Explanation Of Dissertation Structure

1. Abstract or Executive Summary

The length of the conceptual should be no more than 300-500 words, but not included in the formal word count. The principle of this very short section is to tell the reader something about the contents. About 1/3 of the Abstract should explain what you intended to do (parameters). The other 2/3rds should tell the reader what you did, including recommendations.

The conceptual may duplicate some material included in the Introduction and/or Conclusion

2. Introduction

The length of the Introduction should be about 10% of the whole dissertation structure.

The beginning gives you the opportunity to provide your reader with an overview of the dissertation structure. Firstly, introduce the topic; secondly, outline the key areas to be covered; and identify your primary aims and objectives.

The background section should be short and securely focused on the topic, real statistical data can be included.

Larger themes, as well as specific topics, should be identified

3. Literature Review

The length of the Literature review should be about 20% of whole dissertation. This chapter gives you an opportunity to show the reader that you have learned to analyze and to synthesize the views of others in relation to your own research programmed.

The Literature Review is NOT a Book Review. Contents of books and articles are only useful if particular points have some direct relevance to your dissertation. In Literature Review you should compare and contrast ideas, theories and/or views relevant to your proposed research topic. Keep in mind that at least 10 references should be discussed and 3-4 different models or theories or views should be mentioned.

At the end of this chapter, identify the principal research questions to be addressed in the dissertation structure. These will form the basis of your dissertation in the subsequent chapter on Research Methodology.

4. Research Methodology

The Research Methodology chapter in length should be about 20% of whole dissertation.

This chapter gives you an opportunity to discuss the research program that you have designed for your dissertation.

Begin by reviewing briefly some common methods advocated for dissertation structuring research programmer.

Then look again at the research questions formulated at the end of the Literature Review. Select the kind of programmer best suited for addressing those particular research questions, and discus the reasons prompting your decision.

Discuss the research strategies adopted, the collection procedures selected and the difficulties and/or problems encountered.

5. Findings and Discussion

You might divide this chapter for two like:

· Analysis of Findings

· Discussion

This is the largest and probably the most important part in assessing your research by examiners. The length of this section should be about 30% of the whole dissertation.

The Findings and Discussion chapter gives you an opportunity to discuss your research findings.

Your findings may be derived from the analyses of statistical data, interviews, questionnaires or any viable combination of instruments used for research collection and the measurement of data.

6. Conclusions and Recommendations

Again you can divide this chapter on two smaller parts:

· Conclusions

· Recommendations or Recommendations fro the future studies

This chapter in lengths should be about 15% of the whole dissertation.

Conclusions can be rather short, because the bulk of the analysis and synthesis of material will probably have taken place in the chapter of Findings and Discussion.

Add recommendations if you desired. Ideas for further research and/or some strategies advocated for better management of the issue or the enterprise are particularly useful.

7. Bibliography

Not included in the word count

This part of the dissertation gives you the opportunity to show the reader what research sources were used in your dissertation.

All books articles, sources of statistical data and web sites used in the dissertation must be listed in the bibliography. Additional sources consulted should be also be placed in the bibliography

Entries in the Bibliography should be placed in alphabetical order. Web sites, however, should be grouped together separately at the end of the Bibliography.

8. Appendices

Not included in the word count

This part of the dissertation structure gives you an opportunity to add interesting research material to your dissertation.

Interview summaries and sample questionnaires, for example, should appear in the Appendices