About Theses & Dissertations

What is a thesis?

A thesis is a long-term project that you work on over the course of a semester or a year. Theses have a very wide variety of styles and content, so we encourage you to look at prior examples and work closely with faculty to develop yours. 

What is a dissertation?

Generally speaking, a dissertation's purpose is to prove that you have the expertise necessary to fulfill your doctoral-degree requirements by showing depth of knowledge and independent thinking. The form off a dissertation may vary by discipline. Be sure to follow the specific guidelines of your department.

Writing a Thesis or Dissertation

To get started on your thesis or dissertation, you will first need to identify an original topic. To narrow your focus, use the following tips:

 
Identify your curiosities

Finding a topic should start with a research question that excites or interests you. A rigorous, engaging, and original project requires continuous curiosity about the topic, your thoughts on the subject, and what other scholars have said about your topic. Avoid getting boxed in by thinking you know what you want to say from the beginning. Let your research and writing evolve as you explore. 
 
Get context

Get a sense of the broader picture before you narrow your focus and attempt to frame an argument. Read, skim, and otherwise familiarize yourself with what other scholars have done in areas related to your proposed topic. Briefly explore topics related to yours to broaden your perspective and increase your chance of finding a unique angle to pursue. 
 
Read critically

Critical reading is the opposite of passive reading. Critical reading involves careful, sustained thinking about the information you are looking at. This process may include analyzing the author's motives and assumptions, asking what might be left out of the discussion, considering what you agree or disagree with, and exploring connections and contractions between scholarly arguments. 
 
Have a conversation

Your thesis or dissertation will incorporate some ideas from other scholars whose work you researched. By reading critically and following your curiosity, you will develop your ideas and claims, and these contributions are the core of your project. Your work will define your place within the larger discussion. Make sure that you know how to quote, summarize, paraphrase, integrate, and cite sources to avoid plagiarism, show the depth and breadth of your knowledge, and acknowledge the work of other scholars. 

Staying on Track

Theses and dissertations are long-term, large projects that involve extensive research and writing. During these projects, it is easy to lose focus, motivation, or momentum. Use the tips below to help you stay on track.

  Timelines
 

Break the project down into manageable pieces and create a timeline for completing each smaller task. Be realistic but also challenge yourself, and be forgiving of yourself if you miss a self-imposed deadline here and there.

Your program will have specific deadlines for different requirements, including identifying a thesis advisor or committee, submitting a proposal or prospectus, completing the thesis/dissertation, defending the dissertation, and submitting your work. Consult your department’s website for these dates and incorporate them into the timeline for your work.
  Accountability
 

Sometimes self-imposed deadlines do not feel urgent unless there is accountability to someone beyond yourself. To increase your motivation to complete tasks on schedule, set dates with your thesis advisor or committee chair to submit pre-determined pieces of a chapter. You can also arrange with a fellow student to check on each other’s progress. 
  Common Pitfalls
 

The most common challenges for students writing a large writing project are writer’s block, information overload, and the compulsion to keep researching forever.

  • To avoid writer’s block, try techniques such as freewriting, outlining, taking a walk, starting in the middle, and creating an ideal work environment for your particular learning style. 
  • Efficient research techniques are essential to avoiding information overload.
  • Remember that there is always more to learn and your thesis/dissertation cannot incorporate everything. Follow your curiosity but also set limits on the scope of your work. It helps to create a folder entitled “future projects” for topics and sources that interest you but that do not fit neatly into the thesis/dissertation

Masters Thesis Resources

DDes Dissertation and Prospectus Resources

PhD Dissertation and Prospectus Resources

Examples of Theses and Dissertations

Browsing through theses and dissertations of the past can help to get a sense of your options and gain inspiration but be careful to use current guidelines and refer to your committee instead of relying on these examples for form or formatting.