Write a dissertation

To write a dissertation: A lengthy process that should be well planned. This chapter assumes the basic knowledge of scientific writing, You should be able to deal with sources adequately, have exercise in the literature search, the evaluation of sources and the professional formulation. In addition, you know how to build a dissertation systematically and logically. Consequently, in this chapter, only the essential aspects, which you should consider especially in an extensive scientific project, such as a dissertation, are discussed. Another important topic is scientific writing style. Our knowledge database provides you with many tips and examples.

Write a PhD dissertation writing services: What do you think of your topic for the dissertation?

If possible, you should choose the topic of your dissertation according to your own interests, because it is more difficult to maintain the motivation for a topic of the doctoral thesis, for which you are only moderately interested. Since the scope of a dissertation is about 250 to 300 pages, you should be aware of your own motivation, the effort and the time to invest from the very beginning and be sure that you both the interest and the Persistence has to plan, implement and finish the project.

Consider the following regarding topic finding:

It may be that previous scientific work (homework, bachelor thesis or master's thesis) has opened up certain fields of research that could not be explored in this work.

Do you already have a preferred area of ​​specialization and do you already know some of the existing literature and previous research projects and results?

Take a look at the research databases with dissertation topics in your department! You should make sure that your topic has not yet been edited and submitted as a dissertation. Each university, each department draws up lists of ongoing doctoral theses completed at the institute. In addition, all German-language dissertations have been listed in the catalog of the German National Library since 1913.

The knowledge of already investigated topic areas helps you in the

precise demarcation and definition of one's own question. The examination of thematically similar dissertations provides first indications for a relevant literature search.

Write dissertation: Get an early overview of your question

As a next step, you should get an overview of the source for your topic. Appropriate scientific literature such as textbooks, monographs, journals and other specialized publications - no Wikipedia entries and popular science online articles - can be searched in university and specialized libraries, national libraries and electronic full text or literature databases. A good overview of the available literature is provided by specialized databases, the German National Bibliography, directories of available books (VLB), WorldCat and other sources.

Regarding the selected sources: quality over quantity! Already in this phase of the literature research, you should take notes or use a program for the management of literature, limit topics, survey the necessary literature and investigate whether it is available or can only be viewed locally - in Germany or abroad.

Writing a dissertation: Beware of spluttering

In a scientific work of this magnitude, the danger of getting bogged down is great. Make sure that you weigh correctly which aspects and research questions are relevant to your topic. Avoid areas that are too far away. You prove that you master your topic and that you can proceed systematically.

Keep in mind that a dissertation of 500 or more pages weighs more in any case, but is therefore not necessarily "heavyweight", ie. H. innovative. Also, it is usually more difficult to publish later, or it must be shortened before publication. It is essential that you deliver new research results for a clearly formulated topic, that you finish in a fixed time and publish the dissertation quickly.

Search critique and help!

Writing a dissertation is a big project that accompanies you for several years. In order to avoid that you burn yourself during the time of origin, it is recommended to maintain good contact with your supervisor and to get feedback and opinions of others. To want to do everything on your own, without looking for exchange with others, is more of a hindrance. Below you will find information that may help you in this regard.