Published on
September 14, 2022
by
Tegan George.
Revised on
July 18, 2023.
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.
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.
Published on
September 9, 2022
by
Tegan George.
Revised on
July 18, 2023.
It can be difficult to know where to start when writing your thesis or dissertation. One way to come up with some ideas or maybe even combat writer’s block is to check out previous work done by other students on a similar thesis or dissertation topic to yours.
This article collects a list of undergraduate, master’s, and PhD theses and dissertations that have won prizes for their high-quality research.
NoteAs you read the examples below, bear in mind that all universities have their own guidelines for writing theses and dissertations. The requirements for length, format, and structure often vary by faculty and department. Different disciplines have different research conventions and use different citation styles.
We highly recommend that you review your own university’s policies, and discuss any questions with your supervisor.
Published on
September 9, 2022
by
Tegan George.
Revised on
July 18, 2023.
During the process of writing your thesis or dissertation, it can be helpful to read those submitted by other students.
Luckily, many universities have databases where you can find out who has written about your dissertation topic previously and how they approached it. While some databases are only accessible via your university library, more and more universities are making these databases public.
Published on
September 7, 2022
by
Tegan George
Revised on
July 18, 2023.
The introduction is the first section of your thesis or dissertation, appearing right after the table of contents. Your introduction draws your reader in, setting the stage for your research with a clear focus, purpose, and direction on a relevant topic.
Your introduction should include:
Your topic, in context: what does your reader need to know to understand your thesis dissertation?
Published on
September 6, 2022
by
Tegan George
Revised on
July 18, 2023.
The conclusion is the very last part of your thesis or dissertation. It should be concise and engaging, leaving your reader with a clear understanding of your main findings, as well as the answer to your research question.
Published on
August 31, 2022
by
Tegan George.
Revised on
July 18, 2023.
A preface is your opportunity to inform your audience about your experiences during the writing of your thesis or dissertation.
A preface is much more personal than other types of academic writing. It is written mainly in the first person and is one of the few places where using first-person is considered acceptable. Your preface is typically written upon completion of your thesis or dissertation, as a final step.
Published on
August 30, 2022
by
Tegan George.
Revised on
July 18, 2023.
A results section is where you report the main findings of the data collection and analysis you conducted for your thesis or dissertation. You should report all relevant results concisely and objectively, in a logical order. Don’t include subjective interpretations of why you found these results or what they mean—any evaluation should be saved for the discussion section.
Published on
August 4, 2022
by
Tegan George
Revised on
July 18, 2023.
An appendix is a supplementary document that facilitates your reader’s understanding of your research but is not essential to your core argument. Appendices are a useful tool for providing additional information or clarification in a research paper, dissertation, or thesis without making your final product too long.
Appendices help you provide more background information and nuance about your thesis or dissertation topic without disrupting your text with too many tables and figures or other distracting elements.
We’ve prepared some examples and templates for you, for inclusions such as research protocols, survey questions, and interview transcripts. All are worthy additions to an appendix. You can download these in the format of your choice below.
Published on
June 7, 2022
by
Tegan George.
Revised on
July 18, 2023.
A thesis or dissertation outline is one of the most critical early steps in your writing process. It helps you to lay out and organize your ideas and can provide you with a roadmap for deciding the specifics of your dissertation topic and showcasing its relevance to your field.
Generally, an outline contains information on the different sections included in your thesis or dissertation, such as:
Your anticipated title
Your abstract
Your chapters (sometimes subdivided into further topics like literature review, research methods, avenues for future research, etc.)
In the final product, you can also provide a chapter outline for your readers. This is a short paragraph at the end of your introduction to inform readers about the organizational structure of your thesis or dissertation. This chapter outline is also known as a reading guide or summary outline.
