How to succeed with your PhD dissertation
The first step in delivering a quality dissertation is choosing the topic. The writer should make sure they choose a topic that is unique interesting. These are some of the guidelines to choosing a topic.
- The student should choose a topic in which they have personal interest and preference. Choosing a topic like this means they bring some knowledge to the table. Choosing a topic they have interest in means that they will be motivated to research various aspects of the topic and deliver a quality essay.
- They should choose a topic with which they are familiar; this will help them when researching. Many students tend to choose from topics that are close to one of the units they study in class. The student should therefore be careful and make sure they stand out from the class when choosing.
After choosing the topic, they should define there are of study in the topic. This area helps define the specific parameters that the student will investigate and the research question they will formulate.
- The student should also define their research area and process. This means putting their paper in the right bigger picture context. The best way to do this is to perform a gap analysis. This is where the student analysis how their area of study is currently and compares it with how they would like it to be ideally. They then base their research on how to use the knowledge they gained in class to bridge the gap between the reality on the ground and the ideal situation.
- Formulating a research question. The research question is the question that the researcher will ask themselves throughout the research and ensure that they answer satisfactorily. It sets the tone of the dissertation and determines the direction the student goes with their paper.
The third aspect is to consult. The student should not be afraid to look for help whatever stage of writing they are in. the consultation should begin in the initial stages of the writing when choosing a topic. Many students will choose topics related to subjects that they studied in class.
The most appropriate person to consult with in this case in the instructor of the unit on which the student is writing. It is advisable to continue this consultation with the same person or people for continuity. While in some stages it does not change much, having an independent set f eyes to monitor what the student does can be helpful.