How to structure dissertation
Chapter 1: Introduction
The introduction should tell readers why your study matters and where it’s headed, so it needs to set the stage effectively. Also, keep it sharp, no one likes a long-winded opening. While your introduction lays out your main research question, it should also flag any gaps in existing research and explain how your study helps fill them.
What your introduction should cover:
Background of the study
Research aims and objectives
Research question(s) or hypothesis
Scope of the research
Explanation of key terms or concepts
A quick preview of the dissertation structure
The key questions it should answer:
What’s the research topic?
Why is it important?
What are the study’s main goals?
What research questions or hypotheses are being explored?
How is everything structured?
Chapter 2: Literature Review
The literature review is where you prove you’ve done your homework. It’s a deep dive into existing research, theories, and debates related to your research question. The goal? To show what’s already known, what’s still up for debate, and where your study fits in.
Here’s what you’ll cover:
Key studies and findings – Who’s said what, and why does it matter?
Relevant theories and concepts – The big ideas shaping your research.
Trends in the field – How perspectives have shifted over time.
Gaps in the research – What’s missing, and where does your study add value?
This section helps contextualize your study within the broader academic conversation. It shows that you are aware of current research and can position your work in relation to what has already been studied.
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Chapter 3: Methodology
The methodology section is where you break down how you conducted your research, essentially, the blueprint of your study. It outlines your approach, the techniques you used, and how you ensured the process was solid enough for someone else to replicate.
What to include:
Research Design – Is your study qualitative, quantitative, or a mix of both?
Data Collection – How did you gather information? (Surveys, interviews, experiments, etc.)
Sampling – Who or what was involved, and how were they selected?
Data Analysis – How did you make sense of the data? (Stats, thematic analysis, etc.)
Ethical Considerations – How did you handle consent, confidentiality, and ethical concerns?
Limitations – What were the challenges, and how did they impact your research?
Rather than just listing methods, make sure to also justify them. It shows why your approach was the right one and assures readers that your research is reliable, valid, and well thought out.
Chapter 4: Results
The results section is where you let the data do the talking. No interpretations, just the raw findings laid out clearly and objectively. Keep it straightforward and free of analysis; that’s for the next section. Here, you’re just reporting what the data says, not what it means.
This section should include:
Data Presentation – Use tables, charts, graphs, or descriptive stats to make the results easy to digest.
Key Findings – Highlight the most important results that directly answer your research questions.
Comparisons – If relevant, show how your results align (or clash) with existing studies or expectations.
Chapter 5: Discussion
Here’s where you make sense of your results. In the discussion section, you should explain what the findings actually mean, how they fit into the bigger picture, and why they matter.
In this section, you:
Interpret Results – Explain what the findings mean and how they address your research question.
Compare with Existing Literature – Relate your findings to previous studies, noting any similarities or differences.
Address Limitations – Discuss any limitations in your study and how they might affect the results.
Suggest Future Research – Propose areas for further research or ways to improve upon your study.
Chapter 6: Conclusion
The conclusion is your final word. Unlike the discussion, this section takes a step back and summarizes the big picture. In order to effectively tie everything together, keep it concise and impactful.
What to include in the Conclusion:
Key Findings Recap – Highlight the main results without rehashing all the details.
Answer to Research Questions – Clearly state how your findings address your original questions.
Implications – Explain why your research matters and how it contributes to the field.
Limitations & Future Research – Acknowledge any constraints and suggest where research should go next.
Final Thoughts – Offer any parting insights on your study.
Reference List
Your Reference List is where you give credit where it’s due. Every book, article, or website you cited needs to be properly listed so readers can trace your sources.
Books – Full citation with author names, title, and publication details.
Journal Articles – Include journal name, volume, issue, and page numbers.
Websites – Provide URLs and access dates when necessary.
Other Media – Cite reports, videos, or interviews as needed.
Also, stick to the citation style your university requires such as APA, MLA, Chicago, or another. A well-organized Reference will show thorough research and academic integrity.
Appendices
The appendices hold all the supporting material that didn’t make the main cut, but it still matters. While optional, they’re great for including detailed data without cluttering your dissertation. Always label each appendix clearly (e.g., Appendix A, Appendix B) and reference them in the main text.
What to include:
Raw Data – Survey responses, experiment results, or other unprocessed information.
Survey or Interview Questionnaires – The exact questions used in your research.
Additional Tables or Figures – Large charts or tables that support your findings.
Methodology Documents – Detailed descriptions of research techniques.
