Meeting Dissertation Standards

Knowledgeable, trained doctoral candidates are expected write dissertations to present a specific position and to identify particular evidence supporting that position. There are many specific rules that must be addressed when preparing thesis statements and dissertations for them to be accepted by the academic reviewers.

Dissertation Organization

Perhaps one of the most common formatting expectations is the general organization of the dissertation. There may be institutional or academic discipline variations, but almost every dissertation will have:

• an introduction
• the definitions of unusual words and discipline jargon
• an overview of previous research and examination of the topic
• current findings on the topic from research or experimentation
• a discussion of the findings and topic’s significance, and
• a presentation of the candidate’s position, viewpoint, opinion, or approach.

Citation Style

The other most common formatting expectation is the source documentation style known as the “citation style.” Citation styles document where the candidate got key information contained in his or her dissertation to give proper credit to the original source. This is a requirement to avoid accusations of plagiarism. The most often used are the MLA and APA style, but almost every institution has a specifically required style. A quick inquiry with the dissertation advisor can identify the citation style requirement

Proper Format

Finally, many institutions require dissertations to be in a specific, physical format. The details of this format can vary widely between institutions and even between academic departments. The format can specify the physical parameters the candidate must present his dissertation in, including:

• margin sizes
• font type and size
• what type of paper, and
• specific types of binding

The doctoral candidate should speak to his or her dissertation advisor to learn if their institution has such requirements.

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