How To Write A Dissertation
To The Candidate:
So, you are preparing to write a dissertation in an area of your own
choice which fit your previous studies. Unless you have written many formal
documents before, you are in for a surprise: it's difficult!
There are two possible paths to success:
- A) Planning Ahead.
Few take this path.
B) Perseverance.
C) Specialization. (Theoretical towards
the practical application)
Here are a few guidelines that may help you when you finally get serious
about writing. The list goes on forever; you probably won't want to read it all
at once. But, please read it before you write anything. The following is
based on mathematics and science but the same principles should be followed in
your area of choice. (Topic, specialization)
If for any reason you find a problem with these guidelines contact us as we have more guidelines available to assist you.
The General Idea:
1. A thesis is a hypothesis or conjecture.
2. A dissertation is a lengthy,
formal document that argues in defence of a particular thesis. (So many people
use the term ``thesis'' to refer to the document that a current dictionary now
includes it as the third meaning of ``thesis'').
3. Two important adjectives used to describe a dissertation are
``original'' and ``substantial.'' The research performed to support a thesis
must be both, and the dissertation must show it to be so. In particular, a
dissertation highlights original contributions.
4. The scientific method means starting with a hypothesis and then
collecting evidence to support or deny it. Before one can write a dissertation
defending a particular thesis, one must collect evidence that supports it.
Thus, the most difficult aspect of writing a dissertation consists of
organizing the evidence and associated discussions into a coherent form.
5. The essence of a dissertation is critical thinking, not experimental
data. Analysis and concepts form the heart of the work.
6. A dissertation concentrates on principles: it states the lessons
learned, and not merely the facts behind them.
7. In general, every statement in a dissertation must be supported either
by a reference to published scientific literature or by original work.
Moreover, a dissertation does not repeat the details of critical thinking and
analysis found in published sources; it uses the results as fact and refers the
reader to the source for further details.
8. Each sentence in a dissertation must be complete and correct in a
grammatical sense. Moreover, a dissertation must satisfy the stringent rules of
formal grammar (e.g., no contractions, no colloquialisms, no slurs, no
undefined technical jargon, no hidden jokes, and no slang, even when such terms
or phrases are in common use in the spoken language). Indeed, the writing in a dissertation
must be crystal clear. Shades of meaning matter; the terminology and prose must
make fine distinctions. The words must convey exactly the meaning intended,
nothing more and nothing less.
9. Each statement in a dissertation must be correct and defensible in a logical and scientific sense. Moreover,
the discussions in a dissertation must satisfy the most stringent rules of
logic applied to mathematics and science.
