How to Provide Needed Planning and Research for Dissertation

How to Provide Needed Planning and Research for Dissertation How to Provide Needed Planning and Research for Dissertation A dissertation is an academic task where a student is required to come up with a topic, plan and execute a project based on that topic and explain what he/she did and the findings. The most important stages to consider when preparing a dissertation include choosing a topic, coming up with research questions, planning the research for dissertation efficiently, being organized and using specified methods while conducting the study and finally reporting the research. Let us take a more in-depth look at these stages. Choosing a Topic In most cases, a minority of the students can clearly come up with research questions that enable them to address their research topic effectively. Majority of the students usually arrive here with several ideas in their mind but with no specific research question. With deadlines approaching fast, these students start panicking and becoming anxious. To ensure this does not happen, first, a student should talk to his or her friends, teachers or parents concerning the topic choice. Comments and feedback will serve as a guide but you need to make the final decision. Also, study other written materials in your field of study. Skim through other research papers in your library to find the most capturing topic. Additionally, focus on what interests you and be critical. Find out what you are skeptical about that needs to be studied further. A research study can either extend a previous study, explore an area that was not appropriately researched. Coming up with Research Questions Once your choice of topic has been accepted, start turning your topic into something meaningful. It is crucial to come up with a research problem at the beginning of your project. Doing this will keep your project on the right track. Revise your research problems as you get more information about your topic. Your research problem(s) should be focused regarding the subject, aspect and period of time. Research problems can be converted into questions to make your focus clearer. Planning Your Research Effectively A student should prepare a research proposal before preparing the project. A research proposal is a detailed document with around 2500 words describing your project and how you are going to undertake it. A proposal will help you think through your project. Next, you should create a research plan. It is wise to calculate how many days you have till the date of submission and then to draw a chart that shows what you will individually do on those days. It is essential to be realistic when planning. Being Organized and Strategic Each student is given a supervisor to help in providing ideas. Since academics are busy people, it is essential to arrange meetings with them early enough and have a subject to discuss on. Always be punctual. No one likes to be kept waiting. Undertake a literature review to gain more insight on your topic. It mainly involves reviewing materials that have been published (softcopy and hardcopy). Collect your data and record it accurately. Reporting the Research At this stage, you should start writing your research. It is important to have enough time to write and revise your project. Always communicate with your supervisor as you progress. Most researches start with an objective question. Reflect on the topics and the theories you have covered in your syllabus. Start searching for any relevant information that reflects on your chosen subject. You will notice that as you focus on your topic and read more articles, your perspective on the research will start evolving. Therefore, you should change your research content as new information comes to light. Start creating plans and milestones to be achieved for you to complete your paper on time. Schedule meetings with your supervisor and ensure that you attend all of them. You should understand your institutions’ guidelines on collecting information and compiling it. The following is a general outline of a research paper: Chapter One involves the purpose of the study and its significance. Chapter Two is the literature review. It involves compiling information related to your topic using both softcopy and hardcopy. Chapter Three involves describing your research methodology. In Chapter Four, you list and describe your conclusions in detail. Section five involves discussing your findings and areas of future research. After completing your study, submit it on time to the chair of your institution so that you can defend it before a panel and revise your corrections after that.