How to write a masters dissertation
Writing a master's dissertation or thesis is a hefty task. It requires a substantial amount of research, analysis, and writing. Typically, in Ghana, many university students are required to produce a written work ranging from 15,000 to 20,000 words.
Feeling a bit overwhelmed by the prospect of writing a master's thesis or dissertation is a common and expected reaction, especially for students who have previously written one at the undergraduate level. However, don't let the idea deter you. You will have ample time to finish it and abundant assistance from your supervisor and colleagues.
A primary obstacle encountered by students is effectively articulating their thoughts and discoveries. Writing is an independent skill, but with appropriate guidance, you will discover it significantly more manageable to immerse yourself in the process of composing your master's thesis or dissertation.
We have compiled a comprehensive, sequential manual outlining the process of writing a dissertation or thesis for a master's degree. The guide includes valuable recommendations to keep in mind at every phase of the process.
1. Understand the subject matter of your dissertation (or thesis)
Theses and dissertations exhibit slight distinctions; however, both necessitate exceptional writing proficiency and expertise in the subject matter. Additionally, they exhibit very similar formatting.
Initially, composing a master's thesis might be likened to participating in a 100-meter race—the trajectory appears to be swift and leaves little room for contemplation! Nevertheless, it is customary to have a dedicated summer semester to finalise your dissertation, allowing ample time and opportunity to produce a robust scholarly work.
In contrast, the process of producing a PhD thesis might be likened to participating in a marathon, as it involves dedicating 3–4 years of study to the same subject matter, which can be exhausting. However, the approach to both of these activities is largely comparable in many respects.
Prior to commencing your master's dissertation, thoroughly familiarise yourself with your research topic. Gaining a comprehensive understanding of your subject matter is not only crucial for enhancing the quality of your research, but it also plays a pivotal role in improving the content of your dissertation.
Additionally, contemplate the primary objective of your dissertation. When writing, ensure that your aim is evident by presenting a theory or a distinctive research perspective.
Key writing tip: during the process of researching your subject matter, be attentive to the precise terminology and writing standards employed by fellow scholars. Research papers on your selected dissertation topic are likely to contain a significant amount of specialised language and significant concepts.
2. Organise your dissertation or thesis
Composing a thesis is an exceptional task, and there is no general agreement on the optimal approach to organising its structure. After consulting with your supervisor, as a postgraduate student, you will likely determine the most suitable format for your research project. You will also have the opportunity to examine the theses of past graduate students at your university library.
All postgraduate dissertations possess a certain degree of uniqueness. Typically, they contain chapters. The number of chapters covered will vary depending on the scope of the investigation.
A master's dissertation or thesis structured into chapters would normally have the following format:
Category | Description |
Title page | The opening page includes all relevant information about the project. |
Abstract | A brief project summary including background, methodology and findings. |
Content | A list of chapters and figures from your project. |
Chapter 1: Introduction to the study | A description of the rationale behind your project. |
Chapter 2: Literature review | A summary and evaluation of the literature supporting your project. |
Chapter 3: Methodology | A description of the specific methodology used in your project. |
Chapter 4: Presentation of findings, analysis and discussions | An overview of the key findings and data from your research. Also present a description of what the data means and what you can draw from the findings. |
Chapter 5: Conclusion | Present a summary of your overall project and key findings, recommendations and key areas for further research. |
Bibliography | Presentation of results, analysis and discussions |
Appendces | Additional materials used in your research. |
Write down your structure and use these as headings that you’ll write for later on.
Key writing tip: connect each chapter by incorporating a paragraph that bridges the conclusion of one chapter with the beginning of the next one. For instance, one could express it like, "In the subsequent section, these findings are assessed with greater detail.". This facilitates understanding of each chapter and enhances the coherence of your work.
3. Write your literature review
A highly recommended starting point for preparing your master's dissertation is the literature review. This entails conducting an extensive review and critical evaluation of current scholarly literature to pinpoint any deficiencies that may be addressed by your own research.
A significant number of students opt to start their academic writing by tackling the literature review chapter, as it is in this section that numerous fundamental theories and concepts are presented. This section serves to establish the context for the remainder of your dissertation and will provide valuable insights for the composition of your other dissertation chapters.
Essential components to use in your literature review
The literature review chapter serves as more than a mere summary of prior studies; it entails an assessment of how previous research has influenced and shaped your own research.
i) Show the cohesive integration of several research components. Do theories overlap? Do researchers have divergent opinions?
ii) Emphasise the deficiency in the research. Developing one's own distinctive research is crucial to a dissertation. Does an uninvestigated area of research exist? Has the current research been unable to refute a specific theory?
iii) Ensure that you have a backup of your process. Justify the suitability of your methodology by examining its successful application in previous studies.
4. Document your research findings
The research you conducted forms the fundamental essence of your dissertation. Undertaking actual research is a distinct subject in its own right, but it is crucial to acknowledge that your research design will significantly impact the manner in which you compose your ultimate dissertation.
For example, a research topic that is more theoretical in nature would have a greater emphasis on philosophical writing. Qualitative data necessitates more extensive assessment and discussion compared to quantitative research.
Chapter on Research Methodology
The methodology chapter focuses on the implementation of your research and the specific methodologies employed to collect data. It is advisable to discuss wider methodological frameworks, such as qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methodologies, before delving into the specifics of your selected data collection strategy.
Various data gathering strategies encompass methods such as interviews, questionnaires, surveys, content analysis, discourse analyses, and others.
Chapters are dedicated to the examination and interpretation of data and the presentation of the resulting findings.
The data analysis or findings chapter should encompass the actual discoveries made throughout the study effort. The content should be comprehensive, precise, and impartial (be assured, you will have plenty of opportunity for evaluation at a later stage in your dissertation).
Present your discoveries in a manner that is clear and comprehensible. For instance, if you possess a substantial amount of numerical data, presenting it in tables could facilitate understanding.
This will facilitate your immersion into a more profound examination in subsequent chapters. It is important to present your data analysis in a clear and straightforward manner because the reader will use it to compare and verify your later evaluations with your actual findings.
Consider the process of dividing your data into several categories. As an example, it is advantageous to divide interview transcripts based on the interviewee.
Key writing tips: document your ideas on how to articulate a certain section of the research. This will enhance the quality of your writing. There is no greater frustration than experiencing a moment of mental clarity in formulating an ideal expression, only to have it go from memory entirely.
5. Discuss and evaluate
After presenting your findings, it is now necessary to assess and discuss them.
Distinguishing between the findings and discussion sections may be challenging, as both sections effectively address the same facts. The most straightforward method to distinguish between the two is that your findings merely offer the data, while your discussion narrates the story behind this data.
The evaluation provides a comprehensive analysis of the story, elucidating the crucial discoveries, successful aspects, and areas that encountered difficulties.
Within your discussion chapter, you will have the opportunity to elaborate on the outcomes derived from your findings section. Illustrate the significance of specific numerical values and establish connections among various data points.
Valuable writing advice: do not hesitate to acknowledge the limitations of your study. Writing in an objective manner will result in higher grades being awarded to you. For instance, if you have received fewer interview responses than anticipated, assess the influence of this on your research and findings. Avoid allowing your ego to hinder your progress.
6. Compose your introductory paragraph.
The introduction to your master's dissertation establishes the context for the remainder of your work. The reason why writing an introduction isn't at the beginning of our step-by-step list is because many students choose to write this chapter last.
Here’s what your introduction chapter should cover:
Background
Problem statement
Research question
Significance of your research
Scope of your research
Potential limitations
Organisation of chapters
This informs the reader of the topic and significance of the research you will be conducting. Though it's usual for research to change after it gets underway, your original dissertation proposal should give you a decent notion of what to put here.
Once your research is finished and written up, you'll have a more comprehensive understanding of what your study actually covers, so writing this section last—or at least going back and reviewing it—can be incredibly beneficial.
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