Before writing up your dissertation or thesis, it’s important to plan everything first. One way of doing this is creating a dissertation plan. This is an outline of what you’re going to say in your work. Herein, we set out the main things that most experimental dissertations will include.
The introductory section is where you set out the general topic being investigated and the specific focus of your research. This will usually include:
Overall, the aim is to give your reader the basic information they will need to follow the rest of your dissertation.
The literature review is where you introduce key thinkers, texts and theories. This section should include:
This will fully contextualize your work, clarifying its significance.
When conducting original research or an experiment, you’ll need to provide detailed descriptions of the techniques used. This includes:
Ideally, you will provide enough information here that a reader could duplicate your study if required.
When presenting your results and analysis, link it back to your research questions. This section should also:
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The key here is to explain what your results show in clear, simple terms.
Here you set out your findings in relation to your initial research question. This will include clarifying the significance of your results and recommendations for further research. Try to:
Think of this section as coming full circle. You return to your initial hypotheses, but this time you discuss them in relation to what you’ve learned from your research.
The bibliography is where you list all cited sources in your dissertation. The rules for this will depend on the referencing system you’re using, so make sure to check your style guide.
The appendices, meanwhile, are where you include documentation not needed in the main body of your work. This includes consent forms, questionnaires, additional data, etc.
Finally, remember that most research projects evolve over time, so you should be willing to adapt your initial plan. If you think you’re straying too far from it, try talking to your supervisor. For more information about writing a dissertation or thesis, read our full dissertation writing guide. And if you need any assistance checking your dissertation plan, our proofreaders are ready to help.
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