GUIDELINES FOR STRUCTURING YOUR DISSERTATION
This is presented as a set of guidelines. They apply to many dissertations but not all – some methodologies may require a slightly modified layout. However, if you intend to depart from these guidelines, you should discuss this with your supervisor in advance.
Your signed declarations will be placed at the very front of the dissertation. After that, the following order should be used:
Initial pages
Title Page and Author – this should identify the topic under investigation and indicate the category of research method being used. For example,
An evaluation of the effectiveness of acupuncture for the treatment of cataracts: a systematic literature review
or alternatively,
An evaluation of the effectiveness of specific nutritional therapy for the treatment of IBS: a pilot study for a full trial
Another example,
How do GPs view the use of evidence-based herbal medicine? A questionnaire survey
or alternatively,
How do GPs view the use of acupuncture in primary care? A case study series in 4 general practices
Abstract – 300 words (maximum). This should cover in summary all aspects of the dissertation and be under the following subheadings: background; aims and objectives; methods; findings, and conclusion(s).
Acknowledgements – This is a clear statement of indebtedness to whomever may have helped by way of ideas, advice, comment, analysis, correction, materials, access, diagrams, computing and so forth.
Lists of Contents – you should have the following separate lists according to your contents:
• Table of Contents: This lists your chapters and subheadings with page numbers
• List of Appendices: List each appendix, its title and page number
• List of Tables: This is a list of all your tables. It needs to include the table number, title of table, page number
• List of Figures: This is a listing of all pictures, drawings etc (anything that is not a table). There should be a figure number, title of figure and page number
Note: You may find it very helpful to learn how to use ‘Insert Table of Contents’ in Microsoft Word. This will allow you to automatically list and update your chapters and tables as you go. It will make moving around your document possible without scrolling up and down looking for sections. It will also make it easier for others to use your electronic copy later.
Chapters and Appendices
Chapter 1: Introduction (Approx. 1500-2000 words)
Word count does not include footnotes or appendices which should supplement or illustrate your argument. If your argument would not stand up without the information, it should go into the body of the text. The introduction should:
• Provide details and motivation for the research undertaking
• Give a rationale for the study
• State the aims and objectives of study
Chapter 2: Literature Review (Approx. 4000 words. Divide approximately 16,000 words among Chapters 2,3, 4 and 5 according to your research needs). The Literature review should describe the following:
• Background against which the study is being conducted
• Current research that supports or expands/debates theories
• Wider contextual and/or theoretical underpinnings
• Critical appraisal of previous research in this area
• Reiterate your aims and objectives and state briefly how the literature supports them
Chapter 3: Methodology (Approx. 4000 words). The methodology should:
• Provide a discussion of philosophical issues inherent in the research approach and critique both quantitative and qualitative approaches
• Justify the methodology and methods chosen
• Clearly outline of implementation of the research, the methods used, and how findings were analysed
• Reflect on any study limitations
Chapter 4: Findings (Approx. 4000 words)
All findings (results) should be clearly described, making appropriate use of tables, charts, diagrams, quotes from transcripts, etc. They need to be laid out and explained. Although this is not the place for a discussion of the results, they should be presented in a way that the reader can understand the purpose of each presentation.
Give the reader an idea of what they might note when looking at the table or diagram, for example: ‘Table 6 shows that most of the female respondents had a similar response to questions regarding…’. Why they might have had a similar response would be left to the discussion.
Chapter 5: Discussion (Approx. 4000 words)
This begins your interpretation of the data and how they tie in with your aims and objectives. This is also where you show your ability to apply critical thinking (i.e. looking from a variety of perspectives, noting what others have said about similar results, discussing why your results are the same or different from others, etc). This is the section that shows your learning as well as your ability to analyse and synthesise all of the data and literature. Some guiding topics:
• Limitations, problems, issues arising from the research
• Discussion of findings in the context of previous research
• Implication of findings upon practice, policy, future research, etc.
Chapter 6: Conclusions (Approx. 1500-2000 words)
Review main findings and points arising from discussion and make sure that your aims are explicitly answered (virtually word for word) at the end to ensure that you have not strayed from the original intention. Also, reiterate your unique contributions to knowledge, your personal reflections on the research journey (where appropriate). Summarise your principle conclusions and make reference to implications for future research.
References – giving full details of all sources referred to in the text, set out according to the Harvard system (see Guidelines on Referencing).
Appendices – for larger quantities of raw data or displays that would ‘distort’ or break up the text.
