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Successful Dissertation Writing guides students through the involved process of writing an academic dissertation, developing their ability to communicate ideas and research fluently and successfully.

From conducting research, working with a supervisor, understanding and avoiding plagiarism, right through to using feedback and editing to improve the written piece, it will help students master the more technical elements of producing well-written academic work.

Inside Track to Writing Dissertations and Theses

Table of Contents

Part 1: Academic Research: An Overview

A.  Conducting Academic Research

B.   The Differences between a Thesis and a Dissertation

D.  Developing Independence as a Researcher and Finding your Voice

E.   Meeting the Challenges of Academic Research

a.                     Intellectual Challenges

b.                     Emotional Challenges

c.                     Motivational Challenges

      d.                     Organisational Challenges

F.  Becoming a Member of an Academic Community

a.                     Attending Research Seminars and Conferences

b.                     Networking in Person and on the Internet

c.                     Creating a Support Group

G.  Choosing and Working with Your Supervisor

Part 2: Preparing to Write

A.  Familiarity with Your School’s Rules & Regulations

B.   Ethical Considerations

C.  Deciding on a Research Topic

D.  Identifying a Gap in the Literature

E.   Generating Research Questions and Research Hypotheses

F.   Deciding on the Research Approach

a.                     Quantitative Approaches

b.                     Qualitative Approaches

c.                     Mixed-methods Approaches

d.                     Disciplinary and Subject Variations

Part 3: Clear and Effective Writing

A.  Reading and Planning before You Write

B.   Sources of Information

C.  Selecting Appropriate Information

D.  Note-taking

E.   The Style of Academic Writing

a.                     Clarity

b.                     Level of Formality

c.                     Eliminating Biased Language

d.                     Supporting Your Claims

e.                     Acknowledging Alternative Perspectives

f.                      Avoiding Plagiarism

h.                     Summarising and Concluding Individual Chapters