Where To Get A Dissertation Methodology Example: Professional Advice

The dissertation is the final step for a graduate student to earn their PHD. The dissertation is an extensive essay on a student-selected topic with input from a professor. A good topic with substantial research is important since you must be prepared to orally defend it against several faculty members.

Dissertation Methodology: The Key to a Strong Dissertation

The dissertation methodology is both the preamble and outline of your dissertation. In it you will discuss the following:

1. What your research question or thesis is.
2. The type of data you've found (don't include the actual data).
3. The approach that you'll take with said data.
4. Why you used the sources that you did.

Essentially your methodology is an explanation of how and why your research and topic are important.

Find Samples That You Can Emulate

A dissertation methodology is like nothing that you've written before so it is normal to feel intimidated by the process. Writing one is just an exercise in metacognition. Metacognition is the process of becoming aware of and analyzing ones though processes. The best way to get started is to find examples to use as a model. Here is where you can look:

1. Oxbridge Essays: An academic tutoring website that can provide a sample to use as a model. You would simply tell them what your research question is and then an English-speaking tutor would provide you with a methodology that you can use a template.
2. Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations: As the name suggests, this online database contains electronic copies of dissertations that you can read and use as models for your own. The submissions are mostly American, Canadian and Western European.
3. Libraries: If you ask at your school library, they may have copies of dissertations written by other students in your major. It's preferable to read dissertations from your school since you know that they were defended against faculty that you're familiar with.

Don't forget to check your local city library too: They may have access to methodologies that your college does not.

In Conclusion: Emulation, Not Imitation is the Key

The most important point to remember about reviewing dissertation methodologies is that you are not looking to copy one verbatim. Don't spend too much time reading; ideally you should only need to find three or four to inspire you.