and then return to wrap up my dissertation.

My buba’s lived experience helped shape me into the girl who wrote her college dissertation on the gender pay gap, arguing for equal parental leave for dads and moms, almost 20 years before any major employer implemented any such thing.

My PhD dissertation was a highly theoretical model representing computer systems that were framed as a mathematical model, and if they were interconnected in such a way that these interconnected computers would communicate like cells in the body.

A terrific cultural studies dissertation awaits on how the fortunes of the Cheneys provide a mirror on a changing America.

Today, he visits online forums and bombards them with dissertation-length comments.

In her dissertation, McFate had asked whether ‘good anthropology’ might lead to ‘better killing.’

Heritage has distanced itself from Richwine and his dissertation.

No single dissertation will alter the status quo on its own.

I've never had time to write home about it, for I felt that it required a dissertation in itself to do it justice.

Dr. Pitcairn, published at Leyden his dissertation on the circulation of the blood through the veins.

Start not, reader, I am not going to trouble you with a poetical dissertation; no, no!

Dissertation sur les Assassins, Académie des Inscriptions, tom.

This dissertation, which is illustrated by several plates, will repay for the time spent in reading it.

Related Words

Words related to dissertation are not direct synonyms, but are associated with the word dissertation . Browse related words to learn more about word associations.

noun as in speech given to formal gathering

noun as in main part of written work

noun as in published document

• best-seller
• encyclopedia
• publication

noun as in written or musical creation

• arrangement
• literary work
• short story

Viewing 5 / 27 related words

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.