7 steps to writing a dissertation

Writing a dissertation might feel daunting, but with the right strategy, it's a chance to showcase your academic growth and dive deep into a subject you're passionate about

Your dissertation is one of the most significant milestones in your academic journey. It's more than just a long essay - it demonstrates your ability to:

conduct independent research
analyse complex information
present a well-structured, compelling argument.

Whether pursuing an undergraduate, Masters, or PhD degree, these seven practical steps will help you stay focused, organised, and on track from start to finish.

1. Choose a topic you care about

Your topic sets the tone for your entire project. Begin by identifying a broad area of interest, then narrow it down based on research and conversations with your adviser.

It is important to choose a topic that is:

relevant to your academic discipline and interests - ensuring you're passionate about the subject and have sufficient background knowledge
intriguing and thought-provoking - inspiring insightful questions and original ideas by exploring research gaps
broad enough to offer ample research material - avoiding overly narrow topics that hinder meaningful findings.

Consider your career goals and what topics are relevant to the field you hope to work in after graduation. Don't worry if your topic evolves over time. That's a normal and often helpful part of the process.

2. Understand what's expected of you

Your next step is to carefully check the marking criteria. Don't start planning until you've got a solid grasp of what's expected. This includes finding out:

any extras like a project plan, ethics form, or reflective report
structure and formatting requirements
submission format (PDF, Word document or bound copy)
word count and preferred referencing style (APA, MLA, Harvard).

According to Neal Bamford, lecturer at London Metropolitan University, understanding the assessment is crucial. He explains that his marking always begins by 'distilling criteria to what students need to provide and how many marks this is worth'. Neal also warns about the impact of missing parts. 'Several dissertations I mark don't include a project plan in their submission. This is worth 20% of the overall mark, so students lose out on a significant portion of their grades.'

3. Conduct in-depth research

At this stage of the process, research is typically referred to as a literature review. Start your research by exploring existing studies to understand what's already known and where your work fits in.

To find credible sources, consider using academic databases such as:

Google Scholar
JSTOR
OpenAthens
your university's library.

It is crucial to critically evaluate and analyse these sources to ensure their credibility and relevance to your research. Neal advises that it's useful to 'form your own opinion and argue for it using research. A history of the topic is always helpful, as it shows that you understand how things got to this point in time'. This critical assessment will be valuable when citing your sources during the writing stage.

Throughout the research process, remember to seek guidance from your adviser. They can provide valuable feedback, relevant sources, and overall support.

4. Develop a strong thesis statement

A well-defined thesis statement acts as a plan for the rest of your dissertation. It should present a clear claim or question your entire project revolves around.

When developing a thesis statement:

ensure it is specific and focused, avoiding broad or vague language. Clearly outline your methods for data collection and analysis related to the subject.
remember that your thesis must be arguable, meaning it should be a claim that can be supported or refuted with evidence. Furthermore, articulate the significance of your research.
confirm that your thesis is realistic, allowing for thorough research and writing within the given timeframe and scope.

Although it can be disheartening when your research disproves your initial statement, understanding that this is a typical occurrence in the research process is important. According to Neal, 'Many of my students believe that if they don't find the answer they're expecting, then their work is worthless.' He clarifies, 'This is not the case. You don't have to find the answer to produce valuable research. Documenting your process and conclusions, even if they are inconclusive, can help others to avoid repeating your work and may lead to new approaches.'

5. Start writing

Once you've outlined your sections, start putting words on the page. Don't wait for it to be perfect - your first draft is just a starting point.

While specific requirements can vary between institutions and subject areas, most dissertations follow a standard structure, typically including these key sections:

Introduction - state your aims and key questions and explain why your study matters.
Literature review - summarise existing research in your field and pinpoint the gaps your work will fill.
Methodology - explain how you collected and analysed your data, and why you chose those methods.
Results - present your findings, sometimes using visuals like tables and graphs.
Discussion - interpret your results, connect them back to the existing literature and explore what they mean.
Conclusion - summarise your main points, acknowledge any limitations, and suggest future research directions.

'Make sure you understand the reference style your university prefers,' emphasises Neal. 'The formatting and labelling of images, tables, etc. is vitally important and will be marked.'

Always paraphrase carefully and give credit to avoid plagiarism. If you're unsure, it's always best to cite to avoid academic misconduct. For help with citations, see Scribbr's quick guide to referencing.

To make things easier, think about using referencing management tools. These tools help you organise sources and insert citations, for example:

6. Edit and finalise

Give yourself at least a week between finishing your draft and the submission deadline. This buffer allows time for editing and to address any potential printing delays.

Begin the editing process by evaluating the overall structure and flow of your dissertation. Ensure your arguments are well-organised and your ideas are presented logically.

To help you with the proofreading process, consider:

Reading your dissertation aloud can help identify errors you might miss when reading silently.
Changing your environment. Reviewing your work in a fresh setting can provide a new perspective.
Concentrating on specific elements like grammar, spelling, or punctuation during each reading to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Asking someone else to read your dissertation. A fresh pair of eyes can often spot mistakes you've overlooked.

While grammar checkers can be helpful, you must proofread your work manually to identify stylistic or subject-specific errors. You should also ensure that your dissertation is formatted using the correct font, font size, margins, and line spacing.

Once you have made your initial revisions, seek feedback from your advisor or peers. To maximise the value of this feedback, be specific about what areas you would like them to focus on. For example, you might ask for their input on the overall structure and flow, the strength of your arguments, or the clarity of your writing.

Remember to be receptive to feedback, even if it's critical. Your adviser is there to help you improve your work. Take the time to understand and implement the suggestions you receive.

7. Submit

After addressing all feedback, you can prepare your final submission. Be sure to submit your dissertation on time to avoid penalties or even rejection of the assignment.

The most common way to submit your dissertation is online. You will usually need to upload a PDF file to an online portal. Follow the instructions closely, as you may need to provide extra information like your student ID or dissertation title.

Some institutions still require a hard copy submission. If so, submit a bound copy of your dissertation to your department office. You might also need to pay a binding fee.

Check with your adviser or department office for specific hard copy submission instructions. You might need to submit multiple copies and include a title page, abstract, and table of contents.

Find out more

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