A dissertation is a substantial piece of academic writing undertaken by a student as part of their doctoral degree program. It is usually the final requirement for earning a PhD or other doctoral degree. A dissertation typically involves original research or an in-depth analysis of a specific topic within the field of study. It demonstrates the student’s ability to conduct independent research, analyze findings critically, and contribute new knowledge to their academic discipline. Dissertations vary in length and format depending on the academic institution and field of study, but they generally include an introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusion sections.
what are chapters of a dissertation?
The specific chapters of a dissertation can vary depending on the field of study, the requirements of the academic institution, and the nature of the research being conducted. However, a typical dissertation generally includes the following chapters:
- Introduction: This chapter provides an overview of the research topic, outlines the research problem or question, presents the research objectives or aims, and provides a rationale for why the study is important.
- Literature Review (or Review of Related Literature): This chapter summarizes and synthesizes existing research and scholarly literature relevant to the research topic. It provides context for the study, identifies gaps or unresolved issues in the literature, and justifies the need for the current research.
- Methodology: This chapter describes the research methods and techniques employed in the study. It outlines the research design, data collection methods, sampling procedures, and data analysis techniques. This chapter should provide enough detail for the study to be replicable by other researchers.
- Results (or Findings): This chapter presents the findings of the study based on the data collected and analyzed. It may include tables, graphs, or other visual representations to illustrate the results. The results should be presented in a clear and organized manner, with appropriate interpretation and discussion.
- Discussion: This chapter interprets the results of the study in relation to the research questions or objectives. It explores the implications of the findings, discusses their significance within the broader context of the field, and considers any limitations or challenges encountered during the research process.
- Conclusion: This chapter summarizes the key findings of the study, reiterates the research objectives, and discusses the overall implications of the research. It may also suggest directions for future research or practical applications of the findings.
In addition to these main chapters, a dissertation may also include other sections such as acknowledgments, appendices (for additional data or materials), and references (a list of all sources cited in the dissertation).
what is the difference between primary and secondary dissertation?
In the context of a dissertation, the terms “primary” and “secondary” typically refer to the sources of data or information used in the research process rather than the dissertation itself. Here’s the difference between primary and secondary sources of data:
- Primary Dissertation:
- A primary dissertation is one that relies primarily on original data collected by the researcher through methods such as surveys, interviews, experiments, observations, or fieldwork.
- The researcher collects firsthand data directly from sources, without relying on pre-existing data or interpretations.
- Examples of primary dissertations include those based on empirical research where the researcher collects and analyzes new data to address research questions or test hypotheses.
- Secondary Dissertation:
- A secondary dissertation, on the other hand, is one that relies on existing data or information that has already been collected and analyzed by others.
- The researcher utilizes previously published research studies, articles, books, databases, or other sources of data to conduct a literature review, synthesize existing knowledge, or analyze secondary data.
- Secondary dissertations involve the interpretation, analysis, and synthesis of data or information that was not collected directly by the researcher.
- Examples of secondary dissertations include those that conduct a meta-analysis of existing research studies, perform a systematic review of literature, or analyze publicly available datasets.
In summary, the primary difference between primary and secondary dissertations lies in the source of data used for the research. Primary dissertations rely on original data collected by the researcher, while secondary dissertations utilize existing data or information collected by others.
How to select a dissertation topic?
Selecting a dissertation topic is a crucial decision that requires careful consideration. Here are some steps to help you select a dissertation topic:
- Identify your interests: Start by reflecting on your academic interests, passions, and areas of expertise. Consider topics that genuinely intrigue you and that you would be motivated to explore in depth.
- Conduct background research: Familiarize yourself with the existing literature in your field of study. Read academic journals, books, and relevant publications to identify gaps, unanswered questions, or emerging areas of interest that could form the basis of your dissertation.
- Brainstorm ideas: Take some time to brainstorm potential dissertation topics. Consider different angles, perspectives, or approaches that you could take within your field of study. Keep track of your ideas and any potential research questions that arise.
- Consult with your advisor or mentors: Seek guidance from your dissertation advisor or other faculty members in your department. They can provide valuable insights, suggest potential topics, and help you refine your research ideas based on their expertise and experience.
- Consider feasibility: Evaluate the feasibility of potential dissertation topics in terms of the availability of resources, access to data, and the practicality of conducting research within your timeframe and budget constraints.
- Narrow down your options: Once you have a list of potential dissertation topics, narrow down your options based on your interests, feasibility, and alignment with the objectives of your doctoral program.
- Define your research questions: Clearly define the research questions or objectives that you intend to address with your dissertation. Your topic should be focused enough to allow for in-depth analysis but broad enough to provide room for exploration and meaningful contributions to your field.
- Write a proposal: Develop a dissertation proposal outlining your chosen topic, research questions, objectives, methodology, and potential contributions to the field. Your proposal will serve as a roadmap for your research and provide a framework for discussing your topic with your advisor and committee members.
- Seek feedback: Share your dissertation proposal with your advisor, committee members, or peers for feedback and suggestions. Incorporate any constructive feedback into your proposal and refine your research plan as needed.
- Finalize your topic: Once you have received approval for your dissertation proposal, finalize your topic and begin the research process with a clear understanding of your objectives and methodology.
Some dissertations that we have successfully completed are listed below. Maybe some topic will inspire you 😊
- Impact of effective cross-cultural management on business outcomes and personal growth of employees
- Impact of leadership styles on organisational performance: A comparative study of Elon Musk and Jack Ma
- A systematic review of Sustainability milestones reported by Nike and Adidas: Genuine or blatant greenwashing?
- Factors affecting Consumer Buying Behaviour in the Tourism Industry of the UK: A quantitative study
- Leadership and Executive Coaching: Empowering Women Leaders Using Psychology-based Coaching Interventions
- Analysis on difference of product price and quality in online and offline services
- Do responsible investments pay? A systematic review compiling evidence from the leading UK banks
- Do celebrities really promote sales: the case of Nike in India?
- Impact of covid-19 on CSR marketing practices in the fast-food industry
- Shift in the factors affecting employee motivation in tourism sector of India, A study of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation factors in the era of pandemic.
- IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON THE WAREHOUSE WORKERS IN THE UK: A quantitative study
- CSR as a marketing strategy: A case of Nike
- IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON CSR MARKETING PRACTICES IN THE FAST-FOOD INDUSTRY
- IMPORTANCE OF SPORTS AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN DAILY LIFE: A quantitative study of diabetics in India
- A quantitative study measuring the impact of COVID-19 on consumer engagement in the health and fitness industry
- Impact of COVID-19 on consumer engagement in the health and fitness industry
- Challenges and Facilitators for Female Entrepreneurs from East and West: A comparative quantitative study
- A systematic literature review of Sustainability Issues in the Fashion Industry
- To what extent do the CSR practices of fashion brands such as H&M, Zara, Adidas, Nike affect customer purchase decisions in the UK
- Violence And Human Rights Violation Against Commercial Sex Workers In Southeast Asian Countries: A Qualitative Evidence Synthesis
- Assessment and Analysis of Lifestyle Diseases among Middle- Aged in India: Systematic Review
- Digital marketing campaigns used by fashion companies and their impact on brand performance: a case of Burberry
- Challenges faced by women entrepreneurs: A secondary comparative study of developing vs developed nations
- Importance of Soft Skills of Project Manager in successful completion of projects in the UK: Exploring the perception of stakeholders
- Factors affecting employee retention in the hospitality sector: A quantitative study in Delhi, India
- A comparative study between Gen Z and millennials regarding the effects of environmental consciousness, social influence and willingness to pay a premium price for sustainable fashion exploring the purchase intention in India
- Impact of Social Media Marketing on Consumer Purchase Decision: A Qualitative Study exploring the Retail Industry of the UK
- Effects of Artificial Intelligence in decision making in UK businesses: A quantitative study