Dissertation Outline Specification
A dissertation outline follows specifications and rules to come across with academic credibility. Universities and corporations adhere to a standard outline or risk repeating the tedious work of redoing their work accordingly. An outline for a dissertation separates the body of the work according to subject matter: Introduction, Review of Literature, Research Methods, and Research Findings. Each group is further categorized to more sub-groups meant to make the reading easily understood because topics are closely interrelated but distinct.
Take a look at the composition of Chapter 1 or Introduction. Chapter 1 will give the title and background of the study – and state the problem, purpose, and question/s being explored by the thesis. The reason for the study is also explained in the chapter. As early in this portion of the book, readers can get an idea about the extent of the study including its limitations, as well as learn the definition of terms that will be used in the succeeding chapters. Chapter 1 will be the fruit of the student’s resourcefulness in applying ideas.
Chapter 2 (Review of Literature) will display the research skills of the student. There will be a wealth of information old and new. The skillful interrelating of similar or diverse ideas will come up in a fresh perspective from the researcher’s point of view. The chapter consequently will be rich in citations and sources. In Chapter 3 or Research Methods both research skill and the versatility of the application of the research methodology will be thoroughly expounded.
Chapter 4 is the exposition of the new idea or of the discoveries resulting from the relentless research. The argument is supported by the citations and the research results. This will segue into Chapter 5 wherein the researcher gives his strong recommendations, and conclusions. Discussions relevant to recommendations and conclusion will lead to the suggestions for the next steps or further research.
Guided by a thesis plan, a student can sort his material according to the different chapters. As he collects the data, he composes the body of his argument following the plan. An adviser will not allow a student to write the conclusive chapter until the previous chapters are fleshed out.
A thesis outlining may differ according to discipline; but the first three chapters will always figure prominently and will always be arranged in this progression to ensure the logical flow of ideas. It for quantitative research is similar to the qualitative thesis but is more detailed because it involves more complicated research methodology. This is true of scientific researches for exact sciences because of the use of measurements, quantities and amounts. The quantitative plan is also used for dissertations on natural and social sciences that require supporting statistical data.
With a dissertation outline as a guide for writing the undergraduate thesis, a student can begin work on the most important paper of his student life. He cannot afford to procrastinate if he wants to have his paper completed on time and defend his argument effectively.
