A dissertation is a form of research that is performed by students across the countries. Though not as elaborate as PhD theses, dissertations can nevertheless be quite exhaustive and demand high academic rigour and integrity. Generally, students of Masters or M.Phil level are required to write a dissertation on their subjects of specialization and these are majorly compulsory by nature. Thus, in case students do not have an orientation towards research, it becomes a problem and completing a dissertation is an uphill task and not many are able to do it completely on their own. Moreover, one must know how to write a dissertation. Since students are not aware of research and its mandates, many students are literally scared when it comes to research. Furthermore, dissertations for the most part are quite voluminous and thus require time and effort, Above all, insight into the subject as well as research methodology are of paramount importance while conducting a research. So, it is imperative that one must know what the features of a good dissertation are.
A dissertation, as already mentioned, is a form of research. Now we know that research refers to something original and should take the branch of study on which it is based forward. Therefore, the first hurdle that students face is with coming up with an original work. Given the mindset of an average student, most students do not welcome such brainstorming and therefore a mind block is created. So in order to write a good dissertation, the first step a student should take is do away with the mind blocks. Obviously, even before a student starts off with the actual dissertation, he/she needs to write a dissertation proposal on the topic he/she intends to study. This part is as crucial as the research since this determines the nature and ambit of the future course of actions.
As mentioned above, dissertation proposal forms the prefatory step to writing a dissertation. The reason why this is the first step to starting a research is that one must do the research under the guidance of an instructor, generally one’s professor at this level and because one needs to ensure that the proposed research, as the researcher has thought about it, is on the right track. Furthermore, one should also ensure that there is enough scope to work or he/she has touched upon the major themes or available literature on the topic. A good proposal is always half battle won and ensures a proper gateway to an enlightening research.
As far as the actual dissertation proposal is concerned, there are quite a few sections that one needs to include in the proposal. It starts with the Introduction, followed by Research Aims and Objectives, followed by the Literature Review, which is succeeded by the Research Methodology and the proposed suggestions and conclusions.
The Introduction is the first section of a dissertation proposal. It throws initial light on the subject and informs the readers about the topic in general. It is generally succinct and does not go into much details and provides initial information about the topic by discussing the status quo and the prevailing conditions as well as the nature of the study.
The Research Aims and Objectives define the topic and the reason the research is being undertaken. It also precisely notifies the ambit of the study, its nature and what it proposes to find out. Moreover, it also covers the research questions to be answered in course of the study and thus is an important part of the proposal.
The next section is undoubtedly the most important part of the entire work. The Literature Review jots down the available literature on the topic in terms of books, journal papers and other materials and covers whatever relevant work has been performed on the subject. This forms the most important part since it channels the research right on track and is very useful in giving the instructor or the panel who review the proposal the idea as to how well prepared the candidate is or whether the student is in a position to take up the study or not. This also forms a basis on which it is judged whether the candidate should be granted a chance to perform the research or not.
The Literature Review is followed by Research Methodology. This section is also very crucial and relates to the way the research will be undertaken. Since primary research holds high value in research, the research methodology mentions the ways in which the data is to be collected and analysed. The tools and techniques are also mentioned in this section. Over the years, instructors and researchers have been very stingy about this section and therefore this part holds a lot of importance to the dissertation proposal.
The last section is the proposed conclusions as well suggestions that might find a mention in the actual dissertation and include the points that the individual researcher thinks would be the conclusions or prospective outcomes of the study.
One point that must be noted in this regard is that given the structure of a proper dissertation, proper referencing is very important. There are various referencing styles and one must adhere to the prescribed style strictly.
Effective dissertation proposal is not only restricted to the basic structure or the referencing styles but also focuses on what and how has the topic been presented. The representation of the topic, the focus of the study, and the logical flow of the paper are crucial points that one should remember. Given the fact that one has to generally sit before a panel of interviewers who question on the same, the proposal should be such that it has enough scope for the aspirant to cover the entire gamut of the subject without losing focus of the topic and also be such that it should highlight the gaps that the study proposes to bridge.
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