Conventions of Dissertation Writing

By Definition

A dissertation is a lengthy and formal argument on a certain subject, penned for the purposes of dissection, analysis, and proposed solutions.

Opting for the Right Methodology

Only alumni can understand the dissertation impacts in professional life, as they have gone through the same difficulties undergraduates are suffering at the instant and have experienced the benefits brought by their dissertation into their professional life.

Yes! The dissertation is the lifeline of your Master’s program and what is a dissertation’s lifeline? It is the “methodology” of the dissertation. Usually, the methodology needs to be in synchronization with the research and questions involved. In cases where a single methodology seems insufficient, a hybrid research methodology is used for the dissertation.

Observation

It’s a method of research where an author observes a particular group of people to distinguish a recurring trend in order to glean specific information content, depending upon the nature of the research. At best, observation is a time-consuming method, the same as interviews.

1. Questionnaire

A questionnaire is a best-prescribed method for quantifying a list of information from a particular demographic depending on the nature of the research. A questionnaire has two-fold benefits since it assists in collecting qualitative as well as quantitative data as well. Interviewing is the best practice to extract detailed information and statistics. A questionnaire will also glean vital information about ongoing trends nowadays.

2. Interviews

A comfortable, reliable, and flexible method of gleaning information from people entail conducting interviews to pool spoken data via recordings and transcription.

The interviewer will design a question sheet comprising a list of questions sequentially. However, they consume excessive time when conducted for larger groups. That is a major flaw.

3. Documentary Analysis

In this form of research methodology, no engagement with research subjects is conducted. More so, the already available data is compiled, pooled, organized, and worked meticulously. The assembled information is in the form of public records and documents stored safely.

4. Case Study Dissertation

Dissertations can be literature-centric at times; case study writing is another common form of the dissertation. It involves the focus on a singular organization and company professionals. At its helm, the study is purely methodical yet it aspires to be practical towards its ending. In the end, the case study combines theoretical themes with empirical evidence to reach a viable solution.

5. Empirical dissertation

Basic research such as empirical dissertations requires analysis or collection of data available with ease. The empirical dissertation follows the conventional pattern:

• Executive summary
• Prelude
• Literature review
• Method
• Analysis
• Conclusion
• References/ Bibliography
• Appendix

Qualitative vs. Quantities Approach

The research design, question, and approach are all interconnected. The term ‘approach’ means a methodology of conducting research for an in-depth study. Dissertations can be based on any of these methods:

• Qualitative data
• Quantitative analysis
• Hybrid research

This depends on the research in hand and suitability as per the research. Quantitative research is used when the proper numerical analysis is to be made regarding a particular demographic in question. Qualitative data is made use of when finding the cause is the primary purpose.

The factors required for quantitative/qualitative research:

• Formulating the research question
• The subject content at hand
• Skills and methods to be used in this thesis
• The approach in question

Assimilating quantitative and qualitative approaches

In certain dissertation writing, quantitative and qualitative data can be assimilated for deriving the required results:

• An individual focusing on best-implemented methods would use a quantitative method to narrow a few chosen ones and then use qualitative analysis for the best-achieved result
• The student should select the relevant research methodology depending on the field of study, the research criteria, and the suitable methodology for explaining the subject.