Pointers for Your Dissertation: Intro and Conclusion

Home / Pointers for Your Dissertation: Intro and Conclusion

Every section of your dissertation serves a purpose, so each part needs to be given due importance. What not all students know, however, is that there are better ways of doing things so that your paper is done efficiently and effectively, particularly for the Introduction and Conclusion.

So take a look at these pointers that can help you with your dissertation.

For the Introduction

1. Work on the Intro after you’ve finished the research

Although you will have an initial Introduction for your dissertation proposal, do not add to that until you finish your research. During your study, you are bound to discover new ideas and background information that you will want to include. So completing the Introduction after the analysis and discussion are done will save you much time and effort.

2. Keep the background short

The background explains the purpose of your research, showing what is happening right now. A big error, however, is that some share too much. Aim for two pages as anything more than that may just distract the reader.

3. Emphasize your research focus and rationale

This part of the Introduction presents the main reasons why you are conducting the study. It must be made clear to the reader that you are trying to discover something important about your field. So write in such a manner; otherwise, the reader might believe your paper is just a waste of time.

4. Present the aims and objectives

This portion should portray what you hope to achieve and how you will go about it. Ensure the language is very clear and direct to the point so there is no confusion in what you plan to do.

For the Conclusion

1. Make an outline

The first part of the Conclusion is to summarize the key findings and relate them to the objectives. Because much was said in the Findings and Discussion sections, it helps to make a mini-outline so you can note the important areas to include in the Conclusion.

2. Don’t repeat everything

An error many doctoral candidates make is to repeat the various findings. This is unnecessary as the reader can always return to that section. So just summarize what was discovered.

3. Think of your work’s limitations

Nobody wants to admit that there is something “missing” in their work. But for research, it is necessary to be humble enough to acknowledge your study’s limitations so others can build upon them. Take time to consider what was missing in your study, and present them in the Conclusion as part of your recommendations.

4. Emphasize how your study filled in the gap

Finally, in a dissertation, there is a part where you mention how your study filled in the gap. This is where you can proudly state how your work added to the general body of knowledge in your field. Link the Review of Literature to your findings so that it is clear to all that your research filled in the need.

Summary

If you are thinking of the Introduction and Conclusion already, it means you are not too far away from a completed dissertation. So consider getting dissertation writing help online to help boost your dissertation’s final grade.