dissertation check

Dissertation Checker Online

What Dissertation Editing Difficulties Do Students Face? 

Dissertations take time and lots of effort to complete. However, before you submit the work, it is important that you edit it for correctness.  Here are a few reasons why it is important:

• ✓ It ensures clear explanation and presentations of ideas
• ✓ Ensures that all work borrowed elsewhere is properly cited
• ✓ Editing gets rid of spelling and grammar mistakes that may affect the quality of the paper

Students face several challenges when editing their dissertations, which may affect the quality of the final paper. Here are some of the problems:

• ✓ Inability to check all grammar and spelling errors in a document. Without a comprehensive grammar checker, they tend to miss some mistakes, especially the complex noun and syntax errors
• ✓ Lack of tools to check the citation errors in their work, leading to a few plagiarism strikes
• ✓ It takes time to edit a document.  Most students do not have the time and often rush in their editing process.

Our dissertation checker can help students deal with these problems by availing several tools to enhance the speed and effectiveness of the editing process.

Typical Mistakes One May Do While Writing Dissertation

Here are some of the typical mistakes that you make when writing your dissertation.

Grammar and Spelling Mistakes

In the course of writing a dissertation, you are about to make various errors that include syntax errors, poor word choice, missing punctuations, poor flow, and spelling mistakes. You need to do a dissertation grammar check to pick up some of the errors.

Wrong Formatting

 When writing a dissertation, you must keep to the instructions about spacing and font size. Most students forget to keep to these requirements.

Wrong Citations

You must cite every work quoted from other sources. Most students fail to cite some sources or use the wrong citation when doing so. In some cases, students cite too few sources, making their work look generic. It is vital that you read the instructions to determine if you are using APA, MLA, Chicago, or Turban citation method.

Academic Integrity Violations

It is important to read the campus doctoral program guideline on academic integrity and stick to them, without exception. Some of the violations that students make are related to the type of English used, the limit of the number of pages in the problem statement, and the maximum age of the old sources.

Guide on How to Find and Fix Different Kinds of Errors

If you are wondering, “How will polish my dissertation?” Here is a guideline on how to find and fix different kinds of errors:

• Pick a software tool that can offer grammar help with dissertation. It should be a tool that is able to find and detect various types of grammar and spelling errors. It should also have a way of how to check for syntax and spelling in a dissertation.
• Review your campus policies for writing dissertations and other papers. Apart from the content, your professor will check if you have met each of the regulations. Therefore, review them and check your work before submitting it.
• Review your citations. Citations make up a major part of your dissertation. Ensure that you have cited each source correctly so that your professor may take a look at them and evaluate the quality of the information. Stick to one citation method throughout the entire paper.
• Check your problem statement and ensure that your research and chapters attempt to resolve the problem. Each chapter must tackle a part of the problem conclusively so that the paper flows well to the end.
• You need to have enough time for editing dissertation. This allows you to go through all the issues discussed in the section above in detail and refine your paper.

Using the Thesis Grader for Dissertation Proofreading

Our thesis checker is your all-in-one dissertation revision helper as it comes with various features. Check some of the main features of thesis grader .

Grammar Checker

Our grammar checker is able to pick and fix different types of errors that include syntax errors, spelling mistakes, poor word choice, capitalization errors, and missing punctuations. It underlines mistakes with your writing during dissertation proofreading and suggests possible fixes. The tool is not only effective but greatly reduces your editing time.

Plagiarism Checker

 If the course of your writing, you may add content that matches information in other sources. Our dissertation paper grader checks the work against millions of websites to ensure that your work is unique. Besides, it gives a link of where the work may have been lifted and the portion that matches the site for easy editing

Chapter Checker

If you have problems revising your paper, our tools have an easy to follow guideline on how to revise dissertation chapters. Using it, you can check your problem statement, your abstract, and each chapter to the conclusion for grammar, conciseness, and flow of information.

How to Polish Your Dissertation with Our Paper Grader

The online tool is easy to use and does not require any download. To check your papers, follow the following steps:

• Visit the webpage on any connected device
• Copy and paste the part of your document that you would like to proofread on the space provided. Alternatively, you can upload the entire document into the proofreader.
• Let our tool check your dissertation using the features discussed in the part above
• Go through the paper, incorporating the fixes suggested by the dissertation helper
• When the dissertation proofreading process is over, just copy your article

There is no limit to the number of pages you can upload for dissertation proofreading. Therefore, you can check the entire document or a part of it.

Use our dissertation grammar checker to proofread your college papers today!

Privacy Overview

The Plagiarism Checker Online For Your Academic Work

Start Plagiarism Check

Editing & Proofreading for Your Research Paper

Get it proofread now

Online Printing & Binding with Free Express Delivery

Configure binding now

• Academic essay overview
• The writing process
• Structuring academic essays
• Types of academic essays
• Academic writing overview
• Sentence structure
• Academic writing process
• Improving your academic writing
• Titles and headings
• APA style overview
• APA citation & referencing
• APA structure & sections
• Citation & referencing
• Structure and sections
• APA examples overview
• Commonly used citations
• Other examples
• British English vs. American English
• Chicago style overview
• Chicago citation & referencing
• Chicago structure & sections
• Chicago style examples
• Citing sources overview
• Citation format
• Citation examples
• College essay overview
• Application
• How to write a college essay
• Types of college essays
• Commonly confused words
• Definitions
• Dissertation overview
• Dissertation structure & sections
• Dissertation writing process
• Graduate school overview
• Application & admission
• Study abroad
• Master degree
• Harvard referencing overview
• Language rules overview
• Grammatical rules & structures
• Parts of speech
• Punctuation
• Methodology overview
• Analyzing data
• Experiments
• Observations
• Inductive vs. Deductive
• Qualitative vs. Quantitative
• Types of validity
• Types of reliability
• Sampling methods
• Theories & Concepts
• Types of research studies
• Types of variables
• MLA style overview
• MLA examples
• MLA citation & referencing
• MLA structure & sections
• Plagiarism overview
• Plagiarism checker
• Types of plagiarism
• Printing production overview
• Research bias overview
• Types of research bias
• Example sections
• Types of research papers
• Research process overview
• Problem statement
• Research proposal
• Research topic
• Statistics overview
• Levels of measurment
• Frequency distribution
• Measures of central tendency
• Measures of variability
• Hypothesis testing
• Parameters & test statistics
• Types of distributions
• Correlation
• Effect size
• Hypothesis testing assumptions
• Types of ANOVAs
• Types of chi-square
• Statistical data
• Statistical models
• Spelling mistakes
• Tips overview
• Academic writing tips
• Dissertation tips
• Sources tips
• Working with sources overview
• Evaluating sources
• Finding sources
• Including sources
• Types of sources

Your Step to Success

Plagiarism Check within 10min

Printing & Binding with 3D Live Preview

Dissertation Checklist – A Guide Before Submitting

How do you like this article cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

A dissertation checklist is a handy tool that serves as a roadmap, outlining all the essential elements that should be included in your dissertation , from the title page to appendices. It helps you to manage your time effectively and organizes your thoughts. This article provides a comprehensive guide to using a dissertation checklist before submitting your work. It covers important aspects of dissertation writing and provides helpful tips for ensuring your dissertation meets the required standards.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

• 1 In a nutshell: Dissertation checklist
• 2 Definition: Dissertation checklist
• 3 Dissertation checklist: Getting started
• 4 Dissertation checklist: Introduction
• 5 Dissertation checklist: Body
• 6 Dissertation checklist: Conclusion
• 7 Ready to submit
• 8 Sample dissertation checklist

In a nutshell: Dissertation checklist

• The article is a guide for students who are writing a dissertation.
• It provides a dissertation checklist of things to consider before submitting your dissertation.
• The dissertation checklist covers various aspects of academic writing , including formatting, structure, and content.
• The dissertation checklist helps to ensure that your dissertation meets the required standards and is of the highest quality.

Definition: Dissertation checklist

A dissertation checklist is a tool that helps students ensure that their dissertation meets the required standards before submission. The checklist covers various aspects of dissertation writing, including formatting, structure, and content. By using a checklist, you can avoid common mistakes and ensure that your dissertation is well-written and well-formatted.

Is your dissertation cohesive?

A cohesive dissertation is one that has a clear structure and logical flow. To ensure that your dissertation is cohesive, you should use a dissertation checklist to ensure that:

• Your introduction clearly outlines the research question and aims of the study
• Each chapter has a clear focus and is logically linked to the research question
• Your conclusion summarizes the main findings and their implications for future research
• Your dissertation is well-written and free from errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation

Dissertation checklist: Getting started

Before starting to write your dissertation, it’s important to plan and prepare using a dissertation checklist. This includes brainstorming ideas, creating a mind map, setting a timetable, choosing a topic, and creating an outline. Here is a short dissertation checklist to help you get started:

• Brainstorm ideas for your dissertation topic
• Create a mind map to organize your thoughts and ideas
• Set a timetable for your dissertation writing
• Choose a topic that is interesting and relevant to your field of study
• Create an outline to guide your writing and ensure that your dissertation is well-structured and coherent

Dissertation checklist: Introduction

The introduction of your dissertation is an important part of the structure, as it sets the scene for your research and establishes the purpose and objectives of your study. Here is a dissertation checklist for the introduction:

• Start with a clear and concise opening statement that captures the reader’s attention
• Provide some background information on your research topic
• Clearly state your research question or hypothesis
• Outline the aims and objectives of your research
• Provide an overview of your research methodology

Dissertation checklist: Body

The body of your dissertation should be well-structured and logically presented. It should include a clear and concise argument supported by evidence and examples. Here is a dissertation checklist for the body parts:

• Clearly present your research question or hypothesis
• Provide a literature review that outlines the key theories and concepts related to your research topic
• Present your research methodology and explain why you chose this approach
• Provide a detailed analysis of your research findings

Dissertation checklist: Conclusion

The conclusion of your dissertation should summarize your main findings and provide a clear answer to your research question or hypothesis. Here is a dissertation checklist for the conclusion:

• Summarize your main findings and conclusions
• Link your conclusions back to your research question or hypothesis
• Discuss the implications of your findings for future research
• Acknowledge any limitations or weaknesses of your study
• Provide recommendations for future research in your field

Ready to submit

After finishing your dissertation, it’s important to check it thoroughly before submitting it. Here is a dissertation checklist of things to check:

• Check your grammar and spelling
• Edit and revise your work to ensure that it is clear and concise
• Check that your dissertation is well-formatted and follows the required guidelines
• Use appropriate language and terminology
• Proofread your work to ensure that there are no errors or inconsistencies
• Ensure that your citations and references are accurate and follow the required format
• Check that your headings and subheadings are clear and easy to follow

Sample dissertation checklist

A dissertation checklist sample can be formulated as follows:

Why is a dissertation checklist important?

A dissertation checklist is important because it helps ensure that all necessary components have been included and that the document is properly formatted and presented.

Why should a dissertation be checked before submitting?

Using a dissertation checklist to check a dissertation before submitting it ensures that it meets the requirements and guidelines set by the institution and that the work is of high quality and free of errors.

How do you create a dissertation checklist?

To create a dissertation checklist, start by reviewing the requirements and guidelines set by your institution or department. Then, break down the dissertation into sections such as title page, abstract, introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, references, formatting, and proofreading.

What should be included in the introduction of a dissertation?

The introduction should introduce the topic, provide background information, state the research question or thesis statement, and provide an overview of the dissertation.

We use cookies on our website. Some of them are essential, while others help us to improve this website and your experience.

• External Media

Individual Privacy Preferences

Cookie Details Privacy Policy Imprint

Here you will find an overview of all cookies used. You can give your consent to whole categories or display further information and select certain cookies.

Accept all Save

Essential cookies enable basic functions and are necessary for the proper function of the website.

Show Cookie Information Hide Cookie Information

Statistics cookies collect information anonymously. This information helps us to understand how our visitors use our website.

Content from video platforms and social media platforms is blocked by default. If External Media cookies are accepted, access to those contents no longer requires manual consent.

Privacy Policy Imprint

• Link to facebook
• Link to linkedin
• Link to twitter
• Link to youtube
• Writing Tips

Dissertation Checklist: What to Do When Your Work Is (Nearly) Due

3-minute read

• 12th December 2018

Big dissertation deadline approaching? Hopefully, you have a draft you’re happy with and it’s time to get your dissertation ready for submission. But what do you need to do in these last days? Check out our dissertation checklist for three key steps in preparing your final piece of work.

1. Check Your Style Guide

When you’ve finished redrafting , the first thing to do is reread your style guide. This should contain everything you need to know about how to present your work, including:

• What to include on a title or cover page .
• Whether to include a dedication or acknowledgements.
• The length and style of the abstract.
• How to format the table of contents .
• Whether to include a list of abbreviations.
• How to format the document (including page margins, tables, figures, illustrations, footnotes, endnotes, and the text of your dissertation itself).
• The referencing style you should use.
• The maximum word count and which sections count towards it.

You’ll then need to double check that your dissertation follows these rules as closely as possible.

2. Proofread Carefully

After making any final changes, make sure to proofread your dissertation one last time. Your focus here will be looking for typos and other minor errors to ensure that it is 100% error free.

You may want to ask someone else to check your writing for you at this point (we’re always available ). But if you do need to proofread your own work, try using the following tips:

• Read slowly and carefully, taking regular breaks as required.
• Print your dissertation out and check it on paper.
• Start at the end and work backwards through each chapter.
• Read problematic passages out loud.
• Look for different types of error individually (i.e., start out checking the punctuation, then the grammar, then the spelling, etc.).

These tips should help you keep your concentration while proofreading.

Find this useful?

Subscribe to our newsletter and get writing tips from our editors straight to your inbox.

3. Preparing to Submit

Finally, when you have an error-free manuscript you can be proud of, you need to check your college’s guidelines for submitting a dissertation. This will usually include preparing:

• One print copy of your dissertation, professionally bound.
• One digital copy of your dissertation, typically in PDF form.

Make sure to leave enough time before the deadline to get these ready. Your college should be able to recommend a local binding business for the print copy (or offer binding on campus). And you can export a document as a PDF file via Microsoft Word itself.

Summary: Dissertation Checklist

If you have a dissertation deadline coming up, make sure to tick off the steps on our dissertation checklist. These include:

• Reread your style guide to make sure that your dissertation follows it.
• Check your writing for typos (or have a professional do it for you ).
• Read your college’s guidelines on preparing your dissertation for submission (this will usually involve creating one printed and bound version and one electronic version).

And once you’ve submitted, we suggest taking a few days off to relax before preparing for your oral defense. Well done on getting this far, and let us know if we can help you over the finishing line. For more information about writing a dissertation or thesis, read our full dissertation writing guide .

Share this article:

Post A New Comment

Got content that needs a quick turnaround? Let us polish your work. Explore our editorial business services.

The 5 best ecommerce website design tools .

A visually appealing and user-friendly website is essential for success in today’s competitive ecommerce landscape....

The 7 Best Market Research Tools in 2024

Market research is the backbone of successful marketing strategies. To gain a competitive edge, businesses...

4-minute read

Google Patents: Tutorial and Guide

Google Patents is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about patents, whether...

How to Come Up With Newsletter Ideas

If used strategically, email can have a substantial impact on your business. In fact, according...

Free Online Peer Review Template

Having your writing peer-reviewed is a valuable process that can showcase the strengths and weaknesses...

How to Embed a Video in PowerPoint

Including a video in your PowerPoint presentation can make it more exciting and engaging. And...

Make sure your writing is the best it can be with our expert English proofreading and editing.

Center for Digital Scholarship

Dissertation Checklist

• Defend dissertation and complete revisions
• Apply to graduate
• Receive permission for previously copyrighted material included beyond fair use
• Discuss dissertation  embargo  with faculty and research collaborators
• Matches name in ETD Administrator and on title page (ROBERT REDFIELD)
• Uses  headline style  as does the  convocation program  (Plan for a Study of Tepoztlan, Mexico)
• Matches title on PDF title page but uses upper and lower case
• Publishing information  (traditional or open access, search engines, delayed release, institutional repository options, Creative Commons, permanent contact information including 8-digit student ID starting with 10 or 12)
• About my dissertation/thesis (all sections, including keywords, abstract no more than 350-500 words, etc.)
• Submission & payment ( U.S. copyright , author copies)
• line spacing
• page numbers
• parts of the dissertation
• table of contents
• list of tables, figures, other lists
• tables, figures, other images
• references and footnotes
• bibliography
• supplemental files
• Proofread PDF and supplemental files
• Complete  Survey of Earned Doctorates and upload certificate of completion
• Complete the University of Chicago Doctoral Graduate Survey
• Notify graduate program administrator that submission is ready for departmental approval
• Upload signed and completed copy of Departmental Approval Form
• Submit final version of dissertation
• Correct formatting and provide additional material as requested by Dissertation Office
• Retain copy of ProQuest and IR agreements, permission letters, and information regarding options selected or paid for

Capstone Form and Style

Programs: phd dissertation, phd dissertation resources.

• PhD Premise Template

The qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods PhD dissertation templates contain subheadings that align with the required content in the PhD Dissertation Checklists for these methodologies. The generic PhD dissertation template is not methodology-specific and lacks many of these subheadings.

• PhD Dissertation Template (Qualitative)
• PhD Dissertation Template (Quantitative)
• PhD Dissertation Template (Mixed Methods)
• PhD Dissertation Template (Generic)

Beginning June 1, 2020, all prospectus starts should use the new PhD Prospectus Form found on the  Doctoral Prospectus Form  page.

For more information on the prospectus for your program, check the resources for PhD programs on the Office of Research and Doctoral Services'  Doctoral Capstone and Project Resources page .

PhD Management Dissertation Templates (New August 2023)

• PhD Management Annotated Dissertation Template (Qualitative, APA 7)
• PhD Management Annotated Dissertation Template (Quantitative, APA 7)
• Instructions for Using the PhD Management Annotated Dissertation Templates (APA 7)

To prepare for the form and style review, use the following checklist, which is the same checklist we use when we review capstone manuscripts and the checklist we return to the student and committee along with their completed review.

• Form and Style Review Checklist (APA 7)

Doctoral Capstone Template Guidance

To accompany the doctoral capstone template document, here is some information to note when first beginning to use the template.

• The document may contain various front matter elements (i.e., two title pages, the abstract, a Dedication page, and an Acknowledgements page), a Table of Contents (TOC), Lists of Tables and Figures, the document body text, a References list, and Appendices.
• Students should ensure that the text in brackets [ ] on the two title pages is changed to reflect their own information and then remove the brackets. This includes the title, name, degrees earned, degree program, and date of anticipated completion.
• Begin using the template by copying and pasting the text from a working document into the appropriate headings of the template and references to the reference list.

How to tag headings (so that headings show up in the TOC):

• Most headings are already placed into the document. Headings students add (i.e., primarily for the literature review and results chapters and sections) should be added by creating a new heading and tagging it so that it appears in the TOC when updated.
• Add a heading by first ensuring that the pilcrow [ ¶ ] is turned on—this allows the writer to see hidden formatting in the document that should not be deleted (e.g., page breaks and section breaks).
• Add the heading by placing the cursor where the heading should be inserted and creating a hard return.
• Then type the text for the heading and highlight it with the cursor, ensuring that you do NOT highlight the pilcrow.
• Once the text is highlighted, choose the appropriate APA Style heading from the Styles box on the Home tab. This is called tagging a heading. HINT: The Styles tab may need to be expanded by clicking on the small box with the arrow at the bottom of the Styles section. 

How to update the TOC (to bring in new headings and update page numbers):

• Once new headings have been added or text created or inserted such that the page numbers have shifted, the TOC should be updated.
• Update the TOC by clicking on it with the cursor so that the section becomes grey.
• Then, right click (or control click on a Mac) and choose “Update field.”
• Depending on whether headings or just text has been added, choose “Update entire table” or “Update page numbers only.”

Template and Formatting Resources:

• Form and Style Document Formatting Expectations , including information on APA, margins, pagination, etc.
• SMRTguide on Fixing Errors in the TOC
• Academic Skills Center (ASC) Capstone Template Formatting Videos
• For questions regarding layout formatting in the doctoral capstone, contact [email protected]  

About the PhD Dissertation

Students start the dissertation by documenting their initial investigation into a research topic, which is used to make decisions about the capstone and is provided to prospective faculty members of the supervisory committee. In all PhD programs, this document is called the Premise, which is followed by a Prospectus The Prospectus is a second document used to confirm the topic for the proposal and the structure of the dissertation committee.

Guides for completing these documents can be found on the Office of Research and Doctoral Services website . The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, Seventh Edition style should be used for both the Premise and the Prospectus, as well as for the proposal and final study.

The Dissertation Guidebook , available at the Office of Research and Doctoral Services's website, is a complete resource for information on form and style, steps in the dissertation process, and procedures. We also offer a series of capstone webinars on a variety of capstone-related topics.

For questions about writing the proposal, dissertation, thesis, or doctoral study, contact [email protected] .

Confused about assumptions, limitations, and delimitations? See Jen's blog post .

• Previous Page: EdD Dissertation/Project Study
• Next Page: PsyD Doctoral Study
• Office of Student Disability Services

Walden Resources

Departments.

• Academic Residencies
• Academic Skills
• Career Planning and Development
• Customer Care Team
• Field Experience
• Military Services
• Student Success Advising
• Writing Skills

Centers and Offices

• Center for Social Change
• Office of Academic Support and Instructional Services
• Office of Degree Acceleration
• Office of Research and Doctoral Services
• Office of Student Affairs

Student Resources

• Doctoral Writing Assessment
• Form & Style Review
• Quick Answers
• ScholarWorks
• SKIL Courses and Workshops
• Walden Bookstore
• Walden Catalog & Student Handbook
• Student Safety/Title IX
• Legal & Consumer Information
• Website Terms and Conditions
• Cookie Policy
• Accessibility
• Accreditation
• State Authorization
• Net Price Calculator
• Contact Walden

Walden University is a member of Adtalem Global Education, Inc. www.adtalem.com Walden University is certified to operate by SCHEV © 2024 Walden University LLC. All rights reserved.

Dissertation Structure & Layout 101: How to structure your dissertation, thesis or research project.

By: Derek Jansen (MBA) Reviewed By: David Phair (PhD) | July 2019

So, you’ve got a decent understanding of what a dissertation is , you’ve chosen your topic and hopefully you’ve received approval for your research proposal . Awesome! Now its time to start the actual dissertation or thesis writing journey.

To craft a high-quality document, the very first thing you need to understand is dissertation structure . In this post, we’ll walk you through the generic dissertation structure and layout, step by step. We’ll start with the big picture, and then zoom into each chapter to briefly discuss the core contents. If you’re just starting out on your research journey, you should start with this post, which covers the big-picture process of how to write a dissertation or thesis .

*The Caveat *

In this post, we’ll be discussing a traditional dissertation/thesis structure and layout, which is generally used for social science research across universities, whether in the US, UK, Europe or Australia. However, some universities may have small variations on this structure (extra chapters, merged chapters, slightly different ordering, etc).

So, always check with your university if they have a prescribed structure or layout that they expect you to work with. If not, it’s safe to assume the structure we’ll discuss here is suitable. And even if they do have a prescribed structure, you’ll still get value from this post as we’ll explain the core contents of each section.  

Overview: S tructuring a dissertation or thesis

• Acknowledgements page
• Abstract (or executive summary)
• Table of contents , list of figures and tables
• Chapter 1: Introduction
• Chapter 2: Literature review
• Chapter 3: Methodology
• Chapter 4: Results
• Chapter 5: Discussion
• Chapter 6: Conclusion
• Reference list

As I mentioned, some universities will have slight variations on this structure. For example, they want an additional “personal reflection chapter”, or they might prefer the results and discussion chapter to be merged into one. Regardless, the overarching flow will always be the same, as this flow reflects the research process , which we discussed here – i.e.:

• The introduction chapter presents the core research question and aims .
• The literature review chapter assesses what the current research says about this question.
• The methodology, results and discussion chapters go about undertaking new research about this question.
• The conclusion chapter (attempts to) answer the core research question .

In other words, the dissertation structure and layout reflect the research process of asking a well-defined question(s), investigating, and then answering the question – see below.

To restate that – the structure and layout of a dissertation reflect the flow of the overall research process . This is essential to understand, as each chapter will make a lot more sense if you “get” this concept. If you’re not familiar with the research process, read this post before going further.

Right. Now that we’ve covered the big picture, let’s dive a little deeper into the details of each section and chapter. Oh and by the way, you can also grab our free dissertation/thesis template here to help speed things up.

The title page of your dissertation is the very first impression the marker will get of your work, so it pays to invest some time thinking about your title. But what makes for a good title? A strong title needs to be 3 things:

• Succinct (not overly lengthy or verbose)
• Specific (not vague or ambiguous)
• Representative of the research you’re undertaking (clearly linked to your research questions)

Typically, a good title includes mention of the following:

• The broader area of the research (i.e. the overarching topic)
• The specific focus of your research (i.e. your specific context)
• Indication of research design (e.g. quantitative , qualitative , or  mixed methods ).

For example:

A quantitative investigation [research design] into the antecedents of organisational trust [broader area] in the UK retail forex trading market [specific context/area of focus].

Again, some universities may have specific requirements regarding the format and structure of the title, so it’s worth double-checking expectations with your institution (if there’s no mention in the brief or study material).

Acknowledgements

This page provides you with an opportunity to say thank you to those who helped you along your research journey. Generally, it’s optional (and won’t count towards your marks), but it is academic best practice to include this.

So, who do you say thanks to? Well, there’s no prescribed requirements, but it’s common to mention the following people:

• Your dissertation supervisor or committee.
• Any professors, lecturers or academics that helped you understand the topic or methodologies.
• Any tutors, mentors or advisors.
• Your family and friends, especially spouse (for adult learners studying part-time).

There’s no need for lengthy rambling. Just state who you’re thankful to and for what (e.g. thank you to my supervisor, John Doe, for his endless patience and attentiveness) – be sincere. In terms of length, you should keep this to a page or less.

Abstract or executive summary

The dissertation abstract (or executive summary for some degrees) serves to provide the first-time reader (and marker or moderator) with a big-picture view of your research project. It should give them an understanding of the key insights and findings from the research, without them needing to read the rest of the report – in other words, it should be able to stand alone .

For it to stand alone, your abstract should cover the following key points (at a minimum):

• Your research questions and aims – what key question(s) did your research aim to answer?
• Your methodology – how did you go about investigating the topic and finding answers to your research question(s)?
• Your findings – following your own research, what did do you discover?
• Your conclusions – based on your findings, what conclusions did you draw? What answers did you find to your research question(s)?

So, in much the same way the dissertation structure mimics the research process, your abstract or executive summary should reflect the research process, from the initial stage of asking the original question to the final stage of answering that question.

In practical terms, it’s a good idea to write this section up last , once all your core chapters are complete. Otherwise, you’ll end up writing and rewriting this section multiple times (just wasting time). For a step by step guide on how to write a strong executive summary, check out this post .

Need a helping hand?

Table of contents

This section is straightforward. You’ll typically present your table of contents (TOC) first, followed by the two lists – figures and tables. I recommend that you use Microsoft Word’s automatic table of contents generator to generate your TOC. If you’re not familiar with this functionality, the video below explains it simply:

If you find that your table of contents is overly lengthy, consider removing one level of depth. Oftentimes, this can be done without detracting from the usefulness of the TOC.

Right, now that the “admin” sections are out of the way, its time to move on to your core chapters. These chapters are the heart of your dissertation and are where you’ll earn the marks. The first chapter is the introduction chapter – as you would expect, this is the time to introduce your research…

It’s important to understand that even though you’ve provided an overview of your research in your abstract, your introduction needs to be written as if the reader has not read that (remember, the abstract is essentially a standalone document). So, your introduction chapter needs to start from the very beginning, and should address the following questions:

• What will you be investigating (in plain-language, big picture-level)?
• Why is that worth investigating? How is it important to academia or business? How is it sufficiently original?
• What are your research aims and research question(s)? Note that the research questions can sometimes be presented at the end of the literature review (next chapter).
• What is the scope of your study? In other words, what will and won’t you cover ?
• How will you approach your research? In other words, what methodology will you adopt?
• How will you structure your dissertation? What are the core chapters and what will you do in each of them?

These are just the bare basic requirements for your intro chapter. Some universities will want additional bells and whistles in the intro chapter, so be sure to carefully read your brief or consult your research supervisor.

If done right, your introduction chapter will set a clear direction for the rest of your dissertation. Specifically, it will make it clear to the reader (and marker) exactly what you’ll be investigating, why that’s important, and how you’ll be going about the investigation. Conversely, if your introduction chapter leaves a first-time reader wondering what exactly you’ll be researching, you’ve still got some work to do.

Now that you’ve set a clear direction with your introduction chapter, the next step is the literature review . In this section, you will analyse the existing research (typically academic journal articles and high-quality industry publications), with a view to understanding the following questions:

• What does the literature currently say about the topic you’re investigating?
• Is the literature lacking or well established? Is it divided or in disagreement?
• How does your research fit into the bigger picture?
• How does your research contribute something original?
• How does the methodology of previous studies help you develop your own?

Depending on the nature of your study, you may also present a conceptual framework towards the end of your literature review, which you will then test in your actual research.

Again, some universities will want you to focus on some of these areas more than others, some will have additional or fewer requirements, and so on. Therefore, as always, its important to review your brief and/or discuss with your supervisor, so that you know exactly what’s expected of your literature review chapter.

Now that you’ve investigated the current state of knowledge in your literature review chapter and are familiar with the existing key theories, models and frameworks, its time to design your own research. Enter the methodology chapter – the most “science-ey” of the chapters…

In this chapter, you need to address two critical questions:

• Exactly HOW will you carry out your research (i.e. what is your intended research design)?
• Exactly WHY have you chosen to do things this way (i.e. how do you justify your design)?

Remember, the dissertation part of your degree is first and foremost about developing and demonstrating research skills . Therefore, the markers want to see that you know which methods to use, can clearly articulate why you’ve chosen then, and know how to deploy them effectively.

Importantly, this chapter requires detail – don’t hold back on the specifics. State exactly what you’ll be doing, with who, when, for how long, etc. Moreover, for every design choice you make, make sure you justify it.

In practice, you will likely end up coming back to this chapter once you’ve undertaken all your data collection and analysis, and revise it based on changes you made during the analysis phase. This is perfectly fine. Its natural for you to add an additional analysis technique, scrap an old one, etc based on where your data lead you. Of course, I’m talking about small changes here – not a fundamental switch from qualitative to quantitative, which will likely send your supervisor in a spin!

You’ve now collected your data and undertaken your analysis, whether qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods. In this chapter, you’ll present the raw results of your analysis . For example, in the case of a quant study, you’ll present the demographic data, descriptive statistics, inferential statistics , etc.

Typically, Chapter 4 is simply a presentation and description of the data, not a discussion of the meaning of the data. In other words, it’s descriptive, rather than analytical – the meaning is discussed in Chapter 5. However, some universities will want you to combine chapters 4 and 5, so that you both present and interpret the meaning of the data at the same time. Check with your institution what their preference is.

Now that you’ve presented the data analysis results, its time to interpret and analyse them. In other words, its time to discuss what they mean, especially in relation to your research question(s).

What you discuss here will depend largely on your chosen methodology. For example, if you’ve gone the quantitative route, you might discuss the relationships between variables . If you’ve gone the qualitative route, you might discuss key themes and the meanings thereof. It all depends on what your research design choices were.

Most importantly, you need to discuss your results in relation to your research questions and aims, as well as the existing literature. What do the results tell you about your research questions? Are they aligned with the existing research or at odds? If so, why might this be? Dig deep into your findings and explain what the findings suggest, in plain English.

The final chapter – you’ve made it! Now that you’ve discussed your interpretation of the results, its time to bring it back to the beginning with the conclusion chapter . In other words, its time to (attempt to) answer your original research question s (from way back in chapter 1). Clearly state what your conclusions are in terms of your research questions. This might feel a bit repetitive, as you would have touched on this in the previous chapter, but its important to bring the discussion full circle and explicitly state your answer(s) to the research question(s).

Next, you’ll typically discuss the implications of your findings? In other words, you’ve answered your research questions – but what does this mean for the real world (or even for academia)? What should now be done differently, given the new insight you’ve generated?

Lastly, you should discuss the limitations of your research, as well as what this means for future research in the area. No study is perfect, especially not a Masters-level. Discuss the shortcomings of your research. Perhaps your methodology was limited, perhaps your sample size was small or not representative, etc, etc. Don’t be afraid to critique your work – the markers want to see that you can identify the limitations of your work. This is a strength, not a weakness. Be brutal!

This marks the end of your core chapters – woohoo! From here on out, it’s pretty smooth sailing.

The reference list is straightforward. It should contain a list of all resources cited in your dissertation, in the required format, e.g. APA , Harvard, etc.

It’s essential that you use reference management software for your dissertation. Do NOT try handle your referencing manually – its far too error prone. On a reference list of multiple pages, you’re going to make mistake. To this end, I suggest considering either Mendeley or Zotero. Both are free and provide a very straightforward interface to ensure that your referencing is 100% on point. I’ve included a simple how-to video for the Mendeley software (my personal favourite) below:

Some universities may ask you to include a bibliography, as opposed to a reference list. These two things are not the same . A bibliography is similar to a reference list, except that it also includes resources which informed your thinking but were not directly cited in your dissertation. So, double-check your brief and make sure you use the right one.

The very last piece of the puzzle is the appendix or set of appendices. This is where you’ll include any supporting data and evidence. Importantly, supporting is the keyword here.

Your appendices should provide additional “nice to know”, depth-adding information, which is not critical to the core analysis. Appendices should not be used as a way to cut down word count (see this post which covers how to reduce word count ). In other words, don’t place content that is critical to the core analysis here, just to save word count. You will not earn marks on any content in the appendices, so don’t try to play the system!

Time to recap…

And there you have it – the traditional dissertation structure and layout, from A-Z. To recap, the core structure for a dissertation or thesis is (typically) as follows:

• Acknowledgments page

Most importantly, the core chapters should reflect the research process (asking, investigating and answering your research question). Moreover, the research question(s) should form the golden thread throughout your dissertation structure. Everything should revolve around the research questions, and as you’ve seen, they should form both the start point (i.e. introduction chapter) and the endpoint (i.e. conclusion chapter).

I hope this post has provided you with clarity about the traditional dissertation/thesis structure and layout. If you have any questions or comments, please leave a comment below, or feel free to get in touch with us. Also, be sure to check out the rest of the  Grad Coach Blog .

Psst… there’s more (for free)

This post is part of our dissertation mini-course, which covers everything you need to get started with your dissertation, thesis or research project. 

You Might Also Like:

36 Comments

many thanks i found it very useful

Glad to hear that, Arun. Good luck writing your dissertation.

Such clear practical logical advice. I very much needed to read this to keep me focused in stead of fretting.. Perfect now ready to start my research!

what about scientific fields like computer or engineering thesis what is the difference in the structure? thank you very much

Thanks so much this helped me a lot!

Very helpful and accessible. What I like most is how practical the advice is along with helpful tools/ links.

Thanks Ade!

Thank you so much sir.. It was really helpful..

You’re welcome!

Hi! How many words maximum should contain the abstract?

Thank you so much 😊 Find this at the right moment

You’re most welcome. Good luck with your dissertation.

best ever benefit i got on right time thank you

Many times Clarity and vision of destination of dissertation is what makes the difference between good ,average and great researchers the same way a great automobile driver is fast with clarity of address and Clear weather conditions .

I guess Great researcher = great ideas + knowledge + great and fast data collection and modeling + great writing + high clarity on all these

You have given immense clarity from start to end.

Morning. Where will I write the definitions of what I’m referring to in my report?

Thank you so much Derek, I was almost lost! Thanks a tonnnn! Have a great day!

Thanks ! so concise and valuable

This was very helpful. Clear and concise. I know exactly what to do now.

Thank you for allowing me to go through briefly. I hope to find time to continue.

Really useful to me. Thanks a thousand times

Very interesting! It will definitely set me and many more for success. highly recommended.

Thank you soo much sir, for the opportunity to express my skills

Usefull, thanks a lot. Really clear

Very nice and easy to understand. Thank you .

That was incredibly useful. Thanks Grad Coach Crew!

My stress level just dropped at least 15 points after watching this. Just starting my thesis for my grad program and I feel a lot more capable now! Thanks for such a clear and helpful video, Emma and the GradCoach team!

Do we need to mention the number of words the dissertation contains in the main document?

It depends on your university’s requirements, so it would be best to check with them 🙂

Such a helpful post to help me get started with structuring my masters dissertation, thank you!

Great video; I appreciate that helpful information

It is so necessary or avital course

This blog is very informative for my research. Thank you

Doctoral students are required to fill out the National Research Council’s Survey of Earned Doctorates

wow this is an amazing gain in my life

This is so good

How can i arrange my specific objectives in my dissertation?

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

• What Is A Literature Review (In A Dissertation Or Thesis) - Grad Coach - […] is to write the actual literature review chapter (this is usually the second chapter in a typical dissertation or…

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Print Friendly

• Dissertation Submission Checklist
• Introduction

Harvard Griffin GSAS strives to provide students with timely, accurate, and clear information. If you need help understanding a specific policy, please contact the office that administers that policy.

• Application for Degree
• Credit for Completed Graduate Work
• Ad Hoc Degree Programs
• Acknowledging the Work of Others
• Advanced Planning
• Formatting Your Dissertation
• Publishing Options
• Submitting Your Dissertation
• English Language Proficiency
• PhD Program Requirements
• Secondary Fields
• Year of Graduate Study (G-Year)
• Master's Degrees
• Grade and Examination Requirements
• Conduct and Safety
• Financial Aid
• Non-Resident Students
• Registration
• Is every page of the dissertation correctly numbered?
• Does the body of the text begin with Page 1?
• Is the pagination continuous? Are all pages included?
• Is the Dissertation Acceptance Certificate unnumbered and positioned as the first page?
• Is the placement of page numbers centered throughout the manuscript?
• Is the title page formatted correctly?
• Is the author’s name, in full, the same on the title page and the abstract?
• Does the author’s name and date on the title page match the Dissertation Acceptance Certificate?
• Does the copyright page follow the title page?
• Is the abstract included after the copyright page, and is it formatted correctly?
• Does the abstract include the title of the dissertation, the author’s name, and the dissertation advisor’s name?
• Is the title on the abstract the same as that on the title page?
• Are the margins at least 1” on all sides?
• Is the font size 10–12 point?
• Are all fonts embedded?
• Are references in the form of footnotes (or endnotes if customary in your field)?
• Are all charts, graphs, and other illustrative materials legible?
• Do lengthy figures and tables include the “(Continued)” notation?
• If appropriate, have you filed for a patent?
• All formatting is checked before submitting the dissertation (review  Top 10 Formatting Errors ).
• Submit dissertation through ProQuest ETD .
• If you are requesting an embargo of longer than two years, you will need a signed approval  from the DGS.

Explore Events

• Admitted Graduate Students
• Current Graduate Students
• Current Undergraduate Students

BC.EDU LINKS

• Boston College
• Campus Life
• Jesuit, Catholic
• Academic Calendar
• BC Magazine
• Directories
• Offices, Services, Resources
• Agora Portal
• Maps & Directions
• Dissertation Guidelines and Checklist
• New Hire Information
• Registration & Forms
• Policies and Procedures
• Research Funding
• Thesis Checklist
• Commencement
• The Versatile Ph.D.
• Emergency Fund Application

Dissertation Guidelines and Checklist

A message from Associate Dean Candace Hetzner:

Congratulations on nearing the end of your doctoral work at Boston College. If you would like to schedule an optional Exit Interview please contact me at candace.hetzner@bc.edu . This is an opportunity for you to share your experiences and assist us in formulating objectives for future change.

Submit your dissertation online

eTD@BC website

University Academic Calendar

Dissertation Checklist

Elements of your dissertation, 1. submit your dissertation online, university-wide policy on dissertation submission requirements to be used across all doctoral programs at bc.

Management of dissertations at Boston College is online-only. The public dissemination of research fits with university social justice values supporting global access to scholarship. The University policy with regard to dissertations is as follows:

All final dissertations must be submitted and published online through ProQuest/UMI, as well as BC’s open access institutional repository, by the University required deadline.

The ProQuest ETD Administrator system is used for student submission, school administration approval, and library management of the process, as it is at the vast majority of Carnegie Tier 1 schools. BC also supports an institutional repository (IR) as its system of record, in which we are legally obligated to preserve all dissertations, and where materials are made available Open Access online according to Creative Commons licensing of the student’s choosing. For both repositories, embargoes may be placed for up to two years. Embargoes can be extended up to five years with school approval. Each system carries its own set of licenses, terms and options (e.g. ProQuest license, BC IR license.)

Exceptions to the requirement to submit digitally will be based on decisions made by individual schools or by the Provost. BC Libraries provide support, instruction, and infrastructure to enable the collection, approval, description, security, access and preservation of all Boston College dissertations and theses.

(February 2021)

Submit your Thesis Electronically via eTD@BC

ProQuest ETD Administrator System

BC Institutional Repository

2. Signature Page

Signature page.

Use the provided Signature Page Template. Complete the form by choosing the appropriate drop-down choice and typing in the required information, including the names of your advisor and readers as designated beside the signature line. This form allows for electronic signatures; this is the preferred method. Please follow  the instructions provided to the right. If someone in your committee cannot sign the document electronically, you must print out two copies for original ink signatures—both copies must be original, not photocopies; print only AFTER any electronic signatures have been applied. Do not include a copy of the signature page in the electronic-submission copy of your dissertation. Send electronic signature pages to the dean's office as instructed; hard copies should be sent to Gason 108.

N.B., digital images of signatures should never be included in the electronic version of the dissertation, e.g., on signature pages, IRB forms, copyright permissions, etc.

Signature Page Template

Signature Page Instructions

3. Information Form

Please fill out this information form .

4. Survey of Earned Doctorates

Please fill out the Survey of Earned Doctorates

Complete the Survey of Earned Doctorates

Dissertation Template

The following should be submitted in this order:

Traditional Title Page

Copyright page.

• Dissertation

If you have any questions about the format of your dissertation contact the Dean's Office, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Gasson 108, at 617-552-3268. Dissertations not conforming to the minimum standards described here in may be returned to the candidate and the awarding of the degree delayed.

The title page must conform to this sample; otherwise, the Graduate School reserves the right to require the page to be redone. The dissertation title should be concise and meaningful, and the title on the signature page and title page should match.

Regardless of which option you select with UMI, this page is required and must conform to this sample; otherwise, the Graduate School reserves the right to require the page to be redone. The copyright year should match the date of defense.

The abstract must include the title of your dissertation, your name, and that of your dissertation advisor as the heading. The abstract must be double-spaced in the same type font as the dissertation text.

Dissertation Form and Style

The signature page, traditional title page, copyright page, and the abstract must not be numbered.

The Graduate School does not require use of one particular style manual; however, make sure that you consistently follow one method of reference and bibliographic notation throughout your dissertation.

The typing of all textual material must be double-spaced; notes, bibliographic references, and long quotations may be single-spaced. The font size must be minimum (10) point. While the font size and style should be consistent throughout your text, the notes, bibliographic references, and long quotations may be in a size smaller than your text, but must still be at least (10) point.

Dissertations should ordinarily be written in English. In exceptional cases where there are substantial academic reasons for doing so, departments—with the approval of the associate dean for academic affairs—may accept dissertations in a language other than English.

Margins and Page Numbers

Left and right margins must be 1.25 inches. Top and bottom margins must be (1) inch. Page numbers must be 1 inch from paper edge on top or bottom of page.These margins must be strictly maintained throughout your work.

The traditional title page, copyright page and abstract cannot be numbered and should be submitted in that order. Table of contents, acknowledgments (optional), lists of tables, etc. are considered the introductory material of the manuscript; therefore, the pages should be numbered in lower case Roman numerals (i, ii, etc.). Every page of the dissertation body, i.e., after the introductory material, must be sequentially numbered in Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, etc.).

Charts, Graphs, Tables

Illustrative material may be included (in color, greyscale, or black and white).

Dissertation Submission

Dissertation submission.

• To qualify for graduation you must deposit your completed dissertation with the University by the date indicated on the University Academic Calendar.
• In order to graduate your graduation date must match your graduation date listed in Agora. If not, you must contact the Dean's Office at 617-552-3268 or  gsasinfo@bc.edu  to have this corrected.
• Follow the Dissertation Checklist to ensure you have completed all requirements.

All elements on the following checklist must be completed by the deadline for dissertation submission printed on the University Academic Calendar. 

Email the Dean's Office

Dissertation editing and proofreading services by UK editors

Your dissertation is the most important part of your degree, so don’t lose marks for language mistakes. You’ve done the work – now let’s make it shine!

Polish your grammar

From commas and quotation marks to pronouns and prepositions, your dissertation editor will make sure your text is clear, correct and consistent.

With the Scribbr Improvement Model, the editor will catch every punctuation mistake, check your word choice and sentence structure, and comment on confusing phrasing to help you write more fluently.

Improve your style

Academic writing requires a formal tone – we advise on appropriate wording and bring your style up to dissertation level. It also demands careful formatting, so we make sure you consistently follow academic conventions when using numbers, abbreviations and quotations.

If you lack confidence in your written English, let a language expert sharpen your sentences so that your meaning shines through!

Get personal feedback

Our dissertation editors don’t just proofread – you’ll also receive guidance to help you become a better academic writer.

Your editor will highlight recurring mistakes to watch out for and provide expert tips to improve your writing.

Add-on dissertation editing services

Structure check.

A strong structure is crucial to a great dissertation. With a tailored Structure Check Report , your editor will check the organisation of your paragraphs, sections and chapters.

They’ll help you reduce repetition and redundancy, improve your headings and titles, and make sure you’ve included the right information in the right places.

>>Discover the Structure Check

Clarity Check

When you’ve spent so long working on your dissertation, it can be hard to step back and assess the clarity of your writing.

With two checklists, your editor will let you know if your argument is logical and easy to follow. They’ll highlight contradictions and help you tell a clear, compelling story.

>>Discover the Clarity Check

Citation Editing & Paper Formatting

As well as dissertation editing, we can help you format your paper and sources. When ordering Citation Editing will make sure your citations and reference list are complete, consistent and correctly formatted.

Paper Formatting includes creating a table of contents and list of figures, insert page numbers, and make sure your document looks impeccable.

>>Discover Citation Editing and Paper Formatting

Fast, simple, affordable

We can proofread your dissertation in 24 hours, three days, or one week – and we guarantee we’ll never miss a deadline.

The process couldn’t be simpler : choose your turnaround time and additional editing services, upload your dissertation, select which pages you want edited, and fill in some details. Then your editor takes over!

Rates start at £0.013 per word, and you can calculate the price instantly – no need to wait for a quote.

Professional dissertation editors available 24/7

We work with over 200 native English-speaking editors based around the world, so there’s always someone ready to take your order.

Our editors have a wide range of academic expertise, and they all go through a rigorous application and training process. Your editor knows exactly what markers want to see in a top-quality dissertation.

Any questions about your edit? Get in touch with our support team by web chat or over the phone.

Customers rate our proofreading service excellent!

Meticulous changes.

Meticulous changes, good suggestions, and fast delivery.

This company is very good and reliable

This company is very good and reliable. I will use them again!!!

Excellent proofreading

My text was proofread professionally with many corrections and helpful comments. The proofreading was ready faster than expected.

Great experience! Turn around time was met! Very thrall! Everything you would want in a editor for scholarly works.

Great experience!

KI-Detector leider wenig hilfreich. Der Kundenservice ist top!

EDIT: Der Kundenservice hat rasch, freundlich und sehr hilfsbereit reagiert! Deshalb habe ich meine bewertung noch einmal angepasst und vergebe nun 4 Sterne. Ich muss mich den Bewertungen, die vor mir abgegeben wurden, leider anschließen. Ich habe gestern Abend einen Text auf Plagiate prüfen lassen und mich dann auch dafür entschieden, die Analyse für 18€ zu kaufen. Diese wies einen Plagiatsverdacht von 2% aus, wovon sich keine der markierten Stellen als echtes Plagiat erwies. Richtig schlimm wurde es aber, als ich den KI-Generator ausprobiert habe und nahezu jede meiner (mit ChatGPT assistierter Recherche aber definitiv eigenverfassten) Textpassagen mit einer hohen oder sogar 100%igen KI-Wahrscheinlichkeit ausgewiesen wurde. Ich habe meine Passagen wieder und wieder umgeschrieben und diese wurden dennoch immer wieder als 100% KI-Texte bewertet. Das verunsichert natürlich sehr kurz vor einer Abgabe! Ich habe es schlussendlich testweise dann mit einem Text versucht, welchen ich bereits 2020 - also lange vor der Existenz von ChatGPT und co. verfasst habe. Auch dieser wurde mit einer 100%igen KI-Wahrscheinlichkeit bewertet. Ich ärgere mich sehr, dass ich 18€ ausgegeben habe. Wäre das Tool tatsächlich hilfreich, würde ich selbstverständlich auch gerne für den Service zahlen.

I was very pleased that the necessary…

I was very pleased that the necessary arrangements were made, taking into consideration what I had informed. The reasons for the arrangements made also guided me for the future.

Wonderful English editing service!

Wonderful English editing service!! Fast, accurate, full of explanations, and really good editing. I always use it when submitting my research to academic journals. The output is just perfect!!

Katherine is an amazing editor

Katherine is an amazing editor. She always puts a great effort to improve the quality of my work!!

Doug was awesome

Doug was awesome! His feedback was great and much appreciated for my dissertation.

Gute Reaktion des Kundenservice!

Ich habe meine Masterarbeit zur Plagiatsprüfung hochgeladen und es wurden einige vermeintliche Plagiate gefunden. Daraufhin habe ich die Analyse für knapp 29€ gekauft. Daraufhin hat sich herausgestellt, dass KEINE der Stellen ein tatsächliches Plagiat war, sondern bspw. das Inhaltsverzeichnis oder direkte Zitate, die bereits mit der richtigen Quelle angeben wurde. Diese Prüfung lohnt sich nicht! Edit: Die Antwort von Scribbr war sehr hilfreich und wir konnten das Problem gemeinsam lösen. Daher erhöhe ich die Bewertung auf vier Sterne!

Perfect website for APA source lists!

This website has made my life so much easier, so many times! There is one small discomfort and that is that you have to sign in again every time, there is no way you can stay signed in. But furthermore: thank you so much for making this tool!!

I had a great experience using Scribbr

I had a great experience using Scribbr. My editor was amazing as he was extremely thorough and concise. He helped so much with the formatting of my paper and helped with its clarity. I feel so much more confident in my paper now!

It was helpful that the reviewer…

It was helpful that the reviewer offered different suggestions.

Thank you !

Thank you ! Good job, as usual.

Perfect editing

Great job, professional and perfect

Rukky is great in pointing out the…

Rukky is great in pointing out the usage of hyphen before and after a noun - can’t believe I’m on my second master’s degree and only found out about it now. I’m also getting my edit back 30 hours ahead of schedule. Thank you Scribbr.

Most professional language proof service!

As usual a very in-depth and professional language proof service! Thanks a lot!

Cara did more than what is "normal"

Cara did more than what is "normal". Her performance was excellent.

The company was very responsive and…

The company was very responsive and supportive. Ben, the editor, was great. He helped with items that needed to be modified, reworded/structured. This was my second experience with Scribbr and I really appreciate it! Definitely a Five Star!

Quick and useful

Very quick, very kind and relevant comments, really improving my text. This is the 5th time in a year I use Scribbr, can absolutely recommend them

Why choose Scribbr?

Experienced and reliable.

Our editors have already improved over 25,000 documents, and and we help thousands of students every day with our proofreading services and Knowledge Base articles.

100% happiness guarantee

We’re so confident in our proofreading service that, if you’re not 100% happy with your editor’s work, you get your money back or your document re-edited for free.

Secure and trustworthy

Your documents are uploaded through a secure SSL connection and handled with complete confidentiality.

Outstanding customer service

If you have any doubts before or after placing an order, you can rely on our support team, and you’ll always know who you’re talking to.

Our dissertation editors are ready. Are you?

Ask our team.

Want to contact us directly? No problem. We are always here for you.

• Chat with us
• Email [email protected]
• Call +44 (0)20 3917 4242
• WhatsApp +31 20 261 6040

Frequently asked questions

Yes, if your document is longer than 20,000 words, you will get a sample of approximately 2,000 words. This sample edit gives you a first impression of the editor’s editing style and a chance to ask questions and give feedback.

How does the sample edit work?

You will receive the sample edit within 24 hours after placing your order. You then have 24 hours to let us know if you’re happy with the sample or if there’s something you would like the editor to do differently.

Read more about how the sample edit works

At Scribbr, we promise to make every customer 100% happy with the service we offer. Our philosophy: Your complaint is always justified – no denial, no doubts.

Our customer support team is here to find the solution that helps you the most, whether that’s a free new edit or a refund for the service.

Yes, in the order process you can indicate your preference for American, British, or Australian English .

If you don’t choose one, your editor will follow the style of English you currently use. If your editor has any questions about this, we will contact you.

Yes, our editors also work during the weekends and holidays.

Because we have many editors available, we can check your document 24 hours per day and 7 days per week, all year round.

If you choose a 72 hour deadline and upload your document on a Thursday evening, you’ll have your thesis back by Sunday evening!

Yes, you can upload your document in sections.

We try our best to ensure that the same editor checks all the different sections of your document. When you upload a new file, our system recognizes you as a returning customer, and we immediately contact the editor who helped you before.

However, we cannot guarantee that the same editor will be available. Your chances are higher if

• You send us your text as soon as possible and
• You can be flexible about the deadline.

Please note that the shorter your deadline is, the lower the chance that your previous editor is not available.

If your previous editor isn’t available, then we will inform you immediately and look for another qualified editor. Fear not! Every Scribbr editor follows the  Scribbr Improvement Model  and will deliver high-quality work.

Yes! Our editors are all native speakers, and they have lots of experience editing texts written by ESL students. They will make sure your grammar is perfect and point out any sentences that are difficult to understand. They’ll also notice your most common mistakes, and give you personal feedback to improve your writing in English.

When you place an order, you can specify your field of study and we’ll match you with an editor who has familiarity with this area.

However, our editors are language specialists, not academic experts in your field. Your editor’s job is not to comment on the content of your dissertation, but to improve your language and help you express your ideas as clearly and fluently as possible.

This means that your editor will understand your text well enough to give feedback on its clarity, logic and structure, but not on the accuracy or originality of its content.

Good academic writing should be understandable to a non-expert reader, and we believe that academic editing is a discipline in itself. The research, ideas and arguments are all yours – we’re here to make sure they shine!

• UB Directory
• Graduate School of Education >
• Information for Current Students >
• Learning and Instruction Current Student Resources >

Dissertation Checklist and Timeline

Completing all of the crucial steps to the dissertation process can be complicated. Time and task management will be key to your success. Review the suggested tasks and print out this checklist to assist you in your dissertation journey.

Thesis Helpers

Find the best tips and advice to improve your writing. Or, have a top expert write your paper.

The Last Dissertation Checklist You Will Ever Need

Did you just start to work on your dissertation and you realized that the task is much more difficult than you imagined? Indeed, writing a dissertation is a very difficult thing to do, especially if you don’t have two or three months at your disposal. What you need is a dissertation checklist. Why? Because you must organize your time and manage everything perfectly if you are to finish the project on time. By keeping your dissertation progress in check at all times, you basically make sure that you will complete the paper on time and that you don’t skip anything. So let’s talk about the checklist and see how a good one looks like.

Difficulties of Writing a Dissertation

As we mentioned before, writing a complex dissertation is a very difficult task. It is very important that you check dissertation progress periodically and adjust your schedule and your workload accordingly. Here are just some of the things that can seriously impact your progress:

• You are not a native English speaker. As you can imagine, it will be much more difficult for you to write the dissertation and express your ideas clearly and concisely.
• There are just too many things you need to do and you don’t have enough time. A checklist for dissertation enables you to keep everything organized and make sure you don’t forget about anything.
• If you have less than one month at your disposal, you need to start getting organized. Time is short and you have a lot of research and writing to do.
• You receive poor feedback from your thesis supervisor when you submit the draft. You need to set some dissertation goals immediately and start fixing things ASAP!

Why a Dissertation Checklist?

College students are not very good at organizing their time. In addition, they have little experience writing difficult papers such as dissertations. You simply don’t know how to split this complex writing assignment into smaller, more manageable parts. And you probably don’t know all the rules you need to follow and all the small things you have to do to make sure your dissertation is written following proper academic writing standards.

This is why a dissertation checklist is so important. You always know exactly what you have to do and when. Not to mention the fact that you will have all the guidelines and requirements right there in front of you. Remember that dissertations take a long time to write and that you may not have said time. Let’s take a look at how a dissertation checklist looks like and at what it should contain.

How to Check Dissertation Progress Quickly

The best way to make sure you are on track with your dissertation is to follow a strict checklist. You don’t want to miss anything because any mistake means lost points. Want to learn how to check progress with dissertation? Here is the last checklist you will ever need:

Does a Checklist Really Save Time?

Yes, a checklist enables you to check your dissertation progress and make sure you are on track at all times. It will save you time because you always know exactly what you have to do. Instead of searching on the Internet about all the things you need to check, and even trying to buy dissertation , you just take a look at the checklist. You will not only keep your work organized, but also check dissertation progress with one glance. Remember that writing a thesis is very difficult and that your academic career depends on the outcome of your work.

Get Thesis Help Today

Now that you have gained the knowledge of organization to prepare for writing your thesis, you can begin. But that is still tremendous amounts of work, so you might be thinking “I need someone to help me write my thesis ” Here at our thesis writing service we offer the best thesis writing help for an affordable price! So now every student get afford to be good at school, not only the ones who have a lot of time. You will receive any type of help you need, from researching to editing. Get in touch with customer support and let us know what task you need.

Make PhD experience your own

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scribbr Plagiarism Checker

Plagiarism checker software for students who value accuracy.

Extensive research shows that Scribbr's plagiarism checker, in partnership with Turnitin, detects plagiarism more accurately than other tools, making it the no. 1 choice for students.

How Scribbr detects plagiarism better

Powered by leading plagiarism checking software

Scribbr is an authorized partner of Turnitin, a leader in plagiarism prevention. Its software detects everything from exact word matches to synonym swapping .

Access to exclusive content databases

Your submissions are compared to the world’s largest content database , covering 99 billion webpages, 8 million publications, and over 20 languages.

Comparison against unpublished works

You can upload your previous assignments, referenced works, or a classmate’s paper or essay to catch (self-)plagiarism that is otherwise difficult to detect.

The Scribbr Plagiarism Checker is perfect for you if:

• Are a student writing an essay or paper
• Value the confidentiality of your submissions
• Prefer an accurate plagiarism report
• Want to compare your work against publications

This tool is not for you if you:

• Prefer a free plagiarism checker despite a less accurate result
• Are a copywriter, SEO, or business owner

Get started

Trusted by students and academics worldwide

University applicants

Ace your admissions essay to your dream college.

Compare your admissions essay to billions of web pages, including other essays.

• Avoid having your essay flagged or rejected for accidental plagiarism.
• Make a great first impression on the admissions officer.

Submit your assignments with confidence.

Detect plagiarism using software similar to what most universities use.

• Spot missing citations and improperly quoted or paraphrased content.
• Avoid grade penalties or academic probation resulting from accidental plagiarism.

Take your journal submission to the next level.

Compare your submission to millions of scholarly publications.

• Protect your reputation as a scholar.
• Get published by the journal of your choice.

Happiness guarantee

Scribbr’s services are rated 4.9 out of 5 based on 3,527 reviews. We aim to make you just as happy. If not, we’re happy to refund you !

Privacy guarantee

Your submissions will never be added to our content database, and you’ll never get a 100% match at your academic institution.

Price per document

Select your currency

Prices are per check, not a subscription

• Turnitin-powered plagiarism checker
• Access to 99.3B web pages & 8M publications
• Comparison to private papers to avoid self-plagiarism
• Downloadable plagiarism report
• Live chat with plagiarism experts
• Private and confidential

Volume pricing available for institutions. Get in touch.

Request volume pricing

Institutions interested in buying more than 50 plagiarism checks can request a discounted price. Please fill in the form below.

Name * Email * Institution Name * Institution’s website * Country * Phone number Give an indication of how many checks you need * Please indicate how you want to use the checks * Depending of the size of your request, you will be contacted by a representative of either Scribbr or Turnitin. * Required

You don't need a plagiarism checker, right?

You would never copy-and-paste someone else’s work, you’re great at paraphrasing, and you always keep a tidy list of your sources handy.

But what about accidental plagiarism ? It’s more common than you think! Maybe you paraphrased a little too closely, or forgot that last citation or set of quotation marks.

Even if you did it by accident, plagiarism is still a serious offense. You may fail your course, or be placed on academic probation. The risks just aren’t worth it.

Scribbr & academic integrity

Scribbr is committed to protecting academic integrity. Our plagiarism checker software, Citation Generator , proofreading services , and free Knowledge Base content are designed to help educate and guide students in avoiding unintentional plagiarism.

We make every effort to prevent our software from being used for fraudulent or manipulative purposes.

Ask our team

Want to contact us directly? No problem.  We  are always here for you.

• Email [email protected]
• Start live chat
• Call +1 (510) 822-8066
• WhatsApp +31 20 261 6040

Frequently asked questions

No, the Self-Plagiarism Checker does not store your document in any public database.

In addition, you can delete all your personal information and documents from the Scribbr server as soon as you’ve received your plagiarism report.

Scribbr’s Plagiarism Checker is powered by elements of Turnitin’s Similarity Checker , namely the plagiarism detection software and the Internet Archive and Premium Scholarly Publications content databases .

The add-on AI detector is powered by Scribbr’s proprietary software.

Extensive testing proves that Scribbr’s plagiarism checker is one of the most accurate plagiarism checkers on the market in 2022.

The software detects everything from exact word matches to synonym swapping. It also has access to a full range of source types, including open- and restricted-access journal articles, theses and dissertations, websites, PDFs, and news articles.

At the moment we do not offer a monthly subscription for the Scribbr Plagiarism Checker. This means you won’t be charged on a recurring basis – you only pay for what you use. We believe this provides you with the flexibility to use our service as frequently or infrequently as you need, without being tied to a contract or recurring fee structure.

You can find an overview of the prices per document here:

Please note that we can’t give refunds if you bought the plagiarism check thinking it was a subscription service as communication around this policy is clear throughout the order process.

Your document will be compared to the world’s largest and fastest-growing content database , containing over:

• 99.3 billion current and historical webpages.
• 8 million publications from more than 1,700 publishers such as Springer, IEEE, Elsevier, Wiley-Blackwell, and Taylor & Francis.

Note: Scribbr does not have access to Turnitin’s global database with student papers. Only your university can add and compare submissions to this database.

Scribbr’s plagiarism checker offers complete support for 20 languages, including English, Spanish, German, Arabic, and Dutch.

The add-on AI Detector and AI Proofreader are only available in English.

The complete list of supported languages:

If your university uses Turnitin, the result will be very similar to what you see at Scribbr.

The only possible difference is that your university may compare your submission to a private database containing previously submitted student papers. Scribbr does not have access to these private databases (and neither do other plagiarism checkers).

To cater to this, we have the Self-Plagiarism Checker at Scribbr. Just upload any document you used and start the check. You can repeat this as often as you like with all your sources. With your Plagiarism Check order, you get a free pass to use the Self-Plagiarism Checker. Simply upload them to your similarity report and let us do the rest!

Your writing stays private. Your submissions to Scribbr are not published in any public database, so no other plagiarism checker (including those used by universities) will see them.