WRITING A DISSERTATION
Please prepare your dissertation in
accordance with the guidelines given below:
Preliminary pages must include
i.
Title page (this will include your
dissertation title, your name, your
college name, and date of submission)
ii.
Acknowledgements (thank all teachers, librarians, other
officials and respondents
you met …everyone who played some major role
in helping you complete your dissertation can be offered a word of thanks)
iii.
Abstract (a summary of your work …around
one or two pages at the
most…300 – 500 words
iv.
List of contents (a detailed list of all the headings
and sub-headings in your
dissertation along with the correct page
numbers
v.
List of figures (a list of all the diagrams in
your dissertation along with their
corresponding page numbers)
vi.
List of tables (a list of all the tables in your
dissertation along with their
corresponding page numbers)
vii.
List of graphs (a list of all the graphs in your
dissertation along with their
corresponding page numbers)
The dissertation must include the
following 5 chapters:
Chapter 1 – Introduction
Chapter 2 – Literature review
Chapter 3 – Research methodology
Chapter 4 – Data findings and analysis
Chapter 5 – Conclusion and recommendations
For details on each of the above chapters
please visit
https://e3dsuccess.tripod.com/dissertationfinal.htm
Ø
As a general rule, each chapter should start with its own
separate introduction which informs the reader what is written in that
chapter.
Ø
Each chapter should also have a separate reference list, at the
end of the chapter. This should include those sources (books, magazines,
websites, journals etc.) referred to for preparing that particular chapter
only. Thus, you will have 5 separate reference lists for the 5 chapters.
Remember, referencing is very very important and must be done in the
right format. Thus, referencing involves the following:
-
Referencing in the text (immediately after
you quote the referred material.)
-
A reference list at the end of each chapter
(includes references for each individual chapter). This must be properly
structured (numbered bulleted list prepared alphabetically).
-
A full fledged bibliography at the end of
the dissertation (includes references for the whole dissertation). This must
be properly structured (numbered bulleted list prepared alphabetically).
Check
https://e3dsuccess.tripod.com/dissertationfinal.htm for details on how to
write referencing in the text, and bibliography.
Ø
Appendix must be included after the bibliography. Make
sure to include a sample blank questionnaire and other relevant
information. Do not fill the appendix with material that may not really
be essential.
You should also take care to structure the
dissertation as follows:
Ø
Arial/Times new roman, one and a half spacing, font size 12,
alignment justified. Leave at least one inch for top, bottom and right margin
and one-and-a-half inch for left margin (to allow for binding).
Ø
Do not enlarge headings and sub-headings. These could merely be
made bold.
Ø
Numbered bullets and sub-bullets should be used for
headings and sub-headings respectively.
Ø
All tables and graphs should be numbered, and must have a
title. The color and type of the graphs should reflect neatness,
consistency and professionalism.
Ø
Including appropriate headers and footers will help enhance the
look of your dissertation.
Remember, pages must be numbered.
Pages are numbered in the following format:
-
Preliminary
pages: i, ii, iii,…
-
From the first page of the introduction
chapter
to the last page of the bibliography
1, 2, 3 …
-
Appendix
pages I, II, III…
Your dissertation is assessed on the
following parameters:
Style of communication, Investigate work,
Academic work, Context of existing knowledge, Understanding of the subject,
Critical thinking, Originality, Overall presentation
Remember, your dissertation should not be
merely descriptive but analytical and must reflect your original
research.
For a detailed explanation on all aspects of
writing a dissertation visit
https://e3dsuccess.tripod.com/dissertationfinal.htm
Wishing you all the best !!!