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The words ‘ dissertation ’ and ‘thesis’ both refer to a large written research project undertaken to complete a degree, but they are used differently depending on the country:
The main difference is in terms of scale – a dissertation is usually much longer than the other essays you complete during your degree.
Another key difference is that you are given much more independence when working on a dissertation. You choose your own dissertation topic , and you have to conduct the research and write the dissertation yourself (with some assistance from your supervisor).
Dissertation word counts vary widely across different fields, institutions, and levels of education:
However, none of these are strict guidelines – your word count may be lower or higher than the numbers stated here. Always check the guidelines provided by your university to determine how long your own dissertation should be.
At the bachelor’s and master’s levels, the dissertation is usually the main focus of your final year. You might work on it (alongside other classes) for the entirety of the final year, or for the last six months. This includes formulating an idea, doing the research, and writing up.
A PhD thesis takes a longer time, as the thesis is the main focus of the degree. A PhD thesis might be being formulated and worked on for the whole four years of the degree program. The writing process alone can take around 18 months.
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Your dissertation, the final piece of the puzzle that stands between you and the completion of your doctoral degree . Okay, so that’s not the actual definition of the word “dissertation,” but when you’re writing one, that can feel true at times! Keep reading to learn the academic definition and take a more in depth look at what a dissertation is and how to navigate writing one. So, let’s go!
Related : Top fully funded PhD programs
While dissertation and thesis are sometimes used interchangeably, they actually refer to two different pieces of writing. A thesis is traditionally completed at the end of a master’s program . It is based on pre-existing research and showcases your ability to understand the information you have been learning about in your program.
A dissertation is much longer than a thesis and is completed at the end of a PhD or doctorate program . It is the last thing you need to complete in order to earn your doctorate in your chosen field. It will be about a topic of your choosing that is within your field of study. Instead of using all pre-existing information though, you will conduct a portion of your own research and propose new ideas.
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What you write about will depend on what field of study you are in. A dissertation is designed to be your own. Meaning that what you write about should be a new idea, a new topic, or question that is still unanswered in your field. Something that you will need to collect new data on, potentially interview people for and explore what information is already available.
Generally, an idea will need to be approved or at least discussed with whoever is overseeing your dissertation before you begin writing. It’s important to put time and effort into choosing a topic that you will be able to find either existing research for and add to, or a topic that you will be able to establish your own methods of data collection for. Again, the goal of your dissertation is to add to your field.
Your dissertation length will vary, but you can generally count on it to be around 2-3 times the length of your thesis. A standard thesis is roughly 80 to 100 pages. So, on the short end you’re looking at a 200 pages dissertation, while the longer end can reach as high as 400 pages.
The page count for a dissertation is enough to scare even the best writers away, but take a breath and rest easy knowing that this is not something you complete in just one semester or even two. On the short end you will have a year to write your dissertation, while the longer end can offer as much as two years to complete your dissertation. During this time, you will work with an advisor who can watch over you and help you along the way.
A dissertation is not just one long paper you must write. Thankfully, it is broken down into manageable pieces that you complete over time.
The first thing you will do is come up with your topic. Again, your topic will need to be approved by whoever is overseeing your dissertation. If they think that it may not be a strong topic, they will let you know. Even if a topic is approved though, you’ll need to do research around that topic first to make sure that it has not already been covered, or if it has that you take into consideration what has been done and add to the topic in a new way.
Research can mean looking at what already exists, as well as conducting your own research to add to a proposed idea of yours. Your research can take many different forms depending on what field you are in. Research can be costly at times, so be sure to check out what funding opportunities are available for doctoral research. There are even post PhD research grants you should be familiar with if you intend to continue researching.
A dissertation generally consists of five chapters. We’ve written them out below with a brief description of each and what they include.
Introduction – Just as you would expect, this is where you will introduce your topic and what you plan to discuss
Literature review – This section will address the research you have found that has already been done, or found has not been done, that pertains to your topic
Methodology – How you go about collecting information for your dissertation, whether it be conducting your own research or delving deep into what has already been done, will be discussed in the methodology section
Results – Your results will analyze the information you gathered in regard to your topic
Discussion – Finally, your discussion section will assess the meaning of your results and it is also where you will add your own ideas, rooted in research, about what those results mean in a broader context in regard to your field
There will be more parts of your dissertation that are not included in the chapters, but the bulk of your dissertation will be made up by these five chapters. Things like title pages, references, appendices, and table of contents will also be included.
Believe it or not, it’s not enough just to write your dissertation–you also have to defend your dissertation. This is another reason why taking a thorough amount of time to choose your topic is so important. You’ll likely need to propose your initial dissertation idea, but that will be much simpler and shorter. Your final defense will be much lengthier and in depth.
During your defense, you will present your dissertation to a committee. It’s likely that you’ll be at least somewhat familiar with those on the committee; they are not just randomly picked. They will ask you questions about your research, and you will need to respond to each question. A defense generally takes around two hours. The point of a defense is not to have people try to undermine your work, but for you to exemplify your expertise in your field.
Nobody wants to think about failing, but unfortunately, you can fail your dissertation. However, let’s talk about a few things before we just leave it at that. First, if you are afraid of failing your dissertation, this is something that you should speak to your advisor about. They can help you determine if there should be legitimate concerns or if you are getting in your own head.
Second, even if you do fail your dissertation, you are usually allowed to resubmit one time. This of course is not ideal, but it does give you a little room to breathe. Your goal is to do great from the start, but remember this is not an easy task. You’ll likely have plenty of bumps along the way!
Again, if you have concerns about failing, address them sooner rather than later and seek help. There are bound to be plenty of people and services around you, as well as additional services that you can pay for which will help review your materials and guide you along.
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If you’ve landed on this article, chances are you’ve got a dissertation or thesis project coming up (hopefully it’s not due next week!), and you’re now asking yourself the classic question, “what the #%#%^ is a dissertation?”…
In this post, I’ll break down the basics of exactly what a dissertation is, in plain language. No ivory tower academia.
So, let’s get to the pressing question – what is a dissertation?
Simply put, a dissertation (or thesis – depending on which country you’re studying in) is a research project . In other words, your task is to ask a research question (or set of questions) and then set about finding the answer(s). Simple enough, right?
Well, the catch is that you’ve got to undertake this research project in an academic fashion , and there’s a wealth of academic language that makes it all (look) rather confusing (thanks, academia). However, at its core, a dissertation is about undertaking research (investigating something). This is really important to understand, because the key skill that your university is trying to develop in you (and will be testing you on) is your ability to undertake research in a well-structured structured, critical and academically rigorous way.
This research-centric focus is significantly different from assignments or essays, where the main concern is whether you can understand and apply the prescribed module theory. I’ll explain some other key differences between dissertations or theses and assignments a bit later in this article, but for now, let’s dig a little deeper into what a dissertation is.
Okay, so now that you understand that a dissertation is a research project (which is testing your ability to undertake quality research), let’s go a little deeper into what that means in practical terms.
The best way to understand a dissertation is to view it as a process – more specifically a research process (it is a research project, after all). This process involves four essential steps, which I’ll discuss below.
The very first step of the research process is to find a meaningful research question, or a set of questions. In other words, you need to find a suitable topic for investigation. Since a dissertation is all about research, identifying the key question(s) is the critical first step. Here’s an example of a well-defined research question:
“Which factors cultivate or erode customer trust in UK-based life insurance brokers?”
This clearly defined question sets the direction of the research . From the question alone, you can understand exactly what the outcome of the research might look like – i.e. a set of findings about which factors help brokers develop customer trust, and which factors negatively impact trust.
But how on earth do I find a suitable research question, you ask? Don’t worry about this right now – when you’re ready, you can read our article about finding a dissertation topic . However, right now, the important thing to understand is that the first step in the dissertation process is identifying the key research question(s). Without a clear question, you cannot move forward.
Once the research question is clearly established, the next step is to review the existing research/literature (both academic and professional/industry) to understand what has already been said with regard to the question. In academic speak, this is called a literature review .
This step is critically important as, in all likelihood, someone else has asked a similar question to yours, and therefore you can build on the work of others . Good academic research is not about reinventing the wheel or starting from scratch – it’s about familiarising yourself with the current state of knowledge, and then using that as your basis for further research.
Simply put, the first step to answering your research question is to look at what other researchers have to say about it. Sometimes this will lead you to change your research question or direction slightly (for example, if the existing research already provides a comprehensive answer). Don’t stress – this is completely acceptable and a normal part of the research process.
Once you’ve got a decent understanding of the existing state of knowledge, you will carry out your own research by collecting and analysing the relevant data. This could take to form of primary research (collecting your own fresh data), secondary research (synthesising existing data) or both, depending on the nature of your degree, research question(s) and even your university’s specific requirements.
Exactly what data you collect and how you go about analysing it depends largely on the research question(s) you are asking, but very often you will take either a qualitative approach (e.g. interviews or focus groups) or a quantitative approach (e.g. online surveys). In other words, your research approach can be words-based, numbers-based, or both . Don’t let the terminology scare you and don’t worry about these technical details for now – we’ll explain research methodology in later posts .
Combining your understanding of the existing research (Step 2) with the findings from your own original research (Step 3), you then (attempt to) answer your original research question (s). The process of asking, investigating and then answering has gone full circle.
Of course, your research won’t always provide rock-solid answers to your original questions, and indeed you might find that your findings spur new questions altogether. Don’t worry – this is completely acceptable and is a natural part of the research process.
So, to recap, a dissertation is best understood as a research process, where you are:
Depending on your specific degree and the way your university designs its coursework, you might be asking yourself “but isn’t this just a longer version of a normal assignment?”. Well, it’s quite possible that your previous assignments required a similar research process, but there are some key differences you need to be aware of, which I’ll explain next.
While there are, naturally, similarities between dissertations/theses and assignments, its important to understand the differences so that you approach your dissertation with the right mindset and focus your energy on the right things. Here, I’ll discuss four ways in which writing a dissertation differs substantially from assignments and essays, and why this matters.
Unlike assignments or essays, where the general topic is determined for you, for your dissertation, you will (typically) be the one who decides on your research questions and overall direction. This means that you will need to:
This is very different from assignments, where the theory is given to you on a platter, and the direction is largely pre-defined. Therefore, before you start the dissertation process, you need to understand the basics of academic research, how to find a suitable research topic and how to source the relevant literature.
A dissertation is a long journey, at least compared to assignments. Typically, you will spend 3 – 6 months writing around 15,000 – 25,000 words (for Masters-level, much more for PhD) on just one subject. Therefore, successfully completing your dissertation requires a substantial amount of stamina .
To make it even more challenging, your classmates will not be researching the same thing as you are, so you have limited support, other than your supervisor (who may be very busy). This can make it quite a lonely journey . Therefore, you need a lot of self-discipline and self-direction in order to see it through to the end. You should also try to build a support network of people who can help you through the process (perhaps alumni, faculty or a private coach ).
We touched on this earlier. Unlike assignments or essays, where the markers are assessing your ability to understand and apply the theories, models and frameworks that they provide you with, your dissertation will be is assessing your ability to undertake high-quality research in an academically rigorous manner.
Of course, your ability to understand the relevant theory (i.e. within your literature review) is still very important, but this is only one piece of the research skills puzzle. You need to demonstrate the full spectrum of research skills.
It’s important to note that your research does not need to be ground-breaking, revolutionary or world-changing – that is not what the markers are assessing. They are assessing whether you can apply well-established research principles and skills to a worthwhile topic of enquiry. Don’t feel like you need to solve the world’s major problems. It’s simply not going to happen (you’re a first-time researcher, after all) – and doesn’t need to happen in order to earn good marks.
In your assignments, you were likely encouraged to take a broad, interconnected, high-level view of the theory and connect as many different ideas and concepts as possible. In your dissertation, however, you typically need to narrow your focus and go deep into one particular topic. Think about the research question we looked at earlier:
The focus is intentionally very narrow – specifically the focus is on:
By keeping the focus narrow, you enable yourself to deeply probe whichever topic you choose – and this depth is essential for earning good marks. Importantly, ringfencing your focus doesn’t mean ignoring the connections to other topics – you should still acknowledge all the linkages, but don’t get distracted – stay focused on the research question(s).
So, as you can see, a dissertation is more than just an extended assignment or essay. It’s a unique research project that you (and only you) must lead from start to finish. The good news is that, if done right, completing your dissertation will equip you with strong research skills, which you will most certainly use in the future, regardless of whether you follow an academic or professional path.
Hopefully in this post, I’ve answered your key question, “what is a dissertation?”, at least at a big picture-level. To recap on the key points:
In this post, I’ve gently touched on some of the intricacies of the dissertation, including research questions, data types and research methodologies. Be sure to check out the Grad Coach Blog for more detailed discussion of these areas.
Hello Derek
Yes, I struggle with literature review and am highly frustrated (with myself).
Thank you for the guide that you have sent, especially the apps. I am working through the guide and busy with the implementation of it.
Hope to hear from you again!
Regards Micheal
Great to hear that, Michael. All the best with your research!
Thank you. That was quite something to move forward with. Despite the fact that I was lost. I will now be able to do something with the information given.
That’s great, Pheladi. Good luck!
Thank you so much for your videos and writing research proposal and dissertation. These videos are useful. I was struggling, but now I am starting to write. I hope to watch your more videos to learn more about the dissertation.
Before this post, I didn’t know where to start my research, today I have some light and do certain % of my research. I may need for direction on literature review. Big thanks to you.
Very very good Derek
Thanks immensely Derek
You’re welcome 🙂 Good luck with your dissertation/thesis.
Thank you Derek for widening my scope on research, this can be likened to a blind man whose eyes can now see.
Remain bless sir🙏
You guys are doing really great… I am extremely grateful for your help… Keep going.. Please activate that research help for indian students as well I couldn’t access it being an indian.
Hello Derek,
I got stuck in the concept paper because I changed my topic. Now I don’t know where to pick up the pieces again. How can I focus and stay on track. I am getting scared.
Thank you so much Derek, I am a new comer, learning for the first time how to write a good research. These in information’s to me is a mind opener, I hope to learn more from you in the future, Thanks and God bless.
Thanks Guys this means so much to me
A pretty good and insightful piece for beginners like me. Looking forward to more helpful hints and guide. Thanks to Derek.
This is so helpful…really appreciate your work.
Great to hear that
On cybersecurity Analytics research to banking transactions
This was of great help to me and quite informative .
Thank you so much GradCoach,
This is like a light at the end of the tunnel. You are a lifesaver. Thank you once again.
hello, I’m so grateful for such great information. It appears basic, but it is so relevant in understanding the research process.
Your website is very helpful for writing thesis. A big well done to the team. Do you have a website for paper writing and academic publishing or how to publish my thesis, how to land a fully funded PhD, etc. Just the general upward trajectory in the academia. Thank you
I have learned a lot from the lectures, it was beneficial and helped me a lot in my research journey. Thank you very much
Thank you for your gifts of enlightenment to a person like me who’s always a student. May your ‘well’not dry out.
It’s quite a fun and superb, now I have come to believe that the way one teach can have an impact in understanding and can change one’s assumption and position about a subject or a problem, before I came here and learn I consider research methodology a hard thing because, I wasn’t taught by a mentor like this one. Thanks so much who ever have make this effort to make this something easy and engaging
I can’t imagine that world has achieved major aspects of every field of study
Thank you very much for all the valuable, wonderful and comprehensive amount of information… I highly appreciate your support, 100% I recommend you
This topic is intended for my MPhil. Work (The perception of parents on Technical and Vocational Education, the impact on educational policy). May you consider the suitability of the topic for me and refine if the need be. Thank you,
Hello here…
i have gone through the notes and it is interesting. All i need now is a pdf file that contain a whole dissertation writing inclusive of chapter 1 to 5 on motivation as a topic… thanks
Remarkable!!! You made it sound so simple
I got stuck in my writing because I need to change my topic. I am getting scared as I have a semester left 🙁
Thanks for such an educational opportunity and support
Thanks for your educational opportunity and support
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Home > Blog > Tips for Online Students > Tips for Students > Dissertation Explained: A Grad Student’s Guide
Tips for Online Students , Tips for Students
Updated: June 19, 2024
Published: March 10, 2020
Higher education is filled with milestones. When completing your PhD , you will be required to complete a dissertation. Even if you’ve heard this word thrown around before, you still may be questioning “What is a dissertation?” It’s a common question, especially for those considering to join or are already in a graduate program. As such, here’s everything you need to know about dissertations.
A dissertation is a written document that details research. A dissertation also signifies the completion of your PhD program. It is required to earn a PhD degree, which stands for Doctor of Philosophy.
A PhD is created from knowledge acquired from:
A PhD program consists of academic courses that are usually small in size and challenging in content. Most PhD courses consist of a high amount and level of reading and writing per week. These courses will help prepare you for your dissertation as they will teach research methodology.
For your dissertation, it is likely that you will have the choice between performing your own research on a subject , or expanding on existing research. Likely, you will complete a mixture of the two. For those in the hard sciences, you will perform research in a lab. For those in humanities and social sciences, research may mean gathering data from surveys or existing research.
Once you have collected the data you need to prove your point, you will have to analyze and interpret the information. PhD programs will prepare you for how to conduct analysis, as well as for how to position your research into the existing body of work on the subject matter.
The process of writing and completing a dissertation is bigger than the work itself. It can lead to research positions within the university or outside companies. It may mean that you will teach and share your findings with current undergraduates, or even be published in academic journals. How far you plan to take your dissertation is your choice to make and will require the relevant effort to accomplish your goals.
In essence, a dissertation is what moves a doctoral student into becoming a scholar. Their research may be published, shared, and used as educational material moving forwards.
Basic differences.
Grad students may conflate the differences between a thesis and a dissertation.
Simply put, a thesis is what you write to complete a master’s degree. It summarizes existing research and signifies that you understand the subject matter deeply.
On the other hand, a dissertation is the culmination of a doctoral program. It will likely require your own research and it can contribute an entirely new idea into your field.
When it comes to the structure, a thesis and dissertation are also different. A thesis is like the research papers you complete during undergraduate studies. A thesis displays your ability to think critically and analyze information. It’s less based on research that you’ve completed yourself and more about interpreting and analyzing existing material. They are generally around 100 pages in length.
A dissertation is generally two to three times longer compared to a thesis. This is because the bulk of the information is garnered from research you’ve performed yourself. Also, if you are providing something new in your field, it means that existing information is lacking. That’s why you’ll have to provide a lot of data and research to back up your claims.
Dissertation length.
The length of a dissertation varies between study level and country. At an undergraduate level, this is more likely referred to as a research paper, which is 10,000 to 12,000 words on average. At a master’s level, the word count may be 15,000 to 25,000, and it will likely be in the form of a thesis. For those completing their PhD, then the dissertation could be 50,000 words or more.
Format of the dissertation.
Here are the items you must include in a dissertation. While the format may slightly vary, here’s a look at one way to format your dissertation:
This is the first page which includes: title, your name, department, degree program, institution, and submission date. Your program may specify exactly how and what they want you to include on the title page.
This is optional, but it is where you can express your gratitude to those who have helped you complete your dissertation (professors, research partners, etc.).
The abstract is about 150-300 words and summarizes what your research is about. You state the main topic, the methods used, the main results, and your conclusion.
Here, you list the chapter titles and pages to serve as a wayfinding tool for your readers.
This is like the table of contents, but for graphs and figures.
If you’ve constantly abbreviated words in your content, define them in a list at the beginning.
In highly specialized work, it’s likely that you’ve used words that most people may not understand, so a glossary is where you define these terms.
Your introduction sets up the topic, purpose, and relevance. It’s where readers will understand what they expect to gain from your dissertation.
Based on the research you performed to create your own dissertation, you’ll want to summarize and address the gaps in what you researched.
This is where you define how you conducted your research. It offers credibility for you as a source of information. You should give all the details as to how you’ve conducted your research, including: where and when research took place, how it was conducted, any obstacles you faced, and how you justified your findings.
This is where you share the results that have helped contribute to your findings.
In the discussion section, you explain what these findings mean to your research question. Were they in line with your expectations or did something jump out as surprising? You may also want to recommend ways to move forward in researching and addressing the subject matter.
A conclusion ties it all together and summarizes the answer to the research question and leaves your reader clearly understanding your main argument.
This is the equivalent to a works cited or bibliography page, which documents all the sources you used to create your dissertation.
If you have any information that was ancillary to creating the dissertation, but doesn’t directly fit into its chapters, then you can add it in the appendix.
As with any paper, especially one of this size and importance, the writing requires a process. It may begin with outlines and drafts, and even a few rewrites. It’s important to proofread your dissertation for both grammatical mistakes, but also to ensure it can be clearly understood.
It’s always useful to read your writing out loud to catch mistakes. Also, if you have people who you trust to read it over — like a peer, family member, mentor, or professor — it’s very helpful to get a second eye on your work.
There are a few main differences between a dissertation and an essay. For starters, an essay is relatively short in comparison to a dissertation, which includes your own body of research and work. Not only is an essay shorter, but you are also likely given the topic matter of an essay. When it comes to a dissertation, you have the freedom to construct your own argument, conduct your own research, and then prove your findings.
You can choose what type of dissertation you complete. Often, this depends on the subject and doctoral degree, but the two main types are:
This relies on conducting your own research.
This relies on studying existing research to support your argument.
More things you should know.
A dissertation is certainly no easy feat. Here’s a few more things to remember before you get started writing your own:
The process of completing a dissertation is self-directed, and therefore can feel overwhelming. However, if you approach it like the new experience that it is with an open-mind and willingness to learn, you will make it through!
There are countless people around to offer support. From professors to peers, you can always ask for help throughout the process.
The process of writing a dissertation will further hone your writing skills which will follow you throughout your life. These skills are highly transferable on the job, from having the ability to communicate to also developing analytical and critical thinking skills.
You can work backwards from the culmination of your program to break down this gargantuan task into smaller pieces. That way, you can manage your time to chip away at the task throughout the length of the program.
It’s okay to change subject matters and rethink the point of your dissertation. Just try as much as possible to do this early in the process so you don’t waste too much time and energy.
A dissertation marks the completion of your doctoral program and moves you from being a student to being a scholar. While the process is long and requires a lot of effort and energy, you have the power to lend an entirely new research and findings into your field of expertise.
As always, when in the thick of things, remember why you started. Completing both your dissertation and PhD is a commendable accomplishment.
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There are some obvious differences: an essay is relatively short – usually 1500 to 2500 words – and you are told clearly what to do by someone else. For example: Describe and evaluate major theories of globalisation.
A dissertation is a subject you chose for yourself. The first usage of the word in the English language in 1651 also gives a useful starting definition: “an extended written treatment of a subject”.
Another useful clue is found in the Latin origin of the word – dissertation comes from a Latin word ‘dissertare’ = ‘to debate’.
What does the word ‘debate’ imply? A discussion involving different points of view or sets of ideas. A dissertation will therefore not only examine a subject but will review different points of view about that subject.
Here’s another definition that underlines some more important characteristics of a dissertation: “a substantial paper that is typically based on original research and that gives evidence of the candidate’s mastery both of her own subject and of scholarly method.”
A dissertation will show that the writer knows her subject, the key facts and different points of view in it – but it also advances a point of view resulting from original research. Remember that ‘original’ does not mean ‘something that’s never been done before’ but rather ‘something that you do for yourself’.
A dissertation also “gives evidence of the candidate’s mastery […] of scholarly method”. This sounds terribly daunting but don’t be put off. The phrase is telling you that you will have to lift your game to write a successful dissertation. ‘Scholarly method’ means that you will be expected to do more and better reading and research than for a standard undergraduate essay. It means that your work will display accuracy and skill in its investigation and discussion of a subject. It means that your discussion will give evidence of critical analysis i.e. standing back from your subject and weighing up pros and cons. It means you will show that you understand that, for example, aspects of particular theories or viewpoints are open to question.
EdDPrograms.org
Wondering how to tackle the biggest doctoral challenge of all? Use our guide to the Ed.D. dissertation to get started! Learn about the purpose of a Doctor of Education dissertation and typical topics for education students. Read through step-by-step descriptions of the dissertation process and the 5-chapter format. Get answers to Ed.D. dissertation FAQs . Or skip to the chase and find real-world examples of Doctor of Education dissertations and websites & resources for Ed.D. dissertation research.
Definition of an ed.d. dissertation.
An Ed.D. dissertation is a 5-chapter scholarly document that brings together years of original research to address a problem of practice in education. To complete a dissertation, you will need to go through a number of scholarly steps , including a final defense to justify your findings.
In a Doctor of Education dissertation, you will be challenged to apply high-level research & creative problem-solving to real-world educational challenges. You may be asked to:
An Ed.D. dissertation is “customizable.” You’re allowed to chose a topic that relates to your choice of specialty (e.g. elementary education), field of interest (e.g. curriculum development), and environment (e.g. urban schools).
Think about current problems of practice that need to be addressed in your field. You’ll notice that Ed.D. dissertation topics often address one of the following:
Wondering how others have done it? Browse through Examples of Ed.D. Dissertations and read the titles & abstracts. You’ll see how current educators are addressing their own problems of practice.
1. propose a dissertation topic.
Near the beginning of a Doctor of Education program, you’ll be expected to identify a dissertation topic that will require substantial research. This topic should revolve around a unique issue in education.
Universities will often ask you to provide an idea for your topic when you’re applying to the doctoral program. You don’t necessarily need to stick to this idea, but you should be prepared to explain why it interests you. If you need inspiration, see our section on Examples of Ed.D. Dissertations .
You’ll be expected to solidify your dissertation topic in the first few semesters. Talking to faculty and fellow Ed.D. students can help in this process. Better yet, your educational peers will often be able to provide unique perspectives on the topic (e.g. cultural differences in teaching methods).
You won’t be going through the Ed.D. dissertation process alone! Universities will help you to select a number of experienced mentors. These include:
Doctor of Education coursework is designed to help you: a) learn how to conduct original research; and b) give you a broader perspective on your field of interest. If you take a look at the curriculum in any Ed.D. program, you’ll see that students have to complete credits in:
When you’re evaluating possible Ed.D. programs, pay attention to the coursework in real-world educational issues. You’ll want to pick an education doctorate with courses that complement your dissertation topic.
A literature review is an evaluation of existing materials & research work that relate to your dissertation topic. It’s a written synthesis that:
Have a look at Literature Review Guides if you’d like to know more about the process. Our section on Resources for Ed.D. Dissertation Research also has useful links to journals & databases.
During the first two years of your Doctor of Education, you’ll use the knowledge you’ve learned from your coursework & discussions to write the opening chapters of your dissertation, including an:
When you’re putting together these elements, think about the practicals. Is the topic too big to address in one dissertation? How much time will your research take and how will you conduct it? Will your dissertation be relevant to your current job? If in doubt, ask your faculty advisor.
About midway through the Ed.D. program, you will need to present your proposal to your Dissertation Committee. They will review your work and offer feedback. For example, the Committee will want to see that:
After the Committee approves your proposal, you can get stuck into conducting original research and writing up your findings. These two important tasks will take up the final years of your doctorate.
As a Doctor of Education student, you will be expected to conduct your own research. Ed.D. students often use a qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods (quantitative/qualitative) approach in this process.
Your Ed.D. coursework will ground you in research methods & tools, so you’ll be prepared to design your own project and seek IRB approval for any work involving human subjects.
Note: Occasionally, universities can get creative. For example, the Ed.D. program at San Jose State University asks students to produce a documentary film instead of conducting traditional research.
Once you have written up the first few chapters of your dissertation (Intro, Literature Review & Proposed Methodology) and completed your research work, you’ll be able to complete the final chapters of your dissertation.
This is where you and your faculty advisor will often have a lot of interaction! For example, you may need to rework the first few chapters of your dissertation after you’ve drafted the final chapters. Faculty advisors are extremely busy people, so be sure to budget in ample time for revisions and final edits.
The final defense/candidacy exam is a formal presentation of your work to the Dissertation Committee. In many cases, the defense is an oral presentation with visual aides. You’ll be able to explain your research findings, go through your conclusions, and highlight new ideas & solutions.
At any time, the Committee can challenge you with questions, so you should be prepared to defend your conclusions. But this process is not as frightening as it sounds!
Be aware that the Committee has the option to ask for changes before they approve your dissertation. After you have incorporated any notes from the Committee and addressed their concerns, you will finalize the draft, submit your dissertation for a formal review, and graduate.
Chapter 1: introduction.
Your Doctor of Education dissertation will begin with an introduction. In it, you’ll be expected to:
The literature review is a summary of existing research in the field. However, it is not an annotated bibliography. Instead, it’s a critical analysis of current research (e.g. trends, themes, debates & current practices). While you’re evaluating the literature, you’re also looking for the gaps where you can conduct original research.
Sources for a literature review can include books, articles, reports, websites, dissertations, and more. Our section on Resources for Ed.D. Dissertation Research has plenty of places to start.
In the research methodology, you’ll be expected to explain:
Chapter 4 is the place where you can share the results of your original research and present key findings from the data. In your analysis, you may also be highlighting new patterns, relationships, and themes that other scholars have failed to discover. Have a look at real-life Examples of Ed.D. Dissertations to see how this section is structured.
The final chapter of your Ed.D. dissertation brings all of your work together in a detailed summary. You’ll be expected to:
What’s the difference between a dissertation and a thesis.
It depends. Most Ed.D. dissertations end up being between 80-200 pages. The length will depend on a number of factors, including the depth of your literature review, the way you collect & present your research data, and any appendices you might need to include.
It depends. If you’re in an accelerated program , you may be able to finish your dissertation in 2-3 years. If you’re in a part-time program and need to conduct a lot of complex research work, your timeline will be much longer.
Experts always say that Doctor of Education students should be passionate about their dissertation topic and eager to explore uncharted territory. When you’re crafting your Ed.D. dissertation topic , find one that will be:
See the section on Examples of Ed.D. Dissertations for inspiration.
No. If you’re struggling with the idea of a traditional dissertation, check out this guide to Online Ed.D. Programs with No Dissertation . Some Schools of Education give Ed.D. students the opportunity to complete a Capstone Project or Dissertation in Practice (DiP) instead of a 5-chapter written work.
These alternatives aren’t easy! You’ll still be challenged at the same level as you would be for a dissertation. However, Capstone Projects & DiPs often involve more group work and an emphasis on applied theory & research.
Have a look at our Ed.D. vs. Ph.D. Guide to get a sense of the differences between the two degrees. In a nutshell:
Start with the section on Examples of Ed.D. Dissertations . You can browse through titles, abstracts, and even complete dissertations from a large number of universities.
If you have a few Doctor of Education programs on your shortlist, we also recommend that you skim through the program’s Dissertation Handbook . It can usually be found on the School of Education’s website. You’ll be able to see how the School likes to structure the dissertation process from start to finish.
University & campus resources, dissertation chair & committee.
The first port of call for any questions about the Ed.D. dissertation is your Dissertation Chair. If you get stuck with a terrible faculty advisor, talk to members of the Dissertation Committee. They are there to support your journey.
An Ed.D. dissertation is a massive research project. So before you choose a Doctor of Education program, ask the School of Education about its libraries & library resources (e.g. free online access to subscription-based journals).
Many universities have a Writing Center. If you’re struggling with any elements of your dissertation (e.g. editing), you can ask the staff about:
It’s well-known that doctoral students often face a lot of stress & isolation during their studies. Ask your faculty advisor about mental health services at the university. Staff in the School of Education and the Graduate School will also have information about on-campus counselors, free or discounted therapy sessions, and more.
Dissertation editing services: potentially helpful.
There are scores of independent providers who offer dissertation editing services. But they can be expensive. And many of these editors have zero expertise in educational fields.
If you need help with editing & proofreading, proceed with caution:
Dissertation coaches are defined as people who offer academic & mental support, guidance, and editorial input.
But hiring an independent Ed.D. dissertation coach is going to be an absolute waste of money.
Universities take the dissertation process very seriously . An Ed.D. dissertation is supposed to be the culmination of years of original thought and research. You’re going to be responsible for the final product. You’re going to be defending your written work in front of a phalanx of experienced faculty members. You’re going to be putting this credential on your résumé for everyone to see.
If you cheat the process by having someone else write up your work, you will get caught.
Examples of ed.d. dissertations, dissertation databases.
General ed.d. guides.
Style manuals are designed to ensure that every Ed.D. student follows the same set of writing guidelines for their dissertation (e.g. grammatical rules, footnote & quotation formats, abbreviation conventions, etc.). Check with the School of Education to learn which style manual they use.
Each School of Education has a standard dissertation template. We’ve highlighted a couple of examples so you can see how they’re formatted, but you will need to acquire the template from your own university.
Journal articles.
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October 31, 2019
A dissertation is a written document that summarizes research.
It is the final step of a PhD program, and the culmination of a studentâs doctoral studies.
âThe dissertation is a source of pride for doctoral students,â Dinah Manns, PhD, faculty chair at Capella University, says. âThe dissertation is often a compilation of academic and practical knowledge, and in many cases, it can be the studentâs first publication.â
Here, Manns explains the content and format of this important piece of scholarship.
The major objective of any doctoral program is to assist a student in becoming an independent researcher, and a dissertation is a large part of that. âNot all doctoral programs require a dissertation, but all PhD programs do,â Manns notes. âDissertation work varies by program.â
Initial coursework helps narrow down the research topic and develop it into something that will add to the body of knowledge in the chosen field. Sometimes the research contributes something entirely new to the field, and other times it expands or deepens previous studies.
By the time the doctoral coursework is finished, the topic should be selected and ready for formal research. At this point the student develops a proposal, which encompasses the research plan and methodology as it pertains to the selected topic.
At Capella, once the proposal has been approved by the studentâs mentor, committee, and the Institutional Review Board (IRB), the research and analysis begin. The dissertation is largely an independent project that essentially turns the student into a scholar; theyâll dive more deeply into research and writing then they have done before.
âCapella PhD candidates will be prepared for this step through their coursework and residency,â says Manns, noting that they will have learned how to approach this critical phase as part of their pre-dissertation learning.
The dissertation is a much deeper exploration of a research topic than a traditional essay would be. Itâs in the form of a book, with at least five chapters (some universities require a sixth chapter in the form of a recap of the previous chapters). Manns outlines the chapters this way:
The order of the chapters follows a logical progression in which PhD candidates build on their theories and explain research choices in detail before coming to the final chapter that gives weight to the value of the study itself.
Manns recommends that pre-dissertation students review completed dissertations in the field and research various types of methodology and design in the field as well. âThat will help give them a feel for the depth of research and discussion, and see how the chapters work together,â Manns explains. âAnd rememberâsomeday, it may be your dissertation being read!â
Capella University offers PhD and professional doctoral degrees in programs ranging from business to education and health to technology. Learn more about Capellaâs doctoral programs.
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dissertation
[ dis-er- tey -sh uh n ]
/ ˌdɪsəˈteɪʃən /
Origin of dissertation 1
Thirteen years ago, while working on her PHD dissertation in Madagascar’s Masoala Peninsula, Borgerson encountered a problem.
At Harvard, he received a PhD in government and wrote his dissertation under Henry Kissinger, who became a lifelong friend.
I planned to go back to physics after a couple of years and then return to wrap up my dissertation.
My buba’s lived experience helped shape me into the girl who wrote her college dissertation on the gender pay gap, arguing for equal parental leave for dads and moms, almost 20 years before any major employer implemented any such thing.
My PhD dissertation was a highly theoretical model representing computer systems that were framed as a mathematical model, and if they were interconnected in such a way that these interconnected computers would communicate like cells in the body.
A terrific cultural studies dissertation awaits on how the fortunes of the Cheneys provide a mirror on a changing America.
Today, he visits online forums and bombards them with dissertation-length comments.
In her dissertation, McFate had asked whether ‘good anthropology’ might lead to ‘better killing.’
Heritage has distanced itself from Richwine and his dissertation.
No single dissertation will alter the status quo on its own.
I've never had time to write home about it, for I felt that it required a dissertation in itself to do it justice.
Dr. Pitcairn, published at Leyden his dissertation on the circulation of the blood through the veins.
Start not, reader, I am not going to trouble you with a poetical dissertation; no, no!
Dissertation sur les Assassins, Académie des Inscriptions, tom.
This dissertation, which is illustrated by several plates, will repay for the time spent in reading it.
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A dissertation is a long academic piece of writing based on a student’s independent research . It is usually submitted in the final semester of UG, PG and PhD courses . It takes about 1-2 years to complete the dissertation as it requires a lot of research and written documentation . The aim of writing a dissertation is to test a student’s research skills. It allows students to develop their research, problem-solving, project management and numerical skills . During the course of writing a dissertation, students become able to present their research-based findings to the proposition they chose for themselves.
Empirical dissertation, non-empirical dissertation, skills you need to show, how long is a dissertation, empirical dissertation structure, non-empirical structure, dissertation project example, checklist for dissertation, helpful tips for writing a dissertation, difference between a dissertation and essay, dissertation vs thesis, types of dissertation.
The type of dissertation you may be doing completely depends upon the field of your study. However, there are 2 types of dissertation mentioned below in the table:
Collecting Original Data | Analysing Sources | |
Experiments, Observations, Surveys, | , Artworks, Historical Documents. |
If you are a student of sciences or social sciences, you’ll be required to write an empirical dissertation . Its focus is mainly on collecting original data and analysing every aspect of the data. Students can choose different research methods such as surveys, observation, laboratory experiments and interviews . Keeping in mind that the aim of an Empirical dissertation is to produce standardized scientific knowledge, students must consider the variables they will investigate, the reliability of their measurements, and choose the correct sampling method.
Non-empirical research is generally done for subjects such as arts and humanities . Choosing a particular topic and collecting the data from primary and secondary sources is the first step of starting with this type of dissertation. While working on non-empirical research, a student does the work with existing research or other texts, presents original analysis, argumentation, but there is no original data . The aim is to analyse theoretical texts and interpret the sources with your own understanding.
Regardless of the type of dissertation you write or the topic you pick, you’ll need to demonstrate the following abilities:
Defining and defining a study topic with a specific query | Identifying the most important problems |
Obtaining the necessary information | Considering its trustworthiness and validity |
Considering both sides of a debate’s evidence | Arriving at a well-thought-out conclusion |
Organizing and presenting your study’s findings in a critical, captivating, and eloquent manner while following all formatting guidelines. |
A dissertation’s length varies by study level and location, although it normally ranges from 10,000 to 12,000 words for undergraduates, 15,000 to 25,000 words for master’s students, and up to 50,000 words or more for PhD students.
A dissertation is basically divided into chapters and sections . Both empirical and non-empirical dissertations have different kinds of structures that are supposed to be followed while writing a dissertation. Empirical dissertations usually have a more standardized structure than that of a non-empirical dissertation which is more flexible.
The structure may be slightly different but an empirical dissertation must include the following chapters:
The structure or outline of a non-empirical dissertation is quite flexible as it involves existing research and texts . The aim of non-empirical research is to present original and independent analysis based on theoretical research . It is basically an extended essay but while writing a non-empirical thesis, the text must be presented precisely to serve your arguments in a logical manner. However, mentioned below is a general outline that must be followed while writing a non-empirical dissertation:
*The main body is divided into 2-4 chapters.
Depending on the topic you’ve chosen, the main body can be divided into different types. One of the most common topics of non-empirical research is history-based . The following mentioned is an example of a renaissance based topic:
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Mentioned below is a checklist to make sure you’ve included all the required information:
You get to choose the topic | You are provided with the topics |
Research is done to add something new to a specific field of study | The purpose is to inform others about a particular topic |
The audience is an academic committee and scholars of the specific field of study | The audience is the teacher and the professor who assigned the given topic |
You are required to analyze and present your original thoughts | You are not obliged to present your own opinions or present an analysis |
PhD must include over 60,000 words and should not exceed the limit of 80,000 words.
It takes around a year or two to complete a dissertation but if you manage time properly and catch up the speed you may be able to complete it in less than 8 months.
Hopefully, this blog assisted you in finding out what is Dissertation, its structure and more. If you require any assistance regarding your application process while enrolling for your further studies, our experts at Leverage Edu are just one click away. Call us anytime at 1800 572 000 for a free counselling session!
Daman is an author with profound expertise in writing engaging and informative content focused on EdTech and Study Abroad. With a keen understanding of these domains, Daman excels at creating complex concepts into accessible, reader-friendly material. With a proven track record of insightful articles, Daman stands as a reliable source for providing content for EdTech and Study Abroad.
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Published on September 14, 2022 by Tegan George . Revised on April 16, 2024.
A thesis is a type of research paper based on your original research. It is usually submitted as the final step of a master’s program or a capstone to a bachelor’s degree.
Writing a thesis can be a daunting experience. Other than a dissertation , it is one of the longest pieces of writing students typically complete. It relies on your ability to conduct research from start to finish: choosing a relevant topic , crafting a proposal , designing your research , collecting data , developing a robust analysis, drawing strong conclusions , and writing concisely .
You can also download our full thesis template in the format of your choice below. Our template includes a ready-made table of contents , as well as guidance for what each chapter should include. It’s easy to make it your own, and can help you get started.
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Upload your document to correct all your mistakes in minutes
Thesis vs. thesis statement, how to structure a thesis, acknowledgements or preface, list of figures and tables, list of abbreviations, introduction, literature review, methodology, reference list, proofreading and editing, defending your thesis, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about theses.
You may have heard the word thesis as a standalone term or as a component of academic writing called a thesis statement . Keep in mind that these are two very different things.
Professional editors proofread and edit your paper by focusing on:
See an example
The final structure of your thesis depends on a variety of components, such as:
Humanities theses are often structured more like a longer-form essay . Just like in an essay, you build an argument to support a central thesis.
In both hard and social sciences, theses typically include an introduction , literature review , methodology section , results section , discussion section , and conclusion section . These are each presented in their own dedicated section or chapter. In some cases, you might want to add an appendix .
We’ve compiled a short list of thesis examples to help you get started.
The very first page of your thesis contains all necessary identifying information, including:
Sometimes the title page also includes your student ID, the name of your supervisor, or the university’s logo. Check out your university’s guidelines if you’re not sure.
Read more about title pages
The acknowledgements section is usually optional. Its main point is to allow you to thank everyone who helped you in your thesis journey, such as supervisors, friends, or family. You can also choose to write a preface , but it’s typically one or the other, not both.
Read more about acknowledgements Read more about prefaces
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An abstract is a short summary of your thesis. Usually a maximum of 300 words long, it’s should include brief descriptions of your research objectives , methods, results, and conclusions. Though it may seem short, it introduces your work to your audience, serving as a first impression of your thesis.
Read more about abstracts
A table of contents lists all of your sections, plus their corresponding page numbers and subheadings if you have them. This helps your reader seamlessly navigate your document.
Your table of contents should include all the major parts of your thesis. In particular, don’t forget the the appendices. If you used heading styles, it’s easy to generate an automatic table Microsoft Word.
Read more about tables of contents
While not mandatory, if you used a lot of tables and/or figures, it’s nice to include a list of them to help guide your reader. It’s also easy to generate one of these in Word: just use the “Insert Caption” feature.
Read more about lists of figures and tables
If you have used a lot of industry- or field-specific abbreviations in your thesis, you should include them in an alphabetized list of abbreviations . This way, your readers can easily look up any meanings they aren’t familiar with.
Read more about lists of abbreviations
Relatedly, if you find yourself using a lot of very specialized or field-specific terms that may not be familiar to your reader, consider including a glossary . Alphabetize the terms you want to include with a brief definition.
Read more about glossaries
An introduction sets up the topic, purpose, and relevance of your thesis, as well as expectations for your reader. This should:
In other words, your introduction should clearly and concisely show your reader the “what, why, and how” of your research.
Read more about introductions
A literature review helps you gain a robust understanding of any extant academic work on your topic, encompassing:
A literature review is not merely a summary of existing work. Rather, your literature review should ultimately lead to a clear justification for your own research, perhaps via:
Read more about literature reviews
Your literature review can often form the basis for your theoretical framework, but these are not the same thing. A theoretical framework defines and analyzes the concepts and theories that your research hinges on.
Read more about theoretical frameworks
Your methodology chapter shows your reader how you conducted your research. It should be written clearly and methodically, easily allowing your reader to critically assess the credibility of your argument. Furthermore, your methods section should convince your reader that your method was the best way to answer your research question.
A methodology section should generally include:
Read more about methodology sections
Your results section should highlight what your methodology discovered. These two sections work in tandem, but shouldn’t repeat each other. While your results section can include hypotheses or themes, don’t include any speculation or new arguments here.
Your results section should:
Additional data (like raw numbers or interview transcripts ) can be included as an appendix . You can include tables and figures, but only if they help the reader better understand your results.
Read more about results sections
Your discussion section is where you can interpret your results in detail. Did they meet your expectations? How well do they fit within the framework that you built? You can refer back to any relevant source material to situate your results within your field, but leave most of that analysis in your literature review.
For any unexpected results, offer explanations or alternative interpretations of your data.
Read more about discussion sections
Your thesis conclusion should concisely answer your main research question. It should leave your reader with an ultra-clear understanding of your central argument, and emphasize what your research specifically has contributed to your field.
Why does your research matter? What recommendations for future research do you have? Lastly, wrap up your work with any concluding remarks.
Read more about conclusions
In order to avoid plagiarism , don’t forget to include a full reference list at the end of your thesis, citing the sources that you used. Choose one citation style and follow it consistently throughout your thesis, taking note of the formatting requirements of each style.
Which style you choose is often set by your department or your field, but common styles include MLA , Chicago , and APA.
Create APA citations Create MLA citations
In order to stay clear and concise, your thesis should include the most essential information needed to answer your research question. However, chances are you have many contributing documents, like interview transcripts or survey questions . These can be added as appendices , to save space in the main body.
Read more about appendices
Once you’re done writing, the next part of your editing process begins. Leave plenty of time for proofreading and editing prior to submission. Nothing looks worse than grammar mistakes or sloppy spelling errors!
Consider using a professional thesis editing service or grammar checker to make sure your final project is perfect.
Once you’ve submitted your final product, it’s common practice to have a thesis defense, an oral component of your finished work. This is scheduled by your advisor or committee, and usually entails a presentation and Q&A session.
After your defense , your committee will meet to determine if you deserve any departmental honors or accolades. However, keep in mind that defenses are usually just a formality. If there are any serious issues with your work, these should be resolved with your advisor way before a defense.
If you want to know more about AI for academic writing, AI tools, or research bias, make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!
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The conclusion of your thesis or dissertation shouldn’t take up more than 5–7% of your overall word count.
If you only used a few abbreviations in your thesis or dissertation , you don’t necessarily need to include a list of abbreviations .
If your abbreviations are numerous, or if you think they won’t be known to your audience, it’s never a bad idea to add one. They can also improve readability, minimizing confusion about abbreviations unfamiliar to your reader.
When you mention different chapters within your text, it’s considered best to use Roman numerals for most citation styles. However, the most important thing here is to remain consistent whenever using numbers in your dissertation .
A thesis or dissertation outline is one of the most critical first steps in your writing process. It helps you to lay out and organize your ideas and can provide you with a roadmap for deciding what kind of research you’d like to undertake.
Generally, an outline contains information on the different sections included in your thesis or dissertation , such as:
A thesis is typically written by students finishing up a bachelor’s or Master’s degree. Some educational institutions, particularly in the liberal arts, have mandatory theses, but they are often not mandatory to graduate from bachelor’s degrees. It is more common for a thesis to be a graduation requirement from a Master’s degree.
Even if not mandatory, you may want to consider writing a thesis if you:
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Dissertation defenses are daunting, and no wonder; it’s not a “dissertation discussion,” or a “dissertation dialogue.” The name alone implies that the dissertation you’ve spent the last x number of years working on is subject to attack. And if you don’t feel trepidation for semantic reasons, you might be nervous because you don’t know what to expect. Our imaginations are great at making The Unknown scarier than reality. The good news is that you’ll find in this newsletter article experts who can shed light on what dissertations defenses are really like, and what you can do to prepare for them.
The first thing you should know is that your defense has already begun. It started the minute you began working on your dissertation— maybe even in some of the classes you took beforehand that helped you formulate your ideas. This, according to Dr. Celeste Atkins, is why it’s so important to identify a good mentor early in graduate school.
“To me,” noted Dr. Atkins, who wrote her dissertation on how sociology faculty from traditionally marginalized backgrounds teach about privilege and inequality, “the most important part of the doctoral journey was finding an advisor who understood and supported what I wanted from my education and who was willing to challenge me and push me, while not delaying me. I would encourage future PhDs to really take the time to get to know the faculty before choosing an advisor and to make sure that the members of their committee work well together.”
Your advisor will be the one who helps you refine arguments and strengthen your work so that by the time it reaches your dissertation committee, it’s ready. Next comes the writing process, which many students have said was the hardest part of their PhD. I’ve included this section on the writing process because this is where you’ll create all the material you’ll present during your defense, so it’s important to navigate it successfully. The writing process is intellectually grueling, it eats time and energy, and it’s where many students find themselves paddling frantically to avoid languishing in the “All-But-Dissertation” doldrums. The writing process is also likely to encroach on other parts of your life. For instance, Dr. Cynthia Trejo wrote her dissertation on college preparation for Latin American students while caring for a twelve-year-old, two adult children, and her aging parents—in the middle of a pandemic. When I asked Dr. Trejo how she did this, she replied:
“I don’t take the privilege of education for granted. My son knew I got up at 4:00 a.m. every morning, even on weekends, even on holidays; and it’s a blessing that he’s seen that work ethic and that dedication and the end result.”
Importantly, Dr. Trejo also exercised regularly and joined several online writing groups at UArizona. She mobilized her support network— her partner, parents, and even friends from high school to help care for her son.
The challenges you face during the writing process can vary by discipline. Jessika Iwanski is an MD/PhD student who in 2022 defended her dissertation on genetic mutations in sarcomeric proteins that lead to severe, neonatal dilated cardiomyopathy. She described her writing experience as “an intricate process of balancing many things at once with a deadline (defense day) that seems to be creeping up faster and faster— finishing up experiments, drafting the dissertation, preparing your presentation, filling out all the necessary documents for your defense and also, for MD/PhD students, beginning to reintegrate into the clinical world (reviewing your clinical knowledge and skill sets)!”
But no matter what your unique challenges are, writing a dissertation can take a toll on your mental health. Almost every student I spoke with said they saw a therapist and found their sessions enormously helpful. They also looked to the people in their lives for support. Dr. Betsy Labiner, who wrote her dissertation on Interiority, Truth, and Violence in Early Modern Drama, recommended, “Keep your loved ones close! This is so hard – the dissertation lends itself to isolation, especially in the final stages. Plus, a huge number of your family and friends simply won’t understand what you’re going through. But they love you and want to help and are great for getting you out of your head and into a space where you can enjoy life even when you feel like your dissertation is a flaming heap of trash.”
While you might sometimes feel like your dissertation is a flaming heap of trash, remember: a) no it’s not, you brilliant scholar, and b) the best dissertations aren’t necessarily perfect dissertations. According to Dr. Trejo, “The best dissertation is a done dissertation.” So don’t get hung up on perfecting every detail of your work. Think of your dissertation as a long-form assignment that you need to finish in order to move onto the next stage of your career. Many students continue revising after graduation and submit their work for publication or other professional objectives.
When you do finish writing your dissertation, it’s time to schedule your defense and invite friends and family to the part of the exam that’s open to the public. When that moment comes, how do you prepare to present your work and field questions about it?
“I reread my dissertation in full in one sitting,” said Dr. Labiner. “During all my time writing it, I’d never read more than one complete chapter at a time! It was a huge confidence boost to read my work in full and realize that I had produced a compelling, engaging, original argument.”
There are many other ways to prepare: create presentation slides and practice presenting them to friends or alone; think of questions you might be asked and answer them; think about what you want to wear or where you might want to sit (if you’re presenting on Zoom) that might give you a confidence boost. Iwanksi practiced presenting with her mentor and reviewed current papers to anticipate what questions her committee might ask. If you want to really get in the zone, you can emulate Dr. Labiner and do a full dress rehearsal on Zoom the day before your defense.
But no matter what you do, you’ll still be nervous:
“I had a sense of the logistics, the timing, and so on, but I didn’t really have clear expectations outside of the structure. It was a sort of nebulous three hours in which I expected to be nauseatingly terrified,” recalled Dr. Labiner.
“I expected it to be terrifying, with lots of difficult questions and constructive criticism/comments given,” agreed Iwanski.
“I expected it to be very scary,” said Dr. Trejo.
“I expected it to be like I was on trial, and I’d have to defend myself and prove I deserved a PhD,” said Dr Atkins.
And, eventually, inexorably, it will be time to present.
“It was actually very enjoyable” said Iwanski. “It was more of a celebration of years of work put into this project—not only by me but by my mentor, colleagues, lab members and collaborators! I felt very supported by all my committee members and, rather than it being a rapid fire of questions, it was more of a scientific discussion amongst colleagues who are passionate about heart disease and muscle biology.”
“I was anxious right when I logged on to the Zoom call for it,” said Dr. Labiner, “but I was blown away by the number of family and friends that showed up to support me. I had invited a lot of people who I didn’t at all think would come, but every single person I invited was there! Having about 40 guests – many of them joining from different states and several from different countries! – made me feel so loved and celebrated that my nerves were steadied very quickly. It also helped me go into ‘teaching mode’ about my work, so it felt like getting to lead a seminar on my most favorite literature.”
“In reality, my dissertation defense was similar to presenting at an academic conference,” said Dr. Atkins. “I went over my research in a practiced and organized way, and I fielded questions from the audience.
“It was a celebration and an important benchmark for me,” said Dr. Trejo. “It was a pretty happy day. Like the punctuation at the end of your sentence: this sentence is done; this journey is done. You can start the next sentence.”
If you want to learn more about dissertations in your own discipline, don’t hesitate to reach out to graduates from your program and ask them about their experiences. If you’d like to avail yourself of some of the resources that helped students in this article while they wrote and defended their dissertations, check out these links:
The Graduate Writing Lab
https://thinktank.arizona.edu/writing-center/graduate-writing-lab
The Writing Skills Improvement Program
https://wsip.arizona.edu
Campus Health Counseling and Psych Services
https://caps.arizona.edu
https://www.scribbr.com/
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As you pursue graduate-level programs like a Master’s or PhD, two major academic requirements you will encounter are writing a thesis or dissertation. Both involve extensive research and analysis to demonstrate mastery and make new contributions to the existing knowledge. However, the two have key differences based on the program level and university guidelines.
It is a long-form research document prepared to earn a doctoral degree. A PhD dissertation represents a student’s research in their field of study and often offers new insights.
It is a lengthy written treatise that documents original research and experimentation conducted by a candidate on an approved topic under advisors’ guidance. It is the most complex and extensive assignment at the doctoral level. A dissertation is often 150 to 300 pages, spread across several chapters. Most dissertations include chapters on introduction, literature review, methodology, findings and analysis, and final conclusions. You need to make rigorous efforts to create a quality dissertation successfully.
Significant differences exist between a thesis and a dissertation. The main differences lie in their purpose and length. Let’s understand them in some depth.
1. | Length | It is longer | A thesis is shorter |
2. | Degree Program | It is for PhD students | Thesis completes a master’s degree |
3. | Analysis | Making new hypotheses backed by the student’s original research contribution | Analysis of existing research and proposal for improvements |
4. | Expected Contribution | The expected level of knowledge contribution is higher for dissertations | Relatively lower knowledge contribution |
Notably, the research depth and knowledge expectations are higher for PhD dissertations compared to master’s thesis. Let us now focus on artificial intelligence topics for dissertations.
For PhD programs in emerging areas like AI and machine learning, an original dissertation can explore new places and innovations to solve real-world problems.
Examples of AI dissertation topics are:
Such dissertation topics showcase expertise in applying AI/ML to drive impact that is aligned with industry needs. Moreover, Rigorous research, testing, and analysis are required to develop innovative solutions and advance in this field.
While guidelines could vary from university to university, the average length of a dissertation is typically around 150-300 pages. It is usually spread across five chapters: introduction, literature review, methodology, findings, and conclusion. Universities have strict policies on academic integrity and originality, which they enforce through tools like Turnitin. Most importantly, thorough planning, research, and careful writing under the guidance of an advisor are imperative for a successful dissertation.
Understanding the differences between a graduate thesis and a dissertation based on your degree program level is essential to meeting academic expectations and learning rigor. We have seen that a dissertation and a thesis differ in length, degree program, extent of analysis, and the expected level of knowledge contribution. Lastly, we’ve also seen the emergence of topics such as machine learning and artificial intelligence for dissertation writing.
A master’s thesis analyzes existing work, while a PhD dissertation involves extensive original research, contributing new knowledge through experiments and data analysis.
How do they differ in length?
A thesis is typically 50-150 pages, while the latter are lengthier documents, around 150-300 pages across five chapters.
What are the research depth expectations?
Theses demonstrate applied mastery, whereas PhD dissertations require advancing the field through intensive new hypotheses, data gathering, and conclusions.
Which degree programs require a thesis or dissertation?
A thesis is for the master’s programs, while doctoral candidates must complete in-depth dissertations showcasing subject expertise.
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The word "woke" is tossed around a lot in political and social debates all around the country. It's ramping up as Election Day draws near.
The term carries different meanings and strong emotional connections for people, and it has changed over the years. So what is the history and the meaning of the word "woke"? And why you can expect to see it become a frequently used term in the presidential election in November?
The term "woke" used to have a different meaning. It was first used by Pan-African activist Marcus Garvey as early as 1923 . "Woke" was meant to acknowledge the struggles of African Americans and a word of empowerment for some Black people.
When the Black Lives Matter movement began after the police killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, in 2014, "woke" expanded outside of Black communities into the larger public lexicon and became co-opted or appropriated for various political agendas , the definition of the word has evolved and come to mean different things to different people.
The term woke has been used by conservative figures as pejorative term to describe the following social justice initiatives:
A USA TODAY/Ipsos Poll from March 2023 demonstrates the varying ideas for what 'woke' means among Americans between Republicans and Democrats.
Of those surveyed , 56% percent say the term means "to be informed, educated on and aware of social injustices." That includes not only three-fourths of Democrats but also more than a third of Republicans. Overall, 39% say the word reflects what has become the GOP political definition, "to be overly politically correct and police others' words." 56% of Republicans agreed with this view.
The term will likely continue to be a point of contention heading into the November election.
For years, conservative activists, lawmakers and politicians have used the term "woke" as a slam against progressive values and liberal initiatives.
The woke Left’s agenda has no place in our schools or military. Wokeness is weakness! — Glenn Jacobs (@GlennJacobsTN) July 9, 2024
Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs has previously warned Republicans against allowing a "woke" culture to flourish. He posted on X to say the "wokeness is weakness" and it has no place in schools or military. He didn't detail what he meant.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk said his estranged daughter Vivian Jenna Wilson was "killed" by the "woke mind virus" and claimed he was tricked into signing documents agreeing to gender-affirming care procedures for her.
USA TODAY contributed to this report
The term "woke" has evolved significantly from its original meaning. Traditionally, it means being awake or conscious, but in recent years, it has taken on a broader, more political significance.
The term has become particularly contentious in the political arena. Vice President Kamala Harris, who has advocated for “staying woke,” has faced criticism from conservative figures, including former President Donald Trump. As Harris prepares to run for president against Trump, her past statements on being “woke” have resurfaced, fueling political debate.
The Free Speech Center describes woke to suggest "someone who has been oblivious to social issues, but then awakens to the see the world differently."
The term can be traced back to a 1938 song about the Scottsboro Boys, nine Black teenagers falsely accused of rape in Alabama. Despite clear evidence of their innocence, they were convicted by an all-white jury. According to Human Rights Careers, "woke" originally meant being smart and alert to racism within the Black community.
In recent times, particularly during the Black Lives Matter movement, "woke" regained prominence as a call to recognize and combat police brutality and systemic racism. It has since broadened to encompass various progressive political concerns.
However, the term has also garnered negative connotations. Merriam-Webster Dictionary notes that "woke" can imply political liberalism or progressivism perceived as extreme or unreasonable.
Today, "woke" is often used to describe identity politics, with phrases like "wokeness," "wokeism," or "woke ideology" entering the lexicon
Conservative politicians, including former President Donald Trump, have rallied against the " woke ideology " of Americans battling for diversity, inclusion, and equity efforts in the workforce, public schools and in legislation.
A clip from 2017 of Vice President Kamala Harris saying "everybody needs to be woke" has resurfaced and caused a stir. It was also posted on her social media at the time.
Kamala Harris made the "woke" statement during a 2017 conference when she was a U.S. Senator speaking with Laurene Powell Jobs.
The subject touched on immigration and environmental issues. Harris then spoke out against the Trump administration's drug policies and immigration policies, and then called on Americans to be "woke."
Harris said during the interview that it was "good for democracy," for people on all side to be engaged with what was going on. She called on Americans to be active and "woke." She later posted on her social media , "We have to stay active. We have to stay woke."
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Home » Article Writing Services » Thesis Writing Services » Thesis Statement Writing: Dos and Don’ts
Are you ready to write a thesis statement but worried if anything goes wrong? Of course, you want a persuasive thesis statement that catches readers’ attention and adds to your chances of approval.
In this blog, we’re going to guide you through writing an effective thesis statement, dos and don’ts, and who can write it.
Continue reading to find answers:
A thesis statement is a crucial part of any academic essay or research paper. It gives clear writing direction, and to readers, a thesis statement provides a concise summary of your work allowing them a preview of what’s to come.
Formally, a thesis statement refers to a statement that summarizes the main objective or idea of your research paper or academic essay. The statement is written for a specific audience. The best placement for a thesis statement is the end of the introduction.
Given its importance, it’s important to craft a well-written thesis statement that is informative, compelling, and legible. So, let’s learn how to achieve it:
If you’re confident, you can write the thesis statement by yourself. Alternatively, students can consider hiring a reputable thesis statement writing service to make sure their statement is written in proper academic language. These professional services often have years of experience writing thesis and academic essays. So, they are knowledgeable and well-versed at all key aspects of a successful thesis statement.
Keep your thesis statement focused and narrow, clearly highlighting the main objective or argument of your paper. This will help reviewers understand what the paper is about while helping writers keep the paper to a manageable topic.
So, don’t make your thesis too broad or vague. If you keep it too broad, it can become challenging to cover the entire topic in your paper. Remember: Also, don’t keep it too narrow; otherwise, you may not be able to write an informative and comprehensive paper long enough to be qualified as a research paper.
Academic language is precise, factual, and impersonal. It distances you from the research, thus making your thesis statement as objective as possible. Academic writing styles involve using full sentences and specialized terminology without irrelevant or unnecessary synonyms. It is straightforward and conveys the meaning of the text clearly without requiring open directors or providing further information.
Particularly, academic language is:
However, thesis writers are not provided with proper academic writing instructions. So, they should take time to understand how to write a good academic text.
An arguable or debatable thesis statement makes a claim about which reasonable people can disagree. Statements of facts cannot be argumentative because only a few people disagree about them. Also, make it assertive so that it asserts the writer’s stance. Finally, keep your claims logical and supported by evidence.
Check out this arguable thesis checklist:
Your thesis statement should be one of the first things readers find. So, make sure you place it early in the paper, typically after the introduction.
Finally, your paper needs a professional revision, which is not only about linguistic correctness but also about logic, cohesion, coherence, formatting , and consistency.
Don’t rely on spell-check software; it may find typos but may not be able to address the challenges of academic texts. For instance, these software programs may not understand the specialized vocabulary of your discipline. So, make sure you read the statement manually and thoroughly. Be proactive at making changes to your thesis as required to reflect the focus of your paper.
Sentence fragments are incomplete thoughts. Although they look like sentences, sentence fragments are grammatically incorrect. In academic papers, they degrade the quality of your writing and, thus, the trust in your research.
In order to fix fragmented sentences, you’ve to identify them by reading each sentence carefully. Read out each individual sentence aloud, as if you’re reading to a person – to identify fragmented sentences. Will the person clearly understand the meaning of what you’re saying/ Can you identify predicate, verbs, and subject in every sentence? Once identified, fix them right away to avoid missing any corrections.
Research helps expand the knowledge of the topic among the writer. It makes students well-versed in the topic of the thesis and open ways to think and criticize existing data about the topic. So, research equips students in effective and meaningful thesis statement writing.
In addition, research helps students to understand the actions performed regarding the topic. They can clearly understand the methodological approach used for exploring the topic and gathering existing data for the study. With all this, research is the foundation of your thesis and paper.
As mentioned above, keep your thesis statement specific to the main objective of your paper. Using vague or general language may not convey your main argument properly. Also, avoid making your paper overly complicated, which forces readers to search for additional information to understand. Use proper academic language and vocabulary relevant to your discipline.
Using first-person language may distract readers from the main arguments present in the thesis statement writing. For example, avoid words like “I,” “we,” “our,” etc. Instead, changing the first person to the third person creates a more objective tone.
But like other rules, there are some exceptions. For example, when describing your own role in research, the author’s opinions are required, or when writing contains personal or reflective elements.
Avoid offensive language or words that insult someone or something. Whether implicit or explicit, using insulting words never works and sounds very unprofessional.
It’s because a thesis statement isn’t a question. It’s all about providing clarity to readers about the main argument of your research paper or essay.
Instead, take a stand to show that you’re passionate about what you’re doing. It will show you deep interest and hard work in the topic of your research.
Keep your thesis focused while avoiding irrelevant and unnecessary details. Otherwise, it will distract readers or reviewers from the main point or objective of your research work.
There are many reputable academic essay or PhD thesis writing services available. Simply look for “best thesis writing service near me” and choose a service that is well-known, has a proven track record of delivering high-quality work, and experience writing a thesis with a higher chance of approval.
Writing a thesis statement is a crucial step in the process of writing a successful research paper. So, by following the dos and don’ts of thesis statement writing, you can create a specific, concise, and arguable statement. Check your statement for these, even if you’re hiring professional essay or PhD thesis writing services.
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Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, or Timothy James Walz, as her running mate on Tuesday, choosing a progressive yet plain-spoken VP candidate from America’s heartland to help her win over rural, white voters.
Here's what to know about the Minnesotan.
Walz is 60 years old, born on April 6, 1964.
Yes, he's younger than the award-winning actor and Oklahoman Brad Pitt, who turn 61 on Dec. 18.
Walz was born in West Point, Nebraska, and grew up in Valentine, Nebraska.
Walz joined the National Guard at 17 and served for 24 years. He earned a social science degree at Chadron State College in 1989 and a Master of Science in educational leadership from Minnesota State University, Mankato in 2001.
After college, Walz began his teaching career in South Dakota at a Native American reservation, then spent a year teaching in China, before returning home to the Cornhusker State.
He and his wife, fellow teacher Gwen Whipple, moved again to her home state of Minnesota in 1996.
Walz taught social studies and geography at Mankato West High School in southern Minnesota, where he was also a football coach and helped lead the team to their first state championship.
When a student at Mankato West wanted to start the school’s first gay-straight alliance club in 1999, Walz agreed to be the group’s faculty adviser.
Walz made the shift from educator to politician in 2006. He ran for a seat in the U.S. House, flipping what had been a reliably Republican district in southern Minnesota.
Six terms later, Walz set his sights on governor where he was elected Minnesota's 41st governor.
He served as a U.S. Representative for Minnesota's first district, serving six terms in the House from 2007 to 2019. He was elected Minnesota's 41st governor and his tenure began in 2019.
Supporters of former president Donald Trump have given Harris' running mate a new nickname, "Tampon Tim."
The name references a bill Walz signed last year requiring Minnesota schools to provide free menstrual products in all public school bathrooms used by students in grades 4 to 12.
Did you know.
In high school, college, or graduate school, students often have to write a thesis on a topic in their major field of study. In many fields, a final thesis is the biggest challenge involved in getting a master's degree, and the same is true for students studying for a Ph.D. (a Ph.D. thesis is often called a dissertation ). But a thesis may also be an idea; so in the course of the paper the student may put forth several theses (notice the plural form) and attempt to prove them.
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'thesis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
in sense 3, Middle English, lowering of the voice, from Late Latin & Greek; Late Latin, from Greek, downbeat, more important part of a foot, literally, act of laying down; in other senses, Latin, from Greek, literally, act of laying down, from tithenai to put, lay down — more at do
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3a(1)
the sins of the fathers are visited upon the children
thesis novel
“Thesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thesis. Accessed 9 Aug. 2024.
Kids definition of thesis, more from merriam-webster on thesis.
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His quip had a double meaning.
Published Aug. 7 2024, 10:18 a.m. ET
While appearing onstage with Kamala Harris during their first rally as official running mates, Minnesota governor Tim Walz certainly had a lot to say about Republican VP pick J.D. Vance . Now that the two are in opposing positions, Walz has wasted no time in positioning himself against the senator, comparing their experiences as men from "small-town America" and expressing his desire to debate.
However, while doing so, Walz made a comment that had the crowd going wild — though some viewers may have been confused. What did he mean when he said he hoped J.D. Vance would "get off the couch" to debate him?
During the portion of his speech about Vance, Walz said, "I got to tell you, I can't wait to debate the guy ... if he's willing to get off the couch and show up." To this, the crowd went wild, but some weren't sure exactly what he meant. Has Vance expressed hesitation to debate Walz in the past? Is he lazy? Why wouldn't he get off the couch?
Well, it turns out that his joke was in reference to a meme surrounding J.D. Vance, which alleges that the senator had an intimate relationship with his couch cushions. It stems from a tweet that claimed Vance wrote a passage in his memoir, Hillbilly Elegy , detailing the experience — which, of course, never happened. At least as far as we know.
And don't even get us started with the double entendre of "get off" — we don't think it was Walz's intention, but the joke's X-rated extra layer certainly hasn't been lost on social media users.
"Tim Walz really went up there, bragged about taking a high school football team from a winless record to state champs, said he's ready to debate J.D. Vance, and basically called him a couch f--ker. He's locked in," one X user said.
Since Harris made her running mate announcement, J.D. Vance has had a few things to say about Tim Walz, as well. After a rally that took place just hours before Harris and Walz's first public appearance, Vance took reporter questions — and, of course, quite a few of them were about the Minnesota governor.
When asked about Walz's political record, Vance called it a "joke," saying that he is "one of the most far-left radicals in the entire United States government at any level."
Vance has also fired shots at Walz's military record , with some right-leaning constituents saying that he dodged deployment to Iraq: "You know what really bothers me about Tim Walz? When the US Marine Corps asked me to go to Iraq to serve my country, I did it," Vance said . "When Tim Walz was asked by his country to go to Iraq, he dropped out of the Army and allowed his unit to go without him. I think that's shameful."
And in a CNN interview clip that has been widely circulating online, Vance criticized the governor's handling of the BLM riots in Minnesota. "[Walz and Harris] make an interesting tag team because of course Tim Walz allowed rioters to burn down Minneapolis in the summer of 2020, and the few that got caught, Kamala Harris helped bail them out of jail."
I'll just say it: Donald Trump and JD Vance are creepy and, yes, weird. We are not going back. — Tim Walz (@Tim_Walz) August 6, 2024
So far it seems that Vance isn't holding back, and while Walz's full retaliation has yet to be seen, his couch joke suggests that he'll have plenty more to say about the Republican.
Republicans Have Decided on Minnesota Governor Tim Walz's Derogatory Nickname: "Tampon Tim"
Tim Walz Grew Up in Rural Nebraska — Who Are His Parents?
J.D. Vance Is the Subject of Yet Another Meme, and This One Involves a Cookie
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When studying numerology, the number four is associated with transformative energy. Have you been going through major life changes, and do you keep seeing a sequence of fours pop up on everything?
These appearances may be no coincidence and could even be signs guiding you toward bigger shifts in your hopes and dreams. Angel numbers are repeating number sequences, often used as a guide for deeper spiritual exploration. From zero to nine , each numeral has its own significance.
In a conversation with numerologist Novalee Wilder , USA TODAY dives deeper into the number four and its angel number meaning, including how it pertains to relationships and careers.
What are angel numbers? Beginner's guide to angel numbers and what they (could) mean.
Four often represents change, said Wilder. So, if you keep seeing the angel number 444 throughout your day-to-day, there may be upcoming shifts in your life.
"It might be like physical move, like something is going to shift in your physical reality (or) might actually physical move," said Wilder. The angel number 444 could also represent a viewpoint or outlook shift in life.
Of the 10 single digits, four is more rebellious than the others, and it signifies the inevitability of change, said Wilder.
"For four energy and seeing a lot of four, it usually depends on how well we cope with challenge and change," she said. "Some people love this. They're like, 'Yes, I'm just all in.' Other people get very scared."
Four and its repetition is an invitation just like any other angel number, but it is more insistent than the others. "Here's the sign if you need to get off at this exit, (it is) right now," said Wilder.
"You got to do it. You might do it badly, but you still got to do it."
What does 000 mean? Angel number meaning and symbolism for work, relationships and more
What does 111 mean? Why you keep seeing it and how it will help you manifest your power.
When it comes to four energy and relationships, it can be "very explosive," said Wilder.
"You will see a lot of four energy sometimes like falling madly, deeply in love, or 'the person' finally showed up," she said.
However, with this angel number and its transformative nature, your love connection may not be with whom or how you expected them. They may change your viewpoint of what you want in the perfect person.
The angel number 444 can also appear when change is needed in your relationships, such as during break ups. This four energy is meant for rebellion. So, embrace and recognize what situations are no longer serving you and where you may not fit anymore, said Wilder.
"Sometimes it's the catalyst for more things," she said. "The more you see four, the more things can change."
What does 222 mean? Angel number meaning and symbolism in your life, love and career.
What does 333 mean? Get to know the angel number that will help you get unstuck.
Change can be a good thing, especially when it comes to making advancements or shifts in your job. But it is important to be careful if you are seeing 444 when it comes to career.
Remain cautious and raise questions about whether these changes and opportunities being presented are worth it, said Wilder.
"Is whatever the opportunity is too good to be true?" she said. "Can (the company) back up their claims on whatever it is they're offering?"
Likewise, the appearance of 444 can mean to pay more attention to the tradeoffs you're making within the workplace. While you may receive a bonus or, promotion, maybe you're working 60 hours per week now instead of 40.
The appearance of the angel number 444 gives you time to consider if this job or career change is worth it in the greater scheme of your life, said Wilder.
"Sometimes saying yes to a promotion might mean you have to say goodbye to your relationship," she said. "You have to own that. Right now, in your life, work is more important than your romantic relationship. Yes, we can have it all, but we can't have it all every single day of our life."
A change is coming. What angel number 555 means for your relationships and work life.
What does 777 mean? This is one angel number that means it might be time to slow down.
With new opportunities and potential on the horizon, 444 brings a "phoenix energy," said Wilder.
Seeing this angel number signifies a period of recreation or personal betterment. Think of it as a Pokémon evolution, said Wilder.
From this four and phoenix energy is also a connection to fire and a sense of burning down to build back up again.
"It's being willing to kind of burn it down, if that's necessary, and believe that something better is going to come," said Wilder.
What does 888 mean? Its angel number meaning in relationships, career and life.
What does 999 mean? Angel number meaning and symbolism for life, love and more.
Despite the call for change that 444 brings, it's important to remember to not just let things burn just because they can, said Wilder.
While 444 shows the importance of changing and shifting what is no longer serving you, there are certain rules or structures in place for a reason. Resist the urge to tear everything down.
"Definitely break whatever perceived structures are holding you back, but don't think you can fight the sun," said Wilder.
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A dissertation is a long-form piece of academic writing based on original research conducted by you. It is usually submitted as the final step in order to finish a PhD program. Your dissertation is probably the longest piece of writing you've ever completed. It requires solid research, writing, and analysis skills, and it can be intimidating ...
Revised on 5 May 2022. A dissertation is a large research project undertaken at the end of a degree. It involves in-depth consideration of a problem or question chosen by the student. It is usually the largest (and final) piece of written work produced during a degree. The length and structure of a dissertation vary widely depending on the ...
The meaning of DISSERTATION is an extended usually written treatment of a subject; specifically : one submitted for a doctorate. How to use dissertation in a sentence.
A dissertation is designed to be your own. Meaning that what you write about should be a new idea, a new topic, or question that is still unanswered in your field. Something that you will need to collect new data on, potentially interview people for and explore what information is already available. Generally, an idea will need to be approved ...
A dissertation demonstrates your mastery of the field. That means you'll need to read a large amount of scholarship on your topic. Dissertations typically include a literature review section or chapter. Create a list of books, articles, and other scholarly works early in the process, and continue to add to your list.
A dissertation (or thesis) is a process. Okay, so now that you understand that a dissertation is a research project (which is testing your ability to undertake quality research), let's go a little deeper into what that means in practical terms. The best way to understand a dissertation is to view it as a process - more specifically a ...
A dissertation is a lengthy research paper written as a requirement to earn an academic degree. Typically, students must write a dissertation toward the end of their program to both prove their knowledge and contribute new research to their field. The term dissertation is sometimes used interchangeably with thesis paper.
A dissertation is a paper explaining the individual research that a student has conducted to earn a degree. It usually consists of several sections or chapters and follows the rules of formal academic writing. The degree candidate chooses the research topic. In the United States, a graduate student writes a dissertation to earn a doctorate degree.
DISSERTATION meaning: 1. a long piece of writing on a particular subject, especially one that is done in order to receive…. Learn more.
While the format may slightly vary, here's a look at one way to format your dissertation: 1. Title page: This is the first page which includes: title, your name, department, degree program, institution, and submission date. Your program may specify exactly how and what they want you to include on the title page. 2.
A dissertation will show that the writer knows her subject, the key facts and different points of view in it - but it also advances a point of view resulting from original research. Remember that 'original' does not mean 'something that's never been done before' but rather 'something that you do for yourself'.
Dissertation: A dissertation is a 5-chapter written work that must be completed in order to earn a doctoral degree (e.g. Ph.D., Ed.D., etc.). It's often focused on original research. Thesis: A thesis is a written work that must be completed in order to earn a master's degree.
A dissertation is a written document that summarizes research. It is the final step of a PhD program, and the culmination of a student's doctoral studies. "The dissertation is a source of pride for doctoral students," Dinah Manns, PhD, faculty chair at Capella University, says. "The dissertation is often a compilation of academic and ...
Dissertation definition: a written essay, treatise, or thesis, especially one written by a candidate for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.. See examples of DISSERTATION used in a sentence.
Meaning, Projects, Report Work. A dissertation is a long academic piece of writing based on a student's independent research. It is usually submitted in the final semester of UG, PG and PhD courses. It takes about 1-2 years to complete the dissertation as it requires a lot of research and written documentation.
In American English, a dissertation is a research paper that's required to earn a doctorate degree, while a thesis is a research paper required to earn a master's degree. Dissertations and theses (the plural of thesis) are often mixed up because they're both lengthy research papers written for higher education, especially as part of a ...
The Dissertation Guidebook is one of the essential navigation tools Walden provides to its doctoral candidates. A vital portion of the document details the 15 required steps that take a dissertation from start to finish. Read along with Walden students to learn more about that process: Premise. The dissertation premise is a short document that ...
dissertation—that is,precursor of what is to come, with each element being more fully developed and explained fu. ther along in the book.For each key element, explain reason for inclusion, quality markers, and fr. OVERVIEWFRONT MATTERFollowing is a road map that briefly outlines the contents of. an enti.
Revised on April 16, 2024. A thesis is a type of research paper based on your original research. It is usually submitted as the final step of a master's program or a capstone to a bachelor's degree. Writing a thesis can be a daunting experience. Other than a dissertation, it is one of the longest pieces of writing students typically complete.
Dissertation defenses are daunting, and no wonder; it's not a "dissertation discussion," or a "dissertation dialogue." The name alone implies that the dissertation you've spent the last x number of years working on is subject to attack. And if you don't feel trepidation for semantic reasons, you might be nervous because you don ...
DISSERTATION definition: 1. a long piece of writing on a particular subject, especially one that is done in order to receive…. Learn more.
dissertation (on something) a long piece of writing on a particular subject, especially one written for a university degree He wrote his Master's dissertation on rats. Students can either do a dissertation or take part in a practical project.
Understanding the Meaning of Dissertation. It is a lengthy written treatise that documents original research and experimentation conducted by a candidate on an approved topic under advisors' guidance. It is the most complex and extensive assignment at the doctoral level. A dissertation is often 150 to 300 pages, spread across several chapters.
The word "woke" is tossed around a lot in political and social debates all around the country. It's ramping up as Election Day draws near. The term carries different meanings and strong emotional ...
The term "woke" has evolved significantly from its original meaning. Traditionally, it means being awake or conscious, but in recent years, it has taken on a broader, more political significance ...
Does it include words like "should," "must," or "need"? Do place your thesis statement at the beginning of your paper. Your thesis statement should be one of the first things readers find. So, make sure you place it early in the paper, typically after the introduction. Do proofread, spell-check, and revise as needed
Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, or Timothy James Walz, as her running mate on Tuesday, choosing a progressive yet plain-spoken VP candidate from America's heartland to help her win over rural, white voters. Here's what to know about the Minnesotan. How old is Tim Walz? Walz is 60 years old, born on April 6, 1964.
The meaning of THESIS is a dissertation embodying results of original research and especially substantiating a specific view; especially : one written by a candidate for an academic degree. How to use thesis in a sentence. Did you know?
While appearing onstage with Kamala Harris during their first rally as official running mates, Minnesota governor Tim Walz certainly had a lot to say about Republican VP pick J.D. Vance.Now that the two are in opposing positions, Walz has wasted no time in positioning himself against the senator, comparing their experiences as men from "small-town America" and expressing his desire to debate.
What does 333 mean?Get to know the angel number that will help you get unstuck. Career. Change can be a good thing, especially when it comes to making advancements or shifts in your job. But it is ...