Back to: Academic and Professional Writing Unit 1
Write briefly on the sections in a social science dissertation
Dissertation is originated from the Latin word which means “discussion“. Dissertation is a long form of academic writing which is an original piece done through self research. It does not include the use of secondary and primary sources for research. Dissertation is the final step in completing the course of PhD, UG or PG. The time taken to complete the dissertation is lengthy as it is the longest piece of writing in academics.
Sections in a Social Science Dissertation
Title page
The first page is the title page that includes your topic title, your name, student number, department, institution, degree program, supervisor’s name, university logo, and submission date.
Acknowledgement
Acknowledgement is the section provided for thanking everyone that has helped you throughout your dissertation in writing and completing it. It can include your supervisors, friends, family and anyone else who had helped and supported you.
Abstract
Abstract is a short paragraph in your dissertation that briefly explains the readers about your topic and the work you have done.
Table of Contents
The table of contents lists down your chapters, subheadings and page numbers. This helps the readers in easily searching the chapter they’ve been looking for in your dissertation.
Introduction
Introduction explains your topic, background, history, and purpose of choosing that specific topic. It gives the readers an idea on what to expect from your dissertation.
Literature review
Literature review is looking at the work of other publishings on the same topic to understand the topic better, discover the gaps in it, and what further findings should be done.
Theoretical framework
In this step, you state and explain the key theories, concepts, and models of your desired topic.
Methodology
Methodology explains how your research was conducted. Your methodology section should accurately report what you did and why you decided to do it in such a way.
Results
This section showcases results from the data you have collected whether throughqualitative, quantitative or mixed method. The results can be shaped in the form of sub-questions, or hypotheses.
Discussion
You interpret and analyse your results in this section. Your discussion depends on the methodology you have chosen. You need to discuss your results and if it meets the requirement of your research questions.
Conclusion
Conclusion should concisely summarise your main argument to make readers have aclear understanding of your research. It illustrates how your research has contributed to the concerned field and provide recommendations for further research.
Reference list
The reference list states all the sources you uses to complete your dissertation. This is necessary in order to avoid plagiarism and give credit to the original researchers.
Appendices
This consists of the research question and answers you have received through your research. Documents of surveys or interviews conducted are added in this section.
