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Prize-Winning Thesis and Dissertation Examples

Published on September 9, 2022 by Tegan George . Revised on July 18, 2023.

It can be difficult to know where to start when writing your thesis or dissertation . One way to come up with some ideas or maybe even combat writer’s block is to check out previous work done by other students on a similar thesis or dissertation topic to yours.

This article collects a list of undergraduate, master’s, and PhD theses and dissertations that have won prizes for their high-quality research.

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Table of contents

Award-winning undergraduate theses, award-winning master’s theses, award-winning ph.d. dissertations, other interesting articles.

University : University of Pennsylvania Faculty : History Author : Suchait Kahlon Award : 2021 Hilary Conroy Prize for Best Honors Thesis in World History Title : “Abolition, Africans, and Abstraction: the Influence of the “Noble Savage” on British and French Antislavery Thought, 1787-1807”

University : Columbia University Faculty : History Author : Julien Saint Reiman Award : 2018 Charles A. Beard Senior Thesis Prize Title : “A Starving Man Helping Another Starving Man”: UNRRA, India, and the Genesis of Global Relief, 1943-1947

University: University College London Faculty: Geography Author: Anna Knowles-Smith Award:  2017 Royal Geographical Society Undergraduate Dissertation Prize Title:  Refugees and theatre: an exploration of the basis of self-representation

University: University of Washington Faculty:  Computer Science & Engineering Author: Nick J. Martindell Award: 2014 Best Senior Thesis Award Title:  DCDN: Distributed content delivery for the modern web

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University:  University of Edinburgh Faculty:  Informatics Author:  Christopher Sipola Award:  2018 Social Responsibility & Sustainability Dissertation Prize Title:  Summarizing electricity usage with a neural network

University:  University of Ottawa Faculty:  Education Author:  Matthew Brillinger Award:  2017 Commission on Graduate Studies in the Humanities Prize Title:  Educational Park Planning in Berkeley, California, 1965-1968

University:  University of Ottawa Faculty: Social Sciences Author:  Heather Martin Award:  2015 Joseph De Koninck Prize Title:  An Analysis of Sexual Assault Support Services for Women who have a Developmental Disability

University : University of Ottawa Faculty : Physics Author : Guillaume Thekkadath Award : 2017 Commission on Graduate Studies in the Sciences Prize Title : Joint measurements of complementary properties of quantum systems

University:  London School of Economics Faculty: International Development Author: Lajos Kossuth Award:  2016 Winner of the Prize for Best Overall Performance Title:  Shiny Happy People: A study of the effects income relative to a reference group exerts on life satisfaction

University : Stanford University Faculty : English Author : Nathan Wainstein Award : 2021 Alden Prize Title : “Unformed Art: Bad Writing in the Modernist Novel”

University : University of Massachusetts at Amherst Faculty : Molecular and Cellular Biology Author : Nils Pilotte Award : 2021 Byron Prize for Best Ph.D. Dissertation Title : “Improved Molecular Diagnostics for Soil-Transmitted Molecular Diagnostics for Soil-Transmitted Helminths”

University:  Utrecht University Faculty:  Linguistics Author:  Hans Rutger Bosker Award: 2014 AVT/Anéla Dissertation Prize Title:  The processing and evaluation of fluency in native and non-native speech

University: California Institute of Technology Faculty: Physics Author: Michael P. Mendenhall Award: 2015 Dissertation Award in Nuclear Physics Title: Measurement of the neutron beta decay asymmetry using ultracold neutrons

University:  Stanford University Faculty: Management Science and Engineering Author:  Shayan O. Gharan Award:  Doctoral Dissertation Award 2013 Title:   New Rounding Techniques for the Design and Analysis of Approximation Algorithms

University: University of Minnesota Faculty: Chemical Engineering Author: Eric A. Vandre Award:  2014 Andreas Acrivos Dissertation Award in Fluid Dynamics Title: Onset of Dynamics Wetting Failure: The Mechanics of High-speed Fluid Displacement

University: Erasmus University Rotterdam Faculty: Marketing Author: Ezgi Akpinar Award: McKinsey Marketing Dissertation Award 2014 Title: Consumer Information Sharing: Understanding Psychological Drivers of Social Transmission

University: University of Washington Faculty: Computer Science & Engineering Author: Keith N. Snavely Award:  2009 Doctoral Dissertation Award Title: Scene Reconstruction and Visualization from Internet Photo Collections

University:  University of Ottawa Faculty:  Social Work Author:  Susannah Taylor Award: 2018 Joseph De Koninck Prize Title:  Effacing and Obscuring Autonomy: the Effects of Structural Violence on the Transition to Adulthood of Street Involved Youth

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What’s Included: The Dissertation Template

If you’re preparing to write your dissertation, thesis or research project, our free dissertation template is the perfect starting point. In the template, we cover every section step by step, with clear, straightforward explanations and examples .

The template’s structure is based on the tried and trusted best-practice format for formal academic research projects such as dissertations and theses. The template structure reflects the overall research process, ensuring your dissertation or thesis will have a smooth, logical flow from chapter to chapter.

The dissertation template covers the following core sections:

  • The title page/cover page
  • Abstract (sometimes also called the executive summary)
  • Table of contents
  • List of figures /list of tables
  • Chapter 1: Introduction  (also available: in-depth introduction template )
  • Chapter 2: Literature review  (also available: in-depth LR template )
  • Chapter 3: Methodology (also available: in-depth methodology template )
  • Chapter 4: Research findings /results (also available: results template )
  • Chapter 5: Discussion /analysis of findings (also available: discussion template )
  • Chapter 6: Conclusion (also available: in-depth conclusion template )
  • Reference list

Each section is explained in plain, straightforward language , followed by an overview of the key elements that you need to cover within each section. We’ve also included practical examples to help you understand exactly what’s required in each section.

The cleanly-formatted Google Doc can be downloaded as a fully editable MS Word Document (DOCX format), so you can use it as-is or convert it to LaTeX.

FAQs: Dissertation Template

What format is the template (doc, pdf, ppt, etc.).

The dissertation template is provided as a Google Doc. You can download it in MS Word format or make a copy to your Google Drive. You’re also welcome to convert it to whatever format works best for you, such as LaTeX or PDF.

What types of dissertations/theses can this template be used for?

The template follows the standard best-practice structure for formal academic research projects such as dissertations or theses, so it is suitable for the vast majority of degrees, particularly those within the sciences.

Some universities may have some additional requirements, but these are typically minor, with the core structure remaining the same. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to double-check your university’s requirements before you finalise your structure.

Will this work for a research paper?

A research paper follows a similar format, but there are a few differences. You can find our research paper template here .

Is this template for an undergrad, Masters or PhD-level thesis?

This template can be used for a dissertation, thesis or research project at any level of study. It may be slight overkill for an undergraduate-level study, but it certainly won’t be missing anything.

How long should my dissertation/thesis be?

This depends entirely on your university’s specific requirements, so it’s best to check with them. As a general ballpark, Masters-level projects are usually 15,000 – 20,000 words in length, while Doctoral-level projects are often in excess of 60,000 words.

What about the research proposal?

If you’re still working on your research proposal, we’ve got a template for that here .

We’ve also got loads of proposal-related guides and videos over on the Grad Coach blog .

How do I write a literature review?

We have a wealth of free resources on the Grad Coach Blog that unpack how to write a literature review from scratch. You can check out the literature review section of the blog here.

How do I create a research methodology?

We have a wealth of free resources on the Grad Coach Blog that unpack research methodology, both qualitative and quantitative. You can check out the methodology section of the blog here.

Can I share this dissertation template with my friends/colleagues?

Yes, you’re welcome to share this template. If you want to post about it on your blog or social media, all we ask is that you reference this page as your source.

Can Grad Coach help me with my dissertation/thesis?

Within the template, you’ll find plain-language explanations of each section, which should give you a fair amount of guidance. However, you’re also welcome to consider our dissertation and thesis coaching services .

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IMAGES

  1. PHD Thesis Synopsis Sample

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  2. Phd thesis sample by PhD Thesis Online

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  3. Dissertation Proposal PhD One Page Summary Presentation Report

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  4. 免费 Sample Thesis Title Page

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  5. Thesis Format

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  6. PhD thesis evaluation report sample

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VIDEO

  1. How to Defend Your MS/MPhil/PhD Research Thesis

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  5. PhD thesis proposal (Oct 2022)

  6. PhD Thesis: Background Writing for Chapter 1 By Dr Thava

COMMENTS

  1. PDF A Practical Guide to Dissertation and Thesis Writing

    Writing a PhD dissertation or thesis is probably the most chall enging task that a young scholar attempts to do. We have traveled this journey ... and the writing up of the research findings in the form of an extended report, and, if they successfully defended their dissertation before a committee of examiners, they were awarded the research ...

  2. PDF PhD Thesis Writing Process: A Systematic Approach—How to Write ...

    1) Make an assertion about your style of interpretation. 2) Capture the attention of your reader. 3) Know what your readers anticipate and provide them with answers. 4) Challenge your peers about the severity of the research problem and put for-ward your proposal for a solution.

  3. PDF Ph.D. Thesis Evaluation Report

    of the topic, goals of the thesis, key questions, as well as the actual methodology, i.e. the question of methods used to approach the topic. I may note that methodology is particularly important part of the PhD thesis and determines often the success or failure of the whole PhD project.

  4. PDF WRITING A FIRST YEAR REPORT

    Skim them to identify which of the elements in the Introduction model on page 9 are present in each one. Label the main parts B (Background to the Research), RES (the Research), and REP (the Report). Then see which of the more detailed labels (e.g. identifying a research 'gap' or aims) you can apply.

  5. PDF PhD Thesis Evaluation Report

    The dissertation contains an introduction, three chapters, conclusion, bibliography and 4 appendices. The distribution of text in the three chapters is disproportionate (100/28/22 pp). The methods used in the thesis are in general adequate and justified. Taking the thesis as a whole, the author demonstrates sufficiently the ability to choose

  6. PDF Guidelines for The PhD Dissertation

    Most dissertations are 100 to 300 pages in length. All dissertations should be divided into appropriate sections, and long dissertations may need chapters, main divisions, and even subdivisions. Students should keep in mind that GSAS and many departments deplore overlong and wordy dissertations.

  7. PDF A thesis submitted in fulfilment for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy

    patience, time and inspiration during the course of my PhD study. Without their genuine guidance and suggestions, this thesis could have been very hard to accomplish. I owe the University of Stirling and the Accounting and Finance Division a debt of gratitude for financially supporting me over the first three years of the doctoral studies.

  8. PDF Writing a Doctoral Thesis or Dissertation in the Social Sciences

    Writing a Doctoral Thesis or Dissertation in the Social Sciences Anne Jordan, Ph.D. Ontario Institute for Studies in Education University of Toronto ©2020 A guide for doctoral students at various stages of their doctoral theses and dissertations: Designing their thesis proposals, developing their research

  9. PDF Examiner Report

    Examiner Report - Doctoral Thesis . Report Due Date: Name of Student: Degree/Unit: Thesis Title: As a thesis examiner, you will complete this form and attach a written report providing a detailed justification of your evaluation. The deadline to send this form and your written report to Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (email:

  10. (PDF) HOW TO WRITE YOUR Phd THESIS: THE EASY HANDBOOK

    minimum of ten days for all members of the thesis committee to review the thesis. Step 1: Prepare the content of your presentation. The content of your presentation is the mirror of your thesis ...

  11. PDF Assessing a PhD thesis

    thesis outcome for the student if someone reasonably eminent has marked their work). I also know that the student should have been asked who they did NOT want to examine their work and therefore I am not on their hit list. Some examples of theses marked: 1. Sorting out a nightmare in Gender Studies at University of Sydney - mediating between two

  12. Prize-Winning Thesis and Dissertation Examples

    Prize-Winning Thesis and Dissertation Examples. Published on September 9, 2022 by Tegan George.Revised on July 18, 2023. It can be difficult to know where to start when writing your thesis or dissertation.One way to come up with some ideas or maybe even combat writer's block is to check out previous work done by other students on a similar thesis or dissertation topic to yours.

  13. PDF Template for PhD evaluation reports

    Template for PhD evaluation reports To facilitate the composition of a synthetic evaluation report, PhD committee members are asked to follow the present template when preparing their individual reports. Specific comments (that would be more like suggestions for rewriting rather than elements of an evaluation) can be added separately. The final ...

  14. PDF A Complete Dissertation

    DISSERTATION CHAPTERS Order and format of dissertation chapters may vary by institution and department. 1. Introduction 2. Literature review 3. Methodology 4. Findings 5. Analysis and synthesis 6. Conclusions and recommendations Chapter 1: Introduction This chapter makes a case for the signifi-cance of the problem, contextualizes the

  15. Free Dissertation & Thesis Template (Word Doc & PDF)

    The cleanly-formatted Google Doc can be downloaded as a fully editable MS Word Document (DOCX format), so you can use it as-is or convert it to LaTeX. Download The Dissertation Template. Download Grad Coach's comprehensive dissertation and thesis template for free. Fully editable - includes detailed instructions and examples.

  16. PDF Evaluation Report of PhD Thesis

    Evaluation Report of PhD Thesis Name of Research Scholar : Registration Number : Department/Centre : ... The thesis is acceptable after minor revisions as specified to the satisfaction of the Oral Board during viva-voce examination.

  17. OATD

    Advanced research and scholarship. Theses and dissertations, free to find, free to use. October 3, 2022. OATD is dealing with a number of misbehaved crawlers and robots, and is currently taking some steps to minimize their impact on the system. This may require you to click through some security screen.

  18. PDF A Sample Research Paper/Thesis/Dissertation on Aspects of Elementary

    Theorem 1.2.1. A homogenous system of linear equations with more unknowns than equations always has infinitely many solutions. The definition of matrix multiplication requires that the number of columns of the first factor A be the same as the number of rows of the second factor B in order to form the product AB.

  19. PDF Standard format for Preparation of Thesis/Dissertation/Report

    Thesis should be printed BOTH SIDE. 2.2.2The top, bottom and right side margins should be 2.54 cm, whereas, the left side margin should be 3.5 cm for both textual and non-textual (e.g., figures, tables) pages. For both the side printing mirror margins with inside margin should be taken.

  20. PDF Date: 2610412013

    Ph. D. Theses Evaluation RePort 1. Name of Candidate: 2. Name of Degree and Subject: 3. Title of Thesis: 4. Full Name & Address of Examiner: Manisha Bhimrao Patil Ph.D. in Computer Science "Modeling Decision Support System based on Predicted land use Pattern: A Case Study of Pune Metropolis" Prof. B.V. Pawar, Professor & Director, School of Computer Science N orth M aharashtra Univers itY,

  21. PDF EXTERNAL EXAMINER'S REPORT

    EXTERNAL EXAMINER'S REPORT Name of the thesis candidate: Faculty: Stella lacovides University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg,South Africa General notices: This study gives important additional knowledge for pain perception, as well as for the consequences for quality of life in women with dysmenorrhea.

  22. (PDF) Examiners' reports on theses: Feedback or assessment?

    abstract. Traditionally, examiners 'reports on theses at the doctoral and Masters level consist of two. components: firstly, summative assessment where a judgement is made about whether. the ...

  23. PDF THESIS REPORT

    that the permission for extensive copying of this thesis for scholarly purpose may be granted by the doctor, who supervised the thesis work recorded herein or, in his absence, by Head of Department or concerning M.Sc. program coordinator or Dean of Institute of Engineering in which this thesis work was done.