It is common to hear of dissertation and thesis writing being a “process” in which we move through the stages of planning, researching and writing and back again until the project is finished. Though it can be seen that the writing process of an essay can be relatively linear, when it comes to dissertation writing, we are very much in a process that moves back and forth amongst the different aspects necessary to write an extended piece of work.
The Dissertation Writing Process: Sections
Planning
- Identify your dissertation topic
- Conduct background reading to orientate yourself
- Develop a research question (or aims and objectives)
- Develop a plan and a structure that makes sense
Gathering
- Consider the type of evidence or data you require for your dissertation
- Conduct literature searches
- Assess the information you have and organise it
- Analyse and evaluate the evidence, so you are making connections before you write
Writing
- Write the first draft of your dissertation*
- Read it then re-draft and change sections
- Proofread and edit sections
- Produce your final draft
*note that you can also do this chapter by chapter
Time
All these sections can come under the umbrella of “Time”. Dissertations can take time to plan, so you need to know exactly how many months you have to complete it. Additionally, there may be “milestones” created by you or your supervisor to keep you on track by completing aspects of your dissertation by a certain date. You may also be able to submit a draft or a chapter at some point to receive feedback on. So, ensure you know the dates for these things.
Creating a study timetable can be very effective for dissertations. Though dissertations can and should be interesting to research and write, sometimes different chapters take longer to write than we first realised. As well as this, we can get stuck when researching, if what we find is not what we initially envisaged. Meaning we have to go back and consider a different strategy. There are also various life events that can happen and which we cannot predict. As a result, having a flexible schedule can allow us to see what progress we are making, and then amend our approach as necessary.
Dissertation Types
The type of dissertation structure you will use will depend on the type of subject you are studying and the type of data you are trying to research. Broadly speaking there are two main dissertation types: empirical and non-empirical dissertations.
An empirical dissertation is where you collect and analyse your own data to answer a specific question. With this type of dissertation, you are not just reviewing what previous research found (though you will do this), you are trying to establish updated ways of viewing your topic and assessing what they mean for your subject area.
A non-empirical dissertation, in contrast, analyses and evaluates research that has already been conducted. You won’t be conducting primary research but you will still need to devote extensive time, be highly organised and enjoy reading to complete one effectively. By evaluating what researchers have already found, you are trying to assess what the evidence means for your subject area. Non empirical dissertations are common in vocational subjects such as nursing, where different policies can impact on healthcare, making them a useful area to research.
Dissertation Structure
An empirical dissertation will usually consist of:
- Introduction
- Literature Review
- Methodology
- Results
- Discussion
- Conclusion
- Reference List
- Appendices
A non empirical dissertation will often have:
- Introduction
- Analysis and Literature Discussion
- Research Design and Methodology
- Findings
- Conclusion
- References
- Appendices
Regardless of which dissertation you undertake, be sure that you see it as a process, as it is rare that anyone can complete one in a linear way. There are always things to go back and change or improve, and doing this allows you to maintain control over what can a daunting (but rewarding) project.