How to Plan your Dissertation

A dissertation is a long piece of academic writing based on original research. It is submitted as part of a doctoral, master’s, or bachelor’s degree. This document normally presents a student’s findings in response to a question or a proposition that they choose. Just like any other piece of writing it comprises three parts; the introduction, body, and conclusion. The introduction says what the dissertation is about, the body discusses the topic in detail while the conclusion summarizes the topic. The major point of writing this academic piece is to prove that you are a competent researcher. This article will look at how you can plan your dissertation and its importance.

Why Is A Dissertation Important?

• Increases Your Chances Of Employment

This research is often aligned to development and assisting in solving existing problems in a given industry. This will give you an upper hand to other graduates in that specific industry. This is because employers will recognize your interest and your knowledge in the industry to give you priority. Also, in data collection, you will create networks that are crucial while looking for employment. This research also widens your view on issues thus help you create the right mindset for an entrepreneur. The world best writers opine that the ability to work on a long-term project without losing focus is an admirable attribute to employers.

• Contributes To Your Final Grade

If your course requires you to write a dissertation, it becomes an obligation that you must fulfill. Failure to do so can cost you your grades even to the extent of not graduating. Your responsibility will be to ensure that you complete your work within the allocated time. You should also ensure it is done in the manner in which it is required to be done. Doing extensive reading and implementing your supervisor’s instructions and suggestions will allow you to come up with a compelling paper that will give you a good grade.

• Increases Your Researching Skills

The process of completing this academic document involves intense reading and compiling notes. These are attributes that are of high regard among researchers. The intensity required in this exercise prepares you for a project that will take even longer to complete. This hence becomes your starting point.

Planning Your Dissertation

1. Preparing For Meetings With Your Supervisor

To set a good impression, you should be prepared for your first meeting with your supervisor. You should already have a topic of your choice that you understand well that your supervisor can help you shape. This will help you not have a difficult time throughout your dissertation. You should take advantage of the meetings you have with your supervisor to gain maximum knowledge and proper direction for your dissertation. You should equip yourself with relevant questions and also put down your supervisor’s instructions and suggestions. It is also crucial to send your supervisor your work before your meeting stating what exactly you would like to consider and focus on.

2. Finding The Sources Of Information You Will Use For Your Dissertation

For you to show your professor that you are well versed with your topic of research, you will arm, yourself with sources with information related to your topic. Finding these sources can be complicated but the school library should be where you first look. You should not only utilize books but also the online resources provided. Some librarians can guide you to easily find the materials you are looking for. To narrow your research and to avoid having bulky work, you should formulate research questions that you want answered. This will help you get rid of any irrelevant information and save on time. Your list of sources should be extensive but also balanced. Using a few sources may make your argument not seem convincing and using too many sources may not leave room for you to express your thoughts.

3. Drafting Your Literature Review

You should be considerate of your audience as you draft your literature review. You should remind them of your research objectives. This way, the reader will be able to understand how the review relates to your dissertation. Giving an outline at the beginning of a chapter and including your thoughts gives the reader an idea of what they should expect. In a separate piece of paper, it is necessary to note down the citations of the source and a few notes on the summary.

4. Organizing Your Notes And Research

It is crucial to organize your sources and goo citation in your note-taking process as the sources will need to be cited in your document. You should know the referencing style you are expected to use throughout your paper to know the details required in the citation. If you use direct quotes or paraphrase, page numbers will be required in the actual paper.

5. Research Strategy

This refers to the description of how you are going to implement the research within your own study. A dissertation is usually within an allocated timeline; hence it is crucial to plan for your primary research.

6. Research Instruments

After establishing your research strategies, you will need to consider the instruments that you will use.  Essay online writers advise that you also consider how the research instruments will come about, whether you will create one or employ one that has been used in previous research. You should use at least two research instruments.

7. Editing And Proof Reading

Editing usually occurs when there is a need to make changes to some parts of your dissertations. This is because some parts may have become irrelevant or you need to add or remove some words. The editing process is quite a task because it is difficult to cut out words that were thoughtfully used. However, it is the final mark that counts, and irrelevant information will cost you that. Proofreading is also essential as it allows you to correct spelling and punctuation mistakes as well as to check your grammar. It is more yielding to have a third party proofread your work as they will not only identify mistakes but also note the parts that are not clear.

Point to note: A dissertation can be a hectic document to write, but with the right planning, everything will run smoothly.