Dissertation

A dissertation is a substantial research document submitted in pursuit of a doctoral degree; in some systems it is associated with a master's degree. In the United States, a dissertation is typically required for a PhD and must present original research that makes an independent contribution to knowledge; in many other countries the term is used for the doctoral final project, while a master's level project may be called a thesis. Distinctions vary by country and institution, but the core idea is to demonstrate the candidate's ability to conduct rigorous inquiry and to argue a coherent, well-supported claim.

A dissertation generally consists of a title, abstract, introduction, literature review, methodology, results or findings, discussion, conclusion, references, and appendices; it may also include separate chapters for theory, data, and analysis. The exact structure depends on discipline and program. The process typically begins with a research proposal and supervision by one or more faculty advisors; progress is reviewed periodically by a committee. The student conducts the research, analyzes data or texts, and writes the document, often with multiple revisions required before final approval.

Defense: most programs require an oral defense or viva in which the candidate defends the work before a committee. After a successful defense, the dissertation is deposited in the university repository and submitted for degree conferral; some programs require publication of articles derived from the work. Ethical considerations, such as approval for human or animal subjects and proper citation practices, are mandatory.