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How to Write a Dissertation | A Guide to Structure & Content

A dissertation or thesis is a long piece of academic writing based on original research, submitted as part of an undergraduate or postgraduate degree.

The structure of a dissertation depends on your field, but it is usually divided into at least four or five chapters (including an introduction and conclusion chapter).

The most common dissertation structure in the sciences and social sciences includes:

• An introduction to your topic
• A literature review that surveys relevant sources
• An explanation of your methodology
• An overview of the results of your research
• A discussion of the results and their implications
• A conclusion that shows what your research has contributed

Dissertations in the humanities are often structured more like a long essay , building an argument by analysing primary and secondary sources . Instead of the standard structure outlined here, you might organise your chapters around different themes or case studies.

Other important elements of the dissertation include the title page , abstract , and reference list . If in doubt about how your dissertation should be structured, always check your department’s guidelines and consult with your supervisor.

Table of contents

Acknowledgements, table of contents, list of figures and tables, list of abbreviations, introduction, literature review / theoretical framework, methodology, reference list.

The very first page of your document contains your dissertation’s title, your name, department, institution, degree program, and submission date. Sometimes it also includes your student number, your supervisor’s name, and the university’s logo. Many programs have strict requirements for formatting the dissertation title page .

The title page is often used as cover when printing and binding your dissertation .

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The acknowledgements section is usually optional, and gives space for you to thank everyone who helped you in writing your dissertation. This might include your supervisors, participants in your research, and friends or family who supported you.

The abstract is a short summary of your dissertation, usually about 150-300 words long. You should write it at the very end, when you’ve completed the rest of the dissertation. In the abstract, make sure to:

• State the main topic and aims of your research
• Describe the methods you used
• Summarise the main results
• State your conclusions

Although the abstract is very short, it’s the first part (and sometimes the only part) of your dissertation that people will read, so it’s important that you get it right. If you’re struggling to write a strong abstract, read our guide on how to write an abstract .

In the table of contents, list all of your chapters and subheadings and their page numbers. The dissertation contents page gives the reader an overview of your structure and helps easily navigate the document.

All parts of your dissertation should be included in the table of contents, including the appendices. You can generate a table of contents automatically in Word.

If you have used a lot of tables and figures in your dissertation, you should itemise them in a numbered list . You can automatically generate this list using the Insert Caption feature in Word.

If you have used a lot of abbreviations in your dissertation, you can include them in an alphabetised list of abbreviations so that the reader can easily look up their meanings.

If you have used a lot of highly specialised terms that will not be familiar to your reader, it might be a good idea to include a glossary . List the terms alphabetically and explain each term with a brief description or definition.

In the introduction, you set up your dissertation’s topic, purpose, and relevance, and tell the reader what to expect in the rest of the dissertation. The introduction should:

• Establish your research topic , giving necessary background information to contextualise your work
• Narrow down the focus and define the scope of the research
• Discuss the state of existing research on the topic, showing your work’s relevance to a broader problem or debate
• Clearly state your objectives and research questions , and indicate how you will answer them
• Give an overview of your dissertation’s structure

Everything in the introduction should be clear, engaging, and relevant to your research. By the end, the reader should understand the what , why and how of your research. Not sure how? Read our guide on how to write a dissertation introduction .

Before you start on your research, you should have conducted a literature review to gain a thorough understanding of the academic work that already exists on your topic. This means:

• Collecting sources (e.g. books and journal articles) and selecting the most relevant ones
• Critically evaluating and analysing each source
• Drawing connections between them (e.g. themes, patterns, conflicts, gaps) to make an overall point

In the dissertation literature review chapter or section, you shouldn’t just summarise existing studies, but develop a coherent structure and argument that leads to a clear basis or justification for your own research. For example, it might aim to show how your research:

• Addresses a gap in the literature
• Takes a new theoretical or methodological approach to the topic
• Proposes a solution to an unresolved problem
• Advances a theoretical debate
• Builds on and strengthens existing knowledge with new data

The literature review often becomes the basis for a theoretical framework , in which you define and analyse the key theories, concepts and models that frame your research. In this section you can answer descriptive research questions about the relationship between concepts or variables.

The methodology chapter or section describes how you conducted your research, allowing your reader to assess its validity. You should generally include:

• The overall approach and type of research (e.g. qualitative, quantitative, experimental, ethnographic)
• Your methods of collecting data (e.g. interviews, surveys, archives)
• Details of where, when, and with whom the research took place
• Your methods of analysing data (e.g. statistical analysis, discourse analysis)
• Tools and materials you used (e.g. computer programs, lab equipment)
• A discussion of any obstacles you faced in conducting the research and how you overcame them
• An evaluation or justification of your methods

Your aim in the methodology is to accurately report what you did, as well as convincing the reader that this was the best approach to answering your research questions or objectives.

Next, you report the results of your research . You can structure this section around sub-questions, hypotheses, or topics. Only report results that are relevant to your objectives and research questions. In some disciplines, the results section is strictly separated from the discussion, while in others the two are combined.

For example, for qualitative methods like in-depth interviews, the presentation of the data will often be woven together with discussion and analysis, while in quantitative and experimental research, the results should be presented separately before you discuss their meaning. If you’re unsure, consult with your supervisor and look at sample dissertations to find out the best structure for your research.

In the results section it can often be helpful to include tables, graphs and charts. Think carefully about how best to present your data, and don’t include tables or figures that just repeat what you have written  –  they should provide extra information or usefully visualise the results in a way that adds value to your text.

Full versions of your data (such as interview transcripts) can be included as an appendix .

The discussion  is where you explore the meaning and implications of your results in relation to your research questions. Here you should interpret the results in detail, discussing whether they met your expectations and how well they fit with the framework that you built in earlier chapters. If any of the results were unexpected, offer explanations for why this might be. It’s a good idea to consider alternative interpretations of your data and discuss any limitations that might have influenced the results.

The discussion should reference other scholarly work to show how your results fit with existing knowledge. You can also make recommendations for future research or practical action.

The dissertation conclusion should concisely answer the main research question, leaving the reader with a clear understanding of your central argument. Wrap up your dissertation with a final reflection on what you did and how you did it. The conclusion often also includes recommendations for research or practice.

In this section, it’s important to show how your findings contribute to knowledge in the field and why your research matters. What have you added to what was already known?

You must include full details of all sources that you have cited in a reference list (sometimes also called a works cited list or bibliography). It’s important to follow a consistent reference style . Each style has strict and specific requirements for how to format your sources in the reference list.

The most common styles used in UK universities are Harvard referencing and Vancouver referencing . Your department will often specify which referencing style you should use – for example, psychology students tend to use APA style , humanities students often use MHRA , and law students always use OSCOLA . M ake sure to check the requirements, and ask your supervisor if you’re unsure.

To save time creating the reference list and make sure your citations are correctly and consistently formatted, you can use our free APA Citation Generator .

Your dissertation itself should contain only essential information that directly contributes to answering your research question. Documents you have used that do not fit into the main body of your dissertation (such as interview transcripts, survey questions or tables with full figures) can be added as appendices .

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Tips for writing a PhD dissertation: FAQs answered

From how to choose a topic to writing the abstract and managing work-life balance through the years it takes to complete a doctorate, here we collect expert advice to get you through the PhD writing process

THE Campus team

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Embarking on a PhD is “probably the most challenging task that a young scholar attempts to do”, write Mark Stephan Felix and Ian Smith in their practical guide to dissertation and thesis writing. After years of reading and research to answer a specific question or proposition, the candidate will submit about 80,000 words that explain their methods and results and demonstrate their unique contribution to knowledge. Here are the answers to frequently asked questions about writing a doctoral thesis or dissertation.

What’s the difference between a dissertation and a thesis?

Whatever the genre of the doctorate, a PhD must offer an original contribution to knowledge. The terms “dissertation” and “thesis” both refer to the long-form piece of work produced at the end of a research project and are often used interchangeably. Which one is used might depend on the country, discipline or university. In the UK, “thesis” is generally used for the work done for a PhD, while a “dissertation” is written for a master’s degree. The US did the same until the 1960s, says Oxbridge Essays, when the convention switched, and references appeared to a “master’s thesis” and “doctoral dissertation”. To complicate matters further, undergraduate long essays are also sometimes referred to as a thesis or dissertation.

The Oxford English Dictionary defines “thesis” as “a dissertation, especially by a candidate for a degree” and “dissertation” as “a detailed discourse on a subject, especially one submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of a degree or diploma”.

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The title “doctor of philosophy”, incidentally, comes from the degree’s origins, write Dr Felix, an associate professor at Mahidol University in Thailand, and Dr Smith, retired associate professor of education at the University of Sydney , whose co-authored guide focuses on the social sciences. The PhD was first awarded in the 19th century by the philosophy departments of German universities, which at that time taught science, social science and liberal arts.

How long should a PhD thesis be?

A PhD thesis (or dissertation) is typically 60,000 to 120,000 words ( 100 to 300 pages in length ) organised into chapters, divisions and subdivisions (with roughly 10,000 words per chapter) – from introduction (with clear aims and objectives) to conclusion.

The structure of a dissertation will vary depending on discipline (humanities, social sciences and STEM all have their own conventions), location and institution. Examples and guides to structure proliferate online. The University of Salford , for example, lists: title page, declaration, acknowledgements, abstract, table of contents, lists of figures, tables and abbreviations (where needed), chapters, appendices and references.

A scientific-style thesis will likely need: introduction, literature review, materials and methods, results, discussion, bibliography and references.

As well as checking the overall criteria and expectations of your institution for your research, consult your school handbook for the required length and format (font, layout conventions and so on) for your dissertation.

A PhD takes three to four years to complete; this might extend to six to eight years for a part-time doctorate.

What are the steps for completing a PhD?

Before you get started in earnest , you’ll likely have found a potential supervisor, who will guide your PhD journey, and done a research proposal (which outlines what you plan to research and how) as part of your application, as well as a literature review of existing scholarship in the field, which may form part of your final submission.

In the UK, PhD candidates undertake original research and write the results in a thesis or dissertation, says author and vlogger Simon Clark , who posted videos to YouTube throughout his own PhD journey . Then they submit the thesis in hard copy and attend the viva voce (which is Latin for “living voice” and is also called an oral defence or doctoral defence) to convince the examiners that their work is original, understood and all their own. Afterwards, if necessary, they make changes and resubmit. If the changes are approved, the degree is awarded.

The steps are similar in Australia , although candidates are mostly assessed on their thesis only; some universities may include taught courses, and some use a viva voce. A PhD in Australia usually takes three years full time.

In the US, the PhD process begins with taught classes (similar to a taught master’s) and a comprehensive exam (called a “field exam” or “dissertation qualifying exam”) before the candidate embarks on their original research. The whole journey takes four to six years.

A PhD candidate will need three skills and attitudes to get through their doctoral studies, says Tara Brabazon , professor of cultural studies at Flinders University in Australia who has written extensively about the PhD journey :

• master the academic foundational skills (research, writing, ability to navigate different modalities)
• time-management skills and the ability to focus on reading and writing
• determined motivation to do a PhD.

How do I choose the topic for my PhD dissertation or thesis?

It’s important to find a topic that will sustain your interest for the years it will take to complete a PhD. “Finding a sustainable topic is the most important thing you [as a PhD student] would do,” says Dr Brabazon in a video for Times Higher Education . “Write down on a big piece of paper all the topics, all the ideas, all the questions that really interest you, and start to cross out all the ones that might just be a passing interest.” Also, she says, impose the “Who cares? Who gives a damn?” question to decide if the topic will be useful in a future academic career.

The availability of funding and scholarships is also often an important factor in this decision, says veteran PhD supervisor Richard Godwin, from Harper Adams University .

Define a gap in knowledge – and one that can be questioned, explored, researched and written about in the time available to you, says Gina Wisker, head of the Centre for Learning and Teaching at the University of Brighton. “Set some boundaries,” she advises. “Don’t try to ask everything related to your topic in every way.”

James Hartley, research professor in psychology at Keele University, says it can also be useful to think about topics that spark general interest. If you do pick something that taps into the zeitgeist, your findings are more likely to be noticed.

You also need to find someone else who is interested in it, too. For STEM candidates , this will probably be a case of joining a team of people working in a similar area where, ideally, scholarship funding is available. A centre for doctoral training (CDT) or doctoral training partnership (DTP) will advertise research projects. For those in the liberal arts and social sciences, it will be a matter of identifying a suitable supervisor .

Avoid topics that are too broad (hunger across a whole country, for example) or too narrow (hunger in a single street) to yield useful solutions of academic significance, write Mark Stephan Felix and Ian Smith. And ensure that you’re not repeating previous research or trying to solve a problem that has already been answered. A PhD thesis must be original.

What is a thesis proposal?

After you have read widely to refine your topic and ensure that it and your research methods are original, and discussed your project with a (potential) supervisor, you’re ready to write a thesis proposal , a document of 1,500 to 3,000 words that sets out the proposed direction of your research. In the UK, a research proposal is usually part of the application process for admission to a research degree. As with the final dissertation itself, format varies among disciplines, institutions and countries but will usually contain title page, aims, literature review, methodology, timetable and bibliography. Examples of research proposals are available online.

How to write an abstract for a dissertation or thesis

The abstract presents your thesis to the wider world – and as such may be its most important element , says the NUI Galway writing guide. It outlines the why, how, what and so what of the thesis . Unlike the introduction, which provides background but not research findings, the abstract summarises all sections of the dissertation in a concise, thorough, focused way and demonstrates how well the writer understands their material. Check word-length limits with your university – and stick to them. About 300 to 500 words is a rough guide ­– but it can be up to 1,000 words.

The abstract is also important for selection and indexing of your thesis, according to the University of Melbourne guide , so be sure to include searchable keywords.

It is the first thing to be read but the last element you should write. However, Pat Thomson , professor of education at the University of Nottingham , advises that it is not something to be tackled at the last minute.

How to write a stellar conclusion

As well as chapter conclusions, a thesis often has an overall conclusion to draw together the key points covered and to reflect on the unique contribution to knowledge. It can comment on future implications of the research and open up new ideas emanating from the work. It is shorter and more general than the discussion chapter , says online editing site Scribbr, and reiterates how the work answers the main question posed at the beginning of the thesis. The conclusion chapter also often discusses the limitations of the research (time, scope, word limit, access) in a constructive manner.

It can be useful to keep a collection of ideas as you go – in the online forum DoctoralWriting SIG , academic developer Claire Aitchison, of the University of South Australia , suggests using a “conclusions bank” for themes and inspirations, and using free-writing to keep this final section fresh. (Just when you feel you’ve run out of steam.) Avoid aggrandising or exaggerating the impact of your work. It should remind the reader what has been done, and why it matters.

How to format a bibliography (or where to find a reliable model)

Most universities use a preferred style of references , writes THE associate editor Ingrid Curl. Make sure you know what this is and follow it. “One of the most common errors in academic writing is to cite papers in the text that do not then appear in the bibliography. All references in your thesis need to be cross-checked with the bibliography before submission. Using a database during your research can save a great deal of time in the writing-up process.”

A bibliography contains not only works cited explicitly but also those that have informed or contributed to the research – and as such illustrates its scope; works are not limited to written publications but include sources such as film or visual art.

Examiners can start marking from the back of the script, writes Dr Brabazon. “Just as cooks are judged by their ingredients and implements, we judge doctoral students by the calibre of their sources,” she advises. She also says that candidates should be prepared to speak in an oral examination of the PhD about any texts included in their bibliography, especially if there is a disconnect between the thesis and the texts listed.

Can I use informal language in my PhD?

Don’t write like a stereotypical academic , say Kevin Haggerty, professor of sociology at the University of Alberta , and Aaron Doyle, associate professor in sociology at Carleton University , in their tongue-in-cheek guide to the PhD journey. “If you cannot write clearly and persuasively, everything about PhD study becomes harder.” Avoid jargon, exotic words, passive voice and long, convoluted sentences – and work on it consistently. “Writing is like playing guitar; it can improve only through consistent, concerted effort.”

Be deliberate and take care with your writing . “Write your first draft, leave it and then come back to it with a critical eye. Look objectively at the writing and read it closely for style and sense,” advises THE ’s Ms Curl. “Look out for common errors such as dangling modifiers, subject-verb disagreement and inconsistency. If you are too involved with the text to be able to take a step back and do this, then ask a friend or colleague to read it with a critical eye. Remember Hemingway’s advice: ‘Prose is architecture, not interior decoration.’ Clarity is key.”

How often should a PhD candidate meet with their supervisor?

Since the PhD supervisor provides a range of support and advice – including on research techniques, planning and submission – regular formal supervisions are essential, as is establishing a line of contact such as email if the candidate needs help or advice outside arranged times. The frequency varies according to university, discipline and individual scholars.

Once a week is ideal, says Dr Brabazon. She also advocates a two-hour initial meeting to establish the foundations of the candidate-supervisor relationship .

The University of Edinburgh guide to writing a thesis suggests that creating a timetable of supervisor meetings right at the beginning of the research process will allow candidates to ensure that their work stays on track throughout. The meetings are also the place to get regular feedback on draft chapters.

“A clear structure and a solid framework are vital for research,” writes Dr Godwin on THE Campus . Use your supervisor to establish this and provide a realistic view of what can be achieved. “It is vital to help students identify the true scientific merit, the practical significance of their work and its value to society.”

How to proofread your dissertation (what to look for)

Proofreading is the final step before printing and submission. Give yourself time to ensure that your work is the best it can be . Don’t leave proofreading to the last minute; ideally, break it up into a few close-reading sessions. Find a quiet place without distractions. A checklist can help ensure that all aspects are covered.

Proofing is often helped by a change of format – so it can be easier to read a printout rather than working off the screen – or by reading sections out of order. Fresh eyes are better at spotting typographical errors and inconsistencies, so leave time between writing and proofreading. Check with your university’s policies before asking another person to proofread your thesis for you.

As well as close details such as spelling and grammar, check that all sections are complete, all required elements are included , and nothing is repeated or redundant. Don’t forget to check headings and subheadings. Does the text flow from one section to another? Is the structure clear? Is the work a coherent whole with a clear line throughout?

Ensure consistency in, for example, UK v US spellings, capitalisation, format, numbers (digits or words, commas, units of measurement), contractions, italics and hyphenation. Spellchecks and online plagiarism checkers are also your friend.

How do you manage your time to complete a PhD dissertation?

Treat your PhD like a full-time job, that is, with an eight-hour working day. Within that, you’ll need to plan your time in a way that gives a sense of progress . Setbacks and periods where it feels as if you are treading water are all but inevitable, so keeping track of small wins is important, writes A Happy PhD blogger Luis P. Prieto.

Be specific with your goals – use the SMART acronym (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and timely).

And it’s never too soon to start writing – even if early drafts are overwritten and discarded.

“ Write little and write often . Many of us make the mistake of taking to writing as one would take to a sprint, in other words, with relatively short bursts of intense activity. Whilst this can prove productive, generally speaking it is not sustainable…In addition to sustaining your activity, writing little bits on a frequent basis ensures that you progress with your thinking. The comfort of remaining in abstract thought is common; writing forces us to concretise our thinking,” says Christian Gilliam, AHSS researcher developer at the University of Cambridge ’s Centre for Teaching and Learning.

Make time to write. “If you are more alert early in the day, find times that suit you in the morning; if you are a ‘night person’, block out some writing sessions in the evenings,” advises NUI Galway’s Dermot Burns, a lecturer in English and creative arts. Set targets, keep daily notes of experiment details that you will need in your thesis, don’t confuse writing with editing or revising – and always back up your work.

What work-life balance tips should I follow to complete my dissertation?

During your PhD programme, you may have opportunities to take part in professional development activities, such as teaching, attending academic conferences and publishing your work. Your research may include residencies, field trips or archive visits. This will require time-management skills as well as prioritising where you devote your energy and factoring in rest and relaxation. Organise your routine to suit your needs , and plan for steady and regular progress.

How to deal with setbacks while writing a thesis or dissertation

Have a contingency plan for delays or roadblocks such as unexpected results.

Accept that writing is messy, first drafts are imperfect, and writer’s block is inevitable, says Dr Burns. His tips for breaking it include relaxation to free your mind from clutter, writing a plan and drawing a mind map of key points for clarity. He also advises feedback, reflection and revision: “Progressing from a rough version of your thoughts to a superior and workable text takes time, effort, different perspectives and some expertise.”

“Academia can be a relentlessly brutal merry-go-round of rejection, rebuttal and failure,” writes Lorraine Hope , professor of applied cognitive psychology at the University of Portsmouth, on THE Campus. Resilience is important. Ensure that you and your supervisor have a relationship that supports open, frank, judgement-free communication.

If you found this interesting and want advice and insight from academics and university staff delivered direct to your inbox each week, sign up for the THE Campus newsletter .

Authoring a PhD Thesis: How to Plan, Draft, Write and Finish a Doctoral Dissertation (2003), by Patrick Dunleavy

Writing Your Dissertation in Fifteen Minutes a Day: A Guide to Starting, Revising, and Finishing Your Doctoral Thesis (1998), by Joan Balker

Challenges in Writing Your Dissertation: Coping with the Emotional, Interpersonal, and Spiritual Struggles (2015), by Noelle Sterne

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Dissertation Chapters: A Guide to Writing Your Dissertation

Embarking on your dissertation is equal parts exhilaration and trepidation. It’s finally your turn to stake out your territory in the body of knowledge and hone your expertise. Naturally, it’s a lot of work, the evidence of which is reflected in your dissertation chapters. These chapters, which comprise the bulk of your dissertation, offer a clear snapshot of your topic, the work that has already been done by other scholars in your field, gaps in the literature, complications, your approach, and more. 

There are many moving parts to a dissertation, and the best way to simplify them is by chapter. Each chapter follows certain rules and serves a specific purpose. The most efficient way to break down the work ahead of you into pieces is to understand the role each chapter plays in the dissertation. 

These are frequently asked questions about dissertation chapters.  

• How many chapters are in a dissertation? 
• What is the content of each dissertation chapter?
• How long is each dissertation chapter? 
• How long does it take to write dissertation chapters?  

How Many Dissertation Chapters are in a Dissertation?

Usually five. While there are no short answers in academia, five dissertation chapters is the convention across many fields, if not most. Five dissertation chapters is a safe bet. As always, though, do your homework and find out exactly what the expectations are for dissertations in your department. 

Read (skim) dissertations written by recent graduates from your department to determine norms for chapter length and the extensiveness of the critical research they did and the studies they conducted. The average could be anything from 130 pages (math) to 500+ pages (history) –either way, you need to know. Also, visit office hours and talk to a few faculty members in your department. Whether they end up on your dissertation committee or not, their perspective will be helpful. 

Content of Each Dissertation Chapter

There is a format for the structure of a dissertation that most fields adhere to, and it is very specific. The first three chapters constitute your dissertation proposal , which must be completed, defended, and approved by your dissertation committee. Once your proposal is successfully defended,  you can proceed with the research you will need to do to write the two final chapters. 

Dissertation Chapters

• Dissertation Chapter One: Introduction to the Study This chapter includes your problem and purpose statements, research questions, and definitions of key terms examined in your research. 
• Dissertation Chapter Two: Literature Review This section is a deep dive of the extant research on your topic, as well as your opportunity to identify and highlight gaps in the literature. 
• Dissertation Chapter Three: Research Methods This chapter offers a summary of how you propose to collect data and your methods of analysis. 
• Dissertation Chapter Four: Results In this section, you present your findings and share the results of your study. 
• Dissertation Chapter Five: Conclusion The final chapter is an opportunity to offer your analysis of your findings and discuss the implications. 

How Long is a Dissertation Chapter?

Dissertation chapter lengths vary, though the number of pages you can expect to write will likely correlate with standard dissertation lengths in your discipline. If you are doing research in a field like anthropology or theology, be prepared to conduct extensive literature reviews and write lengthy chapters. Topics that require a great deal of background information also make the pages add up. 

When thinking about the length of your dissertation chapters, also be aware that chapter lengths are not evenly divided. The bulk of your writing happens in the first three chapters, especially if the literature review covers a lot of ground. If you are writing a 130-page dissertation, the dissertation proposal will take up more than half of that space. Results sections can be comparatively short, and many scholars linger in the conclusion chapter because it’s their time to shine and it’s fun to write. 

How Long Does It Take to Write Dissertation Chapters? 

The amount of time it takes to write a dissertation depends on many factors and can vary greatly depending on the student, the program, and the discipline. This is a great conversation to have with your dissertation advisor, or even the chair of your department if you are still in the early stages of your graduate education. It never hurts to have a rough timeline in mind so you can get organized and plan for the journey ahead. 

These elements often determine the amount of time it takes to write dissertation chapters: 

Academic Discipline

Some graduate degrees take longer than others, and much of that disparity occurs after coursework is completed. In many arts programs, most of the dissertation is written while coursework is taking place. It’s a different story in the sciences and humanities. In fields like biology and chemistry, issues like lab space and institutional approval must be resolved before a study can even begin, much less be written about, and that can take months. In fields like history, the scholarly research phase is similarly extensive. 

University libraries are an academic wonderland, but that doesn’t mean they hold all the answers or everything that you’ll need to get to work on your literature review or background material. Like many burgeoning scholars, I was excited to discover that I would need to travel in order to undertake some archival research for the critical introduction to my dissertation. However, the time required to set this up and visit the sites extended the amount of time it took to write these dissertation chapters. 

Life has a sneaky way of persisting, even when you have a dissertation to write. Many scholars experience unavoidable stops and starts while writing their dissertations, and it’s important to make allowances for being human, even if it interferes with your writing schedule. In my experience, we do our best to write as quickly as possible, but there are inevitable hiccups along the way. No matter. Course correct and keep going. You can do this, and the rewards of having a completed, bound dissertation in your hands will make all the effort worthwhile. 

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Courtney Watson, Ph.D.

Courtney Watson, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of English at Radford University Carilion, in Roanoke, Virginia. Her areas of expertise include undergraduate and graduate curriculum development for writing courses in the health sciences and American literature with a focus on literary travel, tourism, and heritage economies. Her writing and academic scholarship has been widely published in places that include  Studies in American Culture ,  Dialogue , and  The Virginia Quarterly Review . Her research on the integration of humanities into STEM education will be published by Routledge in an upcoming collection. Dr. Watson has also been nominated by the State Council for Higher Education of Virginia’s Outstanding Faculty Rising Star Award, and she is a past winner of the National Society of Arts & Letters Regional Short Story Prize, as well as institutional awards for scholarly research and excellence in teaching. Throughout her career in higher education, Dr. Watson has served in faculty governance and administration as a frequent committee chair and program chair. As a higher education consultant, she has served as a subject matter expert, an evaluator, and a contributor to white papers exploring program development, enrollment research, and educational mergers and acquisitions.

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How to Finish Your Dissertation in Half the Time

Learn how to avoid the pitfalls preventing you from finishing your dissertation faster.

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Dr. Courtney Watson In the News

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• Common Errors
• Dissertation Success
• Presentation
• Quantitative Analysis
• Surviving Grad School

“How to Finish Your Dissertation in Half the Time”

• Formatting Your Dissertation
• Introduction

Harvard Griffin GSAS strives to provide students with timely, accurate, and clear information. If you need help understanding a specific policy, please contact the office that administers that policy.

• Application for Degree
• Credit for Completed Graduate Work
• Ad Hoc Degree Programs
• Acknowledging the Work of Others
• Advanced Planning
• Dissertation Submission Checklist
• Publishing Options
• Submitting Your Dissertation
• English Language Proficiency
• PhD Program Requirements
• Secondary Fields
• Year of Graduate Study (G-Year)
• Master's Degrees
• Grade and Examination Requirements
• Conduct and Safety
• Financial Aid
• Registration

On this page:

Language of the Dissertation

Page and text requirements, body of text, tables, figures, and captions, dissertation acceptance certificate, copyright statement.

• Table of Contents

Front and Back Matter

Supplemental material, dissertations comprising previously published works, top ten formatting errors, further questions.

• Related Contacts and Forms

When preparing the dissertation for submission, students must follow strict formatting requirements. Any deviation from these requirements may lead to rejection of the dissertation and delay in the conferral of the degree.

The language of the dissertation is ordinarily English, although some departments whose subject matter involves foreign languages may accept a dissertation written in a language other than English.

Most dissertations are 100 to 300 pages in length. All dissertations should be divided into appropriate sections, and long dissertations may need chapters, main divisions, and subdivisions.

• 8½ x 11 inches, unless a musical score is included
• At least 1 inch for all margins
• Body of text: double spacing
• Block quotations, footnotes, and bibliographies: single spacing within each entry but double spacing between each entry
• Table of contents, list of tables, list of figures or illustrations, and lengthy tables: single spacing may be used

Fonts and Point Size

Use 10-12 point size. Fonts must be embedded in the PDF file to ensure all characters display correctly. 

Recommended Fonts

If you are unsure whether your chosen font will display correctly, use one of the following fonts: 

If fonts are not embedded, non-English characters may not appear as intended. Fonts embedded improperly will be published to DASH as-is. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure that fonts are embedded properly prior to submission. 

Instructions for Embedding Fonts

To embed your fonts in recent versions of Word, follow these instructions from Microsoft:

• Click the File tab and then click Options .
• In the left column, select the Save tab.
• Clear the Do not embed common system fonts check box.

For reference, below are some instructions from ProQuest UMI for embedding fonts in older file formats:

To embed your fonts in Microsoft Word 2010:

• In the File pull-down menu click on Options .
• Choose Save on the left sidebar.
• Check the box next to Embed fonts in the file.
• Click the OK button.
• Save the document.

Note that when saving as a PDF, make sure to go to “more options” and save as “PDF/A compliant”

To embed your fonts in Microsoft Word 2007:

• Click the circular Office button in the upper left corner of Microsoft Word.
• A new window will display. In the bottom right corner select Word Options . 
• Choose Save from the left sidebar.

Using Microsoft Word on a Mac:

Microsoft Word 2008 on a Mac OS X computer will automatically embed your fonts while converting your document to a PDF file.

If you are converting to PDF using Acrobat Professional (instructions courtesy of the Graduate Thesis Office at Iowa State University):  

• Open your document in Microsoft Word. 
• Click on the Adobe PDF tab at the top. Select "Change Conversion Settings." 
• Click on Advanced Settings. 
• Click on the Fonts folder on the left side of the new window. In the lower box on the right, delete any fonts that appear in the "Never Embed" box. Then click "OK." 
• If prompted to save these new settings, save them as "Embed all fonts." 
• Now the Change Conversion Settings window should show "embed all fonts" in the Conversion Settings drop-down list and it should be selected. Click "OK" again. 
• Click on the Adobe PDF link at the top again. This time select Convert to Adobe PDF. Depending on the size of your document and the speed of your computer, this process can take 1-15 minutes. 
• After your document is converted, select the "File" tab at the top of the page. Then select "Document Properties." 
• Click on the "Fonts" tab. Carefully check all of your fonts. They should all show "(Embedded Subset)" after the font name. 
•  If you see "(Embedded Subset)" after all fonts, you have succeeded.

The font used in the body of the text must also be used in headers, page numbers, and footnotes. Exceptions are made only for tables and figures created with different software and inserted into the document.

Tables and figures must be placed as close as possible to their first mention in the text. They may be placed on a page with no text above or below, or they may be placed directly into the text. If a table or a figure is alone on a page (with no narrative), it should be centered within the margins on the page. Tables may take up more than one page as long as they obey all rules about margins. Tables and figures referred to in the text may not be placed at the end of the chapter or at the end of the dissertation.

• Given the standards of the discipline, dissertations in the Department of History of Art and Architecture and the Department of Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Urban Planning often place illustrations at the end of the dissertation.

Figure and table numbering must be continuous throughout the dissertation or by chapter (e.g., 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, etc.). Two figures or tables cannot be designated with the same number. If you have repeating images that you need to cite more than once, label them with their number and A, B, etc. 

Headings should be placed at the top of tables. While no specific rules for the format of table headings and figure captions are required, a consistent format must be used throughout the dissertation (contact your department for style manuals appropriate to the field).

Captions should appear at the bottom of any figures. If the figure takes up the entire page, the caption should be placed alone on the preceding page, centered vertically and horizontally within the margins.

Each page receives a separate page number. When a figure or table title is on a preceding page, the second and subsequent pages of the figure or table should say, for example, “Figure 5 (Continued).” In such an instance, the list of figures or tables will list the page number containing the title. The word “figure” should be written in full (not abbreviated), and the “F” should be capitalized (e.g., Figure 5). In instances where the caption continues on a second page, the “(Continued)” notation should appear on the second and any subsequent page. The figure/table and the caption are viewed as one entity and the numbering should show correlation between all pages. Each page must include a header.

Landscape orientation figures and tables must be positioned correctly and bound at the top so that the top of the figure or table will be at the left margin. Figure and table headings/captions are placed with the same orientation as the figure or table when on the same page. When on a separate page, headings/captions are always placed in portrait orientation, regardless of the orientation of the figure or table. Page numbers are always placed as if the figure were vertical on the page.

If a graphic artist does the figures, Harvard Griffin GSAS will accept lettering done by the artist only within the figure. Figures done with software are acceptable if the figures are clear and legible. Legends and titles done by the same process as the figures will be accepted if they too are clear, legible, and run at least 10 or 12 characters per inch. Otherwise, legends and captions should be printed with the same font used in the text.

Original illustrations, photographs, and fine arts prints may be scanned and included, centered between the margins on a page with no text above or below.

Use of Third-Party Content

In addition to the student's own writing, dissertations often contain third-party content or in-copyright content owned by parties other than you, the student who authored the dissertation. The Office for Scholarly Communication recommends consulting the information below about fair use, which allows individuals to use in-copyright content, on a limited basis and for specific purposes, without seeking permission from copyright holders.

Because your dissertation will be made available for online distribution through DASH , Harvard's open-access repository, it is important that any third-party content in it may be made available in this way.

Fair Use and Copyright 

What is fair use?

Fair use is a provision in copyright law that allows the use of a certain amount of copyrighted material without seeking permission. Fair use is format- and media-agnostic. This means fair use may apply to images (including photographs, illustrations, and paintings), quoting at length from literature, videos, and music regardless of the format. 

How do I determine whether my use of an image or other third-party content in my dissertation is fair use?  

There are four factors you will need to consider when making a fair use claim.

1) For what purpose is your work going to be used?

• Nonprofit, educational, scholarly, or research use favors fair use. Commercial, non-educational uses, often do not favor fair use.
• A transformative use (repurposing or recontextualizing the in-copyright material) favors fair use. Examining, analyzing, and explicating the material in a meaningful way, so as to enhance a reader's understanding, strengthens your fair use argument. In other words, can you make the point in the thesis without using, for instance, an in-copyright image? Is that image necessary to your dissertation? If not, perhaps, for copyright reasons, you should not include the image.  

2) What is the nature of the work to be used?

• Published, fact-based content favors fair use and includes scholarly analysis in published academic venues. 
• Creative works, including artistic images, are afforded more protection under copyright, and depending on your use in light of the other factors, may be less likely to favor fair use; however, this does not preclude considerations of fair use for creative content altogether.

3) How much of the work is going to be used?  

• Small, or less significant, amounts favor fair use. A good rule of thumb is to use only as much of the in-copyright content as necessary to serve your purpose. Can you use a thumbnail rather than a full-resolution image? Can you use a black-and-white photo instead of color? Can you quote select passages instead of including several pages of the content? These simple changes bolster your fair use of the material.

4) What potential effect on the market for that work may your use have?

• If there is a market for licensing this exact use or type of educational material, then this weighs against fair use. If however, there would likely be no effect on the potential commercial market, or if it is not possible to obtain permission to use the work, then this favors fair use. 

For further assistance with fair use, consult the Office for Scholarly Communication's guide, Fair Use: Made for the Harvard Community and the Office of the General Counsel's Copyright and Fair Use: A Guide for the Harvard Community .

What are my options if I don’t have a strong fair use claim? 

Consider the following options if you find you cannot reasonably make a fair use claim for the content you wish to incorporate:

• Seek permission from the copyright holder. 
• Use openly licensed content as an alternative to the original third-party content you intended to use. Openly-licensed content grants permission up-front for reuse of in-copyright content, provided your use meets the terms of the open license.
• Use content in the public domain, as this content is not in-copyright and is therefore free of all copyright restrictions. Whereas third-party content is owned by parties other than you, no one owns content in the public domain; everyone, therefore, has the right to use it.

For use of images in your dissertation, please consult this guide to Finding Public Domain & Creative Commons Media , which is a great resource for finding images without copyright restrictions. 

Who can help me with questions about copyright and fair use?

Contact your Copyright First Responder . Please note, Copyright First Responders assist with questions concerning copyright and fair use, but do not assist with the process of obtaining permission from copyright holders.

Pages should be assigned a number except for the Dissertation Acceptance Certificate . Preliminary pages (abstract, table of contents, list of tables, graphs, illustrations, and preface) should use small Roman numerals (i, ii, iii, iv, v, etc.). All pages must contain text or images.  

Count the title page as page i and the copyright page as page ii, but do not print page numbers on either page .

For the body of text, use Arabic numbers (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc.) starting with page 1 on the first page of text. Page numbers must be centered throughout the manuscript at the top or bottom. Every numbered page must be consecutively ordered, including tables, graphs, illustrations, and bibliography/index (if included); letter suffixes (such as 10a, 10b, etc.) are not allowed. It is customary not to have a page number on the page containing a chapter heading.

• Check pagination carefully. Account for all pages.

A copy of the Dissertation Acceptance Certificate (DAC) should appear as the first page. This page should not be counted or numbered. The DAC will appear in the online version of the published dissertation. The author name and date on the DAC and title page should be the same. 

The dissertation begins with the title page; the title should be as concise as possible and should provide an accurate description of the dissertation. The author name and date on the DAC and title page should be the same. 

• Do not print a page number on the title page. It is understood to be page  i  for counting purposes only.

A copyright notice should appear on a separate page immediately following the title page and include the copyright symbol ©, the year of first publication of the work, and the name of the author:

© [ year ] [ Author’s Name ] All rights reserved.

Alternatively, students may choose to license their work openly under a  Creative Commons  license. The author remains the copyright holder while at the same time granting up-front permission to others to read, share, and (depending on the license) adapt the work, so long as proper attribution is given. (By default, under copyright law, the author reserves all rights; under a Creative Commons license, the author reserves some rights.)

• Do  not  print a page number on the copyright page. It is understood to be page  ii  for counting purposes only.

An abstract, numbered as page  iii , should immediately follow the copyright page and should state the problem, describe the methods and procedures used, and give the main results or conclusions of the research. The abstract will appear in the online and bound versions of the dissertation and will be published by ProQuest. There is no maximum word count for the abstract. 

• double-spaced
• left-justified
• indented on the first line of each paragraph
• The author’s name, right justified
• The words “Dissertation Advisor:” followed by the advisor’s name, left-justified (a maximum of two advisors is allowed)
• Title of the dissertation, centered, several lines below author and advisor

Dissertations divided into sections must contain a table of contents that lists, at minimum, the major headings in the following order:

• Front Matter
• Body of Text
• Back Matter

Front matter includes (if applicable):

• acknowledgements of help or encouragement from individuals or institutions
• a dedication
• a list of illustrations or tables
• a glossary of terms
• one or more epigraphs.

Back matter includes (if applicable):

• bibliography
• supplemental materials, including figures and tables
• an index (in rare instances).

Supplemental figures and tables must be placed at the end of the dissertation in an appendix, not within or at the end of a chapter. If additional digital information (including audio, video, image, or datasets) will accompany the main body of the dissertation, it should be uploaded as a supplemental file through ProQuest ETD . Supplemental material will be available in DASH and ProQuest and preserved digitally in the Harvard University Archives.

As a matter of copyright, dissertations comprising the student's previously published works must be authorized for distribution from DASH. The guidelines in this section pertain to any previously published material that requires permission from publishers or other rightsholders before it may be distributed from DASH. Please note:

• Authors whose publishing agreements grant the publisher exclusive rights to display, distribute, and create derivative works will need to seek the publisher's permission for nonexclusive use of the underlying works before the dissertation may be distributed from DASH.
• Authors whose publishing agreements indicate the authors have retained the relevant nonexclusive rights to the original materials for display, distribution, and the creation of derivative works may distribute the dissertation as a whole from DASH without need for further permissions.

It is recommended that authors consult their publishing agreements directly to determine whether and to what extent they may have transferred exclusive rights under copyright. The Office for Scholarly Communication (OSC) is available to help the author determine whether she has retained the necessary rights or requires permission. Please note, however, the Office of Scholarly Communication is not able to assist with the permissions process itself.

• Missing Dissertation Acceptance Certificate.  The first page of the PDF dissertation file should be a scanned copy of the Dissertation Acceptance Certificate (DAC). This page should not be counted or numbered as a part of the dissertation pagination.
• Conflicts Between the DAC and the Title Page.  The DAC and the dissertation title page must match exactly, meaning that the author name and the title on the title page must match that on the DAC. If you use your full middle name or just an initial on one document, it must be the same on the other document.  
• Abstract Formatting Errors. The advisor name should be left-justified, and the author's name should be right-justified. Up to two advisor names are allowed. The Abstract should be double spaced and include the page title “Abstract,” as well as the page number “iii.” There is no maximum word count for the abstract. 
•  The front matter should be numbered using Roman numerals (iii, iv, v, …). The title page and the copyright page should be counted but not numbered. The first printed page number should appear on the Abstract page (iii). 
• The body of the dissertation should be numbered using Arabic numbers (1, 2, 3, …). The first page of the body of the text should begin with page 1. Pagination may not continue from the front matter. 
• All page numbers should be centered either at the top or the bottom of the page.
• Figures and tables Figures and tables must be placed within the text, as close to their first mention as possible. Figures and tables that span more than one page must be labeled on each page. Any second and subsequent page of the figure/table must include the “(Continued)” notation. This applies to figure captions as well as images. Each page of a figure/table must be accounted for and appropriately labeled. All figures/tables must have a unique number. They may not repeat within the dissertation.
• Any figures/tables placed in a horizontal orientation must be placed with the top of the figure/ table on the left-hand side. The top of the figure/table should be aligned with the spine of the dissertation when it is bound. 
• Page numbers must be placed in the same location on all pages of the dissertation, centered, at the bottom or top of the page. Page numbers may not appear under the table/ figure.
• Supplemental Figures and Tables. Supplemental figures and tables must be placed at the back of the dissertation in an appendix. They should not be placed at the back of the chapter. 
• Permission Letters Copyright. permission letters must be uploaded as a supplemental file, titled ‘do_not_publish_permission_letters,” within the dissertation submission tool.
•  DAC Attachment. The signed Dissertation Acceptance Certificate must additionally be uploaded as a document in the "Administrative Documents" section when submitting in Proquest ETD . Dissertation submission is not complete until all documents have been received and accepted.
• Overall Formatting. The entire document should be checked after all revisions, and before submitting online, to spot any inconsistencies or PDF conversion glitches.
• You can view dissertations successfully published from your department in DASH . This is a great place to check for specific formatting and area-specific conventions.
• Contact the  Office of Student Affairs  with further questions.

CONTACT INFO

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How To Write The Conclusion Chapter

The what, why & how explained simply (with examples).

By: Jenna Crossley (PhD Cand). Reviewed By: Dr. Eunice Rautenbach | September 2021

So, you’ve wrapped up your results and discussion chapters, and you’re finally on the home stretch – the conclusion chapter . In this post, we’ll discuss everything you need to know to craft a high-quality conclusion chapter for your dissertation or thesis project.

Overview: Dissertation Conclusion Chapter

• What the thesis/dissertation conclusion chapter is
• What to include in your conclusion chapter
• How to structure and write up your conclusion chapter
• A few tips  to help you ace the chapter

What exactly is the conclusion chapter?

The conclusion chapter is typically the final major chapter of a dissertation or thesis. As such, it serves as a concluding summary of your research findings and wraps up the document. While some publications such as journal articles and research reports combine the discussion and conclusion sections, these are typically separate chapters in a dissertation or thesis. As always, be sure to check what your university’s structural preference is before you start writing up these chapters.

So, what’s the difference between the discussion and the conclusion chapter?

Well, the two chapters are quite similar , as they both discuss the key findings of the study. However, the conclusion chapter is typically more general and high-level in nature. In your discussion chapter, you’ll typically discuss the intricate details of your study, but in your conclusion chapter, you’ll take a   broader perspective, reporting on the main research outcomes and how these addressed your research aim (or aims) .

A core function of the conclusion chapter is to synthesise all major points covered in your study and to tell the reader what they should take away from your work. Basically, you need to tell them what you found , why it’s valuable , how it can be applied , and what further research can be done.

Whatever you do, don’t just copy and paste what you’ve written in your discussion chapter! The conclusion chapter should not be a simple rehash of the discussion chapter. While the two chapters are similar, they have distinctly different functions.  

What should I include in the conclusion chapter?

To understand what needs to go into your conclusion chapter, it’s useful to understand what the chapter needs to achieve. In general, a good dissertation conclusion chapter should achieve the following:

• Summarise the key findings of the study
• Explicitly answer the research question(s) and address the research aims
• Inform the reader of the study’s main contributions
• Discuss any limitations or weaknesses of the study
• Present recommendations for future research

Therefore, your conclusion chapter needs to cover these core components. Importantly, you need to be careful not to include any new findings or data points. Your conclusion chapter should be based purely on data and analysis findings that you’ve already presented in the earlier chapters. If there’s a new point you want to introduce, you’ll need to go back to your results and discussion chapters to weave the foundation in there.

In many cases, readers will jump from the introduction chapter directly to the conclusions chapter to get a quick overview of the study’s purpose and key findings. Therefore, when you write up your conclusion chapter, it’s useful to assume that the reader hasn’t consumed the inner chapters of your dissertation or thesis. In other words, craft your conclusion chapter such that there’s a strong connection and smooth flow between the introduction and conclusion chapters, even though they’re on opposite ends of your document.

Need a helping hand?

How to write the conclusion chapter

Now that you have a clearer view of what the conclusion chapter is about, let’s break down the structure of this chapter so that you can get writing. Keep in mind that this is merely a typical structure – it’s not set in stone or universal. Some universities will prefer that you cover some of these points in the discussion chapter , or that you cover the points at different levels in different chapters.

Step 1: Craft a brief introduction section

As with all chapters in your dissertation or thesis, the conclusions chapter needs to start with a brief introduction. In this introductory section, you’ll want to tell the reader what they can expect to find in the chapter, and in what order . Here’s an example of what this might look like:

This chapter will conclude the study by summarising the key research findings in relation to the research aims and questions and discussing the value and contribution thereof. It will also review the limitations of the study and propose opportunities for future research.

Importantly, the objective here is just to give the reader a taste of what’s to come (a roadmap of sorts), not a summary of the chapter. So, keep it short and sweet – a paragraph or two should be ample.

Step 2: Discuss the overall findings in relation to the research aims

The next step in writing your conclusions chapter is to discuss the overall findings of your study , as they relate to the research aims and research questions . You would have likely covered similar ground in the discussion chapter, so it’s important to zoom out a little bit here and focus on the broader findings – specifically, how these help address the research aims .

In practical terms, it’s useful to start this section by reminding your reader of your research aims and research questions, so that the findings are well contextualised. In this section, phrases such as, “This study aimed to…” and “the results indicate that…” will likely come in handy. For example, you could say something like the following:

This study aimed to investigate the feeding habits of the naked mole-rat. The results indicate that naked mole rats feed on underground roots and tubers. Further findings show that these creatures eat only a part of the plant, leaving essential parts to ensure long-term food stability.

Be careful not to make overly bold claims here. Avoid claims such as “this study proves that” or “the findings disprove existing the existing theory”. It’s seldom the case that a single study can prove or disprove something. Typically, this is achieved by a broader body of research, not a single study – especially not a dissertation or thesis which will inherently have significant and limitations. We’ll discuss those limitations a little later.

Step 3: Discuss how your study contributes to the field

Next, you’ll need to discuss how your research has contributed to the field – both in terms of theory and practice . This involves talking about what you achieved in your study, highlighting why this is important and valuable, and how it can be used or applied.

In this section you’ll want to:

• Mention any research outputs created as a result of your study (e.g., articles, publications, etc.)
• Inform the reader on just how your research solves your research problem , and why that matters
• Reflect on gaps in the existing research and discuss how your study contributes towards addressing these gaps
• Discuss your study in relation to relevant theories . For example, does it confirm these theories or constructively challenge them?
• Discuss how your research findings can be applied in the real world . For example, what specific actions can practitioners take, based on your findings?

Be careful to strike a careful balance between being firm but humble in your arguments here. It’s unlikely that your one study will fundamentally change paradigms or shake up the discipline, so making claims to this effect will be frowned upon . At the same time though, you need to present your arguments with confidence, firmly asserting the contribution your research has made, however small that contribution may be. Simply put, you need to keep it balanced .

Step 4: Reflect on the limitations of your study

Now that you’ve pumped your research up, the next step is to critically reflect on the limitations and potential shortcomings of your study. You may have already covered this in the discussion chapter, depending on your university’s structural preferences, so be careful not to repeat yourself unnecessarily.

There are many potential limitations that can apply to any given study. Some common ones include:

• Sampling issues that reduce the generalisability of the findings (e.g., non-probability sampling )
• Insufficient sample size (e.g., not getting enough survey responses ) or limited data access
• Low-resolution data collection or analysis techniques
• Researcher bias or lack of experience
• Lack of access to research equipment
• Time constraints that limit the methodology (e.g. cross-sectional vs longitudinal time horizon)
• Budget constraints that limit various aspects of the study

Discussing the limitations of your research may feel self-defeating (no one wants to highlight their weaknesses, right), but it’s a critical component of high-quality research. It’s important to appreciate that all studies have limitations (even well-funded studies by expert researchers) – therefore acknowledging these limitations adds credibility to your research by showing that you understand the limitations of your research design .

That being said, keep an eye on your wording and make sure that you don’t undermine your research . It’s important to strike a balance between recognising the limitations, but also highlighting the value of your research despite those limitations. Show the reader that you understand the limitations, that these were justified given your constraints, and that you know how they can be improved upon – this will get you marks.

Next, you’ll need to make recommendations for future studies. This will largely be built on the limitations you just discussed. For example, if one of your study’s weaknesses was related to a specific data collection or analysis method, you can make a recommendation that future researchers undertake similar research using a more sophisticated method.

Another potential source of future research recommendations is any data points or analysis findings that were interesting or surprising , but not directly related to your study’s research aims and research questions. So, if you observed anything that “stood out” in your analysis, but you didn’t explore it in your discussion (due to a lack of relevance to your research aims), you can earmark that for further exploration in this section.

Essentially, this section is an opportunity to outline how other researchers can build on your study to take the research further and help develop the body of knowledge. So, think carefully about the new questions that your study has raised, and clearly outline these for future researchers to pick up on.

Step 6: Wrap up with a closing summary

Quick tips for a top-notch conclusion chapter

Now that we’ve covered the what , why and how of the conclusion chapter, here are some quick tips and suggestions to help you craft a rock-solid conclusion.

• Don’t ramble . The conclusion chapter usually consumes 5-7% of the total word count (although this will vary between universities), so you need to be concise. Edit this chapter thoroughly with a focus on brevity and clarity.
• Be very careful about the claims you make in terms of your study’s contribution. Nothing will make the marker’s eyes roll back faster than exaggerated or unfounded claims. Be humble but firm in your claim-making.
• Use clear and simple language that can be easily understood by an intelligent layman. Remember that not every reader will be an expert in your field, so it’s important to make your writing accessible. Bear in mind that no one knows your research better than you do, so it’s important to spell things out clearly for readers.

Hopefully, this post has given you some direction and confidence to take on the conclusion chapter of your dissertation or thesis with confidence. If you’re still feeling a little shaky and need a helping hand, consider booking a free initial consultation with a friendly Grad Coach to discuss how we can help you with hands-on, private coaching.

Psst… there’s more (for free)

This post is part of our dissertation mini-course, which covers everything you need to get started with your dissertation, thesis or research project. 

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17 Comments

Really you team are doing great!

Your guide on writing the concluding chapter of a research is really informative especially to the beginners who really do not know where to start. Im now ready to start. Keep it up guys

Really your team are doing great!

Very helpful guidelines, timely saved. Thanks so much for the tips.

This post was very helpful and informative. Thank you team.

A very enjoyable, understandable and crisp presentation on how to write a conclusion chapter. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thanks Jenna.

This was a very helpful article which really gave me practical pointers for my concluding chapter. Keep doing what you are doing! It meant a lot to me to be able to have this guide. Thank you so much.

Nice content dealing with the conclusion chapter, it’s a relief after the streneous task of completing discussion part.Thanks for valuable guidance

Thanks for your guidance

I get all my doubts clarified regarding the conclusion chapter. It’s really amazing. Many thanks.

Very helpful tips. Thanks so much for the guidance

Thank you very much for this piece. It offers a very helpful starting point in writing the conclusion chapter of my thesis.

It’s awesome! Most useful and timely too. Thanks a million times

Bundle of thanks for your guidance. It was greatly helpful.

Wonderful, clear, practical guidance. So grateful to read this as I conclude my research. Thank you.

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Dissertation Chapters: Everything You Need To Know To Succeed

If you are struggling to write your very first dissertation, we can assure you that you need some help. It’s impossible to write it correctly without knowing how it should be structured and what it should include. Keep in mind that the dissertation chapters are extremely important. Your paper needs to contain all of them, as well as some other elements that may be required by your school.

We are here to help. Our writers and editors have written thousands of dissertations on a wide variety of subject and topics, so we are your best source of information when it comes to writing the chapters in a dissertation. In this article, we will talk about the structure of the paper and about the chapters of a dissertation. We will discuss each chapter in depth, so you can understand what you need to do. Yes, we will even talk about the methodology dissertation structure.

In addition, we will discuss the abstract, the title page and even the acknowledgements. Finally, we will give you the best tips and advice on how to write the perfect dissertation without spending months working on it. A frequently asked questions section is also provided, in case you have some other questions. Let’s get started!

Table of Contents

Dissertation chapter structure, title page and acknowledgements, writing an abstract for a dissertation, learn how to write a dissertation introduction the right way, literature review chapter, structure of methodology in dissertation, results section of dissertation, discussion chapter of a dissertation, frequently asked questions.

First, let’s talk a bit about the dissertation chapter structure. As you probably already know, each dissertation chapter has its role and each one is extremely important. You can’t submit a dissertation without the results section, or the discussion section, for instance. However, there are several other things that you may need to include in your paper. Here is the dissertation chapter outline that contains everything your school or supervisor may ask for:

• Title page (also known as the cover page). It must contain your name, your professor’s name, your dissertation title, and the date. Your school has precise guidelines; use them to format this page.
• Acknowledgements. Some schools require this section, while others do not. If your school demands it, you can use this section to list the people who have helped you during your research.
• Abstract. Also known as an executive summary, the abstract is not mandatory. Some universities require it though. It is basically an extremely condensed version of your dissertation (under 500 words) that should help another scholar understand what you’ve accomplished (and how).
• Table of contents. This section is mandatory in all dissertations. The table of contents should list all the titles and subtitles in your paper, as well as all the preliminary and supplementary pages. Your school most likely has a set of guidelines you need to follow when formatting this page.
• Introduction chapter.
• Literature review chapter.
• Methodology chapter.
• Results chapter.
• Discussion chapter. This is also the chapter that contains the conclusion, although some schools may ask for a separate chapter named Conclusion.
• Reference list.

When talking about the various parts of a dissertation, there are some things that are mandatory and some that are optional. For instance, the title page is mandatory. The acknowledgements page, on the other hand, is not. Some universities request it, so you should carefully read the requirements of your school.

In case you need to write an acknowledgements section, you must list every person who has helped you academically or professionally. Your supervisor is definitely one of them. If you have received funding, thank the people who have contributed. You can also include other academics that have helped you with information or any other things. And yes, you can even include your family and friends, if they’ve contributed in any way to your project.

If you want to learn how to write a dissertation abstract, it means that your supervisor or school requires it. Scholarly journals always require an abstract, while student papers don’t require one to be written – unless otherwise instructed by your supervisor.

Don’t get into details and don’t talk about things that are not essential. A perfectly written abstract is one that allows a scholar to understand what your paper is all about simply by reading it.

Writing an abstract for a dissertation is not difficult. Start by summarizing your paper and then edit the abstract a few times, eliminating everything you deem unnecessary. You will be left with a concise summary of no more than 500 words (we recommend around 300 to 350 words).

You probably don’t know how to write a dissertation introduction. The good news is that it is not too different from any other introduction you have written for any of your research papers so far. Your introduction should thoroughly introduce the problem and show your readers why it is important to close this gap in knowledge. Here is what a good introduction should contain:

• A bit of background on the problem.
• The statement of the problem.
• The purpose of your research.
• The importance of your research.
• All relevant research questions.
• A definition of terms.
• Any assumptions you’ve made and any limitations of your research.
• A short conclusion.

You can use the structure above to write your introduction, of course. The short conclusion at the end of the chapter should make a swift transition to the next chapter: the Literature review.

The literature review discusses the various sources you have read on the topic. This literature review should clearly identify a gap in research (which you are about to close). It is used to show other scholars that you know and understand the most important literature on the topic you are about to discuss. Here is the structure of a literature review chapter:

Introduction. Explain the purpose of the literature review and provide a bit of background information on the scholarly context. The literature review. This is where the review will be written, but you can always split this section into several subsections. Identify themes, talk about time periods, or use the methodological approach. Make sure you summarize the literature, analyze it thoroughly and then interpret it. Conclusion. Talk about the key facts you have learned about while making the literature review and explain how your research unearths new data and information that closes a gap in knowledge.

In this section, we will talk about the Methodology chapter and show you how to write methodology for dissertation as quickly as possible while avoiding the most common mistakes students make when writing this chapter. Let’s start by showing you the structure of methodology in dissertation:

• A short introduction that discusses the research aims of your study. Make sure your readers don’t forget what your project is all about.
• The research design section. This is where you discuss each and every one of the methods (interviews, experimental research, computer-assisted data collection, data mining, surveys, focus groups, etc.) you have used to gather data for your research. Provide as many details as possible, so that another scholar can reproduce your experiment and get similar results.
• The limitations of your methods. This is where you discuss the limitations that you have observed during your research. They can be simple things, like time or money, or subtle things like selection bias. Remember to write in a critical manner but without putting too much emphasis on the weaknesses in your study.
• The conclusion is where you summarize everything you’ve talked about and make a smooth transition to the next chapter: the Results. And whatever you do, don’t include any new information in the conclusion.

Of course, you can alter this dissertation methodology structure as you see fit. However, make sure you include the most important information about the methods that you have used to gather the data.

You probably don’t yet know how to write the results section of a dissertation. Don’t worry about it; none of the other students knew how to write one either. Truth be told, writing the results section of dissertation is not as difficult as you may think.

Most students aren’t sure how to write a discussion for a dissertation correctly. There is a bit of confusion when it comes to this chapter because the structure of the dissertation is different from the structure of the research paper.

The discussion dissertation supervisors love is one that interprets the data in the results chapter, discusses all the implications, talks about the limitations, and makes relevant recommendations. Wrap everything up with a conclusion. It can be one or two paragraphs long and should restate your thesis. In the conclusion part of the discussion chapter, summarize your research and findings, then emphasize how your results answer the research questions and fill the gap in knowledge. You can end the conclusion with a strong call to action.

Need Some Dissertation Help?

Becoming a PhD graduate can take years of hard work and serious efforts, regardless of the university you are attending. If you want to make sure you get the best outcome from your dissertation, you should get some help from our highly educated (and very experienced) dissertation writing experts. We can help you with the best research services, PhD dissertation writing services and editing services for some of the most affordable prices on the market. If you’ve already written your paper, we can proofread it for you to make sure it’s perfectly written.

Our company specializes in creating custom, high quality academic content for students all around the world. Of course, we write everything from scratch, so your dissertation will be unique. Every professor in the dissertation committee, as well as your supervisor, will absolutely love our work. In other words, you will get top marks and your paper will most likely receive the high first class award. After all, all our writers and editors hold at least one PhD and they all have extensive experience writing dissertations on a wide array of subjects and topics.

Every student who works with us is safe and secure. We have been around for more than a decade, during which time we have helped thousands of students do an exceptional job on their dissertations. If you want to enlist our professional help, or if you just want to ask us a couple of questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us!

Check out these commonly asked questions about dissertation chapters:

Q: Can you teach me how to write an abstract for dissertation?

A: Yes, we can. We can show you some great examples or edit your own work to make it perfect. If you’re running out of time, we can write it for you from start to finish.

Q: Where can I find an example of methodology chapter in dissertation?

A: You can find a dissertation methodology chapter sample online, of course. However, most of them are poorly written. To get a usable example, you could get in touch with our experienced thesis helpers .

Q: So, how many chapters in a dissertation?

A: The dissertation contains 5 major chapters, but there are also other sections of dissertation: a cover page, an acknowledgements page, and even an abstract.

Q: What is the introduction in a dissertation?

A: The introduction is the place where you provide background information on the topic and show your readers what your research is all about (your aim).

Q: How do I generate a table of contents?

A: If you are using a word processor, you need to apply a style to each heading and subheading. This includes the reference list and appendices. Most word processors are able to automatically generate a table of contents if the headings and subheadings have been formatted correctly.

Q: Can you guys send me a results section of dissertation example?

A: If you are an undergraduate struggling with his first dissertation, don’t hesitate to send us a message. We can help you with a sample of a results section.

Q: What kind of discussion chapter dissertation coordinators love the most?

A: The discussion chapter needs to be critical and must address the implications of the results, as well as the limitations of your research. Emphasize how the results support your thesis, but also acknowledge that there are some limitations.

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EdDPrograms.org

What is an Ed.D. Dissertation? Complete Guide & Support Resources

Wondering how to tackle the biggest doctoral challenge of all? Use our guide to the Ed.D. dissertation to get started! Learn about the purpose of a Doctor of Education dissertation and typical topics for education students. Read through step-by-step descriptions of the dissertation process and the 5-chapter format. Get answers to Ed.D. dissertation FAQs . Or skip to the chase and find real-world examples of Doctor of Education dissertations and websites & resources for Ed.D. dissertation research.

What is an Ed.D. Dissertation?

Definition of an ed.d. dissertation.

An Ed.D. dissertation is a 5-chapter scholarly document that brings together years of original research to address a problem of practice in education. To complete a dissertation, you will need to go through a number of scholarly steps , including a final defense to justify your findings.

Purpose of an Ed.D. Dissertation

In a Doctor of Education dissertation, you will be challenged to apply high-level research & creative problem-solving to real-world educational challenges. You may be asked to:

• Take a critical look at current educational & administrative practices
• Address urgent issues in the modern education system
• Propose original & practical solutions for improvements
• Expand the knowledge base for educational practitioners

Topics of Ed.D. Dissertations

An Ed.D. dissertation is “customizable.” You’re allowed to chose a topic that relates to your choice of specialty (e.g. elementary education), field of interest (e.g. curriculum development), and environment (e.g. urban schools).

Think about current problems of practice that need to be addressed in your field. You’ll notice that Ed.D. dissertation topics often address one of the following:

• Academic performance
• Teaching methods
• Access to resources
• Social challenges
• Legislative impacts
• System effectiveness

Wondering how others have done it? Browse through Examples of Ed.D. Dissertations and read the titles & abstracts. You’ll see how current educators are addressing their own problems of practice.

Ed.D. Dissertation Process

1. propose a dissertation topic.

Near the beginning of a Doctor of Education program, you’ll be expected to identify a dissertation topic that will require substantial research. This topic should revolve around a unique issue in education.

Universities will often ask you to provide an idea for your topic when you’re applying to the doctoral program. You don’t necessarily need to stick to this idea, but you should be prepared to explain why it interests you. If you need inspiration, see our section on Examples of Ed.D. Dissertations .

You’ll be expected to solidify your dissertation topic in the first few semesters. Talking to faculty and fellow Ed.D. students can help in this process. Better yet, your educational peers will often be able to provide unique perspectives on the topic (e.g. cultural differences in teaching methods).

2. Meet Your Dissertation Chair & Committee

You won’t be going through the Ed.D. dissertation process alone! Universities will help you to select a number of experienced mentors. These include:

• Dissertation Chair/Faculty Advisor: The Chair of the Dissertation Committee acts as your primary advisor. You’ll often see them referred to as the Supervising Professor, Faculty Advisor, or the like. You’ll rely on this “Obi Wan” for their knowledge of the field, research advice & guidance, editorial input on drafts, and more. They can also assist with shaping & refining your dissertation topic.
• Dissertation Committee:  The Dissertation Committee is made up of ~3 faculty members, instructors and/or adjuncts with advanced expertise in your field of study. The Committee will offer advice, provide feedback on your research progress, and review your work & progress reports. When you defend your proposal and give your final defense , you’ll be addressing the Dissertation Committee.

3. Study for Ed.D. Courses

Doctor of Education coursework is designed to help you: a) learn how to conduct original research; and b) give you a broader perspective on your field of interest. If you take a look at the curriculum in any Ed.D. program, you’ll see that students have to complete credits in:

• Practical Research Methods (e.g. Quantitative Design & Analysis for Educational Leaders)
• Real-World Educational Issues (e.g. Educational Policy, Law & Practice)

When you’re evaluating possible Ed.D. programs, pay attention to the coursework in real-world educational issues. You’ll want to pick an education doctorate with courses that complement your dissertation topic.

4. Complete a Literature Review

A literature review is an evaluation of existing materials & research work that relate to your dissertation topic. It’s a written synthesis that:

• Grounds your project within the field
• Explains how your work relates to previous research & theoretical frameworks
• Helps to identify gaps in the existing research

Have a look at Literature Review Guides if you’d like to know more about the process. Our section on Resources for Ed.D. Dissertation Research also has useful links to journals & databases.

5. Craft a Dissertation Proposal

During the first two years of your Doctor of Education, you’ll use the knowledge you’ve learned from your coursework & discussions to write the opening chapters of your dissertation, including an:

• Introduction  that defines your chosen topic
• Literature Review of existing research in the field
• Proposed Research Methodology for finding the answer to your problem

When you’re putting together these elements, think about the practicals. Is the topic too big to address in one dissertation? How much time will your research take and how will you conduct it? Will your dissertation be relevant to your current job? If in doubt, ask your faculty advisor.

6. Defend Your Dissertation Proposal

About midway through the Ed.D. program, you will need to present your proposal to your Dissertation Committee. They will review your work and offer feedback. For example, the Committee will want to see that:

• Your research topic is significant.
• Your research methodology & timeline make sense.
• Relevant works are included in the literature review.

After the Committee approves your proposal, you can get stuck into conducting original research and writing up your findings. These two important tasks will take up the final years of your doctorate.

7. Conduct Original Research into Your Topic

As a Doctor of Education student, you will be expected to conduct your own research. Ed.D. students often use a qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods (quantitative/qualitative) approach in this process.

• Quantitative Research: Collection & analysis of numerical data to identify characteristics, discover correlations, and/or test hypotheses.
• Qualitative Research: Collection & analysis of non-numerical data to understand & explain phenomena (e.g. questionnaires, in-depth interviews, focus groups, video artifacts, etc.).

Your Ed.D. coursework will ground you in research methods & tools, so you’ll be prepared to design your own project and seek IRB approval for any work involving human subjects.

Note: Occasionally, universities can get creative. For example, the Ed.D. program at San Jose State University asks students to produce a documentary film instead of conducting traditional research.

8. Write the Rest of Your Dissertation

Once you have written up the first few chapters of your dissertation (Intro, Literature Review & Proposed Methodology) and completed your research work, you’ll be able to complete the final chapters of your dissertation.

• Chapter 4 will detail your research findings.
• Chapter 5 is a conclusion that summarizes solutions to your problem of practice/topic.

This is where you and your faculty advisor will often have a lot of interaction! For example, you may need to rework the first few chapters of your dissertation after you’ve drafted the final chapters. Faculty advisors are extremely busy people, so be sure to budget in ample time for revisions and final edits.

9. Defend Your Dissertation

The final defense/candidacy exam is a formal presentation of your work to the Dissertation Committee. In many cases, the defense is an oral presentation with visual aides. You’ll be able to explain your research findings, go through your conclusions, and highlight new ideas & solutions.

At any time, the Committee can challenge you with questions, so you should be prepared to defend your conclusions. But this process is not as frightening as it sounds!

• If you’ve been in close contact with the Committee throughout the dissertation, they will be aware of your work.
• Your faculty advisor will help you decide when you’re ready for the final defense.
• You can also attend the defenses of other Ed.D. students to learn what questions may be asked.

Be aware that the Committee has the option to ask for changes before they approve your dissertation. After you have incorporated any notes from the Committee and addressed their concerns, you will finalize the draft, submit your dissertation for a formal review, and graduate.

Ed.D. Dissertation Format: 5 Chapters

Chapter 1: introduction.

Your Doctor of Education dissertation will begin with an introduction. In it, you’ll be expected to:

• Provide an overview of your educational landscape
• Explain important definitions & key concepts
• Define a real-world topic/problem of practice
• Outline the need for new studies on this topic

Chapter 2: Literature Review

The literature review is a summary of existing research in the field. However, it is not an annotated bibliography. Instead, it’s a critical analysis of current research (e.g. trends, themes, debates & current practices). While you’re evaluating the literature, you’re also looking for the gaps where you can conduct original research.

Sources for a literature review can include books, articles, reports, websites, dissertations, and more. Our section on Resources for Ed.D. Dissertation Research has plenty of places to start.

Chapter 3: Research Methodology

In the research methodology, you’ll be expected to explain:

• The purpose of your research
• What tools & methods you plan to use to research your topic/problem of practice
• The design of the study
• Your timeline for gathering quantitative & qualitative data
• How you plan to analyze that data
• Any limitations you foresee

Chapter 4: Results & Analysis

Chapter 4 is the place where you can share the results of your original research and present key findings from the data. In your analysis, you may also be highlighting new patterns, relationships, and themes that other scholars have failed to discover. Have a look at real-life Examples of Ed.D. Dissertations to see how this section is structured.

Chapter 5: Discussions & Conclusions

The final chapter of your Ed.D. dissertation brings all of your work together in a detailed summary. You’ll be expected to:

• Reiterate the objectives of your dissertation
• Explain the significance of your research findings
• Outline the implications of your ideas on existing practices
• Propose solutions for a problem of practice
• Make suggestions & recommendations for future improvements

Ed.D. Dissertation FAQs

What’s the difference between a dissertation and a thesis.

• Dissertation: A dissertation is a 5-chapter written work that must be completed in order to earn a doctoral degree (e.g. Ph.D., Ed.D., etc.). It’s often focused on original research.
• Thesis: A thesis is a written work that must be completed in order to earn a master’s degree. It’s typically shorter than a dissertation and based on existing research.

How Long is a Ed.D. Dissertation?

It depends. Most Ed.D. dissertations end up being between 80-200 pages. The length will depend on a number of factors, including the depth of your literature review, the way you collect & present your research data, and any appendices you might need to include.

How Long Does it Take to Finish an Ed.D. Dissertation?

It depends. If you’re in an accelerated program , you may be able to finish your dissertation in 2-3 years. If you’re in a part-time program and need to conduct a lot of complex research work, your timeline will be much longer.

What’s a Strong Ed.D. Dissertation Topic?

Experts always say that Doctor of Education students should be passionate about their dissertation topic and eager to explore uncharted territory. When you’re crafting your Ed.D. dissertation topic , find one that will be:

• Significant

See the section on Examples of Ed.D. Dissertations for inspiration.

Do I Have to Complete a Traditional Dissertation for an Ed.D.?

No. If you’re struggling with the idea of a traditional dissertation, check out this guide to Online Ed.D. Programs with No Dissertation . Some Schools of Education give Ed.D. students the opportunity to complete a Capstone Project or Dissertation in Practice (DiP) instead of a 5-chapter written work.

These alternatives aren’t easy! You’ll still be challenged at the same level as you would be for a dissertation. However, Capstone Projects & DiPs often involve more group work and an emphasis on applied theory & research.

What’s the Difference Between a Ph.D. Dissertation and Ed.D. Dissertation?

Have a look at our Ed.D. vs. Ph.D. Guide to get a sense of the differences between the two degrees. In a nutshell:

• Ed.D. dissertations tend to focus on addressing current & real-world topics/problems of practice in the workplace.
• Ph.D. dissertations usually put more emphasis on creating new theories & concepts and even completely rethinking educational practices.

How Can I Learn More About Ed.D. Dissertations?

Start with the section on Examples of Ed.D. Dissertations . You can browse through titles, abstracts, and even complete dissertations from a large number of universities.

If you have a few Doctor of Education programs on your shortlist, we also recommend that you skim through the program’s Dissertation Handbook . It can usually be found on the School of Education’s website. You’ll be able to see how the School likes to structure the dissertation process from start to finish.

Ed.D. Dissertation Support

University & campus resources, dissertation chair & committee.

The first port of call for any questions about the Ed.D. dissertation is your Dissertation Chair. If you get stuck with a terrible faculty advisor, talk to members of the Dissertation Committee. They are there to support your journey.

University Library

An Ed.D. dissertation is a massive research project. So before you choose a Doctor of Education program, ask the School of Education about its libraries & library resources (e.g. free online access to subscription-based journals).

Writing Center

Many universities have a Writing Center. If you’re struggling with any elements of your dissertation (e.g. editing), you can ask the staff about:

• Individual tutoring
• Editorial assistance
• Outside resources

Mental Health Support

It’s well-known that doctoral students often face a lot of stress & isolation during their studies. Ask your faculty advisor about mental health services at the university. Staff in the School of Education and the Graduate School will also have information about on-campus counselors, free or discounted therapy sessions, and more.

Independent Dissertation Services

Dissertation editing services: potentially helpful.

There are scores of independent providers who offer dissertation editing services. But they can be expensive. And many of these editors have zero expertise in educational fields.

If you need help with editing & proofreading, proceed with caution:

• Start by asking your Dissertation Chair about what’s permitted for third party involvement (e.g. you may need to note any editor’s contribution in your dissertation acknowledgments) and whether they have any suggestions.
• The Graduate School is another useful resource. For example, Cornell’s Graduate School maintains a list of Editing, Typing, and Proofreading Services for graduate students.

Dissertation Coaches: Not Worth It

Dissertation coaches are defined as people who offer academic & mental support, guidance, and editorial input.

• That means the person who should be your coach is your Dissertation Chair/Faculty Advisor. Remember that faculty members on the Dissertation Committee can also provide assistance.
• If you’re looking for extra support, you might consider consulting a mentor in your line of work and collaborating with fellow Ed.D. students.

But hiring an independent Ed.D. dissertation coach is going to be an absolute waste of money.

Dissertation Writing Services: Just Don’t!

Universities take the dissertation process  very seriously . An Ed.D. dissertation is supposed to be the culmination of years of original thought and research. You’re going to be responsible for the final product. You’re going to be defending your written work in front of a phalanx of experienced faculty members. You’re going to be putting this credential on your résumé for everyone to see.

If you cheat the process by having someone else write up your work, you will get caught.

Ed.D. Dissertation Resources

Examples of ed.d. dissertations, dissertation databases.

• Open Access Theses and Dissertations
• ProQuest Dissertations & Theses
• EBSCO Open Dissertations

Ed.D. Dissertations

• USF Scholarship Repository: Ed.D. Dissertations
• George Fox University: Doctor of Education
• UW Tacoma: Ed.D. Dissertations in Practice
• Liberty University: School of Education Doctoral Dissertations
• University of Mary Hardin-Baylor: Dissertation Collection

Ed.D. Dissertation Abstracts

• Michigan State University: Ed.D. Dissertation Abstracts

Ed.D. Dissertation Guides & Tools

General ed.d. guides.

• SNHU: Educational Leadership Ed.D./Ph.D. Guide

Dissertation Style Manuals

• Chicago Manual of Style

Style manuals are designed to ensure that every Ed.D. student follows the same set of writing guidelines for their dissertation (e.g. grammatical rules, footnote & quotation formats, abbreviation conventions, etc.). Check with the School of Education to learn which style manual they use.

Examples of Ed.D. Dissertation Templates

• Purdue University: Dissertation Template
• Walden University: Ed.D. Dissertation Template

Each School of Education has a standard dissertation template. We’ve highlighted a couple of examples so you can see how they’re formatted, but you will need to acquire the template from your own university.

Literature Review Guides

• UNC Chapel Hill: Writing Guide for Literature Reviews
• University of Alabama: How to Conduct a Literature Review

Resources for Ed.D. Dissertation Research

Journal articles.

• EBSCO Education Research Databases
• Education Resources Information Center (ERIC)
• Emerald Education eJournal Collection
• Gale OneFile: Educator’s Reference Complete
• Google Scholar
• NCES Bibliography Search Tool
• ProQuest Education Database
• SAGE Journals: Education

Useful Websites

• Harvard Gutman Library: Websites for Educators
• EduRef: Lesson Plans

Educational Data & Statistics

• Digest of Education Statistics
• Education Policy Data Center (EPDC)
• ICPSR Data Archive
• National Assessment of Educational Progress
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
• UNESCO Institute for Statistics

Frequently asked questions

How should you refer to chapters in your thesis or dissertation.

When you mention different chapters within your text, it’s considered best to use Roman numerals for most citation styles. However, the most important thing here is to remain consistent whenever using numbers in your dissertation .

Frequently asked questions: Dissertation

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.

A dissertation prospectus or proposal describes what or who you plan to research for your dissertation. It delves into why, when, where, and how you will do your research, as well as helps you choose a type of research to pursue. You should also determine whether you plan to pursue qualitative or quantitative methods and what your research design will look like.

It should outline all of the decisions you have taken about your project, from your dissertation topic to your hypotheses and research objectives , ready to be approved by your supervisor or committee.

Note that some departments require a defense component, where you present your prospectus to your committee orally.

A thesis is typically written by students finishing up a bachelor’s or Master’s degree. Some educational institutions, particularly in the liberal arts, have mandatory theses, but they are often not mandatory to graduate from bachelor’s degrees. It is more common for a thesis to be a graduation requirement from a Master’s degree.

Even if not mandatory, you may want to consider writing a thesis if you:

• Plan to attend graduate school soon
• Have a particular topic you’d like to study more in-depth
• Are considering a career in research
• Would like a capstone experience to tie up your academic experience

The conclusion of your thesis or dissertation should include the following:

• A restatement of your research question
• A summary of your key arguments and/or results
• A short discussion of the implications of your research

The conclusion of your thesis or dissertation shouldn’t take up more than 5–7% of your overall word count.

For a stronger dissertation conclusion , avoid including:

• Important evidence or analysis that wasn’t mentioned in the discussion section and results section
• Generic concluding phrases (e.g. “In conclusion …”)
• Weak statements that undermine your argument (e.g., “There are good points on both sides of this issue.”)

Your conclusion should leave the reader with a strong, decisive impression of your work.

While it may be tempting to present new arguments or evidence in your thesis or disseration conclusion , especially if you have a particularly striking argument you’d like to finish your analysis with, you shouldn’t. Theses and dissertations follow a more formal structure than this.

All your findings and arguments should be presented in the body of the text (more specifically in the discussion section and results section .) The conclusion is meant to summarize and reflect on the evidence and arguments you have already presented, not introduce new ones.

A theoretical framework can sometimes be integrated into a  literature review chapter , but it can also be included as its own chapter or section in your dissertation . As a rule of thumb, if your research involves dealing with a lot of complex theories, it’s a good idea to include a separate theoretical framework chapter.

A literature review and a theoretical framework are not the same thing and cannot be used interchangeably. While a theoretical framework describes the theoretical underpinnings of your work, a literature review critically evaluates existing research relating to your topic. You’ll likely need both in your dissertation .

While a theoretical framework describes the theoretical underpinnings of your work based on existing research, a conceptual framework allows you to draw your own conclusions, mapping out the variables you may use in your study and the interplay between them.

A thesis or dissertation outline is one of the most critical first steps in your writing process. It helps you to lay out and organize your ideas and can provide you with a roadmap for deciding what kind of research you’d like to undertake.

Generally, an outline contains information on the different sections included in your thesis or dissertation , such as:

• Your anticipated title
• Your abstract
• Your chapters (sometimes subdivided into further topics like literature review , research methods , avenues for future research, etc.)

In most styles, the title page is used purely to provide information and doesn’t include any images. Ask your supervisor if you are allowed to include an image on the title page before doing so. If you do decide to include one, make sure to check whether you need permission from the creator of the image.

Include a note directly beneath the image acknowledging where it comes from, beginning with the word “ Note .” (italicized and followed by a period). Include a citation and copyright attribution . Don’t title, number, or label the image as a figure , since it doesn’t appear in your main text.

Definitional terms often fall into the category of common knowledge , meaning that they don’t necessarily have to be cited. This guidance can apply to your thesis or dissertation glossary as well.

However, if you’d prefer to cite your sources , you can follow guidance for citing dictionary entries in MLA or APA style for your glossary.

A glossary is a collection of words pertaining to a specific topic. In your thesis or dissertation, it’s a list of all terms you used that may not immediately be obvious to your reader. In contrast, an index is a list of the contents of your work organized by page number.

The title page of your thesis or dissertation goes first, before all other content or lists that you may choose to include.

The title page of your thesis or dissertation should include your name, department, institution, degree program, and submission date.

Glossaries are not mandatory, but if you use a lot of technical or field-specific terms, it may improve readability to add one to your thesis or dissertation. Your educational institution may also require them, so be sure to check their specific guidelines.

A glossary or “glossary of terms” is a collection of words pertaining to a specific topic. In your thesis or dissertation, it’s a list of all terms you used that may not immediately be obvious to your reader. Your glossary only needs to include terms that your reader may not be familiar with, and is intended to enhance their understanding of your work.

A glossary is a collection of words pertaining to a specific topic. In your thesis or dissertation, it’s a list of all terms you used that may not immediately be obvious to your reader. In contrast, dictionaries are more general collections of words.

An abbreviation is a shortened version of an existing word, such as Dr. for Doctor. In contrast, an acronym uses the first letter of each word to create a wholly new word, such as UNESCO (an acronym for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization).

As a rule of thumb, write the explanation in full the first time you use an acronym or abbreviation. You can then proceed with the shortened version. However, if the abbreviation is very common (like PC, USA, or DNA), then you can use the abbreviated version from the get-go.

Be sure to add each abbreviation in your list of abbreviations !

If you only used a few abbreviations in your thesis or dissertation , you don’t necessarily need to include a list of abbreviations .

If your abbreviations are numerous, or if you think they won’t be known to your audience, it’s never a bad idea to add one. They can also improve readability, minimizing confusion about abbreviations unfamiliar to your reader.

A list of abbreviations is a list of all the abbreviations that you used in your thesis or dissertation. It should appear at the beginning of your document, with items in alphabetical order, just after your table of contents .

Your list of tables and figures should go directly after your table of contents in your thesis or dissertation.

Lists of figures and tables are often not required, and aren’t particularly common. They specifically aren’t required for APA-Style, though you should be careful to follow their other guidelines for figures and tables .

If you have many figures and tables in your thesis or dissertation, include one may help you stay organized. Your educational institution may require them, so be sure to check their guidelines.

A list of figures and tables compiles all of the figures and tables that you used in your thesis or dissertation and displays them with the page number where they can be found.

The table of contents in a thesis or dissertation always goes between your abstract and your introduction .

You may acknowledge God in your dissertation acknowledgements , but be sure to follow academic convention by also thanking the members of academia, as well as family, colleagues, and friends who helped you.

A literature review is a survey of credible sources on a topic, often used in dissertations , theses, and research papers . Literature reviews give an overview of knowledge on a subject, helping you identify relevant theories and methods, as well as gaps in existing research. Literature reviews are set up similarly to other  academic texts , with an introduction , a main body, and a conclusion .

An  annotated bibliography is a list of  source references that has a short description (called an annotation ) for each of the sources. It is often assigned as part of the research process for a  paper .  

In a thesis or dissertation, the discussion is an in-depth exploration of the results, going into detail about the meaning of your findings and citing relevant sources to put them in context.

The conclusion is more shorter and more general: it concisely answers your main research question and makes recommendations based on your overall findings.

In the discussion , you explore the meaning and relevance of your research results , explaining how they fit with existing research and theory. Discuss:

• Your  interpretations : what do the results tell us?
• The  implications : why do the results matter?
• The  limitation s : what can’t the results tell us?

The results chapter or section simply and objectively reports what you found, without speculating on why you found these results. The discussion interprets the meaning of the results, puts them in context, and explains why they matter.

In qualitative research , results and discussion are sometimes combined. But in quantitative research , it’s considered important to separate the objective results from your interpretation of them.

Results are usually written in the past tense , because they are describing the outcome of completed actions.

The results chapter of a thesis or dissertation presents your research results concisely and objectively.

In quantitative research , for each question or hypothesis , state:

• The type of analysis used
• Relevant results in the form of descriptive and inferential statistics
• Whether or not the alternative hypothesis was supported

In qualitative research , for each question or theme, describe:

• Recurring patterns
• Significant or representative individual responses
• Relevant quotations from the data

Don’t interpret or speculate in the results chapter.

To automatically insert a table of contents in Microsoft Word, follow these steps:

• Apply heading styles throughout the document.
• In the references section in the ribbon, locate the Table of Contents group.
• Click the arrow next to the Table of Contents icon and select Custom Table of Contents.
• Select which levels of headings you would like to include in the table of contents.

Make sure to update your table of contents if you move text or change headings. To update, simply right click and select Update Field.

All level 1 and 2 headings should be included in your table of contents . That means the titles of your chapters and the main sections within them.

The contents should also include all appendices and the lists of tables and figures, if applicable, as well as your reference list .

Do not include the acknowledgements or abstract in the table of contents.

The abstract appears on its own page in the thesis or dissertation , after the title page and acknowledgements but before the table of contents .

An abstract for a thesis or dissertation is usually around 200–300 words. There’s often a strict word limit, so make sure to check your university’s requirements.

In a thesis or dissertation, the acknowledgements should usually be no longer than one page. There is no minimum length.

The acknowledgements are generally included at the very beginning of your thesis , directly after the title page and before the abstract .

Yes, it’s important to thank your supervisor(s) in the acknowledgements section of your thesis or dissertation .

Even if you feel your supervisor did not contribute greatly to the final product, you must acknowledge them, if only for a very brief thank you. If you do not include your supervisor, it may be seen as a snub.

In the acknowledgements of your thesis or dissertation, you should first thank those who helped you academically or professionally, such as your supervisor, funders, and other academics.

Then you can include personal thanks to friends, family members, or anyone else who supported you during the process.

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Thesis Structure: Writing Guide For Your Success

If you are about to start writing your thesis, then it is extremely important to know as much as possible about the thesis structure. Learning the main thesis chapters should enable you to quickly structure your academic paper. Keep in mind that not structuring the paper correctly usually leads to severe penalties. We know some of you are probably having questions about numbering dissertation chapters. Basically, you just need to give all the major sections consecutive numbers. Use Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, and so on). Check out the most frequently asked questions and them move on to the 7 parts of the thesis or dissertation structure.

Thesis Structure Frequently Asked Questions

• What is a basic good structure for a thesis? A: The best structure is the one listed below. It contains the 7 important parts any thesis should have.
• What does “the structure of this dissertation is in manuscript style” mean? A: It means that the thesis includes one or more manuscripts that have been written in a way that facilitates publication. The thesis can, in this case, be a collection of papers that have been written or co-authored by the student.
• Which chapters of dissertation are mandatory? A: All the 7 chapters below are necessary, if you want to get a top score on your paper.
• Where can I get a thesis structure template? A: You can quickly get a thesis structure example from one of our seasoned academic writers. Don’t base your thesis on mediocre samples you find online.
• What is the preferred thesis sentence structure? A: There is no set sentence structure that you have to follow. Just make sure your writing is organized in a logical manner and that all complex terms are explained the first time you use them.

Thesis Abstract

The first part of the thesis structure is the abstract. It is basically an overview of the entire paper. There is no set dissertation abstract structure. It is just a summary of your thesis and it should be just 200 to 300 words long.

Thesis Introduction

The introduction is one of the most important dissertation chapters. It should contain all of the following information:

A bit of background about the topic. Some information about the current knowledge. The aim of your research (the gap in knowledge that prompted you to write the thesis).

Remember that the introduction must present the thesis statement. It is very important to learn more about the thesis statement structure. A great thesis statement will pique the interest of the evaluation committee.

Thesis Literature Review

Many students who are looking to learn how to structure a thesis don’t know about the Literature Review section. Why? Because many people prefer to include it into the introduction. However, by separating the literature review from the intro, you can focus more on why your research is important. You can evaluate the most important research on your topic and clearly show the gap in knowledge.

Thesis Methods

In most cases, the Methods section is the easiest part of the structure of a thesis. All you have to do is present the method or methods you chose for the research. Don’t forget to also explain why you chose that specific research method. Your audience needs to understand that the chosen method is the best for the task.

Thesis Results

This is one of the most important chapters of a dissertation. In the Results chapter, you need to present your findings. Remember that written text is not enough. You need figures, stats, graphs, and other forms of data. This section contains all the facts of your research and should be written in an objective, neutral manner. It would be unusual for your to discuss your findings in this section.

Thesis Discussion

The Discussion chapter is very important in the dissertation chapters structure. It is the reason why you didn’t discuss your findings in the Results section. This is the section you can use to talk about your findings and provide your own opinions about the results. Here is what you can do in the discussion section:

Explain to the audience what your results mean for the scientific community. Comment on each of the results and discuss how your findings support your thesis. Explain any unexpected results so the evaluation committee can see that you know what you’re doing. Interpret the results and tie them with other research on the subject. How does your research help the academic community?

Thesis Conclusion

While not the most important chapter, the conclusion is one of the important chapters in a dissertation. It is the part where you can show your readers that you have achieved your research objectives. You can talk a bit about what you’ve learned in the process and even make some suggestions regarding the need for future research. In most cases, students also reiterate the thesis statement at the beginning of the conclusion, followed by a short summary of the paper’s most important chapters.

Still Not Sure How to Structure Thesis?

In case you are still struggling to find the best history dissertation structure, you should get some help as fast as possible. Remember that writing a thesis takes weeks, if not months. Don’t spend too much time trying to find the best structure. Instead, get in touch with a reliable academic company and get some quick assistance. For examples, one of our writers can create a thesis outline for you. You can just follow the outline and everything will be just fine.

Of course, you can also get some help with the thesis formatting. Citations and references can be difficult to master. Each academic writing style (MLA, Chicago, APA, etc.) has its own requirements. The way you format your academic paper is very important. Bolding and italicizing can emphasize certain ideas. A professional editor can help you make the thesis stand out from the rest. After all, a pleasantly-formatted dissertation that impresses the evaluation committee with its structure and quality of content has a very high chance of getting a top score.

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• Oct 15, 2019

HOW MANY CHAPTERS SHOULD A DISSERTATION HAVE?

Updated: Mar 30, 2020

Dissertation is the research paper submitted by the candidate aspiring for a doctorate in a particular field of study. It is an extensive written work which is done on mastering a chosen field of study. A dissertation of thesis is mandatory to be submitted if a candidate is aspiring for a doctor degree. 

The university will provide with certain guidelines that has to be followed during the preparation of a dissertation. The guidelines would clearly mention the scopes as well as the limitation of a dissertation, and following those pointers would aid a candidate to complete her/his dissertation quickly.

Regarding the concern of chapters, a dissertation usually requires 5 chapter to give a complete and detailed account of the study. Thus, having 5 chapters will provide the academician with enough space to mention all her/his findings and thoughts on the field.

CHAPTER- 1 INTRODUCTION

The first chapter is usually an introduction which will brief the topic and its contents. It is by reading the introduction that the readers will get to know the fields and areas which are covered in the paper and what are the questions that are been answered. The introduction must give a brief note on the subject matter and details about the paper and its depth in the study.

CHAPTER- 2 METHODOLOGY

The methodology is the part which describes about the method through which the academician has did the research and presented the paper. It gives information on the procedures and steps of the thesis paper

CHAPTER- 3 DATA AND DATA PROCESSING

This section or chapter is mainly focused on the data or factual information’s that are presented in order to prove a claim that has been mentioned in the thesis. It is essential that the claims and ideologies mentioned in the thesis are backed up by legitimate examples or data it helps the academician to have a firm hold on her/his subject matter.

CHAPTER- 4 RESULTS AND DISCOVERIES

Once the supporting data has been put forth, then the results or discoveries which are meant to be proven through the paper could be mentioned. This will include the main intention of the paper and its ideologies. The results will have to explained clearly in context with the information’s given in the previous chapters.

CHAPTER- 5 CONCLUSION

The last part of the thesis must summarize all the previous chapters of the thesis and must wind up with the final point. It must give a brief note on all the other chapters and conclude the paper with proving positive to its topic.

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How many Chapters in a Dissertation

Dissertation writing is final step on your path to earning degree. It's serious, responsible and time- consuming process. Of course, such new, unknown kind of assignment for student writing science thesis causes lots of tension and stress. Person, who hasn’t done such volumetric work faces numerous issues including how many words should a dissertation be or how to write or edit a dissertation chapter. To answer them we should take closer look at thesis structure, recommendations, and demands.

Classical PhD thesis (in manuscript form) can be created with following structure : title page (page number 1), table of contents (content), list of abbreviations (if any, may be located at the end of the work), introduction, summary, practical advices (for dissertations on pedagogical specialties), list of references and appendices.

To find answers to queries how to write a dissertation, how many words it should be or how to divide it into chapters you must understand what advices there are for every section of work.

Introduction

It is the first and initiatory section of your paper. Usually it should be 3-6 pages long, on which, author needs to define his idea, clarify why he chose this topic, describe what significance and novelty his work has.

This part should show readers at what stage is study of selected subject at this moment, what discoveries were made before, what is unclear and requires further research. This part should be 20-40 pages, and to sum up chapter 1 author needs to formulate his goal, research objectives, and his guess about outcome.

Can be between 8-12 pages long, and should define methods for research and contingent of subjects; here you can describe research process in stages and studied queries.

This section is the longest and can include 60-90 pages. It is summary of received results from research; here students can place table with processed data, images, and author can explain certain aspects.

Chapter 4 is about 20-30 pages. It shows discussion of gathered results and aims to compare obtained data with results of other authors, and modern science concepts.

After you planned structure and content of your chapters you can easily define how many words dissertation you'll get at the end. This will depend on the number of pages, style and space between lines. Approximate volume of thesis can be between 150-200 pages (or more), but there are no formal limit regarding length of work.

Query how many words is a dissertation is not accurate because its length depends on numerous factors. We suggest you to get familiar with preferences of your professor and college. Try to research your topic and decide how much space you need to disclose it, and only then you'll know how many words in a dissertation you can get as result.

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110 Dissertation Topics And Tips

If something does not inspire you when approaching research work, it will come out dull and weak. The same relates to available knowledge and preliminary analysis that helps to find something that has not been researched before. Coming up with a dissertation topic, final content must be something that you can support with due evidence and case studies. Even when you have several ideas ready, your academic committee might tell you to choose something entirely different, which is why it’s good to stay aware of various topics dealing with your subject.

Our dissertation topics guide is divided by popular academic fields, which will help you choose initial ideas. Start by choosing your closest discipline and narrow things down by making every word fit your thesis statement. Your dissertation project will take weeks or even months, which is why it is necessary to try alternate versions by playing with the order of the words before the final option has been accepted. Choose at least one sample dissertation topic from our list, then proceed with a list of keywords to identify your strong sides and highlight the research outcome. If you can match it with your thesis statement, it is a well-chosen topic. 

Choosing a Great Dissertations Topic 

Before starting with your dissertation, follow these tips that will make the project management stage easier:

Consult With Your Academic Advisor. Start by talking to your course advisor by discussing what you would like unless you already have a prompt. Avoid controversial topics or weak statements. Be bold and discuss things, yet do not do so when you cannot provide sufficient evidence. It’s always good if you may offer an outline of topics that can be reviewed by the university’s committee. 

Choose Subjects That Inspire You. Feel passionate about your dissertation topic ideas and provide several arguments that support your methodology. It can be either quantitative or qualitative methods depending on your course. College athletes may consider recreational medicine benefits. Nursing students may talk about stress management or theorists that motivate them. The most important is to find at least ten sources that support one’s main research argument. 

Narrow Things Down. Avoid too general dissertation topics because they can always be narrowed down by focusing on something specific. It is insufficient to say that global warming is a hoax as an example. It must be said “Global warming is always related to large financial transactions for campaigns that provide little to no information” instead. If coming up with clear ideas does not seem possible, consider the best writing services by approaching experts with your main idea or thesis topic. 

Select Unique Ideas. The majority of guides that tell how to pick a dissertation topic often mention that students should choose problems that have not been researched before. This statement is not entirely correct because it’s possible to choose another approach or bring in useful additions. It can be a different methodology or focus on another sample group. It will make your approach unique even if your topic is popular like weapon control or social distancing.

Consider Argumentative Topics. Your main thesis must be argumentative and competitive. When an average student deals with something that represents common knowledge, it becomes challenging to define what must be researched. Ask yourself about what your dissertation research represents and provide a problem in a clearer way. 

Remember about proofreading and style of dissertation subjects as you choose them because correct wording helps you persuade the academic committee. 

List of 110 Topics for Your Dissertation 

Here are academic research dissertation topics that you may implement as the starting points. Take your time to explore available topics and think over what sounds the best. 

Business Topic Ideas

Dissertation topics for business purposes may vary from CSR factors in current times to leadership styles and management strategies. Have a look at several ideas below as good starting points: 

1. Corporate Social Responsibility challenges during Covid-19. 

2. Business approaches bias during market investments in South America. 

3. The lobbyists do not represent policy-making actors in 2022. 

4. The dark sides of leadership strategies in organizations. 

5. Target-based online marketing in NGOs. 

6. The limitations of top executives regarding financial challenges. 

7. Male vs Female strategic control aspects in the UK. 

8. Pros & cons of social media management: sales platforms. 

9. The use of drones for increasing the safety of business conferences. 

10. Netflix ruling methods: monopoly or strict business guidance? 

Stick to your course as you explore existing problems. Come up with an outline of what interests you, then proceed with these dissertation topics above. 

Management Topics

Management represents complex topics, which is why a dissertation that deals with management often includes a case study foundation or the latest management methods. If you are unsure about your dissertation topic, consider these dissertation topics examples: 

1. Ethical Bias in Human Resources Management

2. Black Friday management strategy. 

3. Influencer Marketing on Instagram & Facebook. 

4. Customer-centric vs group management strategies. 

5. AI-powered tools in consumer purchase decisions. 

6. Brand loyalty in Asian markets. 

7. Coronavirus Outbreak & HR hiring. 

8. Leadership styles typical for Australia. 

9. Political management in the USA. 

10. Globalization management disadvantages.

Good management topics are ones that reflect strategic thinking and processes that can be improved. It lets one find relevant research outcomes by offering efficient solutions. 

MBA encompasses numerous dissertation topics ranging from entrepreneurs to communication styles and outsourcing. If something does not seem clear, consider the best dissertation services and look at these examples of dissertation topics below: 

1. What makes a good entrepreneur? 

2. Communication mistakes in the virtual workflow. 

3. Technology makes physical communication in small businesses worse. 

4. Reasons why outsourcing decreases production quality. 

5. Why do cultural differences make management methods stagnate? 

6. Social media marketing through the prism of global cooperation. 

7. Gender inequality in logistics. 

8. Surviving Covid-19 financial challenges. 

9. The ethical side of an advertisement on children's TV. 

10. Meeting the needs of modern stockholders.

When you are majoring in MBA, you have the freedom to analyze anything from ethics to social inequality. If it includes business methods, see what solutions can be offered. 

Read also: How Long Is a Dissertation

Human Resources Dissertation Ideas 

These dissertation topics must be chosen based on human communications or social skills. It also stands for training and development, which helps to deal with such topics as: 

1. Working at home vs office work. 

2. Challenges of HR work online. 

3. How should AI management reinvent target employee groups? 

4. Staff training via free online courses. 

5. Cooperation & responsibilities in rural areas. 

6. Group projects dealing with personalization. 

7. Hiring processes during remote work. 

8. Stress management during video conferences. 

9. Bias in online marketing limitations. 

10. HR sorting methods as a driver of efficiency. 

Since the times of Covid-19 social distancing, HR subjects became totally different. See what changes and innovations took place since keeping your dissertation relevant guarantees being successful.

Marketing 

Marketing deals with getting one's message across, which is why having a look at competitive thesis topic examples is essential. It means that your choices should make the thesis statement clear by narrowing things down: 

1. SMM benefits related to intelligence services. 

2. Is marketing to children ethical? 

3. Old-time marketing methods in Asian countries. 

4. The most common drawbacks of marketing styles in 2022. 

5. Amazon strategies and customer satisfaction. 

6. Retention of customers: Nike case analysis. 

7. Marketing framework in the urgent environment. 

8. Chinese expansion and outsourcing. 

9. Composition of a corporate vision. 

10. E-marketing vs word of mouth styles. 

Think about SMM and digital marketing challenges by narrowing the most popular topics down. 

Economics 

Dissertations on economics are one of the most challenging assignments, which is why it's essential to choose your topic correctly. Explore some of these dissertation topics below that offer variety and good ideas for your existing draft.

1. Financial stability and market performance relation. 

2. Antitrust issues and online privacy profits. 

3. Public enterprise vs private stock income. 

4. Issues of family economics in Cuba. 

5. Distribution of bank reports. 

6. Balance of payments in medium businesses. 

7. Monetary policy in China. 

8. Inequality in the banking sector. 

9. Online inflation. 

10. Why is the Bitcoin phenomenon dangerous for the economy? 

Dissertations dealing with Law topics use quantitative research or implement a mixture of both qualitative and quantitative methods. 

Dissertation Topic Ideas on Medicine

Since medicine might involve Psychology, Biology, Healthcare, and Chemistry, medical dissertation topics must be explored in greater depth. Check this thesis topic list below: 

1. Acute pain management in a sports environment. 

2. Psychological aspect of drug addiction treatment. 

3. Children and PTSD treatment methods. 

4. Critical management risks and autistic children. 

5. Mental factors related to dyslexia challenges. 

6. Primary glaucoma disease and hospital care limitations. 

7. Midwives and home hospital care dangers. 

8. Moral aspect of teenage pregnancy. 

9. Modern issues of occupational health. 

10. Injuries management among ER nurses. 

The importance of medical ethics cannot be underestimated even when brainstorming your research topic related to usual issues. 

Healthcare Topics

It stands for those subjects that may be not directly related to medicine since healthcare includes administrative concerns and the general system that must be analyzed. See what dissertation questions are brought up, identifying what thesis statement aspects are good to brainstorm: 

1. Illness prevention and injuries methods. 

2. Stress management among nurses working in remote areas. 

3. Preventing negative impacts regarding invasive sanitizing chemistry.

4. Optimization of prenatal rooms in the United Kingdom. 

5. Psycho-vegetative disorders history in the American West. 

6. Disabled people and remote rehabilitation methods. 

7. Adolescent mental health and ecological aspects.

8. Healthcare issues & negative attitude towards migrant workers. 

9. Clinical safety genetic markers. 

10. Language barrier in healthcare. 

Check twice with your advisor regarding your chosen subject because it may be adjusted. Working in a clinical environment, consider case examples first as you identify your research problem.

Legislation topics may involve not only court hearings or international disputes. As you explore our selections below, consider checking them for your future work as you brainstorm Ph.D. thesis topics:

1. Copyright disputes versus plagiarism in a business environment. 

2. An ethical aspect regarding lie detectors in criminal justice. 

3. How should child abuse victims be protected? 

4. Privacy issues and interrogation of minors. 

5. Racial prejudice in American prisons. 

6. Criminal laws in various religions. 

7. Death penalty: moral analysis. 

8. Legal protection of females in the workplace. 

9. Undocumented students: legislation challenges. 

10. Human rights laws: why they are not efficient. 

A successful Ph.D. dissertation topic should include the main title and subtitle since such an approach shows what kind of a problem you are exploring. Once some choice is made, consider adding legal documents and references. While some American universities will implement Chicago or APA formatting, British and Australian institutions may require Harvard format where dissertation topics must be justified in a short essay.

Natural Science Topics for Dissertation

It includes the study of animals, plants, astronomy, biology, and numerous environmental topics. It is not an easy task since the scientific approach taken must be clear like in these examples:

1. Global Warming hoax. 

2. Ozone layer depletion: empirical evidence study. 

3. Food preservation in the 19th century. 

4. Evolution theory in the animal world. 

5. Earthquakes prevention alert systems. 

6. Deep-sea mining dangers and falsification of existing study. 

7. Environmental degradation as the lack of proper academic studies. 

8. Changes of nutrients in plants. 

9. Antioxidants study: justification of stress prevention. 

10. Is Autism a biological aspect that should be explored? 

Your dissertation title must provide an ongoing process to show what kind of a problem will be researched. When dealing with biological aspects, consider including more than one discipline if you plan it for your dissertation.

Social Science

Dissertations on social sciences range from Education, Sociology, Political Sciences to Psychology, Culture, or Anthropology. Check some examples below if you are not certain about what can be chosen in this field. Check similar research papers as you choose a dissertation topic based on what is discovered.

1. The Black Lives Matter movement: controversies. 

2. Dangers of online dating versus physical interactions. 

3. Covid-19 anti-vaccination activists: what are their reasons?. 

4. How does consumerism happen in American society? 

5. Patriotism vs nationalism: red thread analysis. 

6. Spirituality and education: what should teachers keep to themselves? 

7. Single parenting bias in middle school. 

8. Internet communities and friendship aspects. 

9. Sexual assault victims recovery therapies. 

10. Facebook campaigns: dishonesty.

Stay respectful and sensitive as you choose social topics that may be understood differently. Avoid religion and politics if you are not ready to approach both sides of some issue.

Choosing a Dissertation Topic is Easy 

If you are in writer's block or require dissertation proofreader services , have no worries. Even bright students often cannot cope without additional help. Since dissertation writing takes time and effort, turning to experts in your field helps you learn how to write a dissertation on any topic. Providing assistance, writing companies also include a reliability check and analysis of your grading rubric. Even when you require help late at night, professional writing services are available 24/7. Place your order and let experts handle your challenges.

Posted by Diana B., August 04, 2021

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How to Choose the Best Topic for Research: Top 100 Dissertation Topics

Are you searching for inspiration while writing your research paper? In this case, try looking up interesting research topics online. This article contains an abundance of dissertation topics, for every imaginable subject, like fashion or business leadership dissertation topics. You are going to find interesting examples! Don't forget that you can also get research paper help from our professional writing team.

Top 100 Dissertation Ideas 2023

Scholars often believe that today there is a lack of new dissertation topics. Indeed, people conduct research non-stop, and it seems like there is nothing new to discuss. So how to become a professional writer and avoid breaking intellectual property rights then?

Luckily for all enthusiastic scientists out there, there are topics for dissertation that cater to any taste. Our essay writers service presents various research topics suitable for multiple degrees. Do you study the job market, quantum physics, or human behavioral patterns? These and even more dissertation ideas are waiting for you.

How to Opt for a Dissertation Topic?

Sometimes, the immense choice of examples of dissertation topics makes you question your decision about your academic paper. Writers get recommendations from multiple sources. Before you write a dissertation, turn to more experienced people, like counselors or professors. They are likely to suggest great topics for dissertation. We also recommend that you read about how to write a dissertation .

For research and reference purposes, go online to discover new engaging themes. Your colleagues in the field of science communicate via special forums or websites, so join them! Some generous people even publish dissertation ideas and samples for free. Hence, you can develop your unique topic by looking at other people’s works.

Which Topic Suits Best for Dissertation?

Whether you search healthy lifestyle, economic crisis, or leadership dissertation topics, the strategy is the same for all of them. These topics for dissertation should meet the following requirements:

• Bring novelty to the science field
• Cover newsworthy issues
• Have enough background data for an academic paper

Undeniably, it is better if the theme heavily appeals to you personally. Then, a sparkle of interest lights up whenever you write your work! On the contrary, less engaging dissertation topics make the whole writing process inefficient. Therefore, opt for themes that draw your attention the most.

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Where to Find a Unique Dissertation Topic?

Throughout life, people constantly have to present something new to the world. Middle school and high-school students show their skills via essays, college students write a thesis, and Ph.D. candidates compose dissertations. Fortunately, emergency methods, like dissertation writing service , are available for quick and quality results. Still, you might suggest your topics for dissertation.

What is the key to creating a one-of-a-kind topic? First, you have to know well enough what other scholars have already studied. Then, perform further research even if your counterparts have covered all nuances. For instance, higher education dissertation topics can cover themes of college-age population or school bullying. Meanwhile, leadership dissertation topics may connect to ethical issues dealing within companies.

Dissertation Title: How to Make It Sound Perfect

In real life, titles are essential in drawing public attention to anything. Would you rather watch a movie with a boring name or pick a film with a short, witty title? The same goes for books, essays, and other scholarly work. The word becomes an anchor, something that pushes a random person to read your written piece. Here is how you properly compose it.

Let’s say that you ponder over higher education dissertation topics. For instance, do you want to study anxiety disorders among students or how online schools are affecting libraries? Raising awareness is crucial in both cases, but you must specify the issue first. For instance, attempt to study an unexpected correlation that current research fails to cover. Use the “how,” “what,” and “why” words to form several topic ideas.

Once you have specified your exact subject of study, your goal is to fit the title in under fifty words. This task seems unproblematic, but it requires talent. Just two sentences must sum up the contents of the humongous dissertation. So, make the title clear and concise!

What are Some Relevant Ideas to Research in 2023?

How long is a dissertation? It ranges from ten thousand to a hundred thousand words, but length is only the first requirement. Without a doubt, all topics for dissertation have one crucial characteristic: relevancy. To develop top-tier academic work, you need to know the global trends and latest tendencies in your specific science field. It would be detrimental to your success to pick dissertation ideas that scholars have recycled multiple times. So instead, look at what people find exciting in 2022:

• Artificial intelligence

Although the theme of AI has been around for a while, it remains fresh and full of potential. One possible research subject is the Metaverse, a virtual reality universe. This concept is quite new, so there are many branches to study. Besides, cybersecurity, especially in the banking sector, would stand out among the interesting examples of dissertation topics.

• Neuroscience and neurobiology

As much as scientists study human brains, there are still too many white spots in their knowledge of the human body. Choosing a topic related to cognitive development, brain implants, etc., could lead to a breakthrough in this sphere.

• Agriculture

With the negative trends in the global food industry, the theme of agriculture is at its peak importance. Food is something that everybody relates to, regardless of ethnicity, age, job, or social status. Therefore, a dissertation could critically analyze the current state of things and solutions for the food industry in crisis.

List of Dissertation Topics 2023

Today, you can do anything with the Internet, like pay someone to write an essay or find information on the necessary subject. Likewise, you may find business dissertation topics examples or dissertation topics in education, world politics, or other themes. This article suggests multiple ideas for your academic work to make things easier.

Top Dissertation Topics in Accounting

Here is a list of engaging dissertation topics in accounting:

• “Financial accounting's contribution to business strategy development.”
• “The things to take into account when investing in financial markets.”
• “How project accounting uses risk factors analysis.”
• “Systematic examination of art galleries cost accounting.”
• “Can computerized bookkeeping gradually replace accountants?”
• “The effect of cryptocurrency on current accounting procedures.”
• “Predicting new professions in the accounting industry.”
• “How are auditing standards becoming more international?”
• “An examination of the differences and parallels between accounting ethics and organizational culture.”
• “Investigation of potential new revenue streams for a bank.”

Best Public Health Dissertation Topics

In case you are looking for interesting public health dissertation topics, here are a few research questions:

• “How is it possible to increase Middle Eastern countries' access to clean, safe drinking water?”
• “What is the contribution of technological progress to bettering public health in affluent nations?”
• “Examining sexual abuse in an Indian public health environment.”
• “Evaluation of several US programs to increase kids' physical activity.”
• “The impact of poverty on public health in African nations.”
• “A study of the effectiveness of the Italian current healthcare system.”
• “Disastrous effects of antibiotic resistance in the upcoming year.”
• “Patient’s immune system and drug addiction.”
• “How does modern technology harm public health?”
• “Impact of the recession on social conditions and public health.”

Sociology Ideas for Dissertation

You should go online if interested in the social work dissertation topics. Articles like this share newsworthy sociology dissertation topics:

• “An analysis of American religious institutions and their impact on social structure.”
• “Examining attitudes toward and reactions to female child sex offenders.”
• “Studying the cultural differences in Scandinavian countries.”
• “Determining the social origins of domestic violence in Russian families.”
• “Global labor market stratification following the Great Recession.”
• “Research on how society influences gender relations.”
• “Analysis of the rise and fall in Japan's fertility rates and their underlying causes.”
• “The practice of social work with bereaved families.”
• “Analyze the racial stratification in European nations.”
• “How can government decrease the stress that social workers endure?”

Dissertation Topics in Education

Whether you want to discover new primary, college, or higher education dissertation topics, you are at the right place:

• “Looking at the effect of financial restraints on female education in east Asia.”
• “Investigating the effects of food sharing in primary education.”
• “Analysis of the covid pandemic's impact on the education sector.”
• “Do stress levels among students and performance on standardized tests correlate?”
• “What difficulties do parents of Muslim immigrants believe their children will encounter in European schools?”
• “What do teachers think about how technology affects students' learning?”
• “What difficulties do teachers encounter throughout their first three years of teaching?”
• “What do parents think the purpose of sex education is?”
• “What learning differences exist between neurodivergent and neurotypical students?”
• “How does the number of students in each class influence grades?”

Business Dissertation Topics

Someone who takes an interest in entrepreneurship would be glad to find the following business or mba dissertation topics:

• “The modern challenges for startups and small businesses in the USA.”
• “The impact of competence and leadership style on emerging business leaders in Europe.”
• “Analyzing how social media and digital platforms will impact business branding in the future.”
• “Do male subordinates' egos feel threatened by the presence of women in leadership positions?”
• “Is Facebook right to create targeted adverts using the user data it collects?”
• “Is a business's dispersed leadership more effective than its lone power center?”
• “TikTok influencer marketing's contribution to higher sales.”
• “An analysis of how globalization has affected Chinese companies' operations.”
• “The socio-cultural context of management and how it affects the dynamics of leadership in Denmark.”
• “What elements influence the probability of a business filing for bankruptcy?”

Political Science Dissertation Topics

Provided that your field of study is politics, consider the next dissertation topics:

• “Contrasting the responses of the Chinese and UK governments to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
• “Emotion's effect on deliberative democracy.”
• “Analysis of the single-party political system, including drawbacks and advantages.”
• “Political choices and environmental management tradeoffs.”
• “Eastern European social movements in the years following World War II.”
• “Ukraine's fragmentation and the competing political forces.”
• “Media bias in the reporting of political news.”
• “The impact of extremism on political life in the West.”
• “Political leaders and their individual goals.”
• “How does US foreign policy affect other nations throughout the world?”

Psychology Dissertation Topics

What if a person struggles to find extensive psychology dissertation topics? The solution is here:

• “Examining the connection between technology and postnatal depression.”
• “Why are some people more prone to feeling depressed in difficult situations?”
• “The long-term effects of childhood trauma on adults.” 
• “Patient's mental health during the coronavirus pandemic.”
• “Children who are suffering from oncology: modern recovery programs.”
• “Comparison of cyberbullying and physical bullying psychological impact.”
• “What elements alter our personalities throughout our lives?”
• “What are the key indicators of burnout among executive staff?”
• “Effect of physical appearance on how others perceive us.”
• “Teaching dyslexic kids: potential difficulties.”

PhD Dissertation Topics

A Ph.D. candidate might consider historical, mathematical, or art dissertation topics. So let’s pick a great research topic:

• “US legal system and international criminal law: a comparative study.”
• “Examination of how globalization leads to changes in international law.”
• “The initial causes of cultural appropriation in first-world countries.”
• “What is the social networks’ impact on online marketing and creating demand?”
• “Cyber-diplomacy is the development of a global civilization in the digital era.”
• “What differences exist between US and EU immigration laws?”
• “Changing careers: information seeking by newcomers.” 
• “The African-focused foreign policy of China.”
• “How have feminists' objectives evolved over the last ten years?”
• “Bringing the internet of things research and implementation together.”

Economics Dissertation Topics

Let’s see which dissertation topics in finance and economics can draw attention today:

• “Evaluating the cryptocurrency market using behavioral finance perspectives.”
• “Comparative analysis of financial improvements in China and the US.”
• “Issues with older adults and online banking.”
• “Shareholders' effects on the decision-making procedures at banks.”
• “Unscrupulous bank executives' effects on the organization's sustainability.”
• “Possible answers to moral problems of corporate social responsibility.”
• “What impact do taxes have on financial choices?”
• “The impact of India's population growth on economic expansion.”
• “Why are banks so adamantly against digital currency?”
• “What will internet banking resemble in ten years?”

Fashion Topics for Dissertation

An artsy person would appreciate research themes about style, like the following examples:

• “Is there a need for change after examining the impact of fast fashion on the environment?”
• “Comparing fast and ultra-fast supply chain management in the fashion industry.”
• “Critical analysis of the impact of western fashion on Asia's developing nations.”
• “How capitalism contributed to the western fashion and cultural values.”
• “Fashion trends that the K-Pop stars create.”
• “Examining the Vivienne Westwood brand's appeal to Japanese youth.”
• “The fixation with attempting an adult look in children's clothing.”
• “The effects of expensive counterfeit goods on the high-end fashion market.”
• “The origins of the dark and light academic dress trends.”
• “How social networks contribute to the development and spread of fashion trends.”

In brief, there are plenty of research subjects, from psychology dissertation topics to higher education dissertation topics. If you do proper factual and historical research and cite sources, get ready to receive recognition for your efforts. The key thing is to choose something that lights up your interest.

Also, don't forget to read what is important to look out for when you buy dissertation .

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Has Generative AI Peaked?

• Oguz A. Acar

The proliferation of AI-generated clutter could spell disaster for LLMs and image-generators.

We are moving towards a new digital landscape where genuine human content is increasingly rare commodity. And, as we all know from Economics 101, its value should therefore rise. This calls for a rethink of the incentives and economics surrounding human-generated content. The real bottleneck in generative AI might not be computation capacity or model parameters, but our unique human touch. Yet, we are on the brink of a digital world that is increasingly filled with AI-generated clutter. Could it be that we have already seen the pinnacle of generative AI? How the next chapter unfolds hinges on our ability to recognize, protect, nurture, and fairly treat human creativity.

Generative AI might be on a decline. This might sound far-fetched, even absurd, given the rapid adoption of generative AI tools, with ChatGPT, outpacing even TikTok and WhatsApp . After all, everyone — from investors and big tech to major ad players and publishers — seems to be striving for a foothold in an impending AI-driven era.

• Oguz A. Acar is a Chair in Marketing at King’s Business School, King’s College London.

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Swordmaster’s Youngest Son Chapter 99: ‘Taimune’s Death Revelation’ Release Date & Spoilers

Posted: November 13, 2023 | Last updated: November 13, 2023

The previous chapter introduced Taimune. Marius had an atmosphere of mystery that suggested an unusual destiny. This mystery is revealed and made much more intense in chapter 98 with its cryptic remark that Taimune should have died a decent death. Our hero receives a surprise visit from Taimune’s bloodhounds, who are in dire need of […]

Read the full post on Swordmaster’s Youngest Son Chapter 99: ‘Taimune’s Death Revelation’ Release Date & Spoilers

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When Hall of Fame calls, this is the story Mike Evans should recall

• John Romano Times staff

TAMPA — Put the record book down. There will be plenty of time for that later.

Forget about the streak of 1,000-yard seasons, and the ascension up the all-time list of touchdown receptions.

The numbers have always been so gaudy, they tend to be the first thing we talk about when Mike Evans comes to play. And while the statistics tell the story of his pending Hall of Fame career, they do not explain the persistence of the man. The pride. The relentlessness.

That’s what you saw Sunday in Tampa Bay’s 20-6 win against Tennessee. That’s what was revealed when he fell to one knee in the back of the end zone after dropping what should have been an easy touchdown pass. That’s the portrait of Evans alone on the bench afterward as disgust mingled with disbelief.

Without any prompting, he later acknowledged that the drop involved more hubris than is advisable for a Pro Bowl player.

“I was wide open, and I dropped it,” Evans said. “Got a little cocky thinking about what fan I was going to give the ball to. Can’t do that.”

Seriously? That’s what caused him to take his eye off the ball?

“I don’t want to talk about it,” he said. “I got what I deserved.”

The Bucs had to settle for a field goal and, at the time, were clinging to a 10-3 lead in the third quarter. Evans’ drop had the potential to haunt the Bucs for months to come if they somehow failed to emerge on top in what was looking like a must-win game after four consecutive losses.

And yet, one possession later, Evans cut inside of a cornerback and hauled in a tipped pass for a 27-yard reception.

“Mike’s mentally tough,” coach Todd Bowles said. “If we keep feeding him, we know he’s going to come through for us.”

Five plays later, he caught a ball at the 5 and dragged Kristian Fulton with him into the end zone for a 17-3 lead.

“No one holds themselves to a higher standard than Mike, and I know he was frustrated by the (drop),” said tight end Cade Otton. “He’s talked to me during games after I’ve dropped a pass and told me not to dwell on it because another one is going to be coming, and next time I’m going to make the play.

“To see him put that into practice on the field is powerful stuff. He’s just a great pro.”

For the record, the touchdown reception was the 87th of his career and tied him with Hall of Famer Andre Reed for No. 16 on the all-time list. He finished the afternoon with 143 receiving yards, which boosted his career total to 11,162. At the rate he’s going, Evans should finish the season just ahead of Calvin Johnson and right behind Don Maynard — two more Hall of Famers — on the all-time list.

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“He’s so passionate out there. You can see he wears his heart on his sleeve, and that’s why I love having Mike out there,” said linebacker Shaquil Barrett. “He holds himself accountable and he holds the team accountable. When the defense isn’t doing good, he comes over and says, ‘We got you, we’re going to pick you up.’ We work hand-in-hand and Mike is one of those guys who’s always pointing that out.”

He is averaging 81.9 yards per game, which would be his highest total since 2019, but this has not been the most joyous season for Evans. He is in the final year of his contract and had expected the Bucs to sign him to an extension in the offseason.

With salary cap issues and the potential for further rebuilding of the roster in 2024, the Bucs have chosen to put off contract talks with their 30-year-old receiver until after the final game. There’s a risk he could leave via free agency next spring, and Tampa Bay’s 12-14 record since 2022 can’t help matters.

After addressing his contract situation early in training camp, Evans has since avoided the topic. Although his description of bouncing back after a miscue on Sunday could be a metaphor for the situation he may soon find himself in after the season.

“You’re going to have lowlights because you’re going up against the best of the best and things happen so fast,” Evans said. “You have to keep playing. You can’t let it keep you down, so that’s my mindset all the time. Nobody likes to mess up, drop passes or miss opportunities. You just have to keep playing.”

He’s done that now for the better part of 10 seasons. Whether he returns next season or ventures beyond One Buc Place, Evans will go down as the greatest offensive player in Tampa Bay history.

The numbers are obvious, and the evidence is ample. And we’ll have at least another nine weeks to fully appreciate the legacy of Mike Evans. The skill. The desire. The perseverance.

“That’s what this game is about — adversity and overcoming that,” Evans said. “That’s what life is about.”

John Romano can be reached at [email protected] . Follow @romano_tbtimes.

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John Romano is the sports columnist, offering his opinion on all Tampa Bay sports franchises. Reach him at [email protected].

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