Tips for writing a Dissertation Methodology

Dissertation methodology
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According to Webster’s Dictionary, a dissertation is “an extended and typically written treatment of a subject. More specifically, a treatment written and submitted to achieve a doctorate degree.”

Writing dissertation requires use of scientific method, which means you start with a hypothesis, and then collect evidence that either supports or denies that hypothesis. Dissertations should be systematically written for technical audiences, but do not have to be exactly comprehensive. Your dissertation requires you to complete the research, pose a theory, implement experimentation if required, and write clearly and precisely to prove your original thesis. Methodology is where you provide a step-by-step breakdown of how you gained your results; this should include your research approach, data-gathering process and analysis techniques.

The primary methodology guideline is to outline the research approach adopted. There are three main categories of research approach: qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods. Qualitative research mainly focuses on subjective meanings, while quantitative research primarily uses numerical data and statistics. Mixed-methods research involves a combination of both these approaches, such as using a survey (quantitative) together with in-depth interviews (qualitative). Your approach will be the most vital challenges of your academic career and will determine the quality of your dissertation. Hence, it is important to gain all the necessary academic help required.

Significant methodology guidelines:

  • Include in-depth narrative of your method
  • Brief summary of your research questions should be mentioned
  • Foundation and justification for your selection explained
  • Detailed appraisal of method selected including a brief description of its limitations should be cited.

Key Dissertation writing tips:

Be Descriptive:As much details as possible should be included in your methodology. You can ensure this by breaking down the research method, from the literature review right through to analyzing the data, into a series of step-by-step stages.

Justification:Providing plenty of detail is essential, but you also need to explain your selections. The rationale behind adopting a particular approach should be clarified. Choosing a certain sample size? The benefits of the techniques chosen?

Limitations:Knowing the limitations of the methods you use is just as important as understanding their strengths. Your methodology should admit these limitations, irrespective of whether they’re the result of a cautious choice, human error or just a lack of necessary resources required.

Moral Concerns:Contemporary research stresses on high ethical standards, including pursuing agreement from all contributors, protecting privacy and ensuring that risks are minimized. Such ethical concerns should be accurately recorded in your methodology.

Conclusion
Your methodology and the precise approaches that you select to use in your research are crucial to its success. It is worth spending plenty of time on this section to ensure that you get it right. As always, draw on the resources easily available to you without any major effort. This could be possible by discussing your plans in detail with your guide or supervisor who may be able to advice whether your approach has any major flaws which you could resolve tactically.

Appendices
Use appendices as a place to put any indirectly relevant material when writing up your methodology. This may include surveys, consent forms and any other documentation used in your research.

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