The Dissertation: Style and Structure
Font, Spacing and Length
The preferred typeface is Times Roman (11 or 12 points).
Use 1.5 or double-line spacing for the dissertation text. Each page must have a left margin of 3.7 cm to allow for binding. The top, bottom and right margin shall all be 2.5 cm. Justify all your text in the dissertation body. Do not include any headers or footers in the dissertation. The dissertation must not exceed 15,000 words (excluding tables, figures and appendices). Most dissertations are between 40 and 80 pages (double spaced).
Figures inserted in the dissertation should appear close to where they are referenced in the text. The usual convention of the figure followed by the figure title shall be followed. Use the Chapter/Figure number convention to label the figures in the dissertation. For example, Figure 1.2 refers to the second figure of chapter 1.
Likewise, tables inserted in the dissertation should appear close to where they are referenced in the text.
The usual convention of the table title followed by the table shall be followed. Note that this is opposite to the figure convention. Use the Chapter/Table number convention to label the tables in the dissertation. For example, Table 1.2 refers to the second table of chapter 1.
A List of Figures and Tables must be included after the contents page of dissertation (see subsequent section)
Style
Use APA style and apply it consistently and carefully throughout your dissertation. A good documentation style manual will give advice on practical matters such as punctuation, numbering, layout and table design, as well as how to document sources in the text and in the bibliography.
Recommended manuals:
American Psychological Association. Publication Manual. 4th ed. Washington, D.C.: APA,
1994.
Modern Language Association. MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. 4th ed. New
York: MLA, 1995.
Turabian, Kate. A Manual For Writers Of Term Papers, Theses And Dissertations. 6th ed.
Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1996.
Order of Presentation
There is a standard order of presentation of the various parts of a dissertation. This section explains each part, and gives advice on what to include in each.
Acknowledgments A brief ‘thank you’ to those who helped and supported you. The acknowledgment should normally not be more than a page long.
Table of Contents A sample is attached to illustrate the form and numbering to be followed.
List of Figures Include the figure number in sequential order, and the figure title.
List of Tables Include the table number in sequential order, and the table title.
Abstract Make it short, concise, no more than 500 words; it should include the research question(s)/objective(s), a brief description of the research method and a summary of the results.
Chapter 1: Introduction and Statement of the Problem
Introduce the subject area and explain the research topic. State your research question(s) or research objective(s). This is also the place for mentioning the scope and limitations of your study.
Explain the terminology that you use. Keep the introduction short and focused.
Chapter 2: Review of the Literature
The literature review is a major part of your research.
The literature review should provide context and clarify the relationship between your topic and previous work in that area. When writing the literature review, present major themes, theories, and ideas that have been published in the area and the findings of related studies. A thematic approach under section headings will help to focus the review and provide structure to this chapter.
Conclude the review of the literature with a short section that describes your topic, highlighting why it is important to address the problem you have investigated.
Chapter 3: Methodology
This chapter describes exactly the steps that you took to investigate your research problem. It explains your research design, the methodology that you selected (survey, interviews, historical research, document analysis or extended literature review for example), the instruments that you used and how they were developed, the sample that you selected, and the description of your data collection process. Copies of correspondence, instruments if you used any (questionnaires or interview scripts), raw data if appropriate and other items relating to the methodology are included as appendices, with references from the appropriate place in this chapter.
Chapter 4: Findings
This chapter is the essence of your dissertation. It describes what you found in your research, without discussion, interpretation or reference to the literature. Just the facts, presented as tables, figures, interview summaries and/or descriptions of what you found that is important and noteworthy. The objective is to present a simple, clear and complete account of the results of your research.
Chapter 5: Discussion
This chapter is where you relate your findings to your original statement of the problem and your literature review. Begin by briefly summarizing the previous chapters, then discuss what you found.
Provide meaningful answers to the results. Feel free to interpret objectively and subjectively and to make references to what others have said on the subject, but make sure that every conclusion you draw is defensible and not just your own personal opinion.
Chapter 6: Conclusion
Summarize your conclusions from the discussion chapter. Note the limitations of your study. Optionally, you may make recommendations relating to the problem that you investigated, for example by making practical suggestions on how to improve the situation in the organization in which your research took place. Definitely make recommendations for areas that require further study.
References. Apply the selected style consistently and accurately
Appendices. Arrange in the order in which the text refers to them
Proposed Schedule
Nov – Dec
· Chapter 1
· Chapter 2
· Chapter 3
Jan – Feb
· Chapter 4
· Chapter 5
· Chapter 6
CONTENTS PAGE
Table of Contents
Page
Abstract
Acknowledgements ii
Table of Contents iii
List of Tables iv
List of Figures v
1. Introduction 1
1.1 Background 1
1.2 Purpose and scope 3
2. Review of related literature 5
2.1 …..
2.2 …..
. . . . .
. . . . .
. . . . .
5. Discussion 70
6. Conclusion 80
References 82
Appendix
1. Program listings A1-1
1.1 User Interface Module
1.2 …..
2. …..
Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com
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