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The majority of degrees end with this assignment, but just what is a dissertation?
Sometimes known as a thesis (in some countries, this term is used only for the final assignments of PhD degrees, while in other countries ‘thesis’ and ‘dissertation’ are interchangeable), a dissertation is a research project completed as part of an undergraduate or postgraduate degree. Typically, a dissertation allows students present their findings in response to a question or proposition that they choose themselves. The aim of the project is to test the independent research skills students have acquired during their time at university, with the assessment used to help determine their final grade. Although there is usually some guidance from your tutors, the dissertation project is largely independent.
For most students this will be the longest, most difficult and most important assignment completed at university, requiring months of preparation and hard work (the library might become a second home). However, it can also be very rewarding, particularly if you’re passionate about your choice of topic. It’s therefore definitely a good idea to make sure you choose a subject you’re genuinely interested in.
What are the two types of dissertations?
The type of dissertation you complete will vary depending on your course of study. One of the main differences is between empirical and non-empirical dissertations.
Empirical dissertations are dissertations which involve collecting data, for example in a psychology degree. This may mean putting into practice professional and ethical guidelines when collecting data from members of the public. Empirical dissertations in natural and life science subjects may involve or be entirely centered on laboratory work.
Non-empirical dissertations are based on existing data and arguments in the work of others. This is likely to mean spending a lot of time with your head in a book! In this type of dissertation, you need to make sure you don’t just describe what others are saying, but critically analyze the work and explore its practical applications.
How to choose a research topic
Choosing a dissertation research topic can be difficult. It has to be a project that is engaging yet achievable and have enough information to write a dissertation of the right length so the scope cannot be too wide or too narrow. It is also a project that students will work on for their entire final year of study or more so it should be something that they are interested in, maybe in a subject area that they would pursue a career in in the future.
The first thing that you might want to consider when researching a topic is the work and modules you have already done. Is there a module that you were particularly interested in or enjoyed working on? Choosing a topic that you are already familiar with means that you already have some context to begin your research?
Next consider if there was a particular text, study, researcher, author or figure who you enjoyed studying during your studies. This is great in terms of scope as you can expand or narrow your focus on this thing depending on the length of your dissertation. For shorter undergraduate dissertations, it might mean focusing on a specific text or idea or a question about a specific detail of another study that another researcher has raised. For longer dissertations, you can expand your search to other texts or figures in the same genre and ask larger questions about the topic as a whole.
Another thing that you might want to consider is your initial interest in the subject. Why did you choose to study a degree in this subject? What were some of your preconceptions about the subject? What topics did you hope your degree would cover when you applied to study on this programme? Did you have any career ambitions before beginning your studies that might inform your choice?
Finally, it is important to read widely around your subject to find your areas of interest. If you do not have a specific topic that you are especially interested in, contextual reading outside of the reading list given for each of your modules allows you to explore the subject and find your interests.
How to write a dissertation?
There are four stages to the process of completing a dissertation: planning and collecting information, research, writing and editing.
The first stage is all about organisation. Do some basic background research if necessary, make a schedule, a chapter outline, bibliography and a list of all the secondary research sources that you are planning to read and reference.
The second stage is about actually doing the research. This might involve primary research, for example, conducting a study, survey or experiment to prove your hypothesis. It will also include secondary research and discuss the ideas and findings of other academics who have done research into the same or a similar topic.
The third stage is writing a first draft. It is important to just get the words down during this stage, even if the writing feels messy. Remember that everything except an empty page can be fixed with editing.
The fourth stage is editing. This includes big edits and structural changes, smaller edits which improve the clarity of your writing and a details edit to make sure that spelling and grammar are correct.
To find out more about dissertations and the entire process of writing one, click here.
Skills you need to show
No matter what type of dissertation you write, and what topic you choose, you’ll need to demonstrate the following skills:
Defining and outlining a research area with a clear question
Identifying the leading issues
Sourcing the relevant information
Assessing its reliability and legitimacy
Evaluating the evidence on all sides of a debate
Coming to a well-argued conclusion
Organizing and presenting the outcomes of your work critically, convincingly, and articulately, following all the guidelines on how to format your essay
How long is a dissertation?
The length of a dissertation varies between study level and country, but is generally around 10,000-12,000 words at undergraduate level, 15,000-25,000 words at master’s level and up to 50,000 words or more at PhD level.
Formatting and style guides
Referencing is vitally important when writing a dissertation because, not only does it allow the examiner to know where the quotes and ideas you talk about in your dissertation come from, it protects you from accusations of plagiarism because it makes clear which ideas are yours and which came from someone else.
There are many different styles of referencing. Some of the most commonly used include:
MLA
APA
Harvard referencing
MHRA
Chicago (Turabian) referencing
Your university and academic department will usually have a preferred referencing style so make sure to check which one you should use with your dissertation supervisor.
Each style is slightly different and has a very specific format which varies for in text citations and bibliography citations. It can be applied to any kind of secondary source including books, articles, videos, webpages, historical artefacts and more. Make sure that you understand the referencing system and can use it well while writing your dissertation.
There are also plenty of online resources if you are looking for extra help. Scribbr provide information on the format of many common referencing systems and can be used to make sure that your formatting is correct.
For some advanced degrees (particularly PhDs) you may need to attend an oral examination, which is known as a viva in some countries (short for viva voce, which is Latin for ‘live voice’). The viva will usually start with you giving a short presentation of your work to two or three professors, which is then followed by a questioning/answering period which could last up to two hours.
Don’t cheat!
Finally, it pretty much goes without saying, but it’s definitely not advisable to pay someone to write your dissertation for you or otherwise cheat in any way. It’s not worth the risk, and the dissertation is meant to be your chance to let your skills shine through. However, asking a supervisor, friend or family member to take a look at your dissertation is fine. Your supervisor is on hand to guide you, so don’t worry if you need to ask for help.
Frequently Asked Questions
A dissertation is an extended research project that is done at the end of a study programme. The dissertation is supposed to display all the research skills that the student has gained throughout their degree and will be the longest written project that they have completed to date. The dissertation is based on a topic of the student's choice, it will be different for every student, and all the research will be done independently with the support of a member of faculty who will act as a supervisor for the project.
The length of a dissertation will vary depending on the type of programme and the subject you are studying. A dissertation for an undergraduate degree will generally be between 10,000-12,000 words. A masters degree will require the dissertation to be between 15,000 and 25,000 words. A PhD dissertation can be anything over 50,000 words.
To write a dissertation, students must first choose a research topic. The topic is important as this is a project that they will be working on for a whole year and so it should be interesting and achievable.
They should then build a reading list, identifying their primary and secondary reading material. Primary material should be read first and any secondary material or criticism and commentary of their primary sources later. If there is time, it is also a good idea to do some contextual reading. During the reading phase of the project, important quotations should be collected and citations should be written and checked with your supervisor. This will save time and prevent stress at the end of the project when your final deadline is approaching.
If the dissertation includes conducting a study or experiment, this should also be designed and ideally completed in the early stages.
A dissertation plan should then be written and approved by your supervisor before the writing process begins. Set yourself a writing time or daily word goal and make sure that you are finished with your first draft in plenty of time.
A dissertation should be read and redrafted a few times to make sure that the information is communicated as well as possible. This can vary per project but a good rule is to budget time for four drafts in total: one first full draft, one for large edits (altering the structure and adding or taking away large sections), one for small edits (making sure that your writing is clear and concise and that you communicate all your knowledge and ideas effectively) and a final draft to make sure that there are no spelling mistakes or grammatical errors.
All sources mentioned in your dissertation should be properly cited in your bibliography to avoid accusations of plagarism. There are many different citation styles including:
APA
MLA
MHRA
Harvard
Chicago
CSE
Turabian
The style that you choose will depend on your subject and which style your university prefers. It is important to check and make sure that you fully understand the method that you will need to use early on in the process.
A doctoral dissertation is the project that PhD students will work on throughout their studies. A doctoral dissertation is considerably longer than other types and will be completed for the full four years of a PhD student's studies.
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What is a dissertation?
Holly Hemmings
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The majority of degrees end with this assignment, but just what is a dissertation?
Sometimes known as a thesis (in some countries, this term is used only for the final assignments of PhD degrees, while in other countries ‘thesis’ and ‘dissertation’ are interchangeable), a dissertation is a research project completed as part of an undergraduate or postgraduate degree. Typically, a dissertation allows students present their findings in response to a question or proposition that they choose themselves. The aim of the project is to test the independent research skills students have acquired during their time at university, with the assessment used to help determine their final grade. Although there is usually some guidance from your tutors, the dissertation project is largely independent.
For most students this will be the longest, most difficult and most important assignment completed at university, requiring months of preparation and hard work (the library might become a second home). However, it can also be very rewarding, particularly if you’re passionate about your choice of topic. It’s therefore definitely a good idea to make sure you choose a subject you’re genuinely interested in.
What are the two types of dissertations?
The type of dissertation you complete will vary depending on your course of study. One of the main differences is between empirical and non-empirical dissertations.
Empirical dissertations are dissertations which involve collecting data, for example in a psychology degree. This may mean putting into practice professional and ethical guidelines when collecting data from members of the public. Empirical dissertations in natural and life science subjects may involve or be entirely centered on laboratory work.
Non-empirical dissertations are based on existing data and arguments in the work of others. This is likely to mean spending a lot of time with your head in a book! In this type of dissertation, you need to make sure you don’t just describe what others are saying, but critically analyze the work and explore its practical applications.
How to choose a research topic
Choosing a dissertation research topic can be difficult. It has to be a project that is engaging yet achievable and have enough information to write a dissertation of the right length so the scope cannot be too wide or too narrow. It is also a project that students will work on for their entire final year of study or more so it should be something that they are interested in, maybe in a subject area that they would pursue a career in in the future.
The first thing that you might want to consider when researching a topic is the work and modules you have already done. Is there a module that you were particularly interested in or enjoyed working on? Choosing a topic that you are already familiar with means that you already have some context to begin your research?
Next consider if there was a particular text, study, researcher, author or figure who you enjoyed studying during your studies. This is great in terms of scope as you can expand or narrow your focus on this thing depending on the length of your dissertation. For shorter undergraduate dissertations, it might mean focusing on a specific text or idea or a question about a specific detail of another study that another researcher has raised. For longer dissertations, you can expand your search to other texts or figures in the same genre and ask larger questions about the topic as a whole.
Another thing that you might want to consider is your initial interest in the subject. Why did you choose to study a degree in this subject? What were some of your preconceptions about the subject? What topics did you hope your degree would cover when you applied to study on this programme? Did you have any career ambitions before beginning your studies that might inform your choice?
Finally, it is important to read widely around your subject to find your areas of interest. If you do not have a specific topic that you are especially interested in, contextual reading outside of the reading list given for each of your modules allows you to explore the subject and find your interests.
How to write a dissertation?
There are four stages to the process of completing a dissertation: planning and collecting information, research, writing and editing.
The first stage is all about organisation. Do some basic background research if necessary, make a schedule, a chapter outline, bibliography and a list of all the secondary research sources that you are planning to read and reference.
The second stage is about actually doing the research. This might involve primary research, for example, conducting a study, survey or experiment to prove your hypothesis. It will also include secondary research and discuss the ideas and findings of other academics who have done research into the same or a similar topic.
The third stage is writing a first draft. It is important to just get the words down during this stage, even if the writing feels messy. Remember that everything except an empty page can be fixed with editing.
The fourth stage is editing. This includes big edits and structural changes, smaller edits which improve the clarity of your writing and a details edit to make sure that spelling and grammar are correct.
To find out more about dissertations and the entire process of writing one, click here.
Skills you need to show
No matter what type of dissertation you write, and what topic you choose, you’ll need to demonstrate the following skills:
How long is a dissertation?
The length of a dissertation varies between study level and country, but is generally around 10,000-12,000 words at undergraduate level, 15,000-25,000 words at master’s level and up to 50,000 words or more at PhD level.
Formatting and style guides
Referencing is vitally important when writing a dissertation because, not only does it allow the examiner to know where the quotes and ideas you talk about in your dissertation come from, it protects you from accusations of plagiarism because it makes clear which ideas are yours and which came from someone else.
There are many different styles of referencing. Some of the most commonly used include:
Your university and academic department will usually have a preferred referencing style so make sure to check which one you should use with your dissertation supervisor.
Each style is slightly different and has a very specific format which varies for in text citations and bibliography citations. It can be applied to any kind of secondary source including books, articles, videos, webpages, historical artefacts and more. Make sure that you understand the referencing system and can use it well while writing your dissertation.
There are also plenty of online resources if you are looking for extra help. Scribbr provide information on the format of many common referencing systems and can be used to make sure that your formatting is correct.
Testimonials
Oral examinations (vivas)
For some advanced degrees (particularly PhDs) you may need to attend an oral examination, which is known as a viva in some countries (short for viva voce, which is Latin for ‘live voice’). The viva will usually start with you giving a short presentation of your work to two or three professors, which is then followed by a questioning/answering period which could last up to two hours.
Don’t cheat!
Finally, it pretty much goes without saying, but it’s definitely not advisable to pay someone to write your dissertation for you or otherwise cheat in any way. It’s not worth the risk, and the dissertation is meant to be your chance to let your skills shine through. However, asking a supervisor, friend or family member to take a look at your dissertation is fine. Your supervisor is on hand to guide you, so don’t worry if you need to ask for help.
Frequently Asked Questions
A dissertation is an extended research project that is done at the end of a study programme. The dissertation is supposed to display all the research skills that the student has gained throughout their degree and will be the longest written project that they have completed to date. The dissertation is based on a topic of the student's choice, it will be different for every student, and all the research will be done independently with the support of a member of faculty who will act as a supervisor for the project.
The length of a dissertation will vary depending on the type of programme and the subject you are studying. A dissertation for an undergraduate degree will generally be between 10,000-12,000 words. A masters degree will require the dissertation to be between 15,000 and 25,000 words. A PhD dissertation can be anything over 50,000 words.
To write a dissertation, students must first choose a research topic. The topic is important as this is a project that they will be working on for a whole year and so it should be interesting and achievable.
They should then build a reading list, identifying their primary and secondary reading material. Primary material should be read first and any secondary material or criticism and commentary of their primary sources later. If there is time, it is also a good idea to do some contextual reading. During the reading phase of the project, important quotations should be collected and citations should be written and checked with your supervisor. This will save time and prevent stress at the end of the project when your final deadline is approaching.
If the dissertation includes conducting a study or experiment, this should also be designed and ideally completed in the early stages.
A dissertation plan should then be written and approved by your supervisor before the writing process begins. Set yourself a writing time or daily word goal and make sure that you are finished with your first draft in plenty of time.
A dissertation should be read and redrafted a few times to make sure that the information is communicated as well as possible. This can vary per project but a good rule is to budget time for four drafts in total: one first full draft, one for large edits (altering the structure and adding or taking away large sections), one for small edits (making sure that your writing is clear and concise and that you communicate all your knowledge and ideas effectively) and a final draft to make sure that there are no spelling mistakes or grammatical errors.
All sources mentioned in your dissertation should be properly cited in your bibliography to avoid accusations of plagarism. There are many different citation styles including:
The style that you choose will depend on your subject and which style your university prefers. It is important to check and make sure that you fully understand the method that you will need to use early on in the process.
A doctoral dissertation is the project that PhD students will work on throughout their studies. A doctoral dissertation is considerably longer than other types and will be completed for the full four years of a PhD student's studies.
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