Dissertation Plan: What You Need to Include
Dissertation Plan: What You Need to Include
A dissertation plan is your road map to a successful nursing dissertation or thesis. Think of it as a GPS system that helps you navigate through the various stages of your dissertation. It’s a detailed blueprint that structures your work, guides your writing, and ensures a logical flow to your arguments.
Your dissertation outline should be comprehensive. It should lay out what you intend to include in each chapter and give a brief overview of each section. It is essentially the table of contents, fleshed out into a plan. Here’s a rundown of the essential elements your dissertation plan should contain:
Title Page
Every dissertation begins with a title page. It’s the first thing your readers (and examiners) see. The title page usually includes your research title, your name, your supervisor’s name, your university’s name, and its logo.
Acknowledgment
In the acknowledgment section, you get the chance to express gratitude towards all those who have supported you throughout your research journey. This could include your supervisor, colleagues, family, or even funding bodies.
Abstract
An abstract is a mini version of your dissertation. It’s a concise summary that gives your readers a snapshot of your research, including the problem you investigated, the methods you used, your main findings, and your conclusion.
Table of Contents
A table of contents provides an organized list of all the chapters, sections, and sub-sections in your dissertation. It also includes their respective page numbers, allowing readers to navigate your document with ease.
List of Figures and Tables
The list of figures and tables is essentially an index that helps readers locate your visuals throughout your document. Each entry indicates the figure or table number, its title, and the page on which it can be found.
List of Abbreviations
If you’ve used any abbreviations in your study, compile them into a list, along with their full forms. This glossary of abbreviations will help your readers understand your text better.
Glossary
A glossary is a list of specific terms, jargon, or technical language used in your study, along with their definitions. It ensures that your readers fully understand the language and concepts you use.
Introduction
Your introduction sets the stage for your research. It presents your research problem, outlines your research question, and explains the significance of your study.
Literature Review
Your literature review critically analyses the existing literature related to your research topic. It helps position your research within the broader academic discourse and identifies gaps your research aims to fill.
Methodology
The methodology section outlines your research design and methods. It explains how you conducted your research, how you collected and analyzed your data, and why you chose these methods.
Results
In the results section, you present your findings. You organize your data in a clear and understandable format, often using visuals such as graphs or tables.
Discussion
The discussion section is where you interpret your results. You relate your findings back to your research question and compare them to the findings of previous studies.
Conclusion
Your conclusion wraps up your research. It summarizes your key findings, discusses the implications of your study, and suggests areas for future research.
Bibliography
Your bibliography lists all the sources you’ve cited in your dissertation. It gives credit to the authors whose works you’ve used and allows your readers to trace your sources.
Appendices
The appendices section includes any additional materials that didn’t fit into the main body of your dissertation. This could include survey questions, interview transcripts, or raw data tables.
Planning ahead with a detailed dissertation plan can make the process of writing a nursing dissertation or thesis far less overwhelming. It’s the structure that holds your ideas together and guides you along the path to a successful dissertation.
