Dissertation and Its Main Chapter

A dissertation is a long piece of written work that presents the research of a graduate student. It is typically required as part of a graduate degree program, such as a Master's or Doctoral degree, and serves as a capstone to the student's academic and professional training. The purpose of a dissertation is to add to the existing body of knowledge in a particular field of study, and it is typically based on original research conducted by the student. A dissertation typically includes an introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusion, as well as a list of references. The length and scope of a dissertation can be different depending on the specific requirements of the degree program and the nature of the research being conducted.

The five main chapters of a dissertation are

1. Dissertation Introduction: This introduces the topic of the dissertation and provides background information on the research problem being addressed.
2. Dissertation Literature review: Review of the existing literature on the topic of the dissertation. It may include a summary of relevant research and theories, as well as a discussion of their implications for the current study.
3. Dissertation Methodology: This describes the research methods used in the study, including the research design, sample, data collection and analysis procedures, and any statistical tests that were used.
4. Dissertation Results: This presents the findings of the study, including any statistical analyses or other data.
5. Dissertation Discussion: This interprets the results of the study and discusses their implications for the research question being addressed.

Dissertation Introduction

The introduction of a dissertation is the first chapter and is usually written last. It serves several important functions:

• It introduces the topic of the dissertation and provides background information on the research problem being addressed.
• It explains the purpose of the study and the research questions or hypotheses being tested.
• It provides a summary of the structure of the dissertation and the different chapters or sections that will follow.
• It situates the study within the broader context of the existing literature on the topic, highlighting the contributions and gaps that the research aims to address.
• It establishes the significance of the study and why it is worth doing.

The introduction should be written in a clear and concise manner and should be engaging and interesting to the reader. It should also provide a roadmap for the rest of the dissertation, outlining the main points that will be covered in each chapter.

Dissertation Literature Review

The literature review in dissertation that presents a summary of the existing research on the topic of the study. It serves several important purposes:

• It provides context for the research being conducted by situating the study within the broader field of knowledge.
• It identifies the gap in the existing literature that the research aims to fill.
• It reviews the relevant theories and research findings and critically evaluates their strengths and limitations.
• It synthesizes the existing knowledge on the topic, highlighting any conflicting views or controversies.
• It defines the key terms and concepts used in the study.

The literature review in dissertation should be organized around specific themes or topics and should be written clearly and logically. It should also be properly cited, using the appropriate referencing style. The literature review should not simply be a list of summaries of individual studies but should instead provide an overall synthesis of the existing knowledge on the topic.

Dissertation Methodology

The methodology section of a dissertation is a section that explains the main methods and techniques that were used in the research study. It includes a detailed description of the research design, the sample size and selection, the data collection procedures, and the data analysis techniques. The motive of the methodology chapter is to provide a clear and transparent account of how the research was conducted so that the reader can understand and evaluate the results.

The methodology chapter should include the following elements:

• Research design: This describes the overall approach to the research, including the type of study (e.g., experimental, survey, case study), the research question or hypothesis being tested, and the variables being measured.
• Sample: This describes the participants or subjects of the study, including their characteristics and how they were selected.
• Data collection: This describes the methods used to collect data, such as surveys, interviews, or observations, and any relevant details about the data collection process (e.g., sampling method, response rate).
• Data analysis: This describes the statistical methods or other techniques used to analyze the data, including any software or tools that were used.

It is important that the methodology chapter is written in a brief and concise manner and that it be sufficiently detailed to allow the reader to understand and replicate the research if needed. The methodology chapter should also be properly cited, using the appropriate referencing style.