Types of dissertations
No dissertation is actually ready before it is written. In most disciplines, writing is not something that "just needs to be done" at the very end of the PhD period, but is an integral part of the research process itself. On this page you can learn about. Both the type and structure of a dissertation depend greatly on the various traditions in different academic cultures, disciplines and subjects.
The Five Major Types of Dissertations in Political Philosophy and Theory
By Carrie Winstanley. For an undergraduate dissertation, your examiner is going to expect you to choose a largely theoretical or a mainly practical look at your chosen subject.
A theoretical study can be mainly abstract with an emphasis on the philosophical, ethical and cultural considerations of the subject, or your subject can be an applied theoretical study with an emphasis on political, social or economic issues, for example. More practical research studies in social science are usually about exploring issues through surveys, action research, observations, case-studies or a review of existing studies.
The following table gives a few examples of different ways of approaching a topic just to get you thinking:. An empirical dissertation involves collecting data. You can collect your data in many ways: from questionnaires and observations to interviews and focus groups. Or, you may prefer to collect your data by taking another approach such as looking at and analysing existing data from new angles, making useful comparisons or drawing interesting parallels.
Sustaining an argument over the length of your whole dissertation is a distinct challenge. If you enjoy spending time in the library, reading, thinking and discussing theory, this is likely to be the right choice for you. If you know that making the university library your home for weeks on end is going to be difficult, you may be better off choosing a more empirical research question to explore.
Key theories in your discipline such as feminism or pragmatism can be the basis of an abstract discussion in your dissertation. A dissertation that draws upon major theories, such as in education more often takes an applied route, but can also be exclusively theoretical, for example, some work in the philosophy of education.
However, in other disciplines you may come across different methods of producing a dissertation. Dissertations in many science subjects include or even focus around a laboratory report describing all the aspects of setting up, carrying out and analysing a complex experiment. In physical geography, time is spent somewhere wild and windswept collecting data needed for analysis.
Laboratory work and field trips are a key part of the student experience of writing a dissertation. Dr Carrie Winstanley is a Principal Lecturer in Education at Roehampton University, London, where she works with both undergraduate and postgraduate students. Carrie was recently named one of the Top 50 university teachers in the UK by the Higher Education Academy, for which she was awarded a national teaching fellowship. Different Types of Dissertation.
System development. In writing your dissertation, you're likely to be taking a practical or a theoretical approach, even though both practical and theoretical considerations are of the.
The way you approach your question will have a profound effect upon the way you construct your dissertation, so this section discusses the types of research you might undertake for your dissertation. The use of literature and case studies is considered and the merits of primary research are debated and advice is given on the use of existing research data. You may not be fond of statistics, but the potential relevance of a quantitative approach should be considered and similarly, the idea of qualitative analysis and conducting your own research may yield valuable data. The possibilities of using quantitative and qualitative data are also discussed. Watch video on approaching methodologies.
A thesis or dissertation [1] is a document submitted in support of candidature for an academic degree or professional qualification presenting the author's research and findings.
There are a number of reasons why you may choose one type of dissertation over another. Some are more academic in nature, whilst others tend to be more personal or practical. Academic justifications are important because the person marking your dissertation will expect to see such academic justifications in your final product.
Guide to undergraduate dissertations in the social sciences
Dissertations offer you a great opportunity to investigate a topic of particular interest to you with a view to discovering new knowledge or practice. Don't forget that a dissertation must take a critical stance. Ensure you read your dissertation assignment brief carefully to see what you are expected to do. Each section has specific requirements but you are expected to maintain a critical stance to ensure you create a deep understanding of the topic. Many of the skills you use in completing your essays will be vital when writing your dissertation.
Dissertations and Research Projects
Therefore, in addition to investigating and solving the scientific problems of information systems, research here also covers a variety of issues: from building the information systems used widely around the world to analyzing their effect on individuals and society. In order to evaluate properly research conducted from such diverse viewpoints, the school accepts three different types of doctoral dissertation according to the research method, and the degree examination is conducted accordingly. Although the examination is usually conducted by five instructors from the faculty, depending on the content of the research, appropriate external specialists may contribute to provide a more suitable examination. This dissertation comprises cutting-edge research of important scientific value and meaning. The examination evaluates its scientific novelty and usefulness. The evaluation criteria are equivalent to those of most typical doctoral dissertations. The student must present two original papers, with content relevant to the dissertation, to an academic journal or international conference. In the examination, highly useful information systems with a large impact on society are evaluated positively.
What do we call a dissertation?
What Happens After the Final Defense? As a result, the dissertations have different foci.
Some humor : Thanks to having served on a large number of search committees for post-docs and junior candidates, I have now have a pretty good sense of what the five most common types of dissertations are in political philosophy. Here they are, categorized, with abstracts included. Buckle up for pages of exploration! Famous philosopher B argues not-X. In this dissertation, I argue the truth is somewhere in-between. It will also be completely implausible, and so, to non-Kantians, will simply read like a reductio of Kant rather than a defense of P. Heck, an astute undergrad majoring in either subject could do that. The five major types of dissertations in political theory include both 1 and 3 above, but also the following three new types:. Well, you must be a philistine with an overly narrow conception of political theory. My dissertation does not defend any recognizable thesis, nor is it a piece of exegesis. However, other Straussians will recognize it as deep. Americans across the political spectrum are unsure about what the future of immigration should look …. Types of Dissertations in Political Philosophy 1.
By Carrie Winstanley. For an undergraduate dissertation, your examiner is going to expect you to choose a largely theoretical or a mainly practical look at your chosen subject. A theoretical study can be mainly abstract with an emphasis on the philosophical, ethical and cultural considerations of the subject, or your subject can be an applied theoretical study with an emphasis on political, social or economic issues, for example. More practical research studies in social science are usually about exploring issues through surveys, action research, observations, case-studies or a review of existing studies. The following table gives a few examples of different ways of approaching a topic just to get you thinking:. An empirical dissertation involves collecting data. You can collect your data in many ways: from questionnaires and observations to interviews and focus groups.
