The dissertation needs to be rewritten. Please see the example paper, and follow the content and structure.
The dissertation needs to be rewritten. Please see the example paper, and follow the content and structure.
Aims/context
The objective of a theoretical dissertation to produce new knowledge by providing a new or more complex understanding of an issue.
The content and structure of theoretical dissertations may be different across individual projects.
Theoretical research usually intends to add new angles to or improve already existing theories or conceptual frameworks. It may propose a novel combination of two separate theoretical approaches. It may also present completely new theories or solutions for particular problems. It therefore works with already existing theories, theoretical frameworks, data and research results and uses this secondary data to synthesise the literature and offer an original analysis of the question you pose. In so doing, you can offer a heightened understanding of an issue from multiple perspectives, based on the theoretical framework you invoke.
Your approach needs to be critical and analytical: the paper can put forward an argumentative proposal of your own opinion and solution of the problem, or it can offer a descriptive and interpretive analysis of the issue investigated.
You do not use an empirical approach to collect original data, but instead rely on already existing materials and/or use data creatively to illustrate the points made to support your argument/description/interpretation.
Assessment requirements
You must write a dissertation of up to 15,000 words that uses original argumentation and draws from academic sources. Your format will usually consist of an introduction, literature review, research design, analysis, conclusion, reference list and, where relevant, appendices. Your reference list needs to be complete and both your bibliography and in-text references need to be consistent in style. The Harvard reference style is encouraged.
Example dissertation structure
The word counts and structure suggested below are indicative approximations only. They are not set in stone. You may find you need more (or fewer) words than specified for different parts of your dissertation.
Remember that these are guidelines only. Structure, content and organisation of the dissertation should be discussed with and approved by the dissertation supervisor.
1. Introduction (2000 words)
The function of the introduction is to make sure that your reader will be able to find the answers to the following questions:
• What is your dissertation about?
• What are the main aims and objectives of your research?
• How will you approach the research to fulfill those objectives? • What is your main argument and why is it relevant/interesting?
• How does your analysis relate to your argument/ interpretation?
• How does your dissertation relate to other work in the field?
The introduction will also give a brief overview of the structure of your dissertation.
2. Literature review (4000-5000 words)
The literature review is the culmination of your background research about the project. It is a place to review the existing literature and identify relevant scholarly debates, but also to identify gaps in the existing scholarship. As such, a good literature review should already be an argument justifying your approach and putting it in perspective. Your literature review will usually be divided into a few thematic sections.
A theoretical dissertation will often have a research design section, where you can include the rationale for pursuing your argument the way you did.
Your literature review should conclude with your research question, which will stem from the themes in literature identified so far.
3. Analysis (5000-6000 words)
This section may consist of a number of separate sections/chapters, depending on the identified themes and emerging arguments.
Here you will not only describe your argument and provide relevant examples, but also relate this to the literature review, theories and concepts, and to your research question. You should also discuss implications of the argument and its possible empirical applications.
The section should build upon the work of other researchers in the field, and should be carried out based on the theoretical/conceptual framework described in the previous chapter.
All arguments/claims put forward by the author must be accompanied by supporting evidence from literature.
This section ends with a critical evaluation of the proposed theoretical solution, addressing its strengths and limitations, and/or with a summary of the main findings of the analysis in answer to the research question(s).
4. Conclusion (1000-2000 words)
A strong conclusion will answer the following questions:
• Did your dissertation meet its aims and answered the research question?
• What are your recommendations in relation to your research question?
• Where should further research be focused?
5. References
(Not counted in your word count!)
6. Appendices
An appendix is where you put any material that is related but supplementary to your main argument. You can use as many appendices as you need. If in doubt whether specific content should be in an appendix, in the main text, or should not appear, discuss with your supervisor. See the MA Dissertation Brief about word limits, appendices, online submission and penalties for exceeding the word count.
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