How to Write a Dissertation Analysis

“The only people who see the whole picture are the ones who step outside the frame.”

-Salman Rushdie, The Ground Beneath Her Feet

There is nothing new about students getting overwhelmed by the research data collected by them and hence what they need is a good amount of analysis on the given topic. Let us discuss one of the most important parts of dissertation here which is dissertation analysis.

What is Dissertation Analysis?

Dissertation Analysis is a meticulous work focused on writing a given topic by analysing it thoroughly. If you have identified certain underlying principles behind the dissertation writing, you can come up with a great paper.

Why is it Important

There are some universities and academic institutions that expect a separate chapter for the data presentation and its complete analysis. You need to give a reason to involve the data shortlisted by you. Further you need to validate that data and justify why you have used it in your research work.

Components of Dissertation Analysis:

A Few Basic Components are:

Cover Page:

• It identifies writers, topics, degree, institutions, date and month etc.
• Title, candidate’s name, qualifications, degree pursued, faculty, university, month and year etc.

Declaration Section

• It is written for the purpose of stating that all the materials presented in the paper is original and has not been used elsewhere and that all the sources have been acknowledged.
• Approval of SCERH is received and reference number is given.

Acknowledgments:

• This is for expressing a word of gratitude to all those who have been supportive in carrying out the research work.
• In the section supervisor receives the first vote of thanks and then your lecturers, accomplices etc.

Table of Contents:

• Here in the table you have to list all the main divisions and the subdivisions marked by numbers.
• Titles and subtitles should appear in a style and size consistent to their hierarchy.

List of Figures/Tables/Illustrations:

• List all these and also the pages on which they appear.
• A separate section is to be used for each category.

Abstract:

• Abstract is a short summary that is written with the aim of orienting readers and presenting the focus of thesis.
• It mentions aims, focus and purpose of the literature, methods of the research, analysis and its implications etc.

Introduction:

• This section provides background information and a rationale for the research work. It is like a frame where readers are able to read the entire thesis in a glimpse.
• Personal motivation behind the research work can be there.
• It is an outline of the subsequent chapters.

 Literature Review (a descriptive section with titles)

• This section is meant for showing the examiner that you are familiar with the issues discussed in the debate.
• It is the main source of data which fulfills the aim of thesis.

Research Design or the Methodologies Used:

• Here in this section you present a rationale for the methodological approach that you have adopted. You discuss the literature used here and describe the methods of research you have used here. You analyse the results that reveals the scope of results.
• The section may include illustrations and has a timeline depicting the different steps of research.
• This section is written to make sure that you are following an ethical research practice where you can discuss the issues of reliability, validity and credibility.

Results or Presentation of Data:

• This particular section presents the data and findings which are represented through graphs, tables and other form of statistics.
• The section is written in a past tense normally.
• Data is to be presented in tables and should be carefully checked, set out and discussed.

Discussion (Analysis of Data)

• This section discusses the findings and meant for drawing out the main achievements. It explains the results.
• This section is used for making links between the findings and aims of the literature.
• The section can go further to discuss the analysis of data

Conclusion:

• It is the most important of all section and draws all the arguments.
• It is meant for leaving the impression that the work taken is completed by all means and it is worthwhile.
• Present limitations of the content in the paper and its implications.
• Suggest directions for the future research and end on an impressive note.

Appendices:

• It is a place for supplementary but useful information that is not being used in the text and it can prove to be a point of distraction for the readers.
• It includes raw data, examples, re-organized data table of contents, graphs, interview quotes etc.
• It may be named, lettered or numbered on your decision.

References and Bibliography:

• It shows the readers which texts and materials you have referred.
• It is to be placed in an alphabetical order.
• It can be annotated though normally it is not.
• It shows the reader which texts/materials you have consulted.
• Should not include secondary references.

Index or Glossary:

• Helps the readers where the content is unfamiliar. It contains a list of terms and topics.

Writing a winning description takes an ample amount of time and efforts. If you are not seeking the help of any expert dissertation writing service, given here are a few useful tips to write analysis that would help you to get the perfect paper ready before the deadline.

Useful Tips to Write Dissertation Analysis

Relevance of the Collected Data is Important:

There is no hard and fast rule that you have to bind to the data gathered. Aim of the analysis is to find out which data would be relevant and suits the aim of your research. Always remember that any amount of irrelevant data lacking focus and coherence is to be done away with. Relevance of the data is of utmost important while scrutinizing your dissertation as it shows the readers that you have been focused all through. So, separate the useful data from a huge leap as you would encounter a lot of useful and indirectly relevant materials when you research.

A Thorough Analysis:

You need to be logical and reasonable. Be ready to explain a reason behind choosing the set of data you have shortlisted. It will validate your research work. You should use only the methods appropriate both to the data collected and aims of the research. Always remember that you will be writing this important section of your dissertation. Justifying the data you have collected is as important as gathering it. You need to show your readers that nothing has been done haphazardly and only a relevant data to your work has been gathered. Identify all the important trends and patterns to display them in your analysis.

Rigorous Statistical Analysis:

A scientific method of showing rigorous statistical analysis of the data collected by you is useful and it should be used for drawing conclusions from the data collected with ease. This is a better way to present your analysis.

Presenting Data in a Flow and Discuss the Limitation of Data Also:

It is true that data would not speak for itself. You need work for it but most of the do not. There are many students who just present some quotes and think that it is sufficient but actually it is not. You need to analyse all the data that you use for supporting or refuting your arguments. Take care not to acknowledge the strength of your data only; acknowledging its limitations will establish the credibility of your paper.

Discussion is an important part:

Discussion should be an important part of your research. This helps the readers get a view that the findings of the research have not been copied from anywhere. You can strike a conversation establishing co-relation of results of the similar previous results with those of the recent ones. You will be able to identify patterns, themes and trends etc. in the data. You can consider the various theoretical interpretations so that the pros and cons of different perspectives can be balanced.

You can discuss the shortcomings, anomalies, inconsistencies and assess the significance of your research. If you choose to use interviews, you can include the representatives’ quotes.

How you present the data is important?

If you have a large volume of data, you will consider all the possible means of presenting the data gathered. You can use charts, diagrams, quote, graphs, formulas etc. Both quantitative and qualitative data is to be presented succinctly here in the analysis. Readers should be your priority while presenting data. Do not assume that if a particular layout is clear to you, it should be clear to all who are hardly familiar with your research. Tables are excellent way of presenting data whether in quantitative or qualitative manner.