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Abonyo
Abonyo

Abonyo

  • Busia, Kenya
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Asked: 2021-01-25T05:46:32+00:00 In:

what makes a good dissertation?

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Hello everyone I hope you are all well! I just have a quick question- I am a third year BA Social Work student in the midst of writing a literature review for my dissertation. I wanted to know if anyone had any tips or help they could offer in what makes a good dissertation?

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    1. Best Answer
      This answer was edited.

      I have coached and consulted for masters and phd candidates for the past 8 years and this is what I can share. Apart from the standard requirements from the University on dissertation structure and requirements, a good dissertation should have the following:

      Introduction

      1. The introduction should have a background of the topic from a global perspective, regional, and local. What is the current situation accross the globe, within your continent, in your country and/or locality of study?
      2. In the problem statement, articulate what seems to stand out in the situation, within the area of study. Refer to recent studies and dailies to argue out your case. What are the gaps that the study could fill?
      3. The objectives need to be very clear and SMART.

      In the literature review

      1. Organize the empirical literature based on the objective being studied.
      2. Apart from mentioning the theories related to the study, explain how the theories tie to the objectives and how they will in achieving the objectives.

      Methodology, Findings and Discussions

      1. The literature should inform and guide the most suitable methodology and tools.
      2. Once data has been collected, analyzed and presented, the findings should be discussed in order of the objectives and compared to literature. How do the literature compare to your findings? do the findings confirm or refute the theories?

      Conclusion and recommendation

      1. Looking at the whole study, what can be concluded?
      2. Based on the whole process, what can you recommend, academically?

      There should be a continuous linkage and flow of ideas from the beginning to the end.

      NB: The depth of the above recommendations varry with the level of study.

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    2. Ann

      Ann

      • Sacho, Kenya
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      It really depends on the kind of literature review you are aiming to carry out. Is it just a narrative review to introduce the topic of your dissertation, or is it a full fledged systematic review which people are supposed to be able to replicate in the future?
      If the first, focus on building a general, coherent and critical narrative of what is out there, to introduce and justify the topic of your dissertation. If the second, focus first of all on a narrow research question that your review needs to answer.

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    3. Arafat

      Arafat

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      In my opinion, the quality of a dissertation is determined by a number of factors, including the research question, methodology, data analysis, and the overall writing and presentation of the work.

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    4. Aphidelsi Orono

      Aphidelsi Orono

      • Digital marketing, software developer.
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      Digital marketing, software developer.

      A good dissertation is one that is well-researched, well-written, and makes a significant and original contribution to the field of study. Here are a few key elements that can make a dissertation strong:

      1. Clear and well-defined research question: A good dissertation starts with a clear and well-defined research question that is both interesting and relevant to the field of study.
      2. Thorough literature review: A good dissertation includes a thorough literature review that provides context and background for the research, and demonstrates a good understanding of existing research in the field.
      3. Rigorous methodology: A good dissertation uses a rigorous methodology that is appropriate for the research question and data being collected. The methodology should be clearly explained and justified.
      4. Well-presented and analyzed data: A good dissertation presents and analyzes data in a clear and concise way, and uses appropriate methods of statistical analysis.
      5. Original and significant contribution: A good dissertation makes an original and significant contribution to the field of study, and provides new insights or knowledge.
      6. Well written: The dissertation should be written clearly, with a proper structure and good organization. The ideas should be presented in a logical and coherent manner, with good grammar, spelling and punctuation.
      7. Properly formatted and referenced: A good dissertation should be properly formatted and follows the guidelines provided by the university and referencing should be done according to the standard academic format (APA, MLA, Harvard..etc).

      It’s important to note that the guidelines for a good dissertation may vary depending on the field of study and the expectations of the university or institution. It’s always a good idea to consult with your supervisor or mentor for specific guidance on what is expected in your field.

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