dissertation meaning in finance

Guidelines For Writing A Finance Dissertation

Writing a finance dissertation can be quite challenging, as it requires in-depth research, analysis and critical thinking. This article provides comprehensive guidelines to help make the writing process easier.

The first paragraph will provide an overview of the main topics covered and the second paragraph will discuss the benefits of following these guidelines.

Finance dissertation topics may range from financial reporting and analysis to international finance or corporate finance. This article outlines key considerations when researching and writing a finance dissertation, including how to structure the paper and how to select an appropriate topic.

It also provides guidance on how to conduct research, analyse data and interpret results, as well as pointers for producing a well-written document that meets academic standards. Following these guidelines can help ensure that students submit a high-quality dissertation that they can be proud of.

Overview Of Financial Thesis Writing

Writing a finance dissertation can be an intimidating task. It requires extensive research and analysis of investment strategies, financial forecasting, risk assessment, financial regulations, and capital markets. As such, it is important to approach the task with organization and structure in order to produce a valuable piece of work.

A useful strategy for tackling a finance dissertation is to break it down into manageable sections. The first section should provide an overview of the topic at hand and what the reader can expect from the remaining sections.

This should include a brief summary of key topics that will be discussed, as well as any relevant definitions or explanations that may be necessary for understanding the material.

By organizing your thoughts in this way, you can ensure that your dissertation is both informative and engaging while also serving its purpose as a valuable resource on finance-related topics.

Researching And Planning

Researching and planning is a key component of writing a finance dissertation. Preparing ahead of time can help ensure that the project is successful.

It is important to research relevant topics, budgeting strategies, financial forecasting, investor confidence, and market trends prior to creating the dissertation. This will give the writer an understanding of what needs to be included in the project.

In addition to researching topics related to finance, it is also important to have a plan for completing the dissertation. This includes:

• Creating an outline of the document’s structure
• Establishing deadlines for each section or chapter
• Identifying any necessary resources such as interviewees or software programs
• Developing a timeline for completing the research and writing process
• Incorporating risk management techniques into every step

A comprehensive plan allows for better organization and helps ensure that all aspects of the dissertation are taken into consideration. Allocating sufficient time for researching, planning, and writing can help maximize efficiency and reduce stress during the process of creating a finance dissertation.

Types Of Finance Dissertations

When it comes to writing a finance dissertation, there are several topics to choose from depending on your interests and research focus.

Commonly explored finance dissertation topics include financial forecasting, capital budgeting, investment analysis, risk management, and portfolio management.

Financial forecasting involves predicting the future performance of a company or stock market based on past data.

Capital budgeting is the process of analyzing potential investments and determining which ones will be most beneficial for a company.

Investment analysis focuses on studying how different types of investments can be best utilized for maximum return.

Risk management is the process of managing risk associated with various investments in order to minimize losses and maximize profits.

Lastly, portfolio management deals with developing an optimal mix of assets in order to achieve desired objectives while minimizing risk exposure.

These topics provide great opportunities for researching various aspects of finance and helping others make informed decisions when it comes to their finances.

As such, they form an integral part of any finance dissertation.

Therefore, these topics should be thoroughly explored in order to gain a better understanding of the subject matter before writing a finance dissertation.

Research Methodologies

Having outlined the various types of finance dissertations, it is now important to consider the research methodologies that are best suited for such projects.

There are several approaches that can be used depending on the topic. For example, when examining issues related to finance regulation, quantitative methods such as surveys and statistical analysis may be employed.

When studying financial models or investment strategies, qualitative methods like interviews and case studies could be used instead. Similarly, risk management projects might involve a combination of both qualitative and quantitative techniques.

Lastly, when exploring financial markets, document-based research and data analysis could be employed as well.

No matter which methodology is chosen, it is important to keep in mind that there should always be an emphasis on accuracy and critical thinking while conducting research for a finance dissertation.

While gathering data or evidence, researchers should strive to analyze information objectively and remain unbiased throughout the entire process.

In addition to this, they should also ensure that their approach is valid and reliable by taking into account any potential sources of bias or errors.

Ultimately, these considerations will help guide researchers through the dissertation writing process and enable them to create a successful project that meets all academic standards.

Data Collection And Analysis

When it comes to Data Collection and Analysis for finance dissertations, it is important to understand the different data sources available, as well as the various data analysis techniques that can be employed. It is also important to consider ethical issues, such as data privacy, when collecting and analyzing data.

Data Sources

When it comes to collecting and analyzing data for a finance dissertation, one of the most important factors to consider is the sources you will use.

Financial literacy, financial modelling, and investment strategies all require reliable data that can be trusted.

When writing your dissertation, make sure you identify where the data is coming from and what type of data it is.

Is it open-source? Is it from a reputable organization? Is it from a survey or some other qualitative source?

These are questions that should be answered before relying on any data for your dissertation.

Additionally, when citing sources in your work, make sure to follow the appropriate formatting guidelines set by your professor or institution.

Doing so will ensure accuracy and help avoid possible plagiarism issues down the line.

With this in mind, you can rest assured knowing that your finance dissertation includes reliable data sources.

Data Analysis Techniques

Data analysis techniques play a key role in the data collection and analysis process.

Time series forecasting, risk management, and financial modelling are all essential components of this process.

Understanding how to utilize data analysis techniques is essential for analyzing any finance related data.

As such, it is important to research and become familiar with these techniques if you plan on working with finance related data for your dissertation.

With the right knowledge of data analysis techniques, you can ensure that the outcomes from your research are reliable and accurate.

Additionally, understanding these techniques will help you make better decisions when it comes to managing financial risks or creating financial models.

By taking the time to learn about various data analysis techniques, you will be able to make more informed decisions in your research and present more accurate results in your dissertation.

Ethical Considerations

The topic of ethical considerations within a finance dissertation requires an analysis of corporate governance and financial reporting standards. It is critical to consider the implications of these topics and how they influence the overall finance process.

Corporate Governance

When discussing ethical considerations, corporate governance is an important topic to consider.

Corporate culture, financial incentives, and risk management are all key components of corporate governance and should be taken into account when looking at the ethical implications of any business decision.

Corporate culture sets the tone for how a company behaves and what it values; financial incentives can shape decisions; and risk management ensures that any potential issues are addressed before they become damaging.

It is therefore essential that companies pay close attention to these three aspects in order to ensure their decisions are ethically sound.

By doing so, companies can protect themselves from legal or public relations issues while also providing a sense of security for shareholders.

Financial Reporting Standards

Financial reporting standards are a critical component of ethical considerations for any business decision.

The ability to accurately forecast and report on financial performance is essential for investors to make informed decisions, as well as to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

Companies must also have a strong understanding of financial literacy and investment strategies in order to make sound decisions that are beneficial both to the company and its stakeholders.

By taking these elements into consideration when making decisions, companies can ensure that they remain compliant while also protecting their shareholders from potential legal or public relations issues.

With this in mind, companies should strive to maintain the highest standards of financial reporting in order to provide transparency and trustworthiness.

Writing And Presentation Tips

When writing your finance dissertation, it is important to keep in mind that the goal is to offer a comprehensive overview of the subject.

It should include a discussion of financial literacy, cost management, investment strategies and risk management. Additionally, you should ensure that you discuss the latest developments in financial reporting and current trends in the finance industry.

When presenting your dissertation, you should ensure that it is well-structured and organized in a logical fashion.

You should also pay attention to detail when putting together your presentation materials, such as graphs, charts and tables. Furthermore, you need to make sure that all of your sources are properly cited and referenced within your work.

By following these tips, you can ensure that your dissertation is presented in an effective manner and that it meets the expectations of both yourself and readers.

Referencing And Citation

When writing a finance dissertation, it is essential to properly reference and cite all sources used. This includes referencing financial regulation, market trends, economic consequences, investment strategies, and financial forecasting. Incorrect or incomplete citation will lead to serious consequences that can range from poor grades to expulsion from the program. Therefore, it is important to make sure that all sources are properly referenced and cited throughout the paper.

It is also important for students to understand the different types of citation styles that may be required by their professor or institution. These styles include APA (American Psychological Association), MLA (Modern Language Association), Harvard, Chicago/Turabian, IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers).

Each style may have different formatting requirements and rules for in-text citations. Therefore, students should make sure they are familiar with the correct style before beginning their project.

Moreover, when citing articles or books in a dissertation it is important to use reliable sources such as academic journals or peer-reviewed publications. Using non-reliable sources such as Wikipedia can result in inaccurate information being presented in the paper which could lead to poor results when evaluated by readers. Therefore, it is crucial for students to ensure that they select only reliable sources when referencing their work.

Formatting And Structuring

Now that we have discussed the importance of referencing and citation, let’s move on to the next step in writing a finance dissertation: formatting and structuring.

Formatting your dissertation is an essential part of ensuring it looks professional and is easy to read. It should be organized logically according to the topic or research question you are exploring. Financial regulations, corporate governance, investment strategies, financial literacy, and money management are all important topics within finance that must be addressed in a dissertation.

The structure of a finance dissertation should include:

• A title page
• Table of contents
• Introduction with background information
• Literature review section with current research findings related to the topic at hand
• Methods section outlining the data sources used and how they were collected
• Results section detailing calculations as well as any graphical information related to the research findings
• Discussion section analyzing the results presented in light of existing literature or theories on the subject matter
• Conclusion summarizing main points made throughout the paper along with implications for future study or recommendations for policy makers
• Bibliography listing all references cited within the paper.

Formatting your dissertation not only helps make sure that it looks professional but also ensures that you remain consistent throughout your paper. This means using correct spelling and grammar throughout as well as making sure all references are properly formatted according to your university’s guidelines.

Additionally, it is important to use clear headings both in titles and sub-headings to make sure readers can easily navigate through your paper. Finally, use tables and graphs when necessary to present data effectively without overloading readers with too much text.

Submission Requirements

Writing a finance dissertation requires submission of the final product to an advisor, committee, or institution. The requirements for submission vary depending on the organization. It is important to understand all submission requirements before beginning the writing process.

The following table provides a brief overview of key aspects of the submission process:

| Budgeting strategies | Strategies used to help manage and allocate funds during the research project and dissertation preparation period| Cost-benefit analysis, cost estimation models, budget tracking systems and software tools|

| Research methods | Methods used in data collection, analysis and interpretation that are appropriate for undertaking research in finance topics| Qualitative methods (interviews, focus groups), quantitative methods (surveys) and case studies. |

| Risk management | Processes and procedures used to identify potential risks associated with financial decisions made during the research project and dissertation preparation period. | Risk assessment techniques such as Monte Carlo simulation; risk mitigation measures such as diversification; risk monitoring systems such as automated alerts based on market changes. |

| Financial planning | Techniques used to optimize financial resource allocation across various activities related to the completion of a finance dissertation.| Investment portfolio management techniques; time-value of money calculations; cash flow forecasting methods; tax planning strategies. |

It is essential for authors who are writing a finance dissertation to be familiar with these submission requirements so that they can plan ahead accordingly and make sure that their work meets all expectations prior to submitting it for review. Doing so will allow authors to maximize their chances of having their work accepted by their advisor, committee or institution in a timely manner.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average length of a finance dissertation.

When writing a finance dissertation, the average length of the document should be between 50 to 100 pages, excluding the appendices.

The length of the dissertation will depend on various factors such as funding sources, research methods, data analysis, literature review and referencing styles.

To make sure that you are able to produce an effective dissertation, it is important to understand the different aspects of finance research.

This includes understanding the type of data that you need to collect and analyze in order to generate meaningful insights.

Additionally, you must also be familiar with the appropriate referencing style when citing sources in your dissertation.

What Resources Are Available To Help Me With My Finance Dissertation?

There is a wealth of resources available to help students write their finance dissertations.

Sources such as financial analysis, research methods, dissertation structure and statistical models are invaluable for understanding the complexities of the subject.

An online tutor can be particularly helpful in guiding students through the process and providing advice on how to make the most out of these resources.

By utilizing these materials, students will be better prepared to tackle the challenges of writing an effective finance dissertation.

How Do I Get Access To The Financial Data I Need For My Dissertation?

When writing a finance dissertation, access to important financial data is essential.

Fortunately, there are numerous resources available to help you obtain the data you need.

These include investment banking firms, risk management consultants, data analysis platforms, capital markets and financial literacy programs.

You can also consult with an online tutor to help guide you through the process of obtaining the necessary financial data for your dissertation.

Ultimately, having access to this critical data will enable you to produce a successful finance dissertation.

What Is The Best Way To Proofread My Dissertation And Ensure Accuracy?

Proofreading a dissertation is an important step to ensure accuracy and data integrity.

There are a few techniques that may be helpful when proofreading, such as formatting tips, referencing sources, and statistical analysis.

Additionally, an online tutor can provide guidance on the best methods for proofreading your dissertation.

An effective approach to proofreading includes reading through your work multiple times and checking the accuracy of any references you have used.

This will help ensure that your dissertation is free from errors and that all information presented is accurate.

Furthermore, ensuring that all formatting requirements are met is essential for a successful dissertation.

In conclusion, proofreading techniques for a finance dissertation should include careful review of data accuracy and formatting in order to ensure the reliability of the research presented.

How Do I Know If My Finance Dissertation Is Up To The Required Standard?

When writing a finance dissertation, it is important to ensure that it meets the required standard. Cost Benefit Analysis, Industry Trends, Risk Management, Financial Forecasting and Investment Strategies should all be evaluated and discussed in depth to make sure that the dissertation is up to the required standard.

One way to check the accuracy of your work is to proofread your dissertation multiple times and have someone else review it as well. This will help ensure that the content of your dissertation is correct and accurate.

The finance dissertation is a comprehensive and rigorous document that requires extensive research and analysis. It is important to understand the guidelines for writing a finance dissertation in order to ensure that the document meets the required standards.

The average length of a finance dissertation is around 40,000 words, though some may be slightly longer or shorter depending on the topic. There are many resources available online which can help with the preparation of a finance dissertation, such as electronic databases and journals.

Accessing financial data for research purposes can be done through various sources, including government websites, industry reports and economic surveys. The proofreading process should be thorough and all errors should be corrected before submission.

To check if your dissertation meets the required standard, it is best to compare it with other published dissertations in your field. With careful planning and hard work, you can write an excellent finance dissertation which will meet the expectations of your professors.

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How To Write A Dissertation Or Thesis

8 Straightforward Steps + Examples

By: Derek Jansen (MBA) Expert Reviewed By: Dr Eunice Rautenbach | June 2020

How To Write A Dissertation: 8 Steps

• Clearly understand what a dissertation (or thesis) is
• Find a unique and valuable research topic
• Craft a convincing research proposal
• Write up a strong introduction chapter
• Review the existing literature and compile a literature review
• Design a rigorous research strategy and undertake your own research
• Present the findings of your research
• Draw a conclusion and discuss the implications

Step 1: Understand exactly what a dissertation is

This probably sounds like a no-brainer, but all too often, students come to us for help with their research and the underlying issue is that they don’t fully understand what a dissertation (or thesis) actually is.

So, what is a dissertation?

At its simplest, a dissertation or thesis is a formal piece of research , reflecting the standard research process . But what is the standard research process, you ask? The research process involves 4 key steps:

• Ask a very specific, well-articulated question (s) (your research topic)
• See what other researchers have said about it (if they’ve already answered it)
• If they haven’t answered it adequately, undertake your own data collection and analysis in a scientifically rigorous fashion
• Answer your original question(s), based on your analysis findings

In short, the research process is simply about asking and answering questions in a systematic fashion . This probably sounds pretty obvious, but people often think they’ve done “research”, when in fact what they have done is:

• Started with a vague, poorly articulated question
• Not taken the time to see what research has already been done regarding the question
• Collected data and opinions that support their gut and undertaken a flimsy analysis
• Drawn a shaky conclusion, based on that analysis

If you want to see the perfect example of this in action, look out for the next Facebook post where someone claims they’ve done “research”… All too often, people consider reading a few blog posts to constitute research. Its no surprise then that what they end up with is an opinion piece, not research. Okay, okay – I’ll climb off my soapbox now.

The key takeaway here is that a dissertation (or thesis) is a formal piece of research, reflecting the research process. It’s not an opinion piece , nor a place to push your agenda or try to convince someone of your position. Writing a good dissertation involves asking a question and taking a systematic, rigorous approach to answering it.

If you understand this and are comfortable leaving your opinions or preconceived ideas at the door, you’re already off to a good start!

Step 2: Find a unique, valuable research topic

As we saw, the first step of the research process is to ask a specific, well-articulated question. In other words, you need to find a research topic that asks a specific question or set of questions (these are called research questions ). Sounds easy enough, right? All you’ve got to do is identify a question or two and you’ve got a winning research topic. Well, not quite…

A good dissertation or thesis topic has a few important attributes. Specifically, a solid research topic should be:

Let’s take a closer look at these:

Attribute #1: Clear

Your research topic needs to be crystal clear about what you’re planning to research, what you want to know, and within what context. There shouldn’t be any ambiguity or vagueness about what you’ll research.

Here’s an example of a clearly articulated research topic:

An analysis of consumer-based factors influencing organisational trust in British low-cost online equity brokerage firms.

As you can see in the example, its crystal clear what will be analysed (factors impacting organisational trust), amongst who (consumers) and in what context (British low-cost equity brokerage firms, based online).

Need a helping hand?

Attribute #2:   Unique

Your research should be asking a question(s) that hasn’t been asked before, or that hasn’t been asked in a specific context (for example, in a specific country or industry).

For example, sticking organisational trust topic above, it’s quite likely that organisational trust factors in the UK have been investigated before, but the context (online low-cost equity brokerages) could make this research unique. Therefore, the context makes this research original.

One caveat when using context as the basis for originality – you need to have a good reason to suspect that your findings in this context might be different from the existing research – otherwise, there’s no reason to warrant researching it.

Attribute #3: Important

Simply asking a unique or original question is not enough – the question needs to create value. In other words, successfully answering your research questions should provide some value to the field of research or the industry. You can’t research something just to satisfy your curiosity. It needs to make some form of contribution either to research or industry.

For example, researching the factors influencing consumer trust would create value by enabling businesses to tailor their operations and marketing to leverage factors that promote trust. In other words, it would have a clear benefit to industry.

So, how do you go about finding a unique and valuable research topic? We explain that in detail in this video post – How To Find A Research Topic . Yeah, we’ve got you covered 😊

Step 3: Write a convincing research proposal

Once you’ve pinned down a high-quality research topic, the next step is to convince your university to let you research it. No matter how awesome you think your topic is, it still needs to get the rubber stamp before you can move forward with your research. The research proposal is the tool you’ll use for this job.

So, what’s in a research proposal?

The main “job” of a research proposal is to convince your university, advisor or committee that your research topic is worthy of approval. But convince them of what? Well, this varies from university to university, but generally, they want to see that:

• You have a clearly articulated, unique and important topic (this might sound familiar…)
• You’ve done some initial reading of the existing literature relevant to your topic (i.e. a literature review)
• You have a provisional plan in terms of how you will collect data and analyse it (i.e. a methodology)

At the proposal stage, it’s (generally) not expected that you’ve extensively reviewed the existing literature , but you will need to show that you’ve done enough reading to identify a clear gap for original (unique) research. Similarly, they generally don’t expect that you have a rock-solid research methodology mapped out, but you should have an idea of whether you’ll be undertaking qualitative or quantitative analysis , and how you’ll collect your data (we’ll discuss this in more detail later).

Long story short – don’t stress about having every detail of your research meticulously thought out at the proposal stage – this will develop as you progress through your research. However, you do need to show that you’ve “done your homework” and that your research is worthy of approval .

So, how do you go about crafting a high-quality, convincing proposal? We cover that in detail in this video post – How To Write A Top-Class Research Proposal . We’ve also got a video walkthrough of two proposal examples here .

Step 4: Craft a strong introduction chapter

Once your proposal’s been approved, its time to get writing your actual dissertation or thesis! The good news is that if you put the time into crafting a high-quality proposal, you’ve already got a head start on your first three chapters – introduction, literature review and methodology – as you can use your proposal as the basis for these.

Handy sidenote – our free dissertation & thesis template is a great way to speed up your dissertation writing journey.

What’s the introduction chapter all about?

The purpose of the introduction chapter is to set the scene for your research (dare I say, to introduce it…) so that the reader understands what you’ll be researching and why it’s important. In other words, it covers the same ground as the research proposal in that it justifies your research topic.

What goes into the introduction chapter?

This can vary slightly between universities and degrees, but generally, the introduction chapter will include the following:

• A brief background to the study, explaining the overall area of research
• A problem statement , explaining what the problem is with the current state of research (in other words, where the knowledge gap exists)
• Your research questions – in other words, the specific questions your study will seek to answer (based on the knowledge gap)
• The significance of your study – in other words, why it’s important and how its findings will be useful in the world

As you can see, this all about explaining the “what” and the “why” of your research (as opposed to the “how”). So, your introduction chapter is basically the salesman of your study, “selling” your research to the first-time reader and (hopefully) getting them interested to read more.

Step 5: Undertake an in-depth literature review

As I mentioned earlier, you’ll need to do some initial review of the literature in Steps 2 and 3 to find your research gap and craft a convincing research proposal – but that’s just scratching the surface. Once you reach the literature review stage of your dissertation or thesis, you need to dig a lot deeper into the existing research and write up a comprehensive literature review chapter.

What’s the literature review all about?

There are two main stages in the literature review process:

Literature Review Step 1: Reading up

The first stage is for you to deep dive into the existing literature (journal articles, textbook chapters, industry reports, etc) to gain an in-depth understanding of the current state of research regarding your topic. While you don’t need to read every single article, you do need to ensure that you cover all literature that is related to your core research questions, and create a comprehensive catalogue of that literature , which you’ll use in the next step.

Reading and digesting all the relevant literature is a time consuming and intellectually demanding process. Many students underestimate just how much work goes into this step, so make sure that you allocate a good amount of time for this when planning out your research. Thankfully, there are ways to fast track the process – be sure to check out this article covering how to read journal articles quickly .

Literature Review Step 2: Writing up

Once you’ve worked through the literature and digested it all, you’ll need to write up your literature review chapter. Many students make the mistake of thinking that the literature review chapter is simply a summary of what other researchers have said. While this is partly true, a literature review is much more than just a summary. To pull off a good literature review chapter, you’ll need to achieve at least 3 things:

• You need to synthesise the existing research , not just summarise it. In other words, you need to show how different pieces of theory fit together, what’s agreed on by researchers, what’s not.
• You need to highlight a research gap that your research is going to fill. In other words, you’ve got to outline the problem so that your research topic can provide a solution.
• You need to use the existing research to inform your methodology and approach to your own research design. For example, you might use questions or Likert scales from previous studies in your your own survey design .

As you can see, a good literature review is more than just a summary of the published research. It’s the foundation on which your own research is built, so it deserves a lot of love and attention. Take the time to craft a comprehensive literature review with a suitable structure .

But, how do I actually write the literature review chapter, you ask? We cover that in detail in this video post .

Step 6: Carry out your own research

Once you’ve completed your literature review and have a sound understanding of the existing research, its time to develop your own research (finally!). You’ll design this research specifically so that you can find the answers to your unique research question.

There are two steps here – designing your research strategy and executing on it:

1 – Design your research strategy

The first step is to design your research strategy and craft a methodology chapter . I won’t get into the technicalities of the methodology chapter here, but in simple terms, this chapter is about explaining the “how” of your research. If you recall, the introduction and literature review chapters discussed the “what” and the “why”, so it makes sense that the next point to cover is the “how” –that’s what the methodology chapter is all about.

In this section, you’ll need to make firm decisions about your research design. This includes things like:

• Your research philosophy (e.g. positivism or interpretivism )
• Your overall methodology (e.g. qualitative , quantitative or mixed methods)
• Your data collection strategy (e.g. interviews , focus groups, surveys)
• Your data analysis strategy (e.g. content analysis , correlation analysis, regression)

If these words have got your head spinning, don’t worry! We’ll explain these in plain language in other posts. It’s not essential that you understand the intricacies of research design (yet!). The key takeaway here is that you’ll need to make decisions about how you’ll design your own research, and you’ll need to describe (and justify) your decisions in your methodology chapter.

2 – Execute: Collect and analyse your data

Once you’ve worked out your research design, you’ll put it into action and start collecting your data. This might mean undertaking interviews, hosting an online survey or any other data collection method. Data collection can take quite a bit of time (especially if you host in-person interviews), so be sure to factor sufficient time into your project plan for this. Oftentimes, things don’t go 100% to plan (for example, you don’t get as many survey responses as you hoped for), so bake a little extra time into your budget here.

Once you’ve collected your data, you’ll need to do some data preparation before you can sink your teeth into the analysis. For example:

• If you carry out interviews or focus groups, you’ll need to transcribe your audio data to text (i.e. a Word document).
• If you collect quantitative survey data, you’ll need to clean up your data and get it into the right format for whichever analysis software you use (for example, SPSS, R or STATA).

Once you’ve completed your data prep, you’ll undertake your analysis, using the techniques that you described in your methodology. Depending on what you find in your analysis, you might also do some additional forms of analysis that you hadn’t planned for. For example, you might see something in the data that raises new questions or that requires clarification with further analysis.

The type(s) of analysis that you’ll use depend entirely on the nature of your research and your research questions. For example:

• If your research if exploratory in nature, you’ll often use qualitative analysis techniques .
• If your research is confirmatory in nature, you’ll often use quantitative analysis techniques
• If your research involves a mix of both, you might use a mixed methods approach

Again, if these words have got your head spinning, don’t worry! We’ll explain these concepts and techniques in other posts. The key takeaway is simply that there’s no “one size fits all” for research design and methodology – it all depends on your topic, your research questions and your data. So, don’t be surprised if your study colleagues take a completely different approach to yours.

Step 7: Present your findings

Once you’ve completed your analysis, it’s time to present your findings (finally!). In a dissertation or thesis, you’ll typically present your findings in two chapters – the results chapter and the discussion chapter .

What’s the difference between the results chapter and the discussion chapter?

While these two chapters are similar, the results chapter generally just presents the processed data neatly and clearly without interpretation, while the discussion chapter explains the story the data are telling  – in other words, it provides your interpretation of the results.

For example, if you were researching the factors that influence consumer trust, you might have used a quantitative approach to identify the relationship between potential factors (e.g. perceived integrity and competence of the organisation) and consumer trust. In this case:

• Your results chapter would just present the results of the statistical tests. For example, correlation results or differences between groups. In other words, the processed numbers.
• Your discussion chapter would explain what the numbers mean in relation to your research question(s). For example, Factor 1 has a weak relationship with consumer trust, while Factor 2 has a strong relationship.

Depending on the university and degree, these two chapters (results and discussion) are sometimes merged into one , so be sure to check with your institution what their preference is. Regardless of the chapter structure, this section is about presenting the findings of your research in a clear, easy to understand fashion.

Importantly, your discussion here needs to link back to your research questions (which you outlined in the introduction or literature review chapter). In other words, it needs to answer the key questions you asked (or at least attempt to answer them).

For example, if we look at the sample research topic:

In this case, the discussion section would clearly outline which factors seem to have a noteworthy influence on organisational trust. By doing so, they are answering the overarching question and fulfilling the purpose of the research .

Step 8: The Final Step Draw a conclusion and discuss the implications

Last but not least, you’ll need to wrap up your research with the conclusion chapter . In this chapter, you’ll bring your research full circle by highlighting the key findings of your study and explaining what the implications of these findings are.

What exactly are key findings? The key findings are those findings which directly relate to your original research questions and overall research objectives (which you discussed in your introduction chapter). The implications, on the other hand, explain what your findings mean for industry, or for research in your area.

Sticking with the consumer trust topic example, the conclusion might look something like this:

Key findings

This study set out to identify which factors influence consumer-based trust in British low-cost online equity brokerage firms. The results suggest that the following factors have a large impact on consumer trust:

While the following factors have a very limited impact on consumer trust:

Notably, within the 25-30 age groups, Factors E had a noticeably larger impact, which may be explained by…

Implications

The findings having noteworthy implications for British low-cost online equity brokers. Specifically:

The large impact of Factors X and Y implies that brokers need to consider….

The limited impact of Factor E implies that brokers need to…

As you can see, the conclusion chapter is basically explaining the “what” (what your study found) and the “so what?” (what the findings mean for the industry or research). This brings the study full circle and closes off the document.

Let’s recap – how to write a dissertation or thesis

You’re still with me? Impressive! I know that this post was a long one, but hopefully you’ve learnt a thing or two about how to write a dissertation or thesis, and are now better equipped to start your own research.

To recap, the 8 steps to writing a quality dissertation (or thesis) are as follows:

• Understand what a dissertation (or thesis) is – a research project that follows the research process.
• Find a unique (original) and important research topic
• Craft a convincing dissertation or thesis research proposal
• Write a clear, compelling introduction chapter
• Undertake a thorough review of the existing research and write up a literature review
• Undertake your own research
• Present and interpret your findings

Once you’ve wrapped up the core chapters, all that’s typically left is the abstract , reference list and appendices. As always, be sure to check with your university if they have any additional requirements in terms of structure or content.

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21 Comments

thankfull >>>this is very useful

Thank you, it was really helpful

unquestionably, this amazing simplified way of teaching. Really , I couldn’t find in the literature words that fully explicit my great thanks to you. However, I could only say thanks a-lot.

Great to hear that – thanks for the feedback. Good luck writing your dissertation/thesis.

This is the most comprehensive explanation of how to write a dissertation. Many thanks for sharing it free of charge.

Very rich presentation. Thank you

Thanks Derek Jansen|GRADCOACH, I find it very useful guide to arrange my activities and proceed to research!

Thank you so much for such a marvelous teaching .I am so convinced that am going to write a comprehensive and a distinct masters dissertation

It is an amazing comprehensive explanation

This was straightforward. Thank you!

I can say that your explanations are simple and enlightening – understanding what you have done here is easy for me. Could you write more about the different types of research methods specific to the three methodologies: quan, qual and MM. I look forward to interacting with this website more in the future.

Thanks for the feedback and suggestions 🙂

Hello, your write ups is quite educative. However, l have challenges in going about my research questions which is below; *Building the enablers of organisational growth through effective governance and purposeful leadership.*

Very educating.

Just listening to the name of the dissertation makes the student nervous. As writing a top-quality dissertation is a difficult task as it is a lengthy topic, requires a lot of research and understanding and is usually around 10,000 to 15000 words. Sometimes due to studies, unbalanced workload or lack of research and writing skill students look for dissertation submission from professional writers.

Thank you 💕😊 very much. I was confused but your comprehensive explanation has cleared my doubts of ever presenting a good thesis. Thank you.

thank you so much, that was so useful

Hi. Where is the excel spread sheet ark?

could you please help me look at your thesis paper to enable me to do the portion that has to do with the specification

my topic is “the impact of domestic revenue mobilization.

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Research Methods for Accounting and Finance: A guide to writing your dissertation

2016, The Global Management Series

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This book is based on my experiences in completing my PhD thesis in 1995 and as Programme Director of the Master of Accounting at University College Dublin. I have prepared, evolved and used these notes as part of the Master of Accounting Research Methodology course. They are now being published for a wider audience, thanks to generous funding from the Irish Accountancy Educational Trust. The Irish Accountancy Educational Trust was established in 1981 by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland as an independent charitable trust. Its objectives are to promote and facilitate the development of accountancy. The policy of the Trustees is to act as a catalyst for activities which would otherwise not be feasible. The author gratefully acknowledges the generous support received from The Irish Accountancy Educational Trust in respect of this publication. This book would not have been published but for its support. This is an introductory text. The complexities of many of the topics introduced here are left for more specialist and advanced publications. The book aims to be a concise, practical guide to the basics of doing research in accounting and preparing a research report – usually a dissertation. The primary audience for the book is undergraduate and masters-level students, although PhD students starting off may find some topics useful. Examples, references etc. are taken from the accounting literature, but students in other business disciplines may find some of the material applicable to their subject.

Journal of MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING Research 2016.pdf

Size: 1.05 M (including 6 original articles) Journal's Website: http://afa.redfame.com ISSN 2374-2410(Print) ISSN 2374-2429(Online) Publisher's Website: http://redfame.com Publisher: Redfame Publishing Publication Date: Feb. 2015

Course Objective: This course aims at exposing students of accounting to the theory and practice of management, which has already attained the status of a profession and has been recognized as the fifth factor of production. Teaching method: The traditional one way lecture deliberation method of teaching will be discouraged. Prior study of reading assignments will be a must. Students in a group should distribute discussion topics and reading materials among them to present those in the class. Discussion reasonable arguments and counter arguments will be encouraged. The teacher will play a supervisory role. English will be the medium of communication in the class.

This book includes the abstracts of all the papers presented at the 15th Annual International Conference on Accounting, 3-6 July 2017, organized by the Athens Institute for Education and Research (ATINER). In total 35 papers submitted by 39 presenters, coming from 15 different countries (Australia, Canada, China, France, India, Mongolia, the Netherlands, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, Turkey, UK and USA). The conference was organized into 11 sessions that included a variety of topic areas such as managerial accounting, social responsibility, international finance and more. A full conference program can be found before the relevant abstracts. In accordance with ATINER’s Publication Policy, the papers presented during this conference will be considered for inclusion in one of ATINER’s many publications.

This abstract book includes all the abstracts of the papers presented at the 14th International Conference on Accounting, 4-7 July 2016, Athens Greece, organized by the Athens Institute for Education and Research. In total there were 36 papers and 38 presenters, coming from 19 different countries (Belgium, Canada, Finland, Germany, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, Lebanon, Poland, New Zealand, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Taiwan, Turkey, UAE, UK, and USA). The conference was organized into ten sessions that included areas of Accounting. As it is the publication policy of the Institute, the papers presented in this conference will be considered for publication in one of the books and/or journals of ATINER.

This abstract book includes all the abstracts of the papers presented at the 12th Annual International Conference on Accounting & Finance, 26-29 May 2014, organized by the Athens Institute for Education and Research. In total there were 37 papers and 42 presenters, coming from 19 different countries (Australia, Canada, Egypt, France, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Libya, Malaysia, Poland, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Sweden, Taiwan, Tunisia, U.K., Ukraine, USA). The conference was organized into VIII sessions that included areas such as Accounting and Finance: Banking and Finance, Financial Reporting, Tax and Auditing, Innovation and Knowledge Systems, Standards. As it is the publication policy of the Institute, the papers presented in this conference will be considered for publication in one of the books of ATINER.

This abstract book includes all the abstracts of the papers presented at the 10th Annual International Conference on Business: Accounting, Finance, Management & Marketing, 2-5 July 2012, organized by the Athens Institute for Education and Research. In total there were 73 papers and 91 presenters, coming from 30 different countries ( Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Croatia, Denmark, France, Germany, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Latvia, Libya, Malaysia, Morocco, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, UK, United Arab Emirates and USA). The conference was organized into 18 sessions that included areas such as Measuring and Reporting Earnings, Strategy for Sustainable Business, Auditing and Ethics, Marketing of Services, Private and Public Finance: Environment and Impact, Various Business Issues e.t.c. As it is the publication policy of the Institute, the papers presented in this conference will be considered for publication in one of the books of ATINER.

Size: 6.92 M (including 10 original articles) Journal's Website: http://afa.redfame.com ISSN 2374-2410(Print) ISSN 2374-2429(Online) Publisher's Website: http://redfame.com Publisher: Redfame Publishing Publication Date: Feb. 2016

Size: 3.00 M (including 13 original articles) Journal's Website: http://afa.redfame.com ISSN 2374-2410(Print) ISSN 2374-2429(Online) Publisher's Website: http://redfame.com Publisher: Redfame Publishing Publication Date: Aug. 2015

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What Is a Dissertation? | 5 Essential Questions to Get Started

Published on 26 March 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on 5 May 2022.

A dissertation is a large research project undertaken at the end of a degree. It involves in-depth consideration of a problem or question chosen by the student. It is usually the largest (and final) piece of written work produced during a degree.

The length and structure of a dissertation vary widely depending on the level and field of study. However, there are some key questions that can help you understand the requirements and get started on your dissertation project.

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When and why do you have to write a dissertation, who will supervise your dissertation, what type of research will you do, how should your dissertation be structured, what formatting and referencing rules do you have to follow, frequently asked questions about dissertations.

A dissertation, sometimes called a thesis, comes at the end of an undergraduate or postgraduate degree. It is a larger project than the other essays you’ve written, requiring a higher word count and a greater depth of research.

You’ll generally work on your dissertation during the final year of your degree, over a longer period than you would take for a standard essay . For example, the dissertation might be your main focus for the last six months of your degree.

Why is the dissertation important?

The dissertation is a test of your capacity for independent research. You are given a lot of autonomy in writing your dissertation: you come up with your own ideas, conduct your own research, and write and structure the text by yourself.

This means that it is an important preparation for your future, whether you continue in academia or not: it teaches you to manage your own time, generate original ideas, and work independently.

Prevent plagiarism, run a free check.

During the planning and writing of your dissertation, you’ll work with a supervisor from your department. The supervisor’s job is to give you feedback and advice throughout the process.

The dissertation supervisor is often assigned by the department, but you might be allowed to indicate preferences or approach potential supervisors. If so, try to pick someone who is familiar with your chosen topic, whom you get along with on a personal level, and whose feedback you’ve found useful in the past.

How will your supervisor help you?

Your supervisor is there to guide you through the dissertation project, but you’re still working independently. They can give feedback on your ideas, but not come up with ideas for you.

You may need to take the initiative to request an initial meeting with your supervisor. Then you can plan out your future meetings and set reasonable deadlines for things like completion of data collection, a structure outline, a first chapter, a first draft, and so on.

Make sure to prepare in advance for your meetings. Formulate your ideas as fully as you can, and determine where exactly you’re having difficulties so you can ask your supervisor for specific advice.

Your approach to your dissertation will vary depending on your field of study. The first thing to consider is whether you will do empirical research , which involves collecting original data, or non-empirical research , which involves analysing sources.

Empirical dissertations (sciences)

An empirical dissertation focuses on collecting and analysing original data. You’ll usually write this type of dissertation if you are studying a subject in the sciences or social sciences.

• What are airline workers’ attitudes towards the challenges posed for their industry by climate change?
• How effective is cognitive behavioural therapy in treating depression in young adults?
• What are the short-term health effects of switching from smoking cigarettes to e-cigarettes?

There are many different empirical research methods you can use to answer these questions – for example, experiments , observations, surveys , and interviews.

When doing empirical research, you need to consider things like the variables you will investigate, the reliability and validity of your measurements, and your sampling method . The aim is to produce robust, reproducible scientific knowledge.

Non-empirical dissertations (arts and humanities)

A non-empirical dissertation works with existing research or other texts, presenting original analysis, critique and argumentation, but no original data. This approach is typical of arts and humanities subjects.

• What attitudes did commentators in the British press take towards the French Revolution in 1789–1792?
• How do the themes of gender and inheritance intersect in Shakespeare’s Macbeth ?
• How did Plato’s Republic and Thomas More’s Utopia influence nineteenth century utopian socialist thought?

The first steps in this type of dissertation are to decide on your topic and begin collecting your primary and secondary sources .

Primary sources are the direct objects of your research. They give you first-hand evidence about your subject. Examples of primary sources include novels, artworks and historical documents.

Secondary sources provide information that informs your analysis. They describe, interpret, or evaluate information from primary sources. For example, you might consider previous analyses of the novel or author you are working on, or theoretical texts that you plan to apply to your primary sources.

Dissertations are divided into chapters and sections. Empirical dissertations usually follow a standard structure, while non-empirical dissertations are more flexible.

Structure of an empirical dissertation

Empirical dissertations generally include these chapters:

• Introduction : An explanation of your topic and the research question(s) you want to answer.
• Literature review : A survey and evaluation of previous research on your topic.
• Methodology : An explanation of how you collected and analysed your data.
• Results : A brief description of what you found.
• Discussion : Interpretation of what these results reveal.
• Conclusion : Answers to your research question(s) and summary of what your findings contribute to knowledge in your field.

Sometimes the order or naming of chapters might be slightly different, but all of the above information must be included in order to produce thorough, valid scientific research.

Other dissertation structures

If your dissertation doesn’t involve data collection, your structure is more flexible. You can think of it like an extended essay – the text should be logically organised in a way that serves your argument:

• Introduction: An explanation of your topic and the question(s) you want to answer.
• Main body: The development of your analysis, usually divided into 2–4 chapters.
• Conclusion: Answers to your research question(s) and summary of what your analysis contributes to knowledge in your field.

The chapters of the main body can be organised around different themes, time periods, or texts. Below you can see some example structures for dissertations in different subjects.

• Political philosophy

This example, on the topic of the British press’s coverage of the French Revolution, shows how you might structure each chapter around a specific theme.

This example, on the topic of Plato’s and More’s influences on utopian socialist thought, shows a different approach to dividing the chapters by theme.

This example, a master’s dissertation on the topic of how writers respond to persecution, shows how you can also use section headings within each chapter. Each of the three chapters deals with a specific text, while the sections are organised thematically.

Like other academic texts, it’s important that your dissertation follows the formatting guidelines set out by your university. You can lose marks unnecessarily over mistakes, so it’s worth taking the time to get all these elements right.

Formatting guidelines concern things like:

• line spacing
• page numbers
• punctuation
• title pages
• presentation of tables and figures

If you’re unsure about the formatting requirements, check with your supervisor or department. You can lose marks unnecessarily over mistakes, so it’s worth taking the time to get all these elements right.

How will you reference your sources?

Referencing means properly listing the sources you cite and refer to in your dissertation, so that the reader can find them. This avoids plagiarism by acknowledging where you’ve used the work of others.

Keep track of everything you read as you prepare your dissertation. The key information to note down for a reference is:

• The publication date
• Page numbers for the parts you refer to (especially when using direct quotes)

Different referencing styles each have their own specific rules for how to reference. The most commonly used styles in UK universities are listed below.

You can use the free APA Reference Generator to automatically create and store your references.

APA Reference Generator

The words ‘ dissertation ’ and ‘thesis’ both refer to a large written research project undertaken to complete a degree, but they are used differently depending on the country:

• In the UK, you write a dissertation at the end of a bachelor’s or master’s degree, and you write a thesis to complete a PhD.
• In the US, it’s the other way around: you may write a thesis at the end of a bachelor’s or master’s degree, and you write a dissertation to complete a PhD.

The main difference is in terms of scale – a dissertation is usually much longer than the other essays you complete during your degree.

Another key difference is that you are given much more independence when working on a dissertation. You choose your own dissertation topic , and you have to conduct the research and write the dissertation yourself (with some assistance from your supervisor).

Dissertation word counts vary widely across different fields, institutions, and levels of education:

• An undergraduate dissertation is typically 8,000–15,000 words
• A master’s dissertation is typically 12,000–50,000 words
• A PhD thesis is typically book-length: 70,000–100,000 words

However, none of these are strict guidelines – your word count may be lower or higher than the numbers stated here. Always check the guidelines provided by your university to determine how long your own dissertation should be.

At the bachelor’s and master’s levels, the dissertation is usually the main focus of your final year. You might work on it (alongside other classes) for the entirety of the final year, or for the last six months. This includes formulating an idea, doing the research, and writing up.

A PhD thesis takes a longer time, as the thesis is the main focus of the degree. A PhD thesis might be being formulated and worked on for the whole four years of the degree program. The writing process alone can take around 18 months.

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If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the ‘Cite this Scribbr article’ button to automatically add the citation to our free Reference Generator.

Caulfield, J. (2022, May 05). What Is a Dissertation? | 5 Essential Questions to Get Started. Scribbr. Retrieved 21 October 2024, from https://www.scribbr.co.uk/thesis-dissertation/what-is-a-dissertation/

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What is a thesis?

What is a dissertation, getting started, staying on track, thesis abstract, lit(erature) review.

A thesis is a long-term project that you work on over the course of a semester or a year. Theses have a very wide variety of styles and content, so we encourage you to look at prior examples and work closely with faculty to develop yours. 

Before you begin, make sure that you are familiar with the dissertation genre—what it is for and what it looks like.

Generally speaking, a dissertation’s purpose is to prove that you have the expertise necessary to fulfill your doctoral-degree requirements by showing depth of knowledge and independent thinking.

The form of a dissertation may vary by discipline. Be sure to follow the specific guidelines of your department.

• PhD This site directs candidates to the GSAS website about dissertations , with links to checklists,  planning, formatting, acknowledgments, submission, and publishing options. There is also a link to guidelines for the prospectus . Consult with your committee chair about specific requirements and standards for your dissertation.
• DDES This document covers planning, patent filing, submission guidelines, publishing options, formatting guidelines, sample pages, citation guidelines, and a list of common errors to avoid. There is also a link to guidelines for the prospectus .
• Scholarly Pursuits (GSAS) This searchable booklet from Harvard GSAS is a comprehensive guide to writing dissertations, dissertation-fellowship applications, academic journal articles, and academic job documents.

Finding an original topic can be a daunting and overwhelming task. These key concepts can help you focus and save time.

Finding a topic for your thesis or dissertation should start with a research question that excites or at least interests you. A rigorous, engaging, and original project will require continuous curiosity about your topic, about your own thoughts on the topic, and about what other scholars have said on your topic. Avoid getting boxed in by thinking you know what you want to say from the beginning; let your research and your writing evolve as you explore and fine-tune your focus through constant questioning and exploration.

Get a sense of the broader picture before you narrow your focus and attempt to frame an argument. Read, skim, and otherwise familiarize yourself with what other scholars have done in areas related to your proposed topic. Briefly explore topics tangentially related to yours to broaden your perspective and increase your chance of finding a unique angle to pursue.

Critical Reading

Critical reading is the opposite of passive reading. Instead of merely reading for information to absorb, critical reading also involves careful, sustained thinking about what you are reading. This process may include analyzing the author’s motives and assumptions, asking what might be left out of the discussion, considering what you agree with or disagree with in the author’s statements and why you agree or disagree, and exploring connections or contradictions between scholarly arguments. Here is a resource to help hone your critical-reading skills:

https://guides.library.harvard.edu/sixreadinghabits  

https://youtu.be/BcV64lowMIA

Conversation

Your thesis or dissertation will incorporate some ideas from other scholars whose work you researched. By reading critically and following your curiosity, you will develop your own ideas and claims, and these contributions are the core of your project. You will also acknowledge the work of scholars who came before you, and you must accurately and fairly attribute this work and define your place within the larger discussion. Make sure that you know how to quote, summarize, paraphrase ,  integrate , and cite sources to avoid plagiarism and to show the depth and breadth of your knowledge.

A thesis is a long-term, large project that involves both research and writing; it is easy to lose focus, motivation, and momentum. Here are suggestions for achieving the result you want in the time you have.

The dissertation is probably the largest project you have undertaken, and a lot of the work is self-directed. The project can feel daunting or even overwhelming unless you break it down into manageable pieces and create a timeline for completing each smaller task. Be realistic but also challenge yourself, and be forgiving of yourself if you miss a self-imposed deadline here and there.

Your program will also have specific deadlines for different requirements, including establishing a committee, submitting a prospectus, completing the dissertation, defending the dissertation, and submitting your work. Consult your department’s website for these dates and incorporate them into the timeline for your work.

Accountability

Sometimes self-imposed deadlines do not feel urgent unless there is accountability to someone beyond yourself. To increase your motivation to complete tasks on schedule, set dates with your committee chair to submit pre-determined pieces of a chapter. You can also arrange with a fellow doctoral student to check on each other’s progress. Research and writing can be lonely, so it is also nice to share that journey with someone and support each other through the process.

Common Pitfalls

The most common challenges for students writing a dissertation are writer’s block, information-overload, and the compulsion to keep researching forever.

There are many strategies for avoiding writer’s block, such as freewriting, outlining, taking a walk, starting in the middle, and creating an ideal work environment for your particular learning style. Pay attention to what helps you and try different things until you find what works.

Efficient researching techniques are essential to avoiding information-overload. Here are a couple of resources about strategies for finding sources and quickly obtaining essential information from them.

https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/subject_specific_writing/writing_in_literature/writing_in_literature_detailed_discussion/reading_criticism.html

https://students.dartmouth.edu/academic-skills/learning-resources/learning-strategies/reading-techniques

Finally, remember that there is always more to learn and your dissertation cannot incorporate everything. Follow your curiosity but also set limits on the scope of your work. It helps to create a folder entitled “future projects” for topics and sources that interest you but that do not fit neatly into the dissertation. Also remember that future scholars will build off of your work, so leave something for them to do.

An abstract is a short (approximately 200-word) summary or overview of your research project. It provides enough information for a reader to know what they will find within the larger document, such as your purpose, methodology, and results or conclusion. It may also include a list of  keywords. An abstract is an original document, not an excerpt, and its contents and organization may vary by discipline.

A literature review establishes a set of themes and contexts drawn from foundational research and materials that relate to your project. It is an acknowledgment that your scholarship doesn’t exist in a vacuum. With the review, you identify patterns and trends in the literature to situate your contribution within the existing scholarly conversation.

What is a literature review? A literature review (or lit review, for short) is a critical analysis of published scholarly research (the "literature") related to a specific topic. Literature here means body of work, which traditionally was done in written form and may include journal articles, books, book chapters, dissertations and thesis, or conference proceedings. In the case of design, however, literature has an expanded breadth since the body of work is oftentimes not represented by words. A design review may include plans, sections, photographs, and any type of media that portrays the work.

A literature review may stand on its own or may be inside a larger work, usually in the introductory sections. It is thorough but not exhaustive--there will always be more information than you can reasonably locate and include. Be mindful of your scope and time constraints and select your reviewed materials with care. A literature review

• summarizes the themes and findings of works in an area
• compares and contrasts relevant aspects of literature on a topic
• critically assesses the strengths and omissions of the source material
• elaborates on the implications of their findings for one's own research topic

What does a literature review look like? Each discipline has its own style for writing a literature review; urban planning and design lit reviews may look different than those from architecture, and design lit reviews will look significantly different than reviews from the biological sciences or engineering. Look at published journal articles within your field and note how they present the information.

• Introduction: most scholarly articles and books will have a literature review within the introductory sections. Its precise location may vary, but it is most often in the first few paragraphs or pages.

Dedicated literature reviews: these are stand-alone resources unto themselves. You can search for "literature review" and a topic, and you may find that one already exists. These literature reviews are useful as models within your field, for finding additional sources to explore, and for beginning to map the general relationships within the scholarly conversation around your topic. Be mindful not to plagiarize the source material.

Database search tip : Add the phrase "literature review" to your search to find published literature reviews.

Browsing through theses and dissertations of the past can help to get a sense of your options and gain inspiration but be careful to use current guidelines and refer to your committee instead of relying on these examples for form or formatting.

Theses at the Frances Loeb Library  is a research guide to finding p ast GSD theses.

DASH Digital Access to Scholarship at Harvard.

HOLLIS Harvard Library’s catalog provides access to ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global .

MIT Architecture has a list of their graduates’ dissertations and theses.

Rhode Island School of Design has a list of their graduates’ dissertations and theses.

University of South Florida has a list of their graduates’ dissertations and theses.

Harvard GSD has a list of projects, including theses and professors’ research.

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Word 2013: Creating Long Documents

Writing research essays, essay writing resources: web sites, sage research methods.

Supporting research at all levels Sage Research Methods  brings you books, chapters, reference works, journal articles, and instructional videos.  See Case Studies of real research projects and practice on Datasets (these can also be used for teaching).

The Methods Map can help those less familiar with research methods to find the best techniques.

More tips, videos and guidance available a the Sage Research Methods help pages .

Writing Up: long documents and dissertations

• Guide to Writing Up See our Guide to Successfully Writing Long Documents plus the 'Example Use of Long Documents' - this is template document you can use as the basis of your dissertation/thesis

Writing a long, formal document such as a dissertation requires more care and greater preparation than writing short ones such as essays. As dissertation documents are used for assessment, there are often strict formatting requirements and layout instructions.

• Dissertation MS Word Support Session Make an appointment to get advice and support on using Microsoft Word for writing your dissertation or thesis
• Doing your dissertation with Microsoft Word This book is crammed with help on everything you need to know to create thesis formatting you can be proud of!

Examples of Useful Books

This is a small selection of books on writing dissertations and essays. For more examples, search the Library using a KEYWORD search e.g. try looking for 'business dissertation writing'. Alternatively browse the books in the library around class mark K 8.135.

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