Why is it Important to Structure Your Dissertation

Before you start writing a dissertation, following a clear and organized structure is required to keep your ideas on track. To present and communicate your research clearly, you must follow a logical structure so the readers find it easy to understand your argument and findings. Without a proper structure, it’s easy to lose focus or miss important details. You may miss out on a critical aspect of your project and it might lead to a negative impact on the evaluation committee. Additionally, academic guidelines always require a specific structure. Some universities might require graduate students to include specific sections that might not be compulsory for other institutes.

The Core Elements of a Dissertation Structure

These academic papers are typically divided into chapters where each one covers a key aspect of your research. While the number of chapters can vary depending on your discipline or guidelines, most dissertations include 5–7 chapters.  Here is a sample dissertation structure template that lists all important and optional sections in a systematic order.
  • Title Page (Must-have)
  • Acknowledgments (Optional)
  • List of Tables (Optional)
  • List of Figures (Optional)
  • Abstract (Must-have)
  • Table of Contents (Must-have)
  • Dissertation Body
  • Introduction (Must-have)
  • Literature Review (Must-have)
  • Methodology (Must-have)
  • Results (Must-have)
  • Discussion (Must-have)
  • Conclusion (Must-have)
  • References (Must-have)
  • Appendices (Optional)
Note: A dissertation, at its core, is a type of research paper but requires an extensive amount of research and time as it is mandatory for completing one’s doctorate degree. In the following sections, we will go into detail on how to structure all key sections of a dissertation.

Title Page (Must-have)

The title page is the very first page of your dissertation, so it’s important to get it right. It gives readers basic details about your dissertation and helps identify your work. Here’s what should be included:
  • Dissertation Title: This should clearly describe your research topic. Keep it concise but informative.
  • Your Name: Include your full name as it appears in your official records.
  • Degree Program: Specify the degree you're working towards (e.g., Master of Science in Biology, PhD in History).
  • Institution Name: List the full name of your university or institution.
  • Submission Date: Mention the exact date you’re submitting your dissertation (month and year).
  • Supervisor’s Name: Include your supervisor's full name if required by your institution.
Each university might have specific formatting requirements for the title page (font size, margins, etc.). You should always keep check of the official guidelines before you finalize your paper.

Acknowledgments (Optional)

The acknowledgments section allows you to thank those who supported you during your dissertation project. You can mention your supervisors, professors, family, friends, and any funding organizations that helped. Keep it short and sincere, acknowledging those who made a significant impact on your research and writing process.

Abstract (Must-have)

The abstract is a concise summary of your entire dissertation, usually between 150–300 words. It should briefly cover the main aspects of your research, including:
  • Research Objectives: Clearly state the purpose of your research and what you aimed to achieve.
  • Methods Used: Summarize the research design and methods you employed (e.g., surveys, experiments, case studies).
  • Key Findings: Highlight the main results or discoveries from your research.
  • Significance of Your Research: Explain the importance of your findings and how they contribute to the field.
Keep the abstract clear and to the point, as it’s often the first thing readers will see. Make sure it captures the essence of your dissertation without going into too much detail.

List of Tables and Figures (Optional)

If your dissertation includes tables or figures, you should provide a dedicated list for each. These lists help readers locate visual data easily.
  • List of Tables: Includes all tables used in your dissertation with their titles and corresponding page numbers.
  • List of Figures: Covers all charts, graphs, or illustrations, also with titles and page numbers.
Both lists should follow the order in which the tables and figures appear in your document. 

Table of Contents (Must-have)

The table of contents lists all chapters, sections, and sub-sections of your dissertation, along with their corresponding page numbers. It helps readers quickly find specific sections of your work. Make sure the formatting is clear and organized, using consistent styles for headings and subheadings to make navigation easier for the reader.

Introduction (Must-have)

The introduction introduces and outlines the context of your research. It should include:
  • Background Information: A brief overview of the topic and its relevance.
  • Research Problem: The issue or gap in knowledge your research addresses.
  • Research Objectives: What you aim to achieve with your study.
  • Research Questions: The key questions you will answer through your research.
  • Overview of the Dissertation: A brief summary of the structure of your dissertation.
This section should provide enough information to help readers understand the purpose and scope of your research.

Literature Review (Must-have)

The literature review explores existing research related to your topic. It should:
  • Summarize Key Studies: Highlight important research and findings in your field.
  • Identify Gaps: Point out areas where research is lacking or where further investigation is needed.
  • Justify Your Study: Explain why your research is important and how it fills these gaps.
Organize the review either thematically (grouping studies by topics) or chronologically (by the timeline of research) to keep it clear and easy to follow.

Methodology (Must-have)

The methodology section of a dissertation explains how you conducted your research. The structure will vary depending on the type of study you are conducting.  These types are: Take a look at the outlines below to understand how to structure the research methods section for each type of study.
1. Qualitative Research Methodology
  • Introduction: Briefly introduce the research aims, objectives, and why qualitative methods are suitable for your study.
  • Research Design: Explain the design of your study (e.g., case study, ethnography, grounded theory, phenomenology).
  • Sampling: Describe how participants are selected (e.g., purposive sampling, snowball sampling) and justify the sample size.
  • Data Collection Methods: Discuss data collection techniques (e.g., interviews, focus groups, participant observation).
  • Data Analysis: Explain how you will analyze the data (e.g., thematic analysis, content analysis, coding).
  • Ethical Considerations: Outline the ethical principles followed (e.g., informed consent, confidentiality).
  • Limitations: Acknowledge the limitations of your research approach.
2. Quantitative Research Methodology
  • Introduction: Introduce the purpose of the study, research questions, and hypothesis.
  • Research Design: Explain the design (e.g., experimental, cross-sectional, longitudinal).
  • Sampling: Describe the sampling method (e.g., random sampling, stratified sampling) and sample size determination.
  • Data Collection: Specify how data will be collected (e.g., surveys, questionnaires, tests).
  • Variables: Discuss independent, dependent, and control variables.
  • Data Analysis: Explain the statistical techniques used (e.g., descriptive statistics, regression analysis, ANOVA).
  • Ethical Considerations: Highlight ethical issues (e.g., participant consent, data protection).
  • Limitations: Discuss potential limitations, such as sample bias or measurement error.
3. Mixed Methods Research Methodology
  • Introduction: State the research aim and the need for both qualitative and quantitative methods.
  • Research Design: Discuss the mixed methods design (e.g., convergent parallel design, explanatory sequential design).
  • Sampling: Describe sampling strategies for both qualitative and quantitative components.
  • Data Collection: Explain the process for collecting qualitative (e.g., interviews, focus groups) and quantitative data (e.g., surveys, tests).
  • Data Analysis: Outline the integration of qualitative and quantitative analysis (e.g., triangulation, separate analysis then comparison).
  • Ethical Considerations: Address ethical concerns related to both methods.
  • Limitations: Identify limitations in combining qualitative and quantitative data.

Results (Must-have)

The results section presents the findings from your research. It should focus on clearly and objectively showing the data, without interpretation (which will come in the discussion). Here’s what it should include:
  • Data Summaries: Use tables, charts, and graphs to present your data in a clear and organized way.
  • Key Patterns or Trends: Point out any important patterns or trends in the data, such as correlations or differences.
  • Objective Presentation: Present the data as it is, without making conclusions or linking it to your research questions (that will happen in the discussion section).

Discussion (Must-have)

In the discussion section, you interpret your research findings and connects them back to your research questions. It should include:
  • Comparison with Existing Research: Explain how your results align with or differ from previous studies in your field.
  • Implications: Discuss the significance of your findings and how they contribute to the field.
  • Limitations: Acknowledge any limitations in your study that may have affected the results or interpretation.

Conclusion (Must-have)

The conclusion section wraps up your dissertation and provides a final overview. It should include:
  • Summary of Findings: Briefly restate the main results of your research.
  • Contribution to the Field: Explain how your research adds value to your area of study.
  • Suggestions for Future Research: Highlight any areas for further investigation based on your findings.
This section ties everything together and leaves the reader with a clear understanding of your research’s impact.