What Is a Dissertation? A Guide for International Students

As you progress through your academic program, you may be required to complete and present a dissertation. A dissertation is a formal research project demonstrating your understanding of a subject matter that also contributes your original insight into your field of study. Dissertations are often the final requirement for graduation in academic programs.

Read on to learn more about what a dissertation is, how it is typically structured, and the usual steps when writing one.

What Is a Dissertation?

A dissertation is a long-form piece of research writing completed with guidance from an advisor and usually submitted as a final step to complete a PhD or doctoral degree. It is reviewed by experts in the field as part of the evaluation of a student’s eligibility for graduation. Usually, a dissertation is undertaken in your final year of study in a program and is a means to convey the knowledge and expertise you have developed across your studies.

Dissertations are typically categorized as either empirical or non-empirical, depending on your field of study. Here’s a look at the differences between these:

• Empirical dissertations — These are common in science and technical programs, often involving collecting original data and analysis using specific research methods. 

• Non-empirical dissertations — These are often seen in the humanities and rely on existing data or texts, with students expected to provide original insight and interpretation.

For many students, the dissertation is the most substantial piece of writing that they will complete during their academic journey. In most cases, students must also present and defend their research in an oral examination known as a dissertation defense. 

In a dissertation defense, you present key aspects of your research and how you conducted it, your findings, and conclusions. The reviewing committee then asks in-depth questions about your research, challenging you to explain your work, defend your conclusions, and demonstrate your knowledge of the field. Finally, the committee evaluates your performance based on how you performed and your level of understanding of the subject.

Now that you have a clear understanding of the meaning of dissertation, and what a dissertation is, let us explore how a dissertation is typically structured and the expected word count.

How Long Should a Dissertation Be?

There is no universal answer to “how long is a dissertation?”, as the page length or word count varies depending on the degree, field of study, school, and country. It will also depend on how much detail you need to go into for each of the topics your dissertation covers. Here are several approximate lengths to keep in mind, depending on your level of study:  

• At the bachelor’s level, a dissertation can range from 10,000–15,000 words or 35–50 pages.

• At the master’s level, a dissertation can range between 18,000 and 22,000 words or 65–80 pages.

• At the PhD or doctoral level, a dissertation is generally twice the length of a master’s dissertation or more, at around 100 to 300 pages or 80,000–100,000 words.

A Breakdown of the Dissertation Structure

The structure of your dissertation can vary based on your area of study, topic, and approach, and understanding the general structure of a dissertation can help you plan each section. Now, we will break down the key sections of a dissertation, explain what each part includes, and review a few tips to help you organize your ideas effectively.

Title Page and Acknowledgments

The first page of your dissertation, the title page, generally includes the following:

• The title of your dissertation

• Author’s name

• Degree and institution

• Submission date

• Supervisor name (if applicable)

Your title acts as a crucial point of contact for the reader, so you should keep it direct and related to the main focus of your research, also known as a research question or statement.

Abstract

Before you begin presenting your research, a dissertation abstract provides a short summary of the dissertation, highlighting your major arguments and findings, and often includes a brief mention of the methodology. This should make the overall purpose and outcomes of your dissertation immediately clear to the reader without going into too much detail. The length of this section can vary depending on how many points you need to cover, typically ranging between 150 to 500 words.

Table of Contents

This section gives the reader an idea of the overall structure of the dissertation and all the topics covered within it. It lists all titles for chapters, headings, and subheadings, as well as their corresponding page numbers. Be sure to also include supplementary sections, such as the bibliography, appendices, and optional sections like a glossary, list of abbreviations, or a list of figures and tables.

Introduction

The introduction is where your actual dissertation begins; it outlines your dissertation’s topic, purpose, and scope. Your introduction should:

• Provide background information and context

• Clearly state your research question and objectives

• Give a brief on the methodology used for research

• Outline the flow of the rest of your dissertation

Writing a well-structured introduction is very important, as this sets the stage for your research and guides the reader through what to expect and why it matters.

Literature Review

After introducing your research topic, the next step is to review existing research related to it. In this section, you will list all the relevant research, journals, articles, and books related to your topic. As you explore existing research, you should identify any potential gaps, limitations, and weaknesses, as these will help you identify where your study can contribute to the exploration of the topic. The goal of this section is to build a strong foundation for your research and justify why your study is necessary, which helps you build counterarguments and develop a strong claim.

Methodology

Here, you will describe how you conducted your research so the reader can assess its credibility. You will describe how you planned your research, also known as a research design, how you collected data, and why you chose specific methods. The goal is to clearly show the steps you took for others to evaluate or replicate your study.

A methodology section should generally include:

• The research approach (quantitative vs. qualitative) and research methods (e.g., a longitudinal study)

• Data collection methods (e.g., interviews or a controlled experiment)

• Details of where, when, and with whom the research took place

• Tools and materials you used (e.g., computer programs, lab equipment)

• Data analysis methods (e.g., statistical analysis, discourse analysis)

• An evaluation or justification of your methods

Results

After you have defined how you conducted the research, the results section is where you present the findings. You can structure this section around sub-questions, hypotheses, or themes, and state how the results relate to the question or whether the hypothesis was supported.

In empirical dissertations, the results section is typically organized by individual data findings, with each one analyzed in detail. For non-empirical dissertations, structure this section around key themes, patterns, or trends that emerged during your research.

Discussion

The discussion section is your opportunity to share your opinions by exploring the meaning and implications of your results in relation to your research question. In this section, you can connect your results to existing literature, highlight any unexpected outcomes, and explore what these findings could mean for your field of study.

Conclusion

The last section of your research, your dissertation’s conclusion, should clearly and concisely answer your main research question, leaving your reader with a clear understanding of your main argument and focusing on what your research has contributed to the field. It is important to make sure you do not introduce any new information in this section, and to communicate your answer definitively.

This concludes the main portion of your dissertation. In the following sections, you will need to provide references to all the literature you referred to in your dissertation. 

References and Appendices

The reference section, also known as the bibliography, is typically one of the final parts of your dissertation paper. This is where you list all the sources you used, formatted according to the citation style (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago) used in your academic program. 

The appendices section is where you list supplementary documents, such as interview transcripts or survey questions that support your research but are not part of the main text.

Together, these sections help maintain academic integrity and provide transparency, allowing readers to verify your sources and review additional materials that support your findings.

Another closing section you could include is acknowledgments, which is usually optional. If you choose to include this section, use that space to thank everyone who supported your work — this might include your supervisors, advisors, participants in your research, or friends and family. It is important to keep this section formal and concise, as it should not take away from the conclusion of your dissertation.

Dissertation Guide: Step-by-Step Process to Writing a Dissertation

Now that you know more about each of the different sections in a dissertation, we can take a closer look at the key steps involved in writing one.

Choosing a Clear and Focused Topic

The topic you choose will become the central focus of your dissertation. You will need to conduct preliminary research to ensure you pick a topic that is relevant and has enough information you can research in order to find the gaps you can explore in your study. While choosing a topic you are passionate about is a good place to start, consider also looking for topics or fields of study that have not been fully addressed or require updated data, as these make for strong dissertation topics.

Writing a Strong Research Proposal

Once you have identified a suitable topic, you may need to write a research proposal. For doctoral-level dissertations, a formal research proposal is required before you begin. In your proposal, you will discuss the intentions of your research, how you plan to address a research gap, and how you will conduct your research. Your supervisor will review and approve the proposal before you proceed.

Conduct a Literature Review

After you complete the preliminary research and your proposal has been accepted, you can begin the primary research or literature review for your dissertation. To get started on the literature review, students should prepare a list of primary reading material (research directly related to the topic) and secondary reading material (such as third-party criticism, commentary, or theories). The focus of your review should be to learn as much as possible about the research topic and identify theories that support your research.

Design the Research Methodology

After completing the reading phase or literature review, you need to design the research methodology you plan to use. When designing your research methodology, you will want to be very specific about:

• Research philosophy — the underlying beliefs guiding your research approach

• Research type — qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods, or if it will take a different approach 

• Strategy — your tactical approach (e.g., experiments, case studies, surveys)

• Sampling strategy — who, how, and why you are selecting participants

• Time horizon — whether your research is cross-sectional or longitudinal

Collect and Analyze Data

Once you have clearly defined your research methodology, you need to collect the required data based on the parameters you set. Consider the following when collecting data, and make sure your data is:

• Accurately recorded — Check the data for manual errors before recording it.

• Organized for efficient retrieval — Make sure the data is recorded in a way that is easy to access and interpret.

• Properly analyzed using suitable techniques — Make sure the data you collect is reliable and assess if it is relevant to your research before using it.

A clearly defined research topic and plan will ensure the data you collect is highly relevant to your research, preventing possible complications such as collecting irrelevant data that may not be usable and potentially delaying your progress.

Write and Edit Each Chapter

After you have defined the dissertation topic, designed the research methodology, and collected the data, you can begin writing your dissertation. Follow a clear structure, beginning with an introduction, literature review, methodology, results, and so on. Do not hesitate to reach out to your advisor or supervisor for help as you write your first draft.

Revise and Proofread Carefully

After completing your first draft, take time to carefully review each chapter. Look for any grammar, structure, or formatting issues, and make revisions where needed. Once you have made your initial edits, consider asking your advisor or a peer to review it for objective feedback. Getting an external perspective on your dissertation early on can help you strengthen your work and pick up on areas to improve that you may not have noticed.

Common Dissertation Mistakes to Avoid

Writing a dissertation is a time-consuming process and requires a lot of research, as there are many components. This can lead to mistakes you might not notice right away. Here is a look at several common mistakes to watch out for as you work on your dissertation.

Starting Without a Clear Research Question

A vague research question can negatively affect the direction of your project, resulting in lost time on researching topics and data that may not be relevant, and ultimately needing to restart key phases of your dissertation. To begin, conduct thorough research into existing studies on the topic and identify appropriate and relevant research gaps you can explore in your dissertation. Once you have identified a topic, defining clear parameters will help narrow the focus of your research.

Mismanaging Time and Deadlines

With so many different parts to a dissertation, it can be easy to lose track of time, spend too much time, or run into delays if you do not have a well-structured plan on how you will write each section. Set deadlines for when you intend to complete each section of your dissertation and identify high-priority tasks. Not all tasks are equally important or time sensitive; high-priority tasks have the most impact on your progress, such as completing key sections of your dissertation or meeting with your advisor. Consider also using a calendar or a project management tool to track progress.

Forgetting Citation and Formatting Rules

As a student researcher, it is important to make sure your citations are accurate and clearly connect to the correct sources. Be sure to include a citation wherever you reference someone else’s ideas, data, or words. Missing a citation, even by accident, can give the impression that the content is your original work when it is not.

This is known as plagiarism, a serious form of academic misconduct. Often, plagiarism is due to unintentional or inadequate referencing; however, US universities take all cases very seriously, regardless of intent. Tracking and listing your sources carefully from the very start of your research can help you maintain academic integrity and avoid any accidental plagiarism.

Three Best Tips to Write a Great Dissertation

The process of writing a dissertation can be challenging, requiring you to plan, structure, and manage your time carefully across a large list of tasks. Here are some general tips that you should keep in mind when writing a dissertation, which can make organizing your writing workflow much easier:

1. Set a Realistic Timeline

While structure and discipline are important when writing your dissertation, it is equally important to allow for flexibility to avoid stress and burnout. Having a well-planned timeline can help keep you organized, avoid last-minute panic, and enable better communication with your supervisor.

When planning a timeline, you should

• Break the dissertation into stages — With the many components of a dissertation, a step-by-step approach allows you to have a clear view of all the tasks you need to work on, helping you focus on one task at a time. For example, you could break down your tasks into the following: proposal submission, preliminary research, primary research, writing the discussion section, editing, and proofreading. 

• Estimate the time for each task or stage — Certain tasks may require more time than others. Discussing your timeline with the help of your supervisor will allow you to set realistic expectations.

• Build buffer time — Adding buffer time can help you stay on track in case things do not go according to plan, as you will have enough time in the schedule to maintain your progress and avoid delays.

• Create weekly or monthly goals — Clear goals can keep you motivated and help you measure your progress throughout the project.

A sample timeline might look like this:

With a clear and well-structured plan in place, you can approach each stage of your dissertation with confidence, adapt to any challenges that come up, and make the most of your time.

2. Stay in Contact with Your Supervisor

Your supervisor is one of your most valuable resources. They can provide guidance on research, methodology, and writing styles, helping you refine your dissertation. Throughout the time you spend working on your dissertation, consider scheduling regular check-ins to discuss your progress, ask questions, and get feedback. Supervisors can provide guidance and support at every stage, ensure you are maintaining academic standards, connect you with relevant resources and experts, and much more.

3. Don’t Neglect Formatting and Style Guidelines

Proper formatting in a dissertation is crucial for clear communication, demonstrating professionalism, and adhering to the academic standards of your institution. Using the right formatting and style is important for maintaining a consistent and organized structure, making the document easier to read and understand.

Formatting guidelines you need to follow are usually determined by the university or your supervisor, but general guidelines to follow include:

Font, Font Size, and Line Spacing

Your department will likely have specific formatting requirements for all dissertations; follow them carefully. If there are no specifications listed, be sure to choose a clear and professional font such as Verdana, Times New Roman, or Calibri with a font size of 10 or 11 to help with readability. For dissertations, line spacing is usually set to 1.5 or double spacing to keep text clean and easy to read. 

Tables and Figures

All tables, figures, and other illustrations used in your dissertation should be clearly numbered and titled to ensure easy reference and quick understanding. Consider placing the number and title above tables and below figures and other illustrations, as this is usually considered standard formatting guidelines. 

Heading Styles

Using different heading styles can help readers easily navigate between chapters, sections, and subsections. For example, you might bold chapter titles and italicize subsection headings. Making your headings distinct with a consistent format helps with clearly organizing information in your dissertation, improving readability, and preventing the reader from becoming lost.

Once you have chosen your formatting style, be sure to apply it consistently across the entire dissertation to maintain a professional and organized appearance.

Page Numbering

Pages are generally numbered using Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, and so on) and are typically placed at the bottom of the page.

Keep in mind that your program or institution may have its own unique set of guidelines for formatting styles and structures, so remember to clarify this with a professor or student advisor before you start writing to make sure you are following the correct guidelines.

Dissertation vs Thesis: What’s the Difference?

The term dissertation is often used interchangeably with thesis, but there are some key differences. Usually, a thesis is required as a final academic paper to complete a master’s degree, while a dissertation is required to complete a PhD or a doctoral program. 

Both involve original research, but dissertations are generally longer and more in-depth. The structure is similar, though expectations and length requirements vary by institution and program.

Completing a dissertation is a major academic milestone, and while it might feel challenging at first, having a clear structure, realistic timelines, and support from your advisors can make the process more manageable. Remember, your dissertation is not just a requirement to graduate — it is also a chance to showcase your academic growth and dive deep into a subject about which you are passionate.

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