What is a Dissertation and when do I need to start thinking about mine? A dissertation is an original paper that critically evaluates and summarizes an area of research, identifies a problem (or gap in the research), proposes and then conducts an original study that aims to find solutions to this identified problem. Thus, the dissertation provides an articulate summary of what we know in a given area and then extends knowledge in this area. After writing a dissertation, the author is essentially an “expert” in the area
Some of the steps of writing effective dissertation include research topic, research design and methods, literature reviews, committee selections, research premise, IRB, research prospectus, conceptual framework and theoretical framework, problem statements, research objectives and research questions, et cetera. I was especially entice by how the literature review is an essential part of the research process and a key component of dissertation process.
