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Waiting to Get Your Dissertation Accepted?
Last Updated on: 2nd February 2024, 05:51 am
When you begin the dissertation process, you’ll need to start outlining what the final dissertation will look like. Usually, this is accomplished as part of the process you undergo with your committee.
You begin with a Prospectus, which is essentially an overview of what you plan to do. This serves the purpose of a traditional outline: gaining clarity on your area of focus, your research methods, and what you hope to accomplish with the study. If you’re at that stage, take a look at our article on writing a dissertation prospectus.
How to Write a Dissertation Outline
If you’ve moved on to the Proposal stage, you’ll want to start creating a dissertation outline.
Fortunately for you, most of the work is already done for you. Most institutions have very specific requirements about the sections that each chapter of your dissertation should have, as well as the order in which they appear.
These requirements function as the structure of your dissertation outline. You just have to fill it in with the specifics of your study.
If you haven’t already, make sure to ask for whatever rubric, outline, or list of requirements your committee has for you.
Sample Dissertation Outline
If you’ve looked at your committee’s rubric already and are unclear, or if you’re just looking to see a sample of what a dissertation outline might look like, we’ve included one below, based on official outlines from several universities as well as our own experience editing and coaching.
The structure of your dissertation will change slightly depending on whether it’s qualitative or quantitative. However, these differences aren’t significant in the outlining stage (it will usually just mean different titles for some sub-headings).
Note that while this is an example of a dissertation outline, your institution may have a slightly different format or requirements. It’s important to look at whatever your committee gives you, as that will provide you the best guidance for how to write your dissertation outline.
Title
A dissertation title deserves special attention and has special requirements. Make sure that your title is in alignment with the rest of your sections. Essentially, it should be a variation on the phrasing of the problem and purpose statement.
Over 50% of doctoral candidates don’t finish their dissertations.
The title should feature the most important conceptual issue(s) being explored (for qualitative) or the key variables and the relationship between them (for quantitative), and the population being studied.
Abstract
The Abstract is a summary of the study. Many students write their Abstract after they have completed their study and written the five chapters of their dissertation. Your Abstract should include:
- Introduction to the topic
- Problem statement
- Purpose statement
- Key research questions
- Research method and design
- Participants
- Key Results
- Conclusions and recommendations for future research.
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 1 is the introduction to the study. Some of the material for Chapter 1 is already present in your Prospectus. It’s also a summary of what you plan to study, why it’s important, and what methods you plan to use.
Introduction to the Chapter: A few paragraphs introducing the study.
Background: Describe your area of study, relevant research, and identify the gap in research that you seek to fill.
Problem Statement: The problem you intend to address with your study. See this article on Alignment.
Purpose Statement: The purpose of the study. See this article on Alignment.
Research Questions: The questions you seek to answer. Also see this article on Alignment.
Conceptual/Theoretical Framework: This is the lens through which you will be viewing your research. It must be an established theory.
Nature of the Study: A discussion of your method and design and how this will accomplish the purpose of the study.
Definition of Key Terms: Definitions of key terms and concepts, and (for quantitative) your variables. Include citations for your definitions.
Summary of the Chapter: A few paragraphs summarizing the chapter with a transition to Chapter 2.
Chapter 2: Literature Review
Chapter 2 is when you have the most freedom of organization. Besides the initial sections, the bulk of the chapter’s organization is up to you. This is because you are expected to present a summary of the relevant research in whatever way makes the most sense.
People most commonly organize their literature review by topic, but some choose to organize it chronologically or by other methods.
Introduction: After re-stating the problem and purpose of your study, provide a very brief overview of the relevant literature.
Documentation of Literature Search Strategy: In this section, you explain the way you went about conducting your literature review. For example, what search terms did you use and which databases did you search? How did you identify relevant literature?
TOPIC A
Sub Topic a
Sub Topic b
TOPIC B
Subtopic a
Subtopic b
Subtopic c
Continue to create topics and subtopics until you’ve covered all of the literature you wish to discuss.
Summary: A brief summary of the literature. Reiterate the gap in literature that you’re seeking to fill.
Chapter 3: Methodology
Chapter 3 is where you dive deep into the specifics of how you’ll execute your study.
Introduction: After re-stating the problem and purpose of your study, provide a very brief introduction to the methodology.
Research method and design: Describe your chosen design and why it is the best fit to accomplish the purpose of your study.
Population: Describe the relevant population, specific characteristics, and the approximate size.
Procedures for recruitment and data collection: Here you describe the specific procedures for recruiting participants and collecting data.
Instruments: Identify your chosen instruments and explain why they are the best fit for your study. Describe who developed it and give scholarly citations for its effectiveness.
Data analysis plan: Here you describe the process for analyzing the data and identify any software you will use to assist you.
Assumptions: List aspects of the study that are believed but that you cannot verify to be true. Only include those that are of critical relevance to the study.
Scope and Delimitations: Many people mistake this section for “limitations,” (since it sounds similar), but it’s really related to the boundaries you draw about what you will study and what you won’t. This includes aspects of the research problem as well as geographical boundaries or demographic requirements.
Limitations: Describe any weaknesses related to methodology or design as well as any biases that influence the study and how they will be addressed. Describe measures you are taking to reduce the effect of the limitations. (Don’t worry–every study has limitations! It actually reflects positively on you as a scholar to have the awareness necessary to see and articulate these).
Ethical Considerations: Here you discuss how you will comply with relevant ethical standards when conducting your study. This may include things like informed consent, protection of vulnerable populations, data security, etc. Include a note about getting IRB approval.
Summary: A brief summary and transition.
Note: You write the first three chapters BEFORE you conduct your study (this is your Dissertation Proposal). You write the final two chapters AFTER conducting your study, and change the tense in the first three chapters from future to past tense. Together, these five chapters make your completed dissertation.
Chapter 4: Results or Findings
Introduction: A brief introduction to the findings
Setting and Demographics: Report on the setting the study took place in and the demographics of the participants. Highlight any differences from your plan in Chapter 3.
Data Analysis: Describe the data analysis process.
Results: Report the results of the study. Provide enough information so that the reader can understand and make an independent judgment about your decision. This section is usually fairly long and includes selections of data (numbers, charts, graphs, quotes from participants, etc.).
Summary: Briefly summarize the results and transition to Chapter 5.
Chapter 5: Interpretations, Conclusions, Recommendations
After rigorously citing your sources in the first three chapters, Chapter 5 is your opportunity to present your thoughts on the results of your study. Use this opportunity to its fullest potential! While many students just want to get their dissertation over with, a little extra care with this section can make a huge difference in the quality of your dissertation.
Introduction: Concisely summarize the findings.
Implications: Describe your interpretation of the findings. It’s important to make sure that the conclusions you draw are within the scope of your study. Support all of your conclusions with the research findings. Describe how these results relate to the problem and purpose of your study. Discuss how this study contributes to scholarly knowledge and could create an impact in the world.
Limitations: Describe the limitations of your study.
Recommendations for Future Research: Based on your findings and the limitations of your study, describe your recommendations for future research. This could be somebody’s dissertation in the future!
